Parish magazine article September 2025
Dear friends
Despite the adverts in the shops suggesting that parents buy new school uniform in July, the new school year is just beginning. Education has been part of my life and vocation from when I left school myself. I spent eight years teaching in primary schools, then worked as a lay children’s minister, with involvement in our local church school. Then I swapped sides of the teacher’s desk as our children entered their school years, and I had the novel experience of receiving reports rather than writing them!
Ordination brought ongoing opportunities to support the spiritual growth of children and staff alike in the parishes where I served, and since becoming Archdeacon of Ludlow I have had the enormous privilege of chairing our Diocesan Board of Education which oversees the wonderful work of our 78 church schools and academies and supports the diocesan education team in all that they do.
Our church schools and academies are not just places of learning information and life skills, but of putting down roots and building foundations so that each child and young person in our care has a chance to explore the Christian faith and experience the life in all its fullness that Jesus Christ promises.
There are so many ways we can all support this life-giving and life-changing work. Some may be called to become Foundation Governors, supporting and upholding the Christian foundation of the school. This is a vital lay ministry role. Yes, it can be demanding, but it is also immensely rewarding. If you’d be willing to explore what that might mean for you in your context, do contact me or our Diocesan Director of Education, Gemma Martin.
Others may be willing and able to support collective worship in our schools, perhaps by joining an Open the Book team if there is one in your benefice, and helping a new generation to hear and understand the stories of our faith. You could talk that through with your parish priest, who could let you know the safeguarding and training requirements.
And all of us can pray for our church schools and academies, for children, young people, staff, parents, governors, and Multi-Academy Trust teams. 24/7 Prayer has a downloadable PDF guide to praying for schools, available here https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/pray-for-students-and-teachers/
However you may be able to support the life of our church schools and academies, I pray that it may be a blessing and encouragement to you as you bless and encourage others. Happy New (School) Year!
The Ven Dr Fiona Gibson
Archdeacon of Ludlow