Dear Brothers and Sisters
Becky came home from University for Mothering Sunday last year. And she never went back. Lockdown came in and so she finished her time at University working from her bedroom. Having her at home this past year has been a joy. It is the longest period of time I have spent with her since she was 7. But so, so many other people have not had that joy. This past year has seen different generations of families unable to see each other or to touch each other. It has been so hard; we are almost there but this Mothering Sunday will still see most of us unable to visit our relatives.
On Mothering Sunday, we celebrate and give thanks for the love we have received from our Mothers. But we can also remember and give thanks for all the love and care we have received from so many other people throughout our lives. All of us have been nurtured by different people at different stages of our lives. For many of us, especially those who are older, most of those people are now waiting for us in God’s nearer presence. But wherever and whoever they are we can give thanks today for them all and for the love they have given to us.
We should all have had our Census letters by now. If you need help to complete it online you can contact Nidderdale Plus who have been designated as a Census Support Centre and will be able to help you. You can contact them on 01423 714953.
Things are looking up. The weather is getting better and new life is springing up all around us. But people are still getting ill, our key workers are still working flat out, people are dying, and families are mourning. Deaths from coronavirus in our country are falling but over 125, 000 of our fellow citizens have died from this disease. So, we continue to stop at 6pm. each evening to pray for the Nation and to remember those who have died. If you are struggling to think of words to say try these:
We remember before God those who have died and we pray that God’s love will surround all who mourn them, now and always
Gracious God,
as we remember before you
the thousands who have died,
surround us and all who mourn
with your strong compassion.
Be gentle with us in our grief,
protect us from despair,
and give us grace to persevere
and face the future with hope
in Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.
Sunday Readings
A Reading from the Book of Exodus
Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a fine baby, she hid him for three months. When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket for him, and plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river. His sister stood at a distance, to see what would happen to him. The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to bring it. When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying, and she took pity on him. ‘This must be one of the Hebrews’ children,’ she said. Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, ‘Shall I go and get you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?’ Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Yes.’ So the girl went and called the child’s mother. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages.’ So the woman took the child and nursed it. When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and she took him as her son. She named him Moses, ‘because’, she said, ‘I drew him out of the water.’ (2 :1-10)
The Gospel according to Luke
And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’ (2:33-35)
Services for Sunday 21st March
Denton 9.30am.
Fewston 11am.
Farnley 2.30pm.
Services for Sunday 28th March
Weston 9.30am.
Leathley 11am.
Fewston 2.30pm.
Please remember in your prayers: All Mothers and those who care for and nurture others. Our Government as we continue on the long journey out of this pandemic. Our schools and teachers and the children and young people they care for as they return to school from this week onwards. Our farmers as they work round the clock caring for their flocks. Our Front-line services, that we don’t take them for granted. All involved in the national vaccination drive. Couples planning to be married this year. The homeless and those who cannot feed their families. Our friends and neighbours and all who live in this Benefice. The sick, and the dying. Those who have died and all who mourn.
God bless you all.
Stephen