Huntley's Shepherd of the Prairie to offer student backpack and teacher blessings

The beginning of each new school year is celebrated at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church in Huntley with its traditional "Back to School Backpack Blessings" given by Senior Pastor Mark Boster.

On the weekend of Aug. 12-13 during all services, a special blessing will be invoked to honor kindergartners and all other students to encourage positive experiences and academic success in the upcoming 2023-24 school year.

A separate blessing will be held for teachers and administrators to give them strength and inspiration for their guidance of students.

"We started our kindergarten blessing tradition in 2004 to encourage the children not to fear school and to know our church family is praying for them and that God is with them wherever they are, even in school," Pastor Boster said.

"Our traditional backpack blessings for the other students began in 2006 so that their school year will go well and have a great year of learning to be better equipped to serve God. It is also important to include our teachers and administrators for a special blessing as they need our prayers and support."

Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church, located at 10805 Main St., has served the Huntley community for over 20 years. It is led by Senior Pastor Mark Boster and Pastor Ryan Mackey.

For more information, visit the new website at www.sotp.org or www.facebook.com/ShepherdofthePrairie/.