Clergy from left, Deacon Amy Schmuck, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired, The Rev. Mary Ann Hill and The Rev. Lynn Finnegan. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com

By The Rev. Mary Ann Hill
Rector
Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church

Happy Mother’s Day for those of you who celebrate. That qualifier might seem a little odd, but as clergy women, we know that this can be a difficult day for some. We all have parishioners who have struggled to have children, who never had the opportunity, or who are estranged from members of their family. We have some parishioners whose mothers were abusive or never loved them. And even for those who have had reasonably healthy relationships, there’s the possibility that their moms have passed away, or even that they have lost their own children.

The truth is, family life can be complicated. As a clergy person, I can tell you that I have never encountered a family that has not had problems. Sometimes the struggles are relatively small and mundane, but for others, they can be all-consuming. The truth is, trying to have a functional family, especially a healthy one, is HARD work and requires a lot of grace on all sides.

For Christians, the ultimate model of family is that of Jesus. But even knowing that Jesus was without sin, I don’t doubt for a moment that they didn’t have their struggles. In fact, we see glimpses of affectionate frustration between Jesus and Mary and Joseph in scripture. We also see great heartache and great love.

So, for those of you who celebrate, Happy Mother’s Day. If this is a day that is painful for you, I pray that you have opportunities to give and receive love and nurture from those around you.

A Litany for Mother’s Day*

This Mother’s Day, give thanks for loving women, who have given their children so many invaluable gifts.: for new mothers, welcoming new life into the world; for those who choose their children; adoptive and foster parents, who model the adoptive love of God; for too often overlooked stepmothers; for aunts and godmothers and neighbors, and for those who, without biological children, share maternal love with the world.

Pray for those who have borne the unimaginable burden of burying a child, and those who have endured the silent grief of stillbirth or miscarriage. Pray for those struggling with infertility, whose desire for children is met with frustration. Pray for the mothers of children with special needs and chronic illness, who are too well acquainted with anxiety and exhaustion. Pray for those given abuse and heartbreak where they should have received love and support, and for those mothers and children who may be estranged from each other. Pray for mothers who have faced the difficult decision to offer their child for adoption.

We thank you Lord, and pray this mother’s day, for the ministry of mothers and all women who offer maternal love and care. Amen.

*Adapted by Fr. Jody Howard from an original prayer by Pastor David Hansen.

Editor’s note: ‘All Shall Be Well’ is a column written by local women clergy including The Rev. Mary Ann Hill, Rector, Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church (momaryannhill@gmail.com); The Rev. Lynn Finnegan, Associate Rector, The Episcopal Church of the Holy Faith, Santa Fe (rev.lynn@holyfaithchurchsf.org); Deacon Amy Schmuck, Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church (deaconamy@bethluth.com); and ELCA Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, M.Div., retired (czoebidd@gmail.com).