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“ It was also an opportunity to return to their ‘mother ’ church, the church where they had worshipped before leaving home to take up work.

THIS month brings the annual celebration of Mothering Sunday.

It is an opportunity to honour not just parental mothers but those within our church communities who are mothers to all – helping, inspiring and nurturing young and old alike on their faith journey.

Within the Christian calendar, Mothering Sunday falls every year on the fourth Sunday of Lent – this year on March 19 – and as with many traditions originally was granted historically as a religious holiday for children to return home to visit their mothers, gathering flowers along the way as they journeyed home. It was also an opportunity to return to their ‘mother’ church, the church where they had worshipped before leaving home to take up work.

In researching the roots of Mothering Sunday, I was fascinated to learn that Lenten fasts could be relaxed on Mothering

Sunday. The cake associated with the day was Simnel cake – afruit cake with two layers of almond paste and 11 balls of marzipan icing on top to represent the disciples (excluding Judas) and decorated with sugar violets. The cake’s name is believed to have come from the Latin simila, a flour used for baking cakes.

Today Mothering Sunday has become a largely secular tradition with gifts such as flowers and chocolates bestowed on beloved mothers or maternal figures, although slick marketing endeavours encourage spending on a range of gifts to mark the day. In churches the occasion offers an opportunity to honour not just parents, but the mother figures within congregations who have inspired and offered gentle encouragement to all within faith communities.

The day also presents an opportunity to remember the mother figures of the Bible.

The most obvious is Mary, the mother of the Son of God, but there are many others whose contribution is acknowledged, including Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist and Naomi, the mother-in-law of Ruth, whom Ruth faithfully and loyally stayed with even after the loss of both of their husbands. There are many others who have not been mentioned whose devotion, leadership and example continue to play a key part in inspiring leadership in church communities.

The mothers of the Bible – many of whom faced significant challenge – also offer hope and comfort for those who find the day difficult because of loss or longing. Their example will endure and continue to inspire the mothers and mother figures of today and tomorrow. ¤

Lynne McNeil Editor