Education Sunday

What is Education Sunday?

  • Celebrated since 1878
  • A national day when churches join to offer to God the work of education, in schools of all kinds, in colleges and universities and in the church.
  • A time to celebrate the achievements of education, to recognize the challenges, and support and pray for all who are involved in education.

  • Traditionally celebrated on the ninth Sunday before Easter.

Themes

Devised by an ecumenical steering group co-ordinated by Churches Together in England representing the following Christian denominations and organisations:

  • the Association of Christian Teachers;
  • the Baptist Union;
  • the Catholic Church;
  • the Church of England;
  • the National Society;
  • the Methodist Church;
  • the Salvation Army;
  • the Student Christian Movement;

  • the United Reformed Church.

2013 theme

Believing and Belonging: Martin Luther King Jr once said that "Before you finish eating breakfast in the morning, you've depended on more than half the world". We can't live independently of others, and there are many ways in which this happens in the world of education.

You can read about the theme, including the lectionary readings and sermon notes and material to help your Church or school celebrate Education Sunday  here.

2012 theme

'Learning and Serving': Through the service of others we can proclaim the gospel of justice, peace and love for all. Education is a means of becoming more effective partners with God, enabling us to share in God's work of redemption. The material is still available in the Education Sunday archive.

2011 theme

'Firm Foundations' touching on the bi-centenary of the National Society. Previous themes have included 'Ultimate Makeover', 'Prizes that last', 'Come and See' and 'The Earth is the Lord's. How Then Shall We Teach?' Resources are designed to help schools and Churches prepare for their own celebration on or around Education Sunday or on any other day throughout the year, such as at the start or end of the academic year. The resources can be used in churches, in local schools, colleges and universities and in other places of learning.