Category Archives: National events

Mothering Sunday – The mid point of Lent

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Sunday 15th March, 11am

All Age Worship today at
St Andrew’s in Tur Langton, 11am

A reminder that this Sunday, the celebration of Mothering Sunday in the Langtons, takes place at St Andrew’s in Tur Langton. An all-age service where everyone can take part and enjoy a celebration of mums and motherhood.

Mothering Sunday and its history

Mothering Sunday is a special day in the calendar for many reasons. It’s date fluctuates, along with all the Lent and Easter dates, which fall in line with the phases of the moon. Read all about that interesting connection in our article about Lent.

Usually, Mothering Sunday marks the midpoint of Lent – and for those fasting, traditionally, is a day off from strict limitations. Over the years, its name has changed outside the church to Mother’s Day, a time to spend with our mums and thank them for carrying us, bringing us into the world and nurturing us throughout our lives.

Mother Church – a spiritual mother

Going back to the festival in the 16th Century, the day marked and celebrated not our earthly, human mothers, but the ‘Mother Church‘ – the church people where grew up, where they were baptised and where their parents probably still resided. Workers on large estates were granted time to visit family and go to their home church to worship.

Traditional gifts for mothers for many years were the flowers in bloom at the time. Primroses and violets often flower together and were a favourite for children. Small flowers, small stems were easy for little fingers to pick and these tiny early flowers are the brightest and cheeriest growing in early Spring.

These strong plants are essential pollinators for bees and hoverflies as they emerge from winter hibernation and very easy to grow. They love open grass and a sunny spot. Usually if you plant a primrose, the violets find them and set themselves naturally alongside. Just allow Mother Nature to do her thing and you’ll be rewarded.

Mothering Sunday – A traditional flower in the UK, the wild Primrose

Simnel cake for Easter and Mothering Sunday

The traditional food for this special day is a Simnel Cake, a lighter fruit cake than Christmas but made with marzipan and decorated with 11 marzipan balls – which represent the disciples of Christ, not 12 as Judas does not appear on the cake. If you make one, count them carefully! Here’s a recipe for Simnel Cake to try.

Mothering Sunday today

These days, like Christmas, Mother’s Day is a much more commercial affair, but at its heart lie the same intentions as always, to think about how we came to be here and the unique contribution to our lives by our mums. Our relationship with our mother, is our first physical relationship we have.

The bond to our mothers is made of flesh, through which we grow, from embryo to baby. Once born, our relationships to her, our fathers and siblings develops and widens, but that first connection is physical, spiritual and unique.

Jesus and Mary

Arguably, the most well-known mother and son in world history. It is interesting to see their relationship through the gospels. Mary delighted in her son and whilst initially startled by God’s choice of her as his son’s earthly mother, embraced and followed her path with dedication and wisdom. Throughout his life, we see her reflect and ponder on the boy she gave birth to in the stable and his influence on the world and people around him.

Water into Wine, Jesus’s first miracle

The first miracle of Jesus’ ministry, took place at a wedding and shows a lovely side of their relationship.

Jesus and Mary were at a big wedding celebration in Cana in Galilee. The wine ran out, leaving many thirsty guests and a difficult situation for the wedding host.

Mary knew who could solve the problem.

Jesus told her that his time had not yet come. He wasn’t ready… but like all good mothers, Mary knew better.

She knew his time was here and his time was NOW. So, she ignored Jesus and told the servant, ‘Do what he tells you to do’.

The rest of the story is so well known. Jesus told the servant to take the wine jugs to the water vessels and fill them from there. Instead of water, wine poured out – and no one was thirsty.

And the lovely detail at the end of the story… the wine was the best, really good and fine.

Mary knew and was right.

She nudged Jesus forward, like all mums do, from first steps onwards. His first step to his life’s work and fulfilling his purpose. What a gift.

Primroses - St Peter's Church
Primroses

Remembrance Sunday 2025

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Remembering 80 years on from the end of World War II

The annual service of Remembrance was held on Remembrance Sunday with over 60 people, including youngsters with their families attending.

Service led by Rev Martin Hathaway followed the Royal British Legion service with readings from the Old and New Testament. In Martin’s address, he considered the word ‘Remember’ its meaning. He reminded us that this year marks a special anniversary, 80 years since the end of World War II – and that many of the survivors of that conflict are passing on. He felt it was even more important than ever to hear their stories while we can.

The Act of Remembrance took place in the Lady Chapel, which has become St Peter’s informal area for remembrance. The names of the fallen from The Langtons were read here and the wreaths for each village memorial blessed.

The Last Post played and followed by the two-minute silence. Reveille sounded to mark the closing part of the service.

After the blessings at the conclusion of the service, the congregation processed to the Village Green to lay Church Langton’s wreath.

The churchwardens from Tur and Thorpe Langton respectively, took their wreaths home to lay on their village memorials.

All proceeds from this service will be forwarded on behalf of the Langtons to support Harborough’s branch of the Royal British Legion.

St Peter's Church, flowers to the side of the altar on Remembrance Sunday
St Peter’s Church, flowers to the side of the altar on Remembrance Sunday

“When you go home, tell them of us and say
For your tomorrow, we gave our today.”

— John Maxwell Edmonds

Remembrance Sunday Hymn

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The Story of a Special Hymn

I Vow To Thee My Country’ Sir Cecil Spring Rice, GCMG, GCVO / Gustav Holst

I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love
The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test
That lays upon the altar, the dearest and the best
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice

And there’s another country, I’ve heard of long ago
Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know
We may not count her armies, we may not see her king
Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering
And soul by soul, and silently her shining bounds increase
And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace

The text for the hymn comes originally from a poem written originally in about 1908, by a British diplomat and Ambassador to the United States, Sir Cecil Spring Rice, (1859-1918).

Called Urbs Dei (The City of God) or ‘The Two Father Lands‘ the poem explores how a Christian will have two countries , his homeland and his heavenly country.

In 1918 just prior to his death and after the trauma and losses of the First World War, Spring Rice rewrote the first verse to ensure it portrayed themes of love and sacrifice.

Music by Gustav Holst, (1874 – 1934)

It was set to music by Gustav Holst, who, in spite of his insistence on the integrity and completeness of his ‘Planets Suite‘, he himself adapted part of Jupiter to form a tune that fitted the words of the poem .

It was published as a hymn in 1925 in the ‘Songs of Praise‘ hymnbook, which was sadly after Spring Rice’s death on 14th February, 1918

The tune was called ‘Thaxted ‘ after the village where Holst lived for many years.

Longstanding Popularity

‘I Vow to Thee, My Country’ has been popular ever since and was used at the funerals of
Sir Winston Churchill, Princess Diana and Margaret Thatcher.

In 2019 it was voted the Nation’s sixth favourite hymn , despite there being some criticism over it with a question over ” unquestioning obedience”.

It continues to be widely used in Remembrance Services worldwide. 

With very powerful words it continues to resonate with us as we gather to remember the fallen of all conflicts.

Researched by Sue Johnson

Poppies at the altar of Leicester Cathedral