Family photographs and candles played a central part in a Service of Thanksgiving for Mothers at St. Hilda’s Church, Cross Green, Leeds on Mothering Sunday.
The community were invited to take family photographs to be displayed in the church, and to light candles for their mothers whether living or departed.
Pictured on Mothering Sunday, the youngest altar server, Innocent, and Father Darren Percival, Priest-in-charge, presented a plant to the most senior member of the congregation Margaret Croll, the Sacristan. “She is the mother who looks after us all in church Sunday by Sunday,” said Father Darren.
He added: “Having witnessed first hand the turmoil and uncertainty of families in our community in Cross Green and Richmond Hill, I felt it was important to bring the community together for a Celebration of Motherhood and the family.
“Coming from a broken family myself, where my own mother suffered domestic abuse I wanted to bring single parents, teenage mums, mums, and guardians together for a short time to share and reflect on what is important.
“We created a table with family photographs with the light of Christ in the middle, to show that in such a community we are united by the light of Christ in our lives. It is vitally important that St Hilda's remains the heart beat of its community, and continues to be the spiritual centre of the family that it serves.”
At the end of the service flowers were given to the congregation.