FIRST THIRD MINISTRY.ca
  • Home
  • Events
    • Event Calendar
    • YouthTrek 2025
    • Leaders Online Gatherings >
      • Rituals and Practices for an Intergenerational Worshipping Community
    • Youth Forum at GC45
  • Leader Resources & Education
    • Resources >
      • Anti-Racism Resources
      • Ash Wednesday Ritual
      • Camping Resources
      • Faith@Home Magazines
      • Honouring the Earth
      • Reconciliation and Relationship
      • Tips and Ideas for Gathering Online
    • Leaders Online Gatherings
    • Certificate in Children, Youth & Family Ministry
    • VST Course Cohort: A Spirituality of Race for First Third Ministry Leaders
    • COVID-19 Aware Guidelines
  • Youth Council
  • Job Opportunities
    • Summer Camp Team 2025
  • Contact
  • Camping MInistry

A Mother's Day Reflection

5/4/2021

 
This month -and everyday-, We Celebrate our Mothers.

"Being a Mother is Learning about Strengths you didn't know you had, and Dealing with Fears you didn't know existed." Linda Wooter

This time, We want to share a writing by Kerry Child, a Family and Community Minister, Memeber of the Hope4CE Steering Committee
Picture
​I am a mother of two. One bright, creative, full of life five year old and her sister who lives in heaven. Mother’s Day has always been tricky for me. Don’t get me wrong. I love recognizing my mom, both of my grandmothers and the many other important “mothering” people in my life. My living child has an amazing godmother and many positive female role models but Mother’s Day is a challenge.

It’s a secular holiday; one of the biggest where families gather for brunch, bouquets of flowers are purchased, cards sent and phone calls made. And that in itself is incredible.  And why not? Mothers are amazing, strong, hardworking human beings who deserve to be celebrated. But Mother’s Day isn’t part of the Christian calendar and celebrating it in worship often creates an awkward, exclusive and uncomfortable experience for many.

I know of several people who avoid church on Mother’s Day.
Picture
So as people who work with children, youth and across the generations we come across yet another struggle between the secular and church world. Here are some tips when it comes to planning worship and Sunday programs on Mother’s Day.
​
  • If you traditionally give each women a flower, consider changing this up. Provide a few vases of flowers and at the end of worship invite anyone who wants to take one home to do so as a sign of celebration and recognition.
  • During the prayer time include prayers for all women, not just mothers. Keep in mind that not all women have children but really want them while others aren’t parents and never wanted to be. Other families have adoptions in process or are working through fertility challenges. There are so many different emotions at play. 
  • In your planning, please remember any families who may have experienced a recent pregnancy loss or the death of a child. Will this be their first Mother’s Day since that tragedy? Send them a card to acknowledge that this is a difficult time and that the church is praying for them. You may also consider delivering them a Prayer Shawl. 
  • Are you planning to have your Sunday School or Youth Group make Mother’s Day gifts? Be sure to check with families ahead of time to see who THEY recognize on Mother’s Day. Not all families have moms. Some will recognize grandma or auntie instead. 
  • Christian Family Sunday is another way to celebrate. In some churches they take this day to celebrate the entire family, their relationships, accomplishments and faith journeys. 
    ​
This year, in the midst of COVID 19, Mother’s Day will be entirely different. You may want to consider putting flowers outside of your church building in celebration of this day or invite households to dedicate a hanging basket in memory of their mom. You could also host a virtual tea party following the worship service where you invite attendees to share stories, songs or poems about the inspirational women in their life.

Like everything, you will receive feedback. Some will love the subtle route and others will be disappointed that you didn’t hold a huge party for all the moms. No matter the outcome, I hope this Sunday and all the future Mother’s Days will include laughter, story, prayer, celebration and space to grieve.
Picture
Kerry Child, Family and Community Minister, Gilmore Park United Church, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, and member of the Hope4CE Steering Committee

Comments are closed.

    Archives

    January 2024
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021

    Categories

    All
    Administrator
    Camp Spirit
    Campus Ministries
    Chaplaincy
    Easter
    Employment Opportunities
    Event Overview
    #F3Celebration
    Faith@Home
    First Third News
    General Council
    Holy Week
    Indigenous
    Instagram Challenge
    Lent
    Magazine
    Mental Health First Aid
    Planning
    PMR First Third News
    Postponed
    Reflection
    Rural
    Survey
    Training
    UNBC
    Young Adults
    Youth Forum

    RSS Feed

Email:
[email protected]
​
Contact
Jobs
​
News

Picture

Sign Up for First Third Ministry Emails 

Connecting you and your community to First Third Ministry's life and work.
Picture
Picture
  • Home
  • Events
    • Event Calendar
    • YouthTrek 2025
    • Leaders Online Gatherings >
      • Rituals and Practices for an Intergenerational Worshipping Community
    • Youth Forum at GC45
  • Leader Resources & Education
    • Resources >
      • Anti-Racism Resources
      • Ash Wednesday Ritual
      • Camping Resources
      • Faith@Home Magazines
      • Honouring the Earth
      • Reconciliation and Relationship
      • Tips and Ideas for Gathering Online
    • Leaders Online Gatherings
    • Certificate in Children, Youth & Family Ministry
    • VST Course Cohort: A Spirituality of Race for First Third Ministry Leaders
    • COVID-19 Aware Guidelines
  • Youth Council
  • Job Opportunities
    • Summer Camp Team 2025
  • Contact
  • Camping MInistry