A Special Pastoral Message on Behalf of Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is a complicated holiday - in terms of both its origins and its deeply personal emotional, societal, and economic complexity. May those who celebrate do so with joy. May those who struggle with this holiday know they are not alone.

Please reach out to me through the UUSM Pastoral Care team if you’d welcome some support as we move toward and through this Mother's Day weekend.

- Rev Stefanie Etzbach-Dale

Mother's Day Blessing Litany

By Maureen Killoran

In one way or another, each of you was born of a mother.

Because we are human, it's likely that your relationship with that mother is, was, or will some day be challenging.

If you identify as a woman, then it's almost certain that your connection with this matter of “mothering” is or was sufficiently complex that it’s sometimes hard to explain.

From the diversity of our lives; from the similarity of our hearts...let us pray:

For all who never knew their mothers...and all who chose or were compelled to let their children drift away...We ask a blessing on this day.

For all who longed to hold their newborn in the arms of love...and all who faced a pregnancy with fear...We ask a blessing on this day.

For all who struggle with the pain of their mother’s increasing confusion...and all who feel the muddle growing in their own heads and seek to keep it from their parent...or their child...We ask a blessing on this day.

For all whose mothers never grew up...and all whose mothers never learned to play...We ask a blessing on this day.

For all who missed the chance to say I love you...and all who long to say it now, but find ourselves afraid...We ask a blessing on this day.

For all who carry ancient wounds...infertility. . . abuse...misunderstanding...anger...grief...We ask a blessing on this day.

For all who struggle with regret...We ask a blessing on this day.