Blessing the Backpacks -- Backpack Charm Craft Instructions
From my wonderful colleagues I got the idea of doing a "blessing of the backpacks" as the children of the congregation go off to school. It's not a new idea -- Christian churches have been doing it for years, and apparently some UUs, too -- but I had never heard of it before. Churches often apparently put some sort of zipper pull tag on the backpacks. Here's an example found on Pinterest: A couple of colleagues shared their ideas, and some images, in a closed Facebook group, which started me thinking. I'm fairly crafty with things like this, so I knew I could come up with something. I was inspired by Karen G. Johnston 's example created by her DRE and a member, but couldn't figure out their fancy knots: http://awakeandwitness.net/2015/08/27/blessing-of-the-backpacks-a-mini-primer/ But, on the other hand, I do have some tricks up my own sleeve. Here's my prototype: My prototypes cost me over a dollar each to make, but to make in bulk...