Mothering

Today I’m going to share a reminder and then a few thoughts about mothers and mothering.

Remember we have three ways to worship now:

1. Recorded worship continues each week at 9:45 a.m. (see links at the end of this message). You can also watch the services later.
2. 8 a.m. in-person worship on the west patio – no registration needed. Just come, bring a chair if you can. This Sunday, May 9, we will confirm our youth who attended confirmation classes throughout this past year.
3. 10 a.m. in-person worship in the Sanctuary – registration required. Worship is full for this Sunday, but begin registering for May 16 on Monday, May 10, via the email you receive or by calling the church office at 297-2062 beginning at 8:30 a.m.

On Mother’s Day, as on many days, I will remember my mother, Carolyn, who passed away in 2013. She raised five children on a shoestring. All five of us enjoy and appreciate each other, even though we differ in many ways. This year we’ve had Zoom meetings every other Sunday night and kept close to each other through the challenges of this year. I picture that my mom is smiling that we’re smiling, laughing and sharing with each other.

This year I’m also giving thanks with joy for the mothering of our daughter, Julie, for their son, Isaiah, and for our daughter-in-law, Michelle, who mothers their sons, Helios and Harrison. My joy overflows watching them care for their children with such love and careful thought, especially through this difficult pandemic year. We’ve had much laughter and some tears this year, and stuck closely by each other.

My last word today is about the privilege of being a mother. I know that not everyone who wants to be a mother gets to do that, at least with birth children. I know lots of women who mother nieces and nephews, church children and children of friends. This Mother’s Day I acknowledge them with thanksgiving. I don’t know how to put into words how grateful I am that Julie and David and their families are in my life. I remember their births, their struggles, their triumphs, their words of encouragement and support for me, and my heart overflows. That is all…overflowing love and gratitude.

Blessings,
Sharon

P.S. This Sunday, May 9, we begin the last sermon series before my retirement on June 30 – “Jesus and Love in the Ten Commandments.” The sermon title is “At the Center of It All” and is about the First Commandment.

Worship at 9:45 a.m. on Sundays at umcstmarks.org/live-worship; YouTube UMC St. Mark’s Oro Valley or access the YouTube link via Facebook St. Mark’s UMC Tucson.