The drawing above of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus is by my artist friend, Kay Gibbons. It was recently exhibited in The Oxford Arts Society Show. Kate works in various mediums, especially stained glass; glass sculpture; water colour; sculpture; oil and much more. Her designs are often striking and bold and she has a tremendous eye for colour. To see more examples of her work, visit her on Instagram. (PS, I am a big fan!)

A Thought on Mothering Sunday  from Kay

When all around is busy , crazy and chaotic …
I like to sit quietly
and draw
and think
and ponder
and wonder…
about this ,
that
and the other …..

[Kay Gibbons]

Mothering Sunday is a Christian holy day, celebrated throughout Europe, that falls on the 4th Sunday in Lent. It is a time when we traditionally celebrate the church as the place where our Christian family finds its home.In the past many people worked away from home—many children in service to big households—but on this day they were given time off to return home to their families, and to their ‘mother church’.  They would pick flowers along the way to give to their mothers. It was also a day in Lent when the rules about fasting were relaxed, and it was a time when special Easter cakes were prepared, so it also became known as Refreshment Sunday, Pudding Pie Sunday and Simnel Sunday – after the practice of baking Simnel cakes to celebrate the reuniting of families during Lent. 
Mother’s Day** is a more recent invention when is a celebration of the role of mothers and families. It is celebrated on the same day that Mothering Sunday so the two celebrations have now been combined.

{ ** mothers’ day is kept at another time of the year in the USA and other places}

A Prayer on Mothering Sunday and beyond

Loving God, you have given us the right to be called children of God.Help us to show your love in our homes that they may be places of love, security and truth.
Loving God, Jesus, your Son, was born into the family of Mary and Joseph; bless all parents and all who care for children; strengthen those families living under stress and may your love be known where no human love is found.Loving God, we thank you for the family of the Church. We pray that all may find in her their true home; that the lonely, the marginalized, the rejected may be welcomed and loved in the name of Jesus.Loving God, as we see the brokenness of our world we pray for healing among the nations; for food where there is hunger; for freedom where there is oppression; for joy where there is pain; that your love may bring peace to all your children. Amen