This past Sunday was a special day of prayer and blessing at HRBC. We began with our Blessing of the Backpacks, where students of all ages brought their school bags forward and we prayed together for a year filled with curiosity, kindness, and courage. As a congregation, we lifted up students, teachers, school staff, and leaders with the refrain: “Dear Lord… Hear our prayer.”
as we prayed for a year filled with curiosity, kindness, and courage.
Following this moment of blessing, we welcomed Dr. John Murray, Superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools, who shared with us both gratitude and challenge as our community enters a new school year.
Dr. Murray reminded us that more than 64,000 students attend Chesterfield County schools across 68 campuses – making it one of the largest school divisions in Virginia and the nation.
With such size comes both diversity and need. Nearly half of our schools serve students who qualify for free and reduced meals. Many families face challenges with basic resources, while students also navigate pressures around mental health, technology, and social media.
Chesterfield County Public Schools, shares
with HRBC the challenges and opportunities
facing our students, teachers, and families.
When asked how our congregation might help, Dr. Murray’s advice was simple and practical: “Pick a school and ask, ‘How can I help?’ There is never not a need.”
Whether through volunteering, mentoring, tutoring, or simply showing up to encourage, faith partners like HRBC make a difference.
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Prayer Guide for Our Schools
Dr. Murray invited us to pray specifically in three ways:
- For students: to be curious, resilient, and kind.
- For teachers and staff: to be patient, creative, and wise.
- For leaders: to have wisdom and discernment to always choose what is best for students.
Let this guide shape your prayers this week—and throughout the year.
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HRBC, the start of a new school year brings sharpened pencils, blank pages, and fresh possibilities. But it also brings opportunities for us as the church to walk alongside our schools – through both prayer and service.
May our refrain continue beyond Sunday: “Dear Lord… Hear our prayer.”
Grace and peace,
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