Dear All Saints and St. Marys
Bind us together, Lord, Bind us together With cords that cannot be broken. Bind us together, Lord, Bind us together,
O Bind us together with love.
You are the family of God,
You are the promise divine;
You are God’s chosen desire,
You are the glorious new wine.
The chorus 'Bind us together Lord' was so popular in the late 70s that unfortunately it started to become an irritating earworm. Nevertheless, it deserves reviving because the words sum up the message that radiates out of every Bible passage set in the church's lectionary for Mothering Sunday: mothering is everyone's business. God calls us to accompany each other through joys and sorrows- this is what love looks like.
A reflection on mothering…
In the Old Testament story about baby Moses (Exodus 2:1-10) we see a mother in a terrible dilemma - having to let go of her child in order to save him. Moses survived to adulthood thanks to a whole number of caregivers: midwives, his birthmother, his sister and his foster mum, Pharaoh's daughter (relying on the slaves of the household to provide much of his care, no doubt).
In Colossians 3:12-14 Paul encourages the early Christians to 'clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony' and offers a list of garments to dress in: patience, kindness, compassion and so on.
Our communities of faith are modelled on the example set by Jesus who, even on the cross, provided for the on going care of his own mother under the roof of his best friend John. Bereaved mothers identify with Mary at the cross, as we recognise and give thanks that we too are mothered by friends, our church family and more specialised support networks.
They say 'It takes a village to raise child'. Thankfully in this complex and globalized world 'the village' includes many sources of support beyond our immediate family and community networks. Care for the Family https://www.careforthefamily.org.uk and Winston's Wish https://www.winstonswish.org and Kids Matter https://kidsmatter.org.uk
Kids Matter run local mutually supportive groups for parents to gain confidence in their skills through increased personal wellbeing. Winston's Wish support bereaved children and Care for the Family offers a range of courses to support parents of teens and bereaved parents too.
Today's readings give glimpses of mothering that real and recognisable. Love and heartache are inseparable. So one of the greatest gifts God gives us in this life is one another. Together we walk through years, learning to listen and scold, to encourage and forgive; learning to give and accept, to protect and let go; learning the responsibility of helping those dependent on us and the humility of enforced and unwelcome dependence on others. (Psalm 34:11-20 and Colossians 3:12-14 demonstrate this.) I'm reminded of and give thanks for those in our congregations who lead Scouts and Guides and Generations.
And through all of it God gives the companionship and the joy of humans loving one another. There is a place for mothering in all relationships, including, of course, God’s relationship with us.
May God fill you with a deep sense of peace and wellbeing this Mothering Sunday,
Revd Diane
Services on Mothering Sunday On Mothering Sunday we are offering a choice between two morning services, both with Holy Communion. At St.Mary's we have worship and activities for the whole family to enjoy together within an informal atmosphere. At All Saints there will be a Junior Church with activities for children in the Link, so that parents can have some rest and hear a reflection geared to adults before re-joining at communion.
St.Mary's 10.00 All Age Holy Communion Readings: Colossians 3:12-14; John 19:25-27 All Saints 10.30 Holy Communion with Junior Church Readings: Exodus 2:1-10; Psalm 34:11-20; John 19:25-27
The Week Ahead..
Tues 21st | 7:00pm | Lent Group 1: Making Disciples | Contact for details |
Weds 22nd | 9:00am | Celtic Morning Prayer | All Saints |
| 2:00pm | Lent Group 1: Making Disciples | Contact for details |
Thurs 23rd | 10:00am | Holy Communion | St Mary's |
Sun 26th | 8:00am | Holy Communion | All Saints |
| 10:00am | Sung Holy Communion | St Mary's |
| 10:30am | Café Church | All Saints |
Please keep in your prayers the Year 4 Fishponds Church of England Academy's Visit to All Saints from 10am-3pm on Wednesay 22nd for Easter in a Box -the Movie - a vivid retelling of the events of Holy Week with drama and props. A team of around 10 will be involved in making this happen.
_________________ Revd Diane Simms Assistant Curate Benefice of All Saints and St Mary Fishponds
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