A 'tweener' Sunday at St. John's - Rector's Rambling, May 12, 2013

This Sunday is a “tween-er”, a day in between two major feasts.

Last Thursday we celebrated the Feast of the Ascension, our Lord returning into heaven and into the Godhead of the Triune Deity of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Next Sunday we celebrate Whitsunday, also known as Pentecost Sunday.  It is on that day that we are celebrate the gift of the Holy Ghost to empower the Church for the work of the ministry that she has been entrusted to in the world.

It is on this in between Sunday at we are celebrating a “secular” holiday, Mother’s Day, as well as our bi-annual United Thank Offering.

The United Thank Offering is a long-standing tradition of the Episcopal Church Women, of which our St. Catherine’s Guild is a member.  As is noted on the Episcopal Church’s Web site, “United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church.  Through United Thank Offering, men, women, and children nurture the habit of giving daily thanks to God.  These prayers of thanksgiving start when we recognize and name our many daily blessings.  Those who participate in UTO discover that thankfulness leads to generosity.  United Thank Offering is entrusted to promote thank offerings, to receive the offerings, and to distribute the UTO monies to support mission and ministry throughout the Episcopal Church and in invited Provinces of the Anglican Communion in the developing world.”

And, of course, Mother’s Day is important because we give thanks for the ministry of mothers.  It is a ministry because it is of God, and to His greater honor and glory.  The Service of Holy Matrimony prays for “the gift and heritage of children; and grant that they may see their children brought up in thy faith and fear, to the honour and glory of thy Name” and it is through this ministry of Motherhood that children are cared for and nurtured.

May God bless all mothers, living and deceased, for their love and good work!