Transcript Mother’s Day

Mothers Day
… and the Christian Connection
England in the 1660s
‘Mothering Sunday’ was first a recognition of Mary the
mother of Jesus.
Later it grew to honour all mothers.
Reviving Mother’s Day
Anna Maria Jarvis lived in America, around the time of the
American Civil war.
She worked hard to promote the role of ‘mother’ and help
mothers to create healthier and more hygenic homes.
Joining together
Anna instigated the ‘Mothers Friendship day’ which brought
into being many ‘clubs’.
At club meetings Anna would share important sanitation
practices for the home. These came from ideas she learned
from her brother who was a doctor.
Reconciliation
Anna developed mothers clubs for both sides, who had
been enemies during the American Civil War. This brought
Union and Confederate neighbours together and helped the
road to reconciliation.
A Dream Unfulfilled
When Ann Maria Jarvis passed away after a long illness,
one of her two daughters, Anna Jarvis decided to dedicate
her life to her mother’s dream of a Mother’s Day to honour
all mothers around the world.
Anna missed her mother greatly and felt children often
neglected to appreciate their mother enough while she was
still alive.
Honour your … Mother
As a Sunday school teacher Anna was very aware of the
Fifth of the Ten Commandments, “Honour your father and
mother”.
Anna shared her desire to bring to life her mother’s dream
and it was readily accepted by her friends. The first Mothers
Day service was held at her church and she handed out her
mother’s favourite flower, the White Carnation. At first,
people observed Mother’s Day by attending church and
writing letters to their mothers.
Joining the Celebration
After letter writing and lobbying the Governors of Oklahoma
and West Virginia in 1910, the Second Sunday in May was
proclaimed as Mother’s Day. As a special day it became
popular very quickly.
Becoming a ‘Special’ Day
President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday
in May as the official day of the celebration.
Soon many countries, including Australia, joined in the
celebration.
Losing focus
Within ten years, the rapid commercialisation and
exploitation of this sacred and joyous celebration for
Mothers caused Anna much grief. She even ‘wished she
would never have started the day because it became so out
of control’.
Lest we forget
Mothers Day has flourished all around the world. In the USA
the second Sunday in May has become the most popular
day of the year to dine out, and the telephone lines record
their highest traffic.
However let us not forget the original intention as set out
by God to always celebrate and honour the mothers in our
families, churches and in our society.