The Protestant Church in Darmstadt is marking the start of the new school year with a special event. Students, teachers, and parents will receive a personal blessing today on the market square and at the Böllenfalltor bus stop.
Blessing after the first day of school
The blessing campaign is deliberately scheduled for the time after the first class. "When the school year starts, various thoughts and feelings, hopes and fears are either completely new or have returned," explains city youth pastor Dagmar Unkelbach to the Evangelical Press Service (epd). The blessing is intended to give strength and make it possible to experience "a feeling of being loved and accepted."
Presence at two central locations.
Since the Darmstadt Protestant Deanery extends far beyond the city limits, it has chosen two locations for the campaign: the market square in the city center and the bus stop at Böllenfalltor, from where many students and teachers travel to the surrounding area. "The idea is to reach people where they might not expect us as a church, but could really use a blessing or a conversation," says Unkelbach.
The blessing team will be present at the Böllenfalltor from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., and on the market square from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Participating will be two preachers, seven pastors, two youth workers, a community educator, and at least four young volunteers from the Protestant Youth Group. "It's about small, precious moments that arise on site and can be shaped through community," emphasizes the pastor.
Continuation of a successful idea
The campaign was developed by the "FEST im Leben" innovation and coordination office of the deanery and the Diakonie, as well as the city youth ministry. It follows on from a blessing campaign at the start of the school holidays, in which more than 100 travelers were approached at a motorway rest area near Darmstadt in early July. The vast majority welcomed the offer and responded positively to the "blessed on the road" initiative.
