THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
6th March 2026
Greetings.
Mothering Sunday or Mother's Day? If the wording on greetings cards are anything to go by, Mother's Day wins hands down. But the two are not the same. Mother's Day has early 20th C North American origins and is kept on the second Sunday in May, whereas Mothering Sunday was observed in parts of England and Wales on the fourth Sunday of Lent several centuries ago. But it was regional, unknown in many places, and its meaning not entirely clear.
We tend to think of the customs we grew up with as ancient and fixed but the truth is they are constantly evolving. In this age of fluid gender politics and excessive sensitivity, how we observe Mothering Sunday in worship presents challenges that would have been entirely alien only a few decades ago. Whether we focus specifically on mothers, or mother church, or nurture generally, the point at which they all come together is Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the root of this observance as it is of all Christian worship. As the old prayer The General Thanksgiving says, We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
Tomorrow, at 10am, we will be offering our thanksgiving at a special Service of the Word in company with guests from Parley First School in what promises to be a lively celebration. Our own choir will also contribute, singing an anthem by John Rutter. Please support the occasion and show that we are a vibrant and welcoming community. The eucharistic celebration tomorrow will be Holy Communion at 8am at All Saints', in it's own way no less lively and joyful. The notices for the week with psalms and readings for daily prayer are on the attached Pew Sheet.
Blessings,
Charles Booth
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