First United Methodist Church of Gautier host annual Backpack Blessing

The COVID pandemic has made people all across the world change school year traditions.

- the covid pandemic has made - people all across the - world change school year- traditions.

The first united- methodist church in gautier,- however, is not - allowing the virus to get in th- way of an annual tradition- it does for students.

- news 25's grace boyles has more- on how the gautier church - made its backpack blessing safe- for everyone.

- - in preparation for the first da- of school for the - pascagoula-gautier school - district, the first united- methodist church of - gautier held its annual backpac- blessing on sunday.

- rev.

Mj kirby, senior pastor at- fumc of gautier: "in years past we have always sent - our kids and educators back to- school with all of our love and- prayers with- a backpack blessing and this- year it's a little different.

- with covid, we couldn't do our- traditional service."

The back-to-schoool event this- year was staged as a- drive-thru with church members- and leaders wearing masks - and gloves as cars drove up to- - - - receive their blessing.

Althoug- the service wasn't the same as- in years past, the- sentiment behind the backpack - blessings was.- heather brewer, fumc of gautier- children's coordinator: "well it's just-- sending them off- with love and with confidence,- knowing that there are people - who are rooting for them and- thinking about them.

It's just - good way to start off - the year with good feelings and- just strength ready to go."

With the first united methodist- church of gautier still - holding its services virtually,- the blessing gave - brewer a chance to see some - familiar faces in person for th- first time in a while.- heather brewer, fumc of gautier- children's coordinator: "it has been so exciting and it also- tugs on my heart strings becaus- i miss them so much.

I'm- - - - used to seeing them virtually - every week adn for the past - several months, i - haven't seen them hardly at all- so, it's a joy to see them and- - - - just be able to wave at them an- tell them that we love them."

The backpack blessing doubled a- a school supply drive.

All- supplies collected by the churc- - - - will be distributed to the thre- gautier elementary schools and- court appointed special - advocates children.

- despite the debate across the - country about whether - or not to send children back to- school, reverend kirby- says supporting the children is- most important.

- rev.

Mj kirby, senior pastor at- fumc of gautier: "now more than ever, we just - need to come together as a- communtiy, regardless if you- think schools should go - back in session or not right- now, it's time to come together- in untiy of the spirit and pray- our kids back into schools."

In gautier, grace boyles, news- 25.

-