Sunday, March 10th is Mothering Sunday and there will be special services in all of the churches:

9.30am: St John’s, Hale;
10am: St George’s, Badshot Lea;
11am: St Mark’s, Upper Hale.

Everyone is welcome as we give thanks for all those who care and protect us.  There will be refreshments and posies for everyone.

The day dates back to medieval England, and was once the time when people returned to their ‘mother church’ in their hometown during Lent. This allowed people to reconnect with their families and take a break from their daily routines. The idea was to encourage family connections and encourage them to focus on God during this time. Over time, Mothering Sunday became intertwined with the Christian liturgical calendar, and it was seen as a day to honour the Virgin Mary, often referred to as the ‘Mother of the Church’, recognising her role as Christ’s mother and a symbol of divine compassion and grace.

In modern times, Mothering Sunday in the Church of England is a time for congregations to express gratitude for the love and care provided by mothers and others who care and to recognise that God is both mother and father.

Everyone is welcome at our Mothering Sunday services this Sunday – March 14.

There will be services in each of the churches – and daffodils for mothers and other special women in our lives – as well as online.

The services in the churches are at 9.30am at St John’s, Hale; 10am at St George’s, Badshot Lea; and 11am at St Mark’s. The services are Covid secure, but please follow all guidelines.

An online service will be here from 9am and on Facebook from 10am.

Mothering Sunday is not just about mothers but about the love of God too, as Lesley Crawley explains: “Mothering Sunday is a chance to say a special thank-you to mothers, grandmothers and other important women in our lives who have given us love and support. It also reminds us that we have a loving God who cares for us more deeply than we can ever begin to imagine.”