Covid-19
While there is no need to panic about Covid-19 (the vast majority of us are going to get it and be fine) it is wise and kind to do what we can to ‘flatten the hump’ so that we reduce the impact on hospitals. That way those who need medical treatment can get it. So, plenty of hand-washing and replace hand-shaking with elbow bumps, or this rather beautiful sign language version of ‘Peace Be With You’.
Remember to keep in contact with those who are self-isolating, particularly older people who may need to stay ‘cocooned’ for a while. Pop a CD of the service through their letter box, or offer to drop some bread and milk on their doorstep. How about reading Morning Prayer with them on the phone or simply calling for a chat?
- BBC Daily Service on Radio 4
- Church of England daily services (morning prayer, prayer during the day, evening prayer & compline in contemporary or traditional language)
- Oremus daily services
Peace Be With You in BSL
Mothering Sunday – Crocus Prayers
Mothering Sunday can be hard for some folks, for all kinds of reasons. Here is an activity that combines the traditional Mother’s Day flowers with space for us to explore and acknowledge some of the other emotions that such a day may engender.
We will make some simple flowers from torn paper hearts, and add them to a prayer bouquet as tokens of remembrance or thanks, of sorrow or hope, of joy or loss.
The torn paper symbolises the imperfections and fragility of our human relationships, while the hearts remind us that God, who is love, is a partner in our human tragedies and joys.
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You will need:
- Sheets of paper of assorted colours – each sheet makes six crocuses
- Coloured pens for writing mini prayers
- Floral foam (‘Oasis’ – dry type) carve into a hemisphere if you like
- blunt knife or toothpick
How to make Crocus Prayers
- Fold the paper in half lengthwise and then the same again, to make a long, thin strip.
- Using your fingertips, tear half a heart shape, starting and ending at the fold. You should be able to get three hearts down the strip. This will make six hearts in all.
- Add whatever words you wish.
- Fold your heart in half, so the the bottom point sits level with the top curves.
- Form this into a cone with the torn edges outermost.
- To keep the cone in place, pinch the end and fold over the point.
- Make a small slit in the floral foam with a blunt knife or a toothpick, and add the crocus to the bouquet.
These ‘Crocus Prayers’ first appeared in 2018
The Reflectionary 