Mothering Sunday (fourth in Lent) – Sunday was celebrated by a parade/family mass and the uniformed organisations connected to the church were on parade, supported by family and friends.

Writing in the All Saints’ bulletin and also throughout the service, Father Stephen Drakeley, priest-in-charge, stressed that there was a difference in the church originated Mothering Sunday and the American import Mother’s Day.

The mass began with the processional hymn “Tell out my soul”, during which the flags were presented at the altar. Young people played an important part in the service, the first of which was a cub scout leading the prayer of thanksgiving.

After the priest had greeted the congregation, Maureen Roberts led the prayers of penitence and confession; the gospel, Luke chapter 2 v 33-35 was proclaimed by James, a member of the scouts. This reminder of the presentation of Jesus at the temple contains the prophetic words to Mary by Simeon “and a sword shall pierce your own soul too”.

Fr Stephen began his address by imagining what an advert appearing in a situations wanted column for a mother would be like, and wondering what the response would be.

A member of the Scouts then led the Mothering Sunday intercessions; the pre and post communion prayers were prayed by Frances Martin. At the eucharist Fr Stephen was attended by Sally Maynard and Helen Bancroft as chalice administrators; Jacob Clarke and Claire Eason-Bassett were the servers for the mass, Phyllis and Sally Maynard sidespersons and organist was Matthew Seaton.

It has been decided that the Poppy Garden of Remembrance would be planted to commemorate the centenary of the commencement of the Great War, August 4, 1914. The seeds amassed by the congregation were then blessed by the priest before being carried by Phyllis Maynard from the church prior to panting. At the same time bunches of spring flowers were blessed before being distributed to the congregation to give to mothers and carers as a sign of appreciation.

The mass ended with the singing of the hymn “Living Lord” and the return of the flags to the colour parties.

On Sunday, Passion Sunday, sung mass will be held at 10am.