31 January 2012
Student protests and the debate around Higher Education funding
have prompted this year's Education Sunday theme - learning and
serving - which issues a strong challenge about responsibility to
others.
Being celebrated this Sunday, February 5, - with resources suitable
for use all year - Education Sunday 2012 asks "What is education
for?" and says it should prompt people to use their newly acquired
skills for others, not just themselves.
The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd John Pritchard, who chairs the
Church of England's Education Division and National Society, said:
"This year's theme is a challenge to us all that we should not take
education for granted nor see it is a personal commodity: it is
about the whole person and our responsibility to others. This
should lead us to work for a fairer world where everyone has access
to education and to continue to tackle the root causes of poverty
and inequality that lead to millions of people around the world
being denied their basic human rights."
Churches and schools across the country are expected to mark
Education Sunday in their services, during collective worship or at
other suitable times during the year. Resources
include sermon ideas and all age worship materials, along with
collective worship ideas for primary and secondary
schools.
Notes
Education Sunday has been celebrated since 1878 and is
traditionally celebrated on the ninth Sunday before Easter.
More information on Education Sunday.