Mothering Sunday

All Saints Fishponds
19 hours ago
2 min read

Dear All Saints and St Marys

I have always liked that Mothering Sunday is also known as "Refreshment Sunday" - it brings to mind images of cake and good coffee. Mothering Sunday comes exactly halfway through the season of Lent, giving us a time of reprieve from whatever it is that we have "given up" for 6 weeks. It is the pitstop that we need to be refilled with joy and rejoicing, before approaching perhaps the hardest part of our Christian story, the crucifixion.

I also find it interesting that the readings for Mothering Sunday blends some of the complex tensions of this day. In one Paul reminds us in Colossians of the gifts of compassion and kindness. In the other we are at the foot of the cross, with Mary and the disciple John, staying with Jesus in his final hour. So the rejoicing in what we are encouraged to be in Christ, is also held with the way in which Christ made this possible.

Perhaps the line that helps to bring these together is Paul's encouragement to "bear with one another". On this day, as we come together to celebrate Mothering in line with our faith in the God of all creation, who died for us - then may we be a refreshment to each other by "bearing with."

Services Sunday 15^th March - Mothering Sunday

10:00am	Holy Communion	St Marys
10:30am	Holy Communion	All Saints

THE WEEK AHEAD

Mon 16th	10:30am	Tiny Tots	All Saints
Tues 17th	10:30am	Music for Toddlers	St Marys Parish Room
	7:30pm	Lent Group One	The Vicarage
Wed 18th	9:00am	Celtic Morning Prayer	All Saints
	2:00pm	Lent Group Two	St Marys Parish Room
Thu 19th	10:00am	Holy Communion	St Marys
Fri 20th	11:00am	Living After Loss	St Marys
Sat 21st	12:00noon	Saturday Lunches	St Marys
Sun 22nd	8:00am	Holy Communion	All Saints
	10:00am	Holy Communion	St Marys
	10:30am	Cafe Church	All Saints
	6:30pm	Passiontide Music & Readings	St Marys