Welcome to our Mothering Sunday Service

The History of Mothering Sunday The history of Mothering Sunday on the fourth Sunday in Lent is a little complicated. A tradition of children, mainly daughters, who had gone to work as domestic servants were given the day off to visit their mother and family on the fourth Sunday in Lent. This tradition was linked with returning to the ‘Mother Church’ or cathedral The Fourth Sunday in Lent was celebrated within some traditions as Refreshment Sunday For the revival of Mothering Sunday must be attributed to Constance Smith ( ), and she was inspired in 1913 by reading a newspaper report of Anna Jarvis’s campaign in America to honour Mothers on a specific day in May

The History of Mothering Sunday (cont) Constance Smith was a High Anglican who believed that “a day in praise of mothers” was fully expressed in the liturgy of the Church of England for the fourth Sunday of Lent. This is not entirely the case, for the Collect on that Sunday asks God that “we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of thy grace may mercifully be relieved” It is only the Lesson for the day that declares: “Jerusalem which is above is free; which is the mother of us all.” This Sunday harked back centuries to the pre-Reformation connotations of Laetare Sunday, on which the Introit, the first prayer of the Mass, says: “Rejoice, O Jerusalem: and come together all you that love her... and be filled from the breasts of your consolation”

The History of Mothering Sunday (cont) Connections with mothers came through it being the day to visit the mother church or cathedral. Some customs of the day outlived the Reformation. These included making a simnel cake and taking it to Mother. “I’ll to thee a Simnel bring, / Gainst thou go’st a Mothering,” wrote the celebratory poet Robert Herrick in the mid-17 th century Constance Smith reconnected simnel cakes and what local customs of the day that survived with the honouring of mothers. Under the pen-name C. Penswick Smith she published a booklet The Revival of Mothering Sunday in Things snowballed, impelled by feelings consequent on the loss by many mothers of their sons in the First World War.

The History of Mothering Sunday (cont) Constance Smith’s idea was not that Mothering Sunday should be limited to one Christian denomination, and its popularity spread through such open organisations as the Boy Scouts and Girls Guides “By 1938,” wrote Cordelia Moyse, the modern historian of the Mothers’ Union, “it was claimed that Mothering Sunday was celebrated in every parish in Britain and in every country of the Empire” Neither Constance Smith nor Anna Jarvis ever became mothers themselves. Anna Jarvis regretted the growing commercialisation of the day, even to disapproving of pre-printed Mother’s Day cards. “A printed card means nothing,” she said, “except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world”

Exodus 2 verses 1-10 All through the story of the Bible we hear stories of sacrifice and redemption because from the beginning we hear that God is both a creator God and a redeeming God God’s love for his creation is shown by the passionate pursuit of his people. The story culminates in the sacrifice of his own Son Jesus but right here, near the beginning of the Bible we read a story of God using a family to set in motion events that would have repercussions for all people everywhere and for all time

Luke 2: Motherhood is, like much in life, a mixture of joy and pain. Mothers are full of love, hope and pride, but conversely motherhood also brings with it fear, sorrow and guilt. Nurturing a child normally gives rise to intense feelings of love for them. The overwhelming feelings that accompany a new child can mean that many mothers put their child before themselves. A new mother entertains plans and hopes as each new milestone is achieved and pride in a son or daughter, or grandchild is common and normally healthy The counterbalance to these qualities, however, is fear, sorrow and guilt. Every parent knows fear for the future when we realise, all too soon, that we cannot control every element of our child’s life. Sometimes there is sorrow born of hopes unfulfilled, illness, bereavement or financial problems.

Luke 2: (continued) In the reading from Luke’s gospel we joined Mary and Joseph just after they had produced Jesus for presentation and purification at the temple. As observant and obedient Jews, they knew that the Law expected them to offer their firstborn to God and then redeem him for the cost of a small offering. In the temple Jesus was recognised by the faithful and hopeful Simeon, whose beautiful words, repeated so often in church services, must have brought joy and pride to Mary. Her son would be ‘a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel’. However, Simeon then says that the baby is destined to cause division so that many will hate him.

Luke 2: (continued) We now know how true those words were: the Jewish establishment and the Roman authorities would crucify the adult Jesus, who had been born with so much promise. Simeon is right to point out that everyone’s innermost feelings are revealed in the way they respond to Jesus: the thoughts of many hearts, he said, would be revealed. Today, as then, those who abuse the name of Jesus are revealing their innermost beings and they are making a conscious choice to spurn Him. The next point is to Mary herself as Simeon says, ‘And a sword will pierce your own soul too.’ For many this looks forward to the crucifixion when Jesus’s side was pierced by a sword while Mary looked on. However, he may well mean to warn Mary that her own Son could be a source of division for her.

Luke 2: (continued) For each of us, Mary included, needs to make the conscious choice to take Jesus as Redeemer and God into our life. We live and die with the consequences of that choice. Mary had obediently submitted to the call to become Jesus’s mother and had fulfilled what was due from her under the Law. However, like all mothers, she was to know the bittersweet taste of rejection as He grew and fulfilled His hard path. We don’t know much of what happened to Mary after Jesus’s childhood but Simeon’s words may still have echoed in her heart. Jesus had, like all children, to cut away from his mother’s apron strings. We understand that a parent’s role is to prepare a child for adulthood and independence.

Welcare Supports Parents This is where Welcare helps parents to help their children. Most parents want to be the best parent they can for their child, but sometimes life challenges you. Relationship breakdown, illness, domestic abuse, mental health challenges and addiction will mean that a parent needs a helping hand and that is where Welcare can help. Across south London, East Surrey and Bromley Welcare is helping parents to be the very best parent they can. All parents need to prepare a child for later life and then let them free. Motherhood may bring joy and pain but Mary reveals how we must surrender ourselves to Jesus and embrace all that entails

Jodie & Claire’s Story Jodie was seven when she came to us. She was withdrawn, anxious and guarded – words one should never have to use to describe a child. While her childhood had started off as a happy one, after Jodie turned seven, her mother Claire was sadly diagnosed with MS. A once active, energetic and fun-loving household was rocked by the diagnosis. On top of the physical symptoms - pain, exhaustion, difficulty walking - Claire developed depression and began experiencing erratic moods.

Jodie & Claire’s Story She felt her sense of control and her ability to provide for her family slipping away. Jodie and Claire’s relationship was suffering, and this was deeply affecting Jodie’s emotional wellbeing. Thanks to the support of our donors, our dedicated staff were able to match Jodie with one of our fantastic volunteer mentors and to help Claire access the counselling and health support that she needed.

Jodie & Claire’s Story Jodie’s mentor gave her time and attention, and helped her build confidence, allowing her mother the space to focus on gaining control of her new life and understand the best way she could now provide for her daughter. Without this support, Jodie was facing a future of uncertainty and anxiety. A future where her relationship with her mother would face continual pressure. Jodie and Claire both needed the kind of individual time and care that only charities like Welcare can provide, thanks to our donors.

Support Welcare, Strengthen Families Welcare has worked for over 120 years to be there but we need your continued support to ensure that we are here to help the children and families who turn to us for support now and in the future. In your service sheets please find a leaflet about the work of Welcare and how you can help families in need. Welcare is the mission arm of the church in this area and offers practical and emotional assistance to parents, children and families as individuals. Please consider supporting Welcare financially or volunteering your time to help a family or young person. Thank you so much.

God of love, passionate and strong, tender and careful: watch over us and hold us all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ, Mary’s child. Amen

Living God, You have made us in your own image And we live and grow best in companionship with others: Bless the work of Welcare with parents, carers and children. May Welcare staff, volunteers and supporters continue to provide places and spaces where trust is grown, understanding enabled, relationships developed, new confidence found and potential released. Amen.

T: E: Southwark Diocesan Welcare is a Charity registered in England & Wales ( ). Registered office: 19 Frederick Crescent London SW9 facebook.com/welcareuk