Hello, ! If Mother's Day brings up too much grief, fills you with overwhelming feelings, reminds you of past or present harms, or it is just not your thing, you may want to stop reading now.
Yet to be clear, this is not an email or resources primarily about human mothers. Rather it is about centering God our Mother in worship on Mother's
Day. There are many ways to approach Mother’s Day in church, including minimizing and not addressing it at all. God only knows how much harm has been caused to people in churches over this one
national holiday. It is nearly impossible to escape the cultural expectations for the day, so we want to offer an alternative that turns the focus to God as a mothering presence in our lives. But first,
an important warning!
⚠️ 🚧 ⚠️ There is one important caveat (a warning sign - pay attention!) for how we approach Mother's Day and Father's Day, which deserves our attention. It would be wrong to ignore the pastoral care needs of mothers, fathers, and parents of all genders who are experiencing loss and grief leading up to these national holidays we call Mother's Day and Father's
Day.
A "Hannah Service" For Grief and Hope To address this pastoral need for spiritual care, I have called on my friends Rev.
Mary Elizabeth Hanchey and Rev. Dr. Erin Robinson Hall who are sensitive pastoral leaders. They are each experienced in supporting parents through loss and what Mary Elizabeth calls "fertility grief." Watch (or listen) in my conversation with Mary Elizabeth Hanchey. We spoke in the early days of the Covid-19 stay-at-home orders. But as I re-listen, so much (nearly everything) remains relevant to this current moment. This interview will be good for listening on a walk, a commute, or while you do some outside chores (26 min).
An excellent resource for mothers, fathers, and parents in grief is the book, Though the Darkness Gather Round: Devotions about Infertility, Miscarriage, and Infant Loss edited by Mary Elizabeth Hill Hanchey and Erin McClain.
Much courage is required to weather the long grief of
infertility and the sudden grief of miscarriage and infant loss. The storms that rage are frightening and overwhelming. Though the Darkness Gather Round, a collection of devotions by men and women, ministers, chaplains, and lay leaders who can speak of such sorrow, is a much-needed resource and precious gift for families on this journey and the faith communities that walk beside them.
To inspire you to consider creating your own "Hannah Service" for grief and hope (based on Hannah's story in 1 Samuel 1:1-24), we are sharing a brief service. It is designed to be offered in advance of the Mother's Day and Father's Day holidays. The hope is that the service may support parents experiencing fertility grief. This Hannah Service is led by Mary Elizabeth Hanchey and Erin Robinson Hall (12 min).
This particular "Hannah Service" also calls for using a finger labyrinth. You will find many printable options here:
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Ideas for Mother's Day
Worship
As we approach Mother’s Day in two Sundays (May 11), I want to share some ideas with enough time for you to incorporate these resources into your planning if you desire. And I hope you will be inspired to seek more of your own. All of these resources are ways to understand and relate to God as Divine Mother. I know a lot of people who could use a mothering sacred presence right now. I am one of those people. If you think your
congregation would benefit from a service to highlight the way God mothers us, keep reading! This week and next, I'll be sharing some of my favorite children’s books, musical pieces (for
congregation or choir), a series of journal prompts, and some prayers. Let's get started, and we'll have more coming soon. (If you opt out, you will not get
any more email from me about Mother's Day.)
1. One of my favorite children's books
There is time for you to get a copy of
Dear Mama God written by Doreen Akers, inspired by her daughter, and illustrated by Gillian Gamble. A beautiful book for children's time in worship.
2. A hymn about the love of a Mothering God This hymn has been beloved by many congregations for many years now. "I was there to hear your borning cry" by John Ylvisaker, moves me every time I sing it or hear
it. Consider it for your choir or congregational singing.
3. Scripture Texts If you wish to preach or read texts about God as a Mother, you take this list as a launching point. And see where it leads you!
Over the next two weeks, we have more in store for you. May these and future resources inspire you to help shift the world by helping us collectively imagine the good gifts
and graces of God our Mother.
Join me for #FreeWrite Friday!
Part of my vocation these days is to write and accompany writers through individual coaching and by offering space for their work. Every Friday we offer a free hour of writing alongside pastors, chaplains, professors, poets, and writers. You are welcome to join us anytime. Just sign up and you'll get a Thursday night email with your link and some weekly writing inspiration!
We have some exciting news to share. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for all the details. You are going to want to celebrate with us on this
one!
Writing Table in
Person Kirkridge Retreat Center October 9-12, 2025 Bangor, Pennsylvania
Remember, , what you do and who you are matters! I believe in you, and I hope you will let me know how I can support you! Warmly, Eileen .
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Author | Researcher | Professor | Mentor | Coach Founder & Host of 3MMM and the Writing TableCo-Director, Learning Pastoral Imagination Project
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