There’s absolutely no doubt that we all owe our moms a special day once a year. Mothers Day Weekend, May 8-9, 2021, is a time to spoil moms with treats and surprises. While we have been isolating, Moms everywhere are working harder than ever. What better time to say, “Thank you” and honour the moms and women in your community!
Create a pandemic-proof event that is safe, thoughtful, and doesn't add any additional stress to mom. Start now, rally up a team and have fun dreaming and planning to make 2021 your best Mother’s Day. Here are some ideas that you can work with, improve on, and share.
Mother’s Day Thoughtfulness (use this at the beginning of your church service, on Facebook, and your website)
Some in your congregation may dread Mother’s Day because of marital status, childlessness, death, or problems with parents.
To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you
To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with you
To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you
To those who experienced loss through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we grieve with you
To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment – we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is.
To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms – we need you
To those who have warm and close relationships with your children – we celebrate with you
To those who have disappointment, heartache, and distance with your children – we sit with you
To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve with you
To those who experienced abuse at the hands of their own mother – we acknowledge your experience
This Mother’s Day, we walk with you.”
Amy Young
Online Presence
Update your website homepage by May 1st with images for moms. Update info about how your church will be celebrating Mothers Day.
Joey Pilgrim offers these FREE images via ChurchMediaSupply for free
FREE images for social media
Drive-In Herb Hack
For moms and daughters, neighbours or friends.
Set up ten, six-foot tables in the church parking lot. This allows for five pairs, or ten people, for an approved group outside.
Station 1 - Five tables provide suggestions for growing, cooking with and preserving herbs. Use some hacks from Pinterest.
Station 2 - Five tables provide herb-infused waters ie: Strawberry and Basil or Peppermint with Cucumbers and Herbal Teas.
Pairs are at the first station for 10-15 minutes. Receive a potted herb. Sent to Station 2 where they receive herbal tea. Tag the tea with a card saying – “Moms are our Special Tea” and “You are Royal Tea at Bethel.” The potted herbs will have a ribbon and a catchy saying. Give an invite to a Fathers Day event and an invite card to a Sunday.
Stations are sanitized after each use.
From Pastors Teresa Kristel and Jessica Lockhart at Bethel in Barrhead.
Colouring Pages
On May 2nd have children colour creative pictures for seniors. Have each child make two or three creations. Have students write on the page, “God loves you and so do I”, and sign their name. Deliver the works of art to seniors in care homes. Take along flowers or a bouquet of flowers for the care workers. Tag the flowers, “God loves you and so do we (name of your church)”
Photo Booth
It doesn’t take much to make a memory — just set up a background and snap away! Have a staff member or volunteer ready and waiting to take pictures of families. You can take pictures on a family member’s smartphone or your own phone and forward the picture.
Sidewalk Art
Ask your kids to lend a helping hand by using sidewalk chalk to draw rainbows, flowers, and write heartfelt messages to mom, grandma, and other women at the entrance to your church. Invite them to draw something for their mom on their sidewalk or driveway.
Gift Card Draw
Purchase three $50 gift cards or five $30 gift cards from three local businesses. Offer the cards as a prize for moms in a draw. Promote the draw on Facebook. Ask for contact info on the entry form.
Takeout Meal
Call up local restaurants. Tell them you’d like to promote their Mother’s Day takeout special. Promote the specials on your FB page. Compile each special with a link to the restaurant on a Google doc.
Special Offering
Mother’s Day is a great Sunday to hold a special offering for a local non-profit or organization that supports mothers or women. A great way to champion women in your community.
Words of Life
Purchase beautiful greeting cards. Write meaningful notes that speak life and encouragement. Give these to moms and women who work on the frontlines in nursing homes, grocery stores, etc.
At-Risk Moms
Partner with an agency to help at-risk mothers and women.
Connect with your community leaders. FCSS. Ask how your church can meet a need that serves women or single moms they are assisting.
In what ways could you partner with them to facilitate a community Mother’s Day event?
Host a Virtual Event for Moms
Host a cooking class, craft class, sewing, scrapbooking, even a virtual mall for families to shop local for mom.
Host the event on Zoom or Google Meet.
Use Eventbrite to promote and register moms from your community.
Examples:
Mother’s Day Crafts – Include the kids
Mother’s Day Mall – Network local Arts & Crafts vendors, Independent Consultants and Small Businesses who will help you find the Perfect Gift for your moms!
Four Mother’s Day Ideas for Children’s Ministry
Your preschoolers will love making these adorable flower pot cards. They take 5 minutes to make but will be kept for years.
This flower-powered craft from Mrs. Stanford’s Class is hands-on…literally. Some paint, ribbon, and paper, and your older kids will be ready to make these cute cards for mothers.
III . Mums for Moms
If you have a little more time for crafts, this is an amazing one to try out. These flowers come to life with colour, thanks to coffee filters and spray bottles.
If flowers aren’t your thing, here’s a fun puzzle that lets kids tell parents that they would “go to pieces” without them.
Roses
Moms, of all ages, can never have enough roses in their lives. If you are driving by or attending a service, handing a rose out to the moms is loved. Attach a tag and special Bible quote.
Spa Bag
Fill the bag with contents that can be handmade, or other fancy “shower” stuff that can be picked up at the dollar store. Brenda Rehaluk, Claresholm Assembly
Chocolate and Tea
Fill a fancy nylon gift bag with a variety of tea bags, fancy napkins, chocolates. B. R.
C & C
Gift bag of specialty crackers and cheeses. B. R.
Age Gifts
Gifts for oldest mom and youngest mom. B. R.
Kids Without a Mom
Chances are you have a child who may have recently lost his or her mother, or is living in an arrangement without their mother. Be aware of these different situations. Help kids who have lost their mothers to remember and honour their mothers. You can also recognize those people God puts in our lives to act as mother figures. This day can be for them too!
Bob Jones is the founder of REVwords.com, an author, blogger, and coach with 39 years of pastoral experience. Bob is also an Advance Coach with the ABNWT Resource Centre. You can connect with Bob here.