Mothering Sunday is a day when we give thanks for everything our mothers do and have done for us, but we know that it isn’t a happy day for everyone.
We have listed below some resources which you might find helpful for Mothering Sunday.
The single friendly church network has a short online webinar which investigates why single people struggle with Mother’s Day services and offers great practical ideas for your Church.
https://www.singlefriendlychurch.com/news-and-resources/mothers-day-in-church
However, you may wish to shape your service to include everyone on Mothering Sunday and make special provision within the service to allow for joy and sorrow in the same space. Here are a few ideas:
An Opening time of Prayer
A shared Candle lighting – bringing into worship the reality of the world within all our lives.
To the quiet beauty of this place, we have come from many places and with many thoughts. I invite you now if you wish to come forward and light a peaceful candle.
In silence, share a joy or a sorrow which you have brought with you this morning.
Mothering Sunday Prayer stations
These can offer a whole congregation a unique way of engaging with scripture and a wide range of activities which can speak into the varied sensitivities of Mothering Sunday.
https://www.brf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/mothering-sunday-active-prayers-17139.pdf
Clipping the Church
https://calendarcustome.com/ articles/whitley-chapel-clipping-the-church
This website describes some of the ancient customs adopted by Whitley Chapel and may inspire you to adapt creatively and sensitively for those who may choose to avoid a traditional Mothering Sunday service. An alternative way of clipping the church could be with home-made bunting inviting the whole community to choose a flag and write a prayer on the back, providing the option for those who wish to, to write a prayer with the name of a child or mother who has died on the reverse of the bunting.
A pastoral sermon for Mothering Sunday
Below is an example of a pastoral sermon in March 2021 by Revd Sally Kitchener, St Martin in the Fields.
https://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/mothering-sunday-reimagined
Prayers on Mothering Sunday
Opening Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we praise and thank you as we celebrate Mothering Sunday; a chance to express thankfulness and joy as we remember our own mothers or carers, who have, or still are, serving their families. We also remember and pray for those for whom today will be difficult and sad. We ask that your unfailing love will surround them and that they will feel your presence in their lives. Amen.
And a longer prayer for use later during your service:
Loving God, our heavenly Father,
In our worship today we thank you for all that our mothers mean to us and for all that they do for us. But we also know that for some people this is a difficult day of hurt, grief and perhaps anger. For those whose mother has died, whose child has died, or who have been unable to have children; for those who have, or have had, difficult relationships with mothers, or those whose mothers are unwell. We ask for comfort for all who are grieving, dealing with loss and heartache, especially on this day.
We ask for strength for those who mourn, for healing for those who have been hurt by relationships, and faith for those who long to have a child. And we thank and praise you today for all the women who have cared for us, fed us, taught us, clothed us, believed in us, loved us, made sacrifices for us and given in all manner of other ways to raise us to become the people we are today.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
And a special prayer for mothers from Pete Grieg:
A Prayer for Mother’s Day — PeteGreig.info
Mother’s Day Runaways liturgy – for those who usually avoid church on Mothering Sunday: http://saltwaterandhoney.org/mothers-day-runaways
If you are (or are supporting) a parent of a child who has died, the Care for the Family‘s Bereaved Parent Support page is full of helpful information.
The At a Loss Remembering Someone Badges are a thoughtful gift for someone who is grieving and would like to let people know they need a little extra kindness and support at this time.
Contact, Listen, Bless – this short video shows us how to make contact with people who have been bereaved, listen to their feelings and stories, and bless them by giving a small gift. Perhaps the Remembering Someone Badge?