Heart to heart

Traditionally, it is a day honouring mothers and mother churches and has been celebrated in the British Isles and elsewhere in the English-speaking world on the fourth Sunday in Lent since the Middle Ages.

But this year. while some churches have been able to open for limited worship, many are still only able to offer worship online. But that hasn't stopped a lot of creative thinking about how to celebrate this special and meaningful festival in a pandemic.

In 2 churches in Weymouth this is being expressed by displays of knitted, crocheted, painted, and hand-drawn hearts carrying the names or personal messages dedicated to those who have shown such care.

At the time of writing, these are being put up on the church green at the town centre church of St Mary’s and its sister church of Emmanuel in Southill.

The initiative came from Dorset Town Council, working with the 2 congregations and the Let’s Make It Community Group to recognise and celebrate people who provide care for others. The Leonard Cheshire group also donated glass crystal hearts to display.

The Revd Jo Haines, Team Vicar of St Mary’s and Emmanuel Church, said:

“Mothering Sunday has been celebrated in the UK on the fourth Sunday in Lent since at least the 16th century. This project is a chance to say thanks for all the people who take on a caring role in our community and have cared and served us during the time of the pandemic. Combining it with an arts project is very exciting and uplifting.”

Cllr Gill Taylor, Community Development Champion, added:

“This is such a wonderful idea, and it’s been great to be working in partnership once again with the churches. To make a simple heart only takes a few minutes, but the overall effect brightens up the town centre bringing a much-needed boost to our residents.”

There has been an outstanding response to the call for hearts. Crocheting and knitting patterns were on offer for those unsure of how to proceed. Local schools also took on the work as a class project.

Town Centre Chaplain Neil Biles said:

"This is a great way for the community to come together to recognise those who care for us. But also it also recognises that we need to love our neighbour as Jesus told us."