Dear Friends,

Mothering Sunday is an occasion when, historically, people returned to the ‘mother church’ where they were baptised or where their faith took root. Over time it has evolved into an opportunity in the middle of Lent when we pause and thank God for all those who nurture and care for us. It is a day which can cause many mixed emotions, from gratitude and joy for some to grief, longing and complicated memories for others. Mothering Sunday allows us to hold all these experiences before God in the assurance of his love and care for each of us.

Our readings (links below) reflect the many ways love and compassion are shared. In our reading from Exodus, we hear the story of the baby Moses being nurtured by strong and courageous women (his mother, his sister, and the daughter of Pharaoh) whose compassion ensures his survival.

In 2 Corinthians, Paul reminds us that God is ‘the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort’ who comforts us so that we might in turn offer comfort to others. The care we receive from God and the comfort we draw from our faith is something to be shared.

Our Gospel passage from John 19 reminds us that even from the cross, Jesus showed his tender concern to his mother, entrusting her to the beloved disciple and thus forming a new family of care and responsibility.

Yours in Christ,

Ian

Worship this Sunday

Readings & Collect

Exodus 2: 1-10

2 Corinthians 1: 3-7

John 19: 25b-27

Collect:

God of compassion, whose Son Jesus Christ,

the child of Mary, shared the life of a home in Nazareth,

and on the cross drew the

whole human family to himself:

strengthen us in our daily living

that in joy and in sorrow we may know the power of your presence

to bind together and to heal;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Lent Collect:

Almighty and everlasting God,

you hate nothing that you have made

and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:

create and make in us new and contrite hearts

that we, worthily lamenting our sins

and acknowledging our wretchedness,

may receive from you, the God of all mercy,

perfect remission and forgiveness;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

BCP Collect:

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of thy grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Lent Bible Study

The Rector will be leading a series of five Bible Studies on Tuesday evenings during Lent in Chew Stoke Village Hall, 7.00–8.00pm. Remaining sessions:

Tuesday 24^th March

Tuesday 31^st March

(note: no Bible Study on 17^thMarch)

Each week we will be working through two short books in parallel: Joel (Old Testament) and Philippians (New Testament). The prophet Joel speaks to us of the need to turn back towards God and to take seriously his calling to repentance and renewal. It is a brief but fascinating book which moves from despair to hope. Similarly, St Paul’s letter to the Philippians (written while he was in prison) is a passionate plea to the church to press forward in the hope we have in Christ with joy and perseverance. ‘Rejoice in the Lord, always’ he insists (Phil 4:4).

The sessions are free and will include tea and coffee. You don’t need to attend all five sessions, so do come when you can.

For Your Prayers

Please pray …

… for all who show nurturing love in our world: mothers, fathers, grandparents, carers, teachers, and friends … for those who have cared for us and helped us grow … for those for whom Mothering Sunday is painful … those who grieve for mothers no longer with them, those who long to be parents, and those whose relationships are difficult;

… for our troubled world … those living with the fear and devastation of war, especially in places such as Ukraine, the Middle East and other regions where violence continues … for families separated, for children growing up in conflict, and for all who have lost their homes and loved ones;

… for those affected by disasters, hunger, and climate-related crises across the world … communities facing flooding, drought, and displacement, and those working to bring aid;

… for our own communities … for families under pressure, for those who feel lonely or overlooked, and for those who are sick or anxious … those known personally to us who need your healing and comfort … may our homes, our churches, and our neighbourhoods become places of welcome, support, and kindness, reflecting the love you show to each of us.

Contact

Revd Dr Ian Mills, Rector & Area Dean

The Rectory

4 Parsonage Lane

Winford

BS40 8DG

Telephone: (01275) 474504

chewvalleywest@gmail.com