The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

Members of the Parish of St John the Baptist hosted an energetic Mothering Sunday service in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, this past Sunday. 

Organisers noted that scores of young Bahamians from the St Martin’s Parish in Sandy Point came together with the St John’s members and marched from the ACE Hardware store on Don Mackay Boulevard to the church of St John the Baptist. Under the theme “Humble and Bold Through Prayer”, both St Martin’s and St John the Baptist prepared elaborate banners. 

“Parent and Mothering Sunday coordinator Telanna Newbold organised a Christian music selection to ensure the youngsters felt the pulsating sound of various gospel artists coming from the loud speakers on the back of her truck. It was also to capture the enthusiasm and enhance their worship experience when they entered the church of St John the Baptist,” said Father Chester Burton, Anglican church rector.

The service began with the hymn “When Mothers of Salem”, which was followed by an address by Asiah Newbold and welcome by Deondrea Wilkinson. Highlights of the day also included a liturgical dance performed by the St John’s the Baptist dance group and a trumpet selection by Khalin Wallace, who performed the song “The Old Rugged Cross”.

Father Burton also addressed to the youngsters, encouraging the congregation to stay focused on essential things in life which lead to success and happiness. “The scripture came from the Old Testament, Book of Daniel, Ch 6: 3-10. In this portion of scripture, Daniel was threatened not to pray to His Lord the God Almighty, and fearlessly because of his insubordination, he was placed in the lion’s den by King Darius. I admonished the youngsters that in order for us to be agents, or Daniels, in this transitory era of crime and violence that is pervading our land, we should speak up and live up to the core Christian values espoused by our parents, grandparents, godparents, teachers and priests,” said Father Burton.

Mothering Sunday is a holiday celebrated by Catholic and Protestant Christians. It falls on the fourth Sunday in Lent, exactly three weeks before Easter. Once observed as a day on which people would visit their “mother” church, it has become an occasion for honouring the mothers of children and giving them presents. It is increasingly being called Mother’s Day, although that has always been a secular event quite different from the original Mothering Sunday.