Marie Curie

 

A National Day of Reflection will be held on Tuesday 23^rd March 2021, the anniversary of the first lockdown. in memory of those who have died and all who are still suffering.

Across the country people are asked to observe a minute’s silence at 12noon, and in the evening Shine a Light in the window and observe a minute’s silence at 8pm,

Archbishop John Davies:

Let us reflect on the pandemic, support all who have suffered and face the future with hope.

 Please observe the silence in your own home.  You are invited to light a candle or plant a flower and say a prayer to remember those who have suffered, those who have died and all who are grieving and in despair. 

Prayers on the National Day of Reflection

Loving God, 
You hold all our times in your hands, our past, our present, our future. Be close to us now as we remember all the difficulties and disappointments of the past year. Be especially close to all of us who are thinking of someone we loved and knew, but see no longer, whether family, friend, colleague or neighbour. Help us to trust that they are at peace with you, and comfort us with your presence. 

Loving God, 
You place us in families and communities, and we give you thanks for all those around us who serve us and help us in so many ways. Give wisdom to community leaders, to our schools, hospitals, care homes and other agencies who make a difference to our lives. Help each of us to have the courage to reach out with thanks and kindness to those around us and to speak words of faith as we share the good news of your love.

Loving God, 
As we journey towards Easter, help us to live as people of hope, knowing that beyond the pain of the cross lies the joy of resurrection. Be with those who are struggling in mind, body or spirit, and give courage to those who are facing uncertainty and change ahead. Help each of us to keep our eyes fixed on you, that we may reflect your light to all whom we meet.

Heavenly Father, be with us as we think about all that has changed this year,
And help us to trust that you are always with us.
Be close to us as we remember those who have died,
And help us to trust they are at peace with you.
Show us how to reach out to others with kindness and care,
So that hope shines out in every heart and home,
Amen

Mothering Sunday

Dear Friends.

The fourth Sunday of Lent is always Mothering Sunday or Refreshment Sunday. A day of respite from the disciplines of Lent.  It is a day for celebrating all Mothers and giving thanks for their love.  Mothering Sunday has been around for a very long time, hundreds of years ago it was a day for honouring the Mother Church and people went to a special service at The Mother Church, which for our diocese is St Asaph Cathedral, or they returned to the Church where they had been baptised.  The idea of giving flowers on Mothering Sunday comes from the tradition of bringing flowers to decorate the Mother Church. Those returning to their church on this day would gather the flowers on the way. The flowers would be displayed in the church, blessed and then distributed amongst the congregation.   In later times Mothering Sunday became a day for young people who were away from home working as servants to have a day off and go home and visit their mother, often taking a gift of simnel cake.

 The story of the baby hidden in the bulrushes by his mother, protected by his sister and then discovered by a real Princess is a story much loved by us all.  It appears to be a story with a happy ending and yet it has far reaching consequences that form part of God’s plan.  It is a story of defying those who tried to destroy God’s people.  We have to remember the soldiers were looking for all new-born baby boys in order to kill them, how terrifying that must have been for every new Mother. . As they searched day after day every tiny sound that Moses made would have caused his mother’s heart to miss a beat as she sought to keep him hidden, yet she risked everything in order to save her son.  It is a story of a brave mother’s love.  There was such love within her that it caused her to take great risks in order that her son may live.  We know that Moses went on to become one the Patriarchs of the Jewish faith but his mother knew nothing of God’s plan, she simply did what she did out of love.

 

To love and nurture our children is a great gift.  Anyone who has welcomed a tiny baby into the family, a child, grandchild, niece or nephew will know the joy that they bring.  All babies are a beautiful witness to God’s creating love, but in the midst of it all there is still the hard work, the worry, the sacrifices, yet so willingly given for love of a child.  There is a quote that says ‘the joy of Motherhood is when all the children are finally asleep in bed.’

 

Whether you are a Mother, Grandmother, Godmother or someone who shares in the care of children, Happy Mother's Day.

A prayer for Mothering Sunday

Loving God, your son Jesus was born into the earthly family of Mary and Joseph: bless all parents and all who care for children.  Help us to show your love in our homes that they may be places of love, security and truth.  Amen

With Every Blessing….Val