Backpack blessings set for Aug. 5 ahead of new school year

Trussville First United Methodist Church will hold their Blessing of the Backpacks event the weekend before the new school year begins.

This will be the second year for this event, which will take place on Sunday, Aug. 5 from 5-7 p.m. on the mall in Trussville, in front of the pavilion near Cahaba Elementary School.

“We wanted to reach out to the community and have folks come together and have a blessing before school started so we can all pray for our children and administrators,” said Beth Burden, director of children’s ministries at Trussville FUMC.

Most of the kids at Trussville FUMC attend Trussville schools, but there are some from Pinson and Springville as well. Burden said everyone in the community is invited to this event.

“We will have five to six inflatables, free hot dogs, chips, drinks and Friyos [ice pops],” she said.

Last year, all ages of students and their families were in attendance, from elementary to high school. 

“At the end of event, we will gather everyone together and have a blessing by our senior minister,” Burden said. “Each child will receive a tag they can clip to their backpacks.”

Burden said they have previously held the event at the church, but hope to have more success with this organized community event at a central location.