Sending Ritual for College Students

In this strangest of back to school seasons, my congregation wanted to offer a blessing for college students - regardless of whether they're going or staying, in-person or virtual. 

Because we are not gathering in person, we offered this as a short blessing via Zoom. The families who attended found it meaningful. Because of that, I thought I'd post the ritual we used here in case you'd like to use it in your setting. 

A (brief) virtual sending service for college students

Leader 1: Welcome to our college students & their families. Take a look at this passage from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, which you can see in the chat.  

3 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

Leader 2: This passage seems particularly meaningful right now. Which couplet most resonates with you right now? Post it in the chat and write 1 sentence about why it connects with you right now.

Leader 1: Right now, there is so much uncertainty in our world and nation.

Leader 2: For that reason, we think this passage could be rewritten like this: (Post to chat)

There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:

A time to go to campus and a time to learn virtually;
A time to shop for supplies at Target and a time to order them from Amazon;
A time to meet new friends in person and a time to meet them virtually;
A time to embrace, and a time to bump elbows instead;
A time to care for others and a time to care for ourselves;
A time to wear masks and a time to take them off;
A time to stay in and a time to adventure out;
A time to try new things and a time to avoid unnecessary risks;
A time to keep silent, and a time to speak up;
A time to listen to the experts and a time to question them;
A time to be anxious and a time to feel peace;
A time to weep over all that has been lost and a time to laugh at the absurdity of it all;
A time to mourn what isn’t and a time to imagine what could be.

Leader 1: The truth is, we know that amidst all these times, God is with us.

Leader 2: With that in mind, we want to pray this as our blessing for our college students.

I’m going to read each couplet. After each, we’d like you to say – unmuted –

In all times, God is with us.

If you’re in the same room as your college student, please lay hands on them as we pray this litany together.

Let’s pray.

There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:
In all times, God is with us.
A time to go to campus and a time to learn virtually;
In all times, God is with us.
A time to shop for supplies at Target and a time to order them from Amazon;
In all times, God is with us.
A time to meet new friends in person and a time to meet them virtually;
In all times, God is with us.
A time to embrace, and a time to bump elbows instead;
In all times, God is with us.
A time to care for others and a time to care for ourselves;
In all times, God is with us.
A time to wear masks and a time to take them off;
In all times, God is with us.
A time to stay in and a time to adventure out;
In all times, God is with us.
A time to try new things and a time to avoid unnecessary risks;
In all times, God is with us.
A time to keep silent, and a time to speak up;
In all times, God is with us.
A time to listen to the experts and a time to question them;
In all times, God is with us.
A time to be anxious and a time to feel peace;
In all times, God is with us.
A time to weep over all that has been lost and a time to laugh at the absurdity of it all;
In all times, God is with us.
A time to mourn what isn’t and a time to imagine what could be.
In all times, God is with us.

Amen.

Leader 1: Thanks for coming today. Know that as you begin college this fall – whatever that looks like for you – you will be in our prayers.