Celebrate with The Children’s Society this Mothering Sunday Supporting families affected by substance misuse Contents

Introduction 4 How to use this resource 4 What is Mothering Sunday? 4 How The Children’s Society supports parents of children affected by substance misuse 5 Supporting The Children's Society through your service 7 All-age talk and activity ideas 8 All-age talk: John 19.25b-27 8 Creative responses 9 Other Bible passages for use on Mothering Sunday and suggested talk on Colossians 3.12-17 10 Children’s group session: Quality clothing 13 Youth group session: Quality relationships 15 Prayer resources 16 Mothering Sunday hymns 21 Templates 22 Template 1: Takeaway card jigsaw 22 Template 2: T-shirt shaped cards 24 Takeaway: Colour-in card 26

2 3 What is Mothering Sunday? Today, many churches provide small posies These groups consist of a seven-week Introduction of flowers for children in the church to give to programme covering modules that include: Mothering Sunday is celebrated in their mothers and other carers to thank them. churches on the fourth Sunday in . Increasingly, churches are also aware of those ■ Boundaries and consequences How to use this resource Traditionally it is a day when we thank God for whom Mothering Sunday is a painful time ■ Positive behaviour for the love of our mothers, and we thank and are including prayers and affirmations of them in person for their care for us. ■ Drug awareness education The resources in this pack can be used care for children in all its forms, addressing as a complete package or as standalone issues of infertility, baby loss, childlessness, ■ Appropriate support of users In the UK, the service dates back hundreds child bereavement and parental bereavement, elements. Please feel free to pick and of years to the time when people were ■ Addiction information choose what is useful in your context. particularly of a mother. encouraged once a year, on , ■ Coping and distraction techniques to return to their home or ‘mother’ church In 2018/19, The Children’s Society directly This year, our focus is on the support or cathedral. In Latin, the first words of the played a caring role in the lives of over 9,000 Parents using our service in Essex then The Children’s Society gives to parents whose prayer for this Sunday were ‘Laetare, O children and young people, and helped bring have the opportunity to go on to the children are involved in substance misuse. Jerusalem’ (‘Rejoice, O Jerusalem’) taken positive change to the lives of over 600,000 BRICK (Building Resilience in Community You can read more about this on page 5. As from Isaiah 66.10, and the prayer spoke more. Through partnership with the Church Knowledge) Group. This is a self-sustaining Mothering Sunday is often an all-age service, of the love for Jerusalem – the original we believe that much can be done to bring ‘life group for parents and carers run purely by we have included talks and activities based ‘’. in all its fullness’ to this country’s children and volunteers from The Children’s Society. It on the readings that are suitable young people. provides a safe and confidential space for This means that there is a small but distinct for all. There are also separate group sessions parents and carers to share concerns and difference between Mothering Sunday, for children and young people, prayers and a How The Children’s Society discuss issues affecting them, and to find and ‘Mother’s Day’, the more commercial hymn list – plus a printable colouring card to supports parents of children mutual support from others in the same celebration. Mother’s Day was instigated in give to those attending your service. unique position. Here are some quotes from 1914 in the USA as a holiday on the second affected by substance misuse There is a short video featuring interviews with parents who have attended the BRICK Group: Sunday in May, as a result of a campaign by parents from the BRICK group available at The Children’s Society runs Family Support Anna Jarvis to recognise the important role of ‘Being able to come to BRICK has been so childrenssociety.org.uk/motheringsunday Groups for families and friends who are mothers in society following the death of her helpful for both of us in our struggles with affected by somebody close to them The materials have been written by the Revd own mother. Initially the wearing of a white our son.’ Mina Munns, Priest-in-charge and Pioneer carnation and a proclamation from the House (usually a child) who uses alcohol or drugs. Minister of the parishes of Cresswell and of Representatives honoured mothers. The ‘A child's drug use is so hard to deal with, The groups are led by a professional facilitator Lynemouth, Newcastle diocese, and the commercialisation of the day rapidly grew, especially as drugs is such a taboo subject and provide information and education on Revd Jeremy Fletcher, vicar of Hampstead though Anna Jarvis is known to have taken a and it isn't something we would discuss what addiction is and how it affects somebody , London. Mina wrote the all- stand against this. with anybody, even most of our friends physically, mentally and emotionally. The age talk on John, the creative responses, don't know about our issues. Coming to Mothering Sunday as we know it today in the aim of the group is to empower the families the children’s and youth group session and [BRICK group] and meeting other parents UK, and across the Anglican Communion, is living in these circumstances by giving them she also drew the colouring card. Jeremy with similar struggles has been fantastic. an evolution of the traditional pre-reformation the tools to support a family member or to contributed the talk on Colossians, the prayer Although the children's problems and issues Laetare Sunday observance. It retains the set rules that allow both user and family to resource and the hymn list. might be all different we, as parents, still go post-reformation practice of returning have clearer objectives and an overview of a through all the same emotions and feelings We hope you enjoy using these home from domestic service to visit church healthy new relationship. and everyday struggles.’ materials. Please send any feedback to and family – picking flowers on the way to [email protected] give to mothers and decorate the church. Constance Smith, who was inspired by Anna Jarvis, campaigned for a revival of Mothering Sunday observance in Lent, writing a booklet ‘The Revival of Mothering Sunday’ in 1920. This was so influential and widely read that by 1938 it was said that every parish in the UK celebrated Mothering Sunday.

4 5 'To know we are not alone in this situation and ‘When others made me feel that ‘Through my own journey of recovery ■ By Giro slip – please use the to get information, help and support without my problems and my family and with my daughter, we encountered many Fundraising Giro slip (available online being judged and knowing someone is there my beloved son who is an addict problems and hiccoughs and I always felt at childrenssociety.org.uk/shop) to for you is amazing! The people who run the were somehow "different" than everyone supported by all members of the group – pay in cash donations at any bank or group are all so lovely, caring and welcoming, else, BRICK reminds me that I am "normal" never judged, which was a huge relief as I felt Post Office. Please note that paying always available for support and making us and understand and there is no shame in quite a pathetic parent at times. Simply put, at any bank other than Barclays may feel comfortable in something that could be a living with addiction and loving an addict.’ I don’t think we would be where we are now cost you a small fee. very uncomfortable situation.’ without the support of… the BRICK Group. ‘When I first learned that my then 15 year old ■ BACS payments – to ensure that we My daughter had two years of counselling can accurately tie your BACS payment ‘I really don't know where we would be today daughter was taking illicit drugs and had with a dedicated drugs counsellor and is without BRICK and its wonderful members. been doing so for the preceding year, I felt to your records, please ensure that now completely drug-free, but realises she you include your full name and I have made some really good friends I can as if my whole world had fallen apart. She has an addiction problem and recognises call on any time I need to. Thank you.’ had taken up smoking, I knew, but I never Supporter number (if you have one). the need to be vigilant and not to put herself For more information on how to pay expected drugs to feature in my family’s in situations where drug-taking could ‘As parents we all dream of our children online go to childrenssociety.org.uk/ life in any way, shape or form. To say I become an issue. So, thank you to all at achieving great things and being proud what-you-can-do/fundraising-and- was deeply shocked and devastated is an The Children’s Society – you saved our parents of our well brought-up and events/paying-in-your-donations understatement. I felt I’d failed as a parent.’ family, and my health and sanity.’ successful children. None of us had 2. Pray for our work – we send out a monthly addiction in our dreams. However, even the ‘As I knew nothing at all about drugs Supporting The Children's Society best raised, most loved, wonderful children culture, I immediately sought answers, prayer email, enabling you and your can turn to drugs and some can become information and help from anywhere I could through your service congregation to pray for our work. Sign up addicted to drugs. So as good parents we find it. After a number of dead ends, when at childrenssociety.org.uk/prayers There are many ways you can get find it really difficult to discuss our children's I was becoming increasingly distraught 3. Volunteer – find out about our involved in supporting our vital work with issues and the horrible effect it has on a and feeling utterly powerless to help my many volunteering opportunities at vulnerable children and young people and family when we are surrounded by people daughter, I stumbled across Essex Young childrenssociety.org.uk/what-you-can- their families. Why not join many other who do not understand and have very People’s Drug and Alcohol Service (EYPDAS) do/volunteer churches who support our work? stereotyped views of drugs and addiction in and, expecting yet another knock back, I 4. Campaign – The Children’s Society their minds.’ called the number and spoke to a lady who, 1. Hold a collection – you may wish to take actively campaigns for changes to within a few days, told me of a new group a collection for our work during the service. ‘BRICK is a group that brings together improve the lives of vulnerable children that was being formed for parents of It’s really easy to pay in your donations. parents who are trying to understand and young people and their families. drug-taking youngsters. Within the week, Simply choose one of these options: Sign up for our campaigns updates at addiction and continue to love and support I was visited by two members of EYPDAS their children through knowledge in a safe childrenssociety.org.uk/what-you-can- and, a few weeks later, I attended the first ■ By Cheque – please make all cheques do/campaign-change and non-judgemental environment. We meeting of BRICK Group, where I learned payable to ‘The Children’s Society’ share our nightmares and know we are of others’ journeys of drug addiction with and send to: understood unlike many other friends or their children.’ If you have any questions, please call family who cannot understand how this can The Children’s Society, our friendly Supporter Care team on be happening.’ ‘I must confess, I thought I would have Whitecross Studios, 0300 303 7000. (Lines are open nothing in common with anybody and was 50 Banner Street, Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm). ‘My family have experienced many of the dubious as to how discussing our problems London EC1Y 8ST. horrible consequences addiction can have could help. Anyway, as I attended each It’s helpful if you can send a covering on the entire family, including crime and fortnight, the support from the group was note, explaining that this is a Mothering mental health issues. I always know that second-to-none and the information shared Sunday collection. when life seems like it isn't worth it anymore, by the group leader was both in-depth and the members and volunteers of BRICK will delivered in an entertaining way – so all was support me and give me the encouragement not “doom and gloom” even though we were and strength to continue looking for answers all dealing with lots of problems.’ and solutions.’

6 7 Look at the ‘mother’ models people have Creative responses All-age talk and activity ideas made during the talk so far. The following activities will give people of all Each of these models shows a mother made ages an opportunity to respond to the themes of many different bricks, fitted together, of the all-age talk in a creative way. You might All-age talk: John 19.25b-27 that a mother could ever imagine. She is helping each other to build a strong shape. want to use one or both of them immediately watching her son die and there is nothing that Mothering is not a role that can be done after the all-age talk, or at another point in she can do to help him. She is about to be left Meanwhile, standing near the cross of alone. A single brick can’t make a strong the service. alone with her pain and sorrow. Death is not Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s shape. Just as Jesus creates a community what any mother imagines in their dreams sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas, and around his grieving mother, we, as a church, for their children and Jesus, from the cross, Creative response 1 Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw have the chance to continue to give strength knows that she will need support as she his mother and the disciple whom he and support to struggling parents, whether You will need: Lego bricks, music struggles through her heartbreak. So Jesus loved standing beside her he said to his it be through groups such as BRICK, or reaches out and creates a new community Spend a moment considering how you mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then through reaching out in love in other ways. for his mother. He connects Mary to his most can support struggling parents you know. he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your What part might each of us play in giving loved disciple and, from that moment, they Who are they? What do they need? What mother.' And from that hour the disciple support? Where might our own brick fit in join together to become a new family to give can you offer? How can you show them took her into his own home. the structure? Who can we connect with who each other strength and support. friendship or welcome? John 19.25b-27 (NRSV) needs help? Those parents who attend the BRICK group, Before the activity begins, join a few a self-sustaining group for parents of children bricks together to make the beginnings You will need: Lego or other connecting affected by substance misuse supported of a model that others can then add their building bricks in a wide range of colours, by volunteers from The Children’s Society, bricks to. Play some suitably reflective lengths and shapes come because they, like Mary, are struggling music and invite people to come forward and facing their own grief. They might not and choose a brick to add to the model. Put your collection of bricks at the front be facing the death of a child, but they are As they place it, encourage them to pray and ask for some volunteers to come and facing the real pain of a child’s addiction, and silently for a struggling parent or for the build a ‘mother’ shape out of bricks while the support they receive from the BRICK chance to support someone. you do your talk. community that forms around them is life- Bricks like this are a well-loved toy for all ages. giving. As one mother comments: Creative response 2 I imagine that lots of us have spent hours ‘BRICK is a group that brings together playing and building with them, and they’re You will need: Newspapers, sellotape, parents who are trying to understand not just for children. I know many adults who scissors, mugs, rulers addiction and continue to love and support have their own collection of bricks stashed Ask the congregation to form small, their children through knowledge in a safe somewhere in their house. They’ve been intergenerational, groups of four to six and non- judgmental environment. We designed to fit together perfectly so that you people. Give each group some newspaper, share our nightmares and know we are can build whatever structure is needed by sellotape, scissors and a good-sized mug understood, unlike many other friends or your imagination. They come in all sorts of and ask them to work together to create family who cannot understand how this can colours and shapes and there really is no limit a structure to hold the mug at least 20cm be happening. My family have experienced to their potential – as long as they are used off the ground. This task will require a many of the horrible consequences together. A single brick on its own really has lot of working together, but everyone addiction can have on the entire family, very little hope achieving anything. These will have different skills within the group including crime and mental health issues. bricks need each other to give a structure to help get the task done. When time is I always know when life seems like it strength and each one helps to support the up, test out the constructions. Link the isn't worth it anymore, the members and other as the model takes shape. work the group has done to support the volunteers of BRICK will support me and mug with the community support we can Our reading today might seem a strange one give me the encouragement and strength to offer, as a church, to parents and families. to link to building bricks, but actually there is continue looking for answers and solutions.' a perfect fit. Mary is facing the worst moment Thank God for the different skills we have to contribute.

8 9 Paul uses the image of clothing to describe Talk idea: Colossians 3.12-17 Other Bible passages for use the depths of what it is to love in a household As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, and a community, and what it is to put that on Mothering Sunday and clothe yourselves with compassion, love into practical action. Tom Wright’s suggested talk on Colossians 3.12-17 kindness, humility, meekness, and translation says that these are the clothes to patience. Bear with one another and, if wear: ‘be tender-hearted, kind, humble, meek anyone has a complaint against another, and ready to put up with anything’. forgive each other; just as the Lord has To make the effort to put on the piece of The readings for Mothering Sunday Colossians 3.12-17 forgiven you, so you also must forgive. clothing called ‘patience’, to ‘put up with encompass stories of the love of mothers, Above all, clothe yourselves with love, See the suggested talk on page 11. anything’ is immensely tough if one of the joys and anguish of motherhood, which binds everything together in your family misuses alcohol, substances and the ways in which the love of God is In 2 Corinthians 1.3-7 it is not only mothers perfect harmony. And let the peace or drugs, like the families in the BRICK interpreted through the lens of the love of who console, but it is motherly to offer of Christ rule in your hearts, to which project supported by The Children’s mothers for their children. In celebrating protection, healing and the binding up indeed you were called in the one body. Society. ‘Patience’ and ‘putting up with motherhood, we do well to avoid making of wounds. The church is motherly when it And be thankful. Let the word of Christ anything’ hardly describes the deep wells of it saccharine. Even at its best the love of is a place of consolation, where the dwell in you richly; teach and admonish compassion and sacrifice needed to cope, mothers can be tested to the limit, and not sufferings of others are understood to one another in all wisdom; and with and to find a way through when a relationship all mothering is received with thanksgiving. belong to everybody. gratitude in your hearts sing , and a household is torn apart with worry and hymns, and spiritual songs to God. Luke 2.33-35 describes profoundly the agony fear and anger. The story of Moses in Exodus 2.1-10 of mothers who see their children suffer. At And whatever you do, in word or deed, contains themes of oppression, sacrifice, the heart of the is the knowledge that do everything in the name of the Lord Paul is keen to tell us that the love of God will and a mother’s love expressed in letting her Mary, rejoicing in the knowledge that she has Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father protect us, sustain us and warm us, especially child go. That is the experience of countless borne the Son of God, sees the love of God for through him. in situations where people are under the families today, and the passage offers greatest strain. Our own clothing may be all expressed in her son’s suffering and death. Colossians 3.12-17 (NRSV) opportunities to pray for unaccompanied stretched and frayed. The BRICK project is a children and separated families. Moses On the cross, looking at Mary and John in piece of clothing, a practical enfolding in love is raised in an environment of complex John 19.25-27, Jesus encourages the deep There is lots of high-flown theology and and care. relationships, and many children grow in love of mothers and children to be expressed philosophy in Paul’s letters. And there are Paul’s prayer is that it will be the love of ‘blended’ environments too. in other relationships. How might the church some very simple and practical pictures express the motherly love of God, and the which help the listener and reader God which people see when they look at The story of Hannah and Samuel in knowledge of all being the children of God? understand the depths of his thought. Take the church. A motherly choice of clothing 1 Samuel 1.20-end enables reflections on the the remarkable image in this reading about includes enabling people to love, to forgive, experience of childlessness, of the profound clothes. Clothes are everyday and remarkable, to be patient, to bear with one another. Worn love of a mother for a longed-for son, and they are sensible and outrageous, they are well, such clothing becomes second nature, of the deep love of a mother again seen in normal and extraordinary. and like your favourite shoes you hardly know entrusting her child to others. you have them on. Paul invites his hearers to Billy Connolly famously said that there is no Psalm 127.1-4 is a reminder to trust, knowing think of what they choose to wear and why. such thing as bad weather, only the wrong that the surest foundations are those built on As a body they will express the love of God sort of clothes. In a household it’s not just the love of God. However, rejoicing in God’s when they consciously practise it, and when it mothers who sort the washing, ironing and gift of new life must never be to the detriment dwells in them. putting away, but clothes keep us and project of those for whom that gift is absent. us, and it feels like a motherly thing to care about what those we love are wearing.

10 11 Paul says to the Colossians that the voice of God, the word of God, must live in them, Children’s group session: just as the important lessons from our past continue to live in us and enrich us. God Quality clothing promises to prompt us and teach us, just as our parental advice continues to help us. By reading the Bible, praying, singing God’s These activities are based on Colossians Discussion: Clothing questions praise and discussing God’s word, God’s 3.12-17 and will help children to explore words live in us and enrich us. the qualities that help to build up and You will need: An old t-shirt, coloured Today is a day to hear a voice telling us to encourage people within families and flip chart pens or chunky markers, large choose the right clothes. All too often we communities. This is especially relevant blank stickers. Before the session, write think of God as remote and mighty. Here on Mothering Sunday as we think about the words in the brackets below in bold God is motherly and close. Let God clothe our own family dynamics and the ways in type in a single colour on the back of the you in love, and speak to you as you listen which the love and behaviour of others, t-shirt. On large blank stickers, write the to each other. Too many people have a bad especially care givers, can influence and definitions below, but not the words in experience of love. The BRICK project is help us. the brackets. an example of the deepest support made Wanting to help others (Compassion) evident in the toughest of circumstances. In Game: Jigsaw relay Friendly and generous (Kindness) learning from that we can find other ways Thinking about others more where putting on love can change things You will need: The takeaway card printed than self (Humility) around. To receive such love is to give it. It on two or three different colours of paper, Teachable, not wanting will be as practical as choosing the right coat each cut into six pieces (like a jigsaw – see to argue (Meekness) to wear, and as deep as the sacrificial love of template on page 23), a ball pool filled Agreement (Harmony) Christ, worked out in every interaction and in with balls. (Patience) every place. Divide the children into two or three (Love) mixed-age teams (depending on how Discuss the meanings of the words in the many children you have/jigsaws you have Colossians verse and match up the words made). Give each team a jigsaw colour. and definitions by putting the stickers Mix up the jigsaw pieces in the ball pool next to the word on the t-shirt. Get with the balls. children to suggest their own definitions Run a relay race where each child runs for ‘patience’ and ‘love.’ from the team base to the ball pool to Then use the following questions: find one of their colour jigsaw pieces. Run back to base and start to put together the ■ Which of these words is jigsaw picture. The team who constructs about you? the jigsaw first is the winner. ■ Which of these words do you find Talk about: The verse on the takeaway hard to show? card: ‘Clothe yourselves with compassion, ■ What might ‘clothe yourself’ in kindness, humility, meekness and these words mean? patience…Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together ■ Who in your family or in perfect harmony.’ Colossians 3.12-17 community shows one or more of these qualities? ■ How do these qualities help your family and community?

12 13 Craft: Clothing card Youth group session: You will need: T-shirt shaped card (see Quality relationships template on page 25), sequins, stickers. Ask children to choose qualities from the verse ‘worn’ by their mum/mother figure Colossians 3. 12-17 is a passage that lends ■ What happens to families when these and write/draw them on the front of the itself in so many ways to the exploration qualities are missing? card. Decorate the card with sequins, of our behaviour and its impact on the stickers etc and inside the card ask the ■ Which qualities do you find easiest community or family as a whole. On and hardest to show? children to write a thank you message for Mothering Sunday, as we think about ways the qualities their chosen person brings. in which parents support children, it is Read some of the stories from the parents Give the card to the person who has useful to remember that the behaviour who attend BRICK groups (see page 5) inspired it. of children can also deeply affect parents. Prayer: Ask each child to think about the The stories of those who attend ■ How have some of the parents at the quality they would like to ‘wear’ more in The Children’s Society’s BRICK groups BRICK groups been affected by the their life. With a pen, let them write their are a valuable resource in helping to behaviour of their children? name next to that word on the t-shirt. open up this conversation. ■ Where do you see compassion, Then pray this prayer: humility, meekness, patience and love Game: Blanket flip in these stories? Thank you, God, for our families and our community. Thank you for all of For each team you will need: A blanket ■ Which of these qualities would you like those people who help us with kindness, to ‘wear’ more in your own family life? Split the young people into teams of three compassion, humility, meekness, patience to five people. Give each team a blanket and love. Show us how to wear these and lay it out on the ground. Everyone Activity: Team-lifting challenge qualities too, so that we can be there for must stand on their team blanket. The those who need help. For each team you will need: object of the game is to work as a team to a strong elastic band, a piece of string Amen. turn the blanket over and end up standing for each person, 6 paper cups labelled on the side that is currently face down. ‘compassion’, ‘kindness,’ ‘humility,’ This must be done without stepping off ‘meekness,’ ‘patience,’ ‘love’. the blanket at any time. Use this game to talk about needing to work together with Tie one end of each string to the elastic different ideas and different personalities band and spread them out around the to achieve a goal. band. Line up each team’s cups at one end of the room. Give the elastic band/string to each Read Colossians 3.12-17 team and challenge them to move their cups from one end of the room to the Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, other without touching them with any humility, meekness and patience…Above part of their bodies. They will soon work all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds out what to do! Each member of the everything together in perfect harmony. team will be equally as important in their Use the following questions to open contribution to the challenge and the up discussion: team will really have to work together. Link this teamwork to the qualities we ■ Why does Paul advise Christians to each can contribute to the wellbeing of ‘wear’ these qualities? How do they the community and the family. help communities such as families?

14 15 8 In your compassion bring grace We thank God for giving us others to share in Prayer Prayer resources and forgiveness, our lives: You will need: Lolly sticks and pens, for the beauty of heaven may your love For parents, and the love which brought us 6 cups (from the activity above) labelled prepare us. to birth. Collect for Mothering Sunday ‘compassion’, ‘kindness,’ ‘humility,’ We praise you, O Lord and bring you ‘meekness,’ ‘patience,’ ‘love’. from Anselm of Canterbury God of love, thanks today. Sit in a group and put the cups in the Thanksgivings passionate and strong, For mothers who have cherished and centre. Ask the young people to put their nurtured us: name on a lolly stick and put it into the tender and careful: Gentle, patient God We praise you, O Lord and bring you cup labelled with the quality they would watch over us and hold us Today we thank God for the gift of mothers like to show more of in their relationship thanks today. and mothering across the world. with their parents and their family. all the days of our life; For fathers, who have loved and supported us: Isaiah wrote that God is a mother to us, Prayer: Thank you, God, for our through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. We praise you, O Lord and bring you families and communities. Help us to comforting and carrying us in her arms. thanks today. A Song of Anselm remember how our behaviour affects Gentle, patient God For brothers and sisters, with whom we have our relationships. Give us more of 1 Jesus, like a mother you gather your people thank you for your tender care. shared our home: the compassion, kindness, humility, to you; meekness, patience and love we need to We praise you, O Lord and bring you play our part in supporting and building you are gentle with us as a mother with thanks today. her children. Isaiah also wrote that God will never forget us up others. Amen. For children and their parents: 2 Often you weep over our sins and our pride, and that he knows each one of us We praise you, O Lord and bring you tenderly you draw us from hatred just as a mother knows her own children. thanks today. and judgement. Gentle, patient God For other relatives and friends who have been 3 You comfort us in sorrow and bind up thank you for your tender care. with us in our hopes and joys our wounds, and in times of sadness: in sickness you nurse us, and with pure milk We praise you, O Lord and bring you you feed us. David wrote that in God’s presence, thanks today. 4 Jesus, by your dying we are born to new he was quiet and at peace, For all who first spoke to us of Jesus, and life; trusting his God like a child safe in its have drawn us into the family of our Father mother’s arms. by your anguish and labour we come forth in in heaven: joy. Gentle, patient God We praise you, O Lord and bring you 5 Despair turns to hope through your thank you for your tender care. thanks today. sweet goodness; Help us to live as those who belong to through your gentleness we find comfort Jesus spoke of himself as a mother, one another, in fear. longing to wrap his arms around us and to you our Father, now and always: 6 Your warmth gives life to the dead, like a mother-hen gathering her chicks under Amen. your touch makes sinners righteous. her wings. 7 Lord Jesus, in your mercy heal us; Gentle, patient God in your love and tenderness remake us. thank you for your tender care. Amen.

16 17 We praise you, our God, for all mothers who More prayers from the Intercessions have loved and laughed and laboured as they cared for their children. Loving God, As children of a loving God who always thank you for mums and children listens to our cries, let us pray to our Father Blessed be God for ever. in heaven. and for all the joy of family life. Be with those who are grieving because they After each section this response may We praise you, our God, for all mothers who be used: have wept in sorrow and joy for their children. have no mother; Blessed be God for ever. Be close to those who are struggling because God of love, they have no children; hear our prayer. We praise you, our God, for Jesus, born of a Be near to those who are sad because they Loving God, you have given us the right to be woman and nurtured in her love, and for Mary, called children of God. are far apart from those they love. a reminder of your patient, waiting love. Help us to show your love in our homes Let your love be present in every home, Blessed be God for ever. that they may be places of love, security and help your church to have eyes to see and and truth. ears to hear the needs of all who come. For the care of mothers; We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ Thanks be to God. Loving God, Jesus, your Son, was born into our Lord. the family of Mary and Joseph; For their patience when tested; Amen. bless all parents and all who care for children; Thanks be to God. strengthen those families living under stress For their love when tired; Thank you God for the love of our mothers: and may your love be known where no human Thanks be to God. love is found. thank you God for their care and concern; For their hope when despairing; thank you God for the joys they have shared Thanks be to God. with us; Loving God, we thank you for the family of For their service without limit; the Church. thank you God for the pains they have borne Thanks be to God. for us; We pray that all may find in her their true home; thank you God for all that they give us; that the lonely, the marginalized, the rejected For those unable to have children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. may be welcomed and loved in the name Comfort them O God. Amen of Jesus. For those who have lost children Comfort them O God. Loving God, as we see the brokenness of For those experiencing broken relationships; our world Comfort them O God. we pray for healing among the nations; For those who mourn the loss of their for food where there is hunger; mothers; for freedom where there is oppression; Comfort them O God. for joy where there is pain; For those who find this day difficult; that your love may bring peace to all Comfort them O God. your children.

18 19 God our mother, we lift before you our God our mother, we give thanks for those who broken world. care for us, Mothering Sunday hymns We pray especially this day for all mothers for those who look after us when we are ill in around the world. body, mind or spirit.  All Things Bright and Beautiful We pray for those who have lost their children We pray especially for [specific group or (found in most hymn books) through illness, famine or war. people in your community],  A Mother Lined a Basket We pray for all refugees, thinking particularly may they know your loving care, healing and (linked to the story of Moses) of vulnerable women and children. wholeness.  Brother, Sister Let Me Serve You Hide them under the shadow of your wings. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. (by Richard Gillard) Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.  Beautiful Saviour God our mother, you know our grief. (by Stuart Townsend) God our mother, we pray for our mother We pray for all the bereaved,  Dear Lord and Father of Mankind church. and especially today we pray for all who have (found in most hymn books) We give thanks for our church community lost children through miscarriage or infant  Father I Place Into Your Hands that nurtures us in the faith death and those who have lost their own (by Jenny Hewer) mothers. and provides for our spiritual needs.  Fill Your Hearts with Joy and Gladness Challenge our churches to be a mother to our We remember especially [specific group or (found in most hymn books) people in your community], communities,  For the Beauty of the Earth help us to see where we can help practically to grant us with them a share in your (found in most hymn books) eternal kingdom. serve all your children in need.  Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. (by Henry Smith or Don Moen)  He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands (by Tim Hughes) God our mother, we pray for all those who will Blessing find Mothering Sunday difficult.  Jesus Put This Song Into Our Hearts May God, who gave birth to all creation, (by Graham Kendrick) We pray for those who have lost their bless us: mothers,  Let Us Build A House Where Love may God, who became incarnate by an Can Dwell (by Marty Haugen) those who have a difficult relationship with earthly mother, bless us: their own mother  Lord of All Hopefulness may God, who broods as a mother over her (found in most hymn books) and those who long to be mothers. children, bless us.  Moses, I Know You’re the Man Help us find our rest and quietness in your May almighty God bless us, Father, Son and (linked to the story of Moses) loving arms. Holy Spirit,  Now Thank We All Our God Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. now and for ever. Amen. (found in most hymn books; also version by Ian Hannah)  Sing We of the Blessed Mother (found in most hymn books)  Tell Out my Soul (found in most hymn books)  The Lord’s my Shepherd, I'll Not Want (found in most hymn books)

20 21 Templates

Template 1: Takeaway card jigsaw

To use with the 'Jigsaw relay' game on page 13. Photocopy the template opposite on thin card in different colours and cut out into jigsaw pieces.

22 23 Template 2: T-shirt shaped cards

To use with the 'Clothing card' craft activity on page 14. Photocopy the template opposite onto thin card, cut around the dotted lines and fold as indicated to make a card.

24 25 Takeaway: Colour-in card

Photocopy the facing page onto thin white card and cut into cards for each person at the service to take away.

26 27 The Children’s Society and our supporters have been there for vulnerable children and young people for more than 130 years.

We believe that every young person should have the support they need in order to enjoy a safe, happy childhood.

That’s why we run services and campaigns to make children’s lives better and change the systems that are placing them in danger.

Together with our supporters, we’re improving the lives of children today and long into the future.

childrenssociety.org.uk

t: 0300 303 7000 e: [email protected]

© The Children’s Society 2020. The copyright of all material appearing in this publication belongs to The Children’s Society. It may not be reproduced, duplicated or copied by any means without our prior written consent. Images posed by models. Photos: Chris O'Donovan, Laura McCluskey, David Stock, Jon Snedden. Charity Registration No. 221124 CHU023/0220