Mother's Day - which is on Sunday (14 March) - is the subject of the latest column written for us by the Vicar of Mossley, Reverend David Warner.
Mothering Sunday is one of my favourite days of the year - it's been celebrated in this country on the fourth Sunday of Lent since the Middle Ages.
The origins of the day are in giving thanks for mother churches - that is, the place where we received Baptism, and from that it’s grown into a day when we give thanks for all who give us motherly care.
In the days of the ‘big houses’ Mothering Sunday was a day when the servants were allowed to go home to their mothers and mother churches and a tradition of ‘church clipping’ was created - people would come out of the church building and stand in a huge circle, linking hands to surround the building in a giant embrace.
It was a very visual way of saying thank you for the care the Church (the people as well as the buildings) offers to every community.
This Mothering Sunday the continuing separation will be felt keenly by those unable to join with their loved ones, and the rules against social and physical contact will feel hard to bear.
As well as the obligatory cards, flowers, chocolates and whatever else, we can pause and take a moment to thank all mothers, step-mothers, adoptive mothers, foster mothers, grandmothers, aunties, godmothers, and indeed all people who have given, and continue to give a mother’s care to us - and a special cheer for those who have home-schooled, have been working from home, and those continuing to work to keep others safe, as well as caring for their own families.
Jesus knew the unconditional love of his mother in their home in Nazareth where he grew and became an adult - his mum was there for him at the beginning and the end - we thank God today and every day for those who care for us, are there for us, and who, like the circles of folk holding hands around their churches, hold us in their love and prayers.
Reverend David Warner, the Vicar of Mossley
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