Mothering Sunday or Mother’s Day?

Many nowadays just call it Mother’s Day, with cards and gifts, and visiting mothers. Traditionally the Sunday celebrates mothers and motherhood, Mary the Mother of God, and Mother Church – our local Parish Churches across Greater Lincolnshire or the Cathedral in Lincoln. Historically it was enjoyed as a holiday; a chance to return from working elsewhere back to our ‘mother church’, to home and family.

Tied to Easter, Mothering Sunday is always the Fourth Sunday in Lent, changing date each year, and can be delightfully Spring-like or cold and grey. It is a brief respite in the forty penitential days of Lent. In America, Australia, China, Greece and Austria, Mother’s Day is the second Sunday in May.

What might we be doing this year? As a mother or grandmother, as a child in the shops with Dad buying Mum a gift? What if you wish to be a mother? What if the experience or absence of your mother is painful? Amidst the happiness and commercialisation, there are a myriad of Mothering Sunday stories to be heard. These will be recognised at services in local churches where you will be made welcome.

A Prayer for Mothering Sunday

Loving God, 
Thank you for mums and children 
and for all the joy of family life. 
Be with those who are grieving because they have no mother;
Be close to those who are struggling because they have no children;
Be near to those who are sad because they are far apart from those they love.
Let your love be present in every home, 
And help your church to have eyes to see and ears to hear the needs of all who come. 
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.