Gather
Activities and prayers to gather the group and introduce the theme
Use the Jump menu on the right to find Prayers and other resources.
Mothering Sunday
- Today is Mothering Sunday/Mothers’ Day. Encourage people to share special things they have done, or will be doing, today.
- Remember that while today is a joyful occasion for most people, it is not so for everyone. Some will be sad for mothers no longer with them, or may not have a good relationship with their mother, or may not have known their mother at all. With that in mind, it may be helpful to think more broadly about all those who have been like a mother to us – in short, all who have loved us.
- Today’s Gospel reading is a story that Jesus told, not about a mother but a father. He had two sons: one made some bad choices; the other became angry and resentful. But their father loved them – outrageously so. And that is what we will explore today.
First impressions
You could also use the image and following questions to help introduce the theme.
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Click on the image to view a larger version
or use the Jump menu to go to This week's images.
For artist's details, see this issue's illustrators.
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Questions
- How do you imagine the loving and open arms of God?
- What does ‘outrageous love’ mean to you?
- What could you do as an expression of outrageous love?