During the sixteenth century, people returned to the mother church: the main church or cathedral of the area, for a service to be held on Laetare Sunday (the 4th Sunday in Lent). Anyone who did this was commonly said to have gone a-mothering, although whether this preceded the term Mothering Sunday is unclear.

In later times, Mothering Sunday became a day when domestic servants were given a day off to visit their mother church, usually with their own mothers and other family members. It was often the only time that whole families could gather together, since on other days they were prevented by conflicting working hours.

Whatever you call it, you are ALL welcome to the Family Service on March 10th - there’s a poster by YOUR church giving full details.

A Mother is one who understands the things you say and do,
Who always overlooks your faults and sees the best in you.

A Mother is one whose special love inspires you day by day,
Who fills your heart with gladness in her warm and thoughtful way.

A Mother is all these things, and more - the greatest treasure known.
And the dearest Mother in all of the world is the one I call my own.