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The founding mothers of Mother’s Day
Two Methodist women created the holiday that falls on the second Sunday in May in the U.S. but do you know how, and why, they did it? Get a quick history lesson.
<div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4dAhaLNkSNQ?ecver=2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Video tells the story of how, and why, a Methodist mom and daughter decided to honor mothers with a special holiday.
Mothers of U.S. Mother’s Day were West Virginia Methodists by the United Methodist News ServiceThe celebration of Mother's Day can be traced back to ancient Greece, but the mother of Mother's Day in the United States was Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis, a Methodist from West Virginia.
Her daughter, Anna, led a successful campaign in the early 1900s to have Mother's Day recognized as a national holiday.
Anna was not quite 2 years old when her family moved to Grafton, four miles south of Webster, W.Va. According to historical records, Anna heard her mother express hope that a memorial would be established for all mothers, living and dead.
After the death of her father in 1902, Anna — along with her mother and sister, Lillie — moved to Philadelphia to reside with her brother, Claude. After Ann's death on May 9, 1905, Anna began an intense campaign to fulfill the wish of her mother.
On May 10, 1908, the third anniversary of Ann's death, a program was held at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton and in Philadelphia, launching the observance of a general memorial day for all mothers.
Subsequently, the church observed Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May each year, making Andrews the mother church of Mother's Day. The church, no longer an active Methodist congregation, was incorporated as an international shrine in 1962 and is open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each weekday between April 15 and Oct. 15.
For the first official Mother's Day service in 1908, Anna sent 500 white carnations to the church to be given to the participating mothers. During the next several years, she sent more than 10,000 carnations there. Carnations -- red for the living and white for the deceased -- became symbols of the purity, strength and endurance of motherhood.
In her campaign to have Mother's Day recognized as a national holiday, Anna called on clergymen, business leaders and politicians for help. Those included John Wanamaker, who presided over a Mother's Day service in the 5,000-seat auditorium of his Philadelphia store on May 10, 1908. More than 15,000 reportedly tried to attend the event, where Anna spoke for more than an hour.
The first Mother's Day proclamation was issued by West Virginia's governor in 1910. The day was celebrated in most states in 1911.
In 1914, the U.S. House and Senate approved a resolution proclaiming the second Sunday of May as Mother's Day. President Woodrow Wilson endorsed it, and Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan proclaimed it.
Today, countries around the world celebrate Mother's Day. Some -- including Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia and Belgium -- have joined the United States in observing it on the second Sunday in May.
Anna spent her remaining years promoting the Mother's Day movement but was unsuccessful at thwarting what she considered commercialization of the day.
She died in 1948 at age 84 and was buried in Philadelphia. On the day of the funeral, the bell on Andrews Church in Grafton tolled 84 times in her honor.
The home where Anna was born in the village of Webster, W.Va., has been restored as a museum and is open for visitors from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday and all holidays, March through December.
Learn more about the history of Mother's Day»
This story was reported by the United Methodist News Service. It was first published in 1998.
Read more
A blessing for graduates
This is the time of year many students begin a new chapter in their lives. This video provides a prayer and some joyous images to mark the occasion. Share with a grad you know.
View video
5 tips to help students find jobs
Many students and graduates are on the hunt for jobs. United Methodist-related colleges offer career-prep tips for a smoother journey.
Photo by Marilyn WilliamsRyan Brechbill, Director of the Center for Career & Professional Development at Otterbein University, advises student Haley Young, a public relations major.
Tips for UM students in a competitive job market by Natalie Bannon*
What to do after college:
5 tips for students in a competitive job market
With the job market at a competitive level, it’s important for students to find creative ways to prepare for the real world. So, after you’ve shed the cap and gown, what’s next?
“Career centers at United Methodist-related colleges and universities can help pave the road ahead for a smoother journey,” said Gerald D. Lord, Associate General Secretary in the Division of Higher Education of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. “No matter where a student is in the process of career preparation, our institutions are equipped to train and guide them for the next step—even in this tough economy.”
We talked to Otterbein University’s Director of the Center for Career & Professional Development, Ryan Brechbill, to get the top five tips needed for career-prep.
Get outside the classroom
A degree with outstanding transcripts is not enough. Employers are looking for personnel who have hands-on training. “It is imperative for students to complete internships to show employers that they can grasp the classroom concepts,” said Ryan. “It’s evidence that they can put those theories into the workplace.” So, how do you find internships? Look at internship posts, target organizations that interest you and, most importantly…
Network
United Methodist-related colleges and universities, like Otterbein, have strong networks of alumni that are still connected with the campus. Current students are encouraged to connect with the 2200 members on the school’s LinkedIn group. Don’t be intimidated. “We coach students in how to reach out to alumni they don’t know,” says Ryan. “We give them guidance and confidence in that process. After students do it the first time, and get a response, they get more confidence.”
Weigh your options
Should you apply for grad school or jump straight into the workforce? Don’t just enroll because you’ve had a great undergrad experience and want to continue the process. Ryan advises students on this next step based on a variety of factors. “Does the student have a strong desire to learn or have a strong curiosity in a certain field? For some students, it is the next right step. For some, they could benefit from working for the next three or four years before considering it.”
Schedule informational interviews
Not all interviews are about landing the job. An informational interview is a focused meeting designed to help you get an insider’s view on a particular career. On its website, Otterbein has a sample email that you can tailor to request a meeting. The form states, “To find a working professional, check with your advisor or a faculty member in your department. Professional organizations, organizational directories, company websites, local business newspaper articles and classroom guest speakers are also good resources.” Ask people you already know, like friends, pastors and relatives if you can meet with them or if they know someone who is already established in your chosen field.
Build your skills
Ryan says regardless of your major, there are certain skills that every employer requires. Focus on communication, creativity, problem-solving and analytical skills. Think of examples when you’ve used those and don’t be afraid to shine a light on them during an interview.
Remember, too, that there are benefits to attending a United Methodist-related school. “It’s the values education,” said Ryan. “It’s woven throughout the curriculum. You’re going to be able to solve problems in a humane context, and that’s important in this world.”
*Natalie Bannon is a public relations specialist based in Nashville, Tenn. Media contact at United Methodist Communications is Fran Walsh, 615-742-5458.
This story was first published in May, 2014. Read more
Make the most of family time
Christian Family Week begins on May 8. Make your home life more spiritual with everything from refrigerator reminders to topics for dinnertime discussions.
Get tips
Photo courtesy of the Rev. Maidstone MulengaThe Rev. Maidstone Mulenga poses with his wife Charity and daughters Lukonde and Mukuka.
Tips for better family time during Christian Home Month
While Christian Home Month is typically celebrated during the month of May, congregations may choose any month of the year to focus on the Christian home and its key role as a center for faith formation, as stated by Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church. For the complete set of Christian Home Month resources, click here.
Family Devotion
Prepare a gathering place for family worship. Create a centerpiece on the table where you eat your meals or in another area of your home where you can gather as a family. Include a candle, the words “Love God, Love Others” written and placed next to the candle, and items that remind you of God. During your time of devotions, follow this worship sequence:
Praise: Praise God with a song, or simply start your time saying together, “We Praise God.”
Prayer: Use a family prayer or say the Lord’s Prayer. Hold hands as you pray.
Reading: Read a Scripture passage of your choice, a short devotional passage from The Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide, or another devotion of your choice.
Reflection: Ask each person to answer these questions, “What was your favorite part of this Scripture or devotion? What have you learned from this Scripture or devotion? What actions do you think we need to take because of this Scripture or devotion?”
Sharing: Family members share joys, concerns, and prayers for themselves and others.
Blessing: Use a hymn such as the “Doxology” or “Blest Be the Tie that Binds” to end your time together. Or use a simple dismissal, saying together, “God be with you” or “God’s love surrounds you.”
Family Night
Set aside a regular time for sharing family fun activities together. You could do the same activity each time (play board games, cook special treats, volunteer as a family in service to others, learn about people who live different lives from yours). Or each family night could be planned by a different family member, with the activity based on agreed-upon criteria.
Loving Others
Identify people in your community who are in need of knowing God’s love (someone who has just lost a family member, someone struggling in school, someone new to your community, someone who can no longer drive a car, someone who is sick). Each month, make cards together to send to those who need to know God’s love; or, as a family, visit someone from your church or your community who is alone and needs to know there are those who care about him or her.
Learn About People Who May Be Persecuted By Others
In recent weeks, there have been increasing numbers of hate crimes by groups and individuals. Such hateful acts have included desecrating cemeteries, writing hateful words on buildings, hurting those different from themselves. Talk about these hard issues. Read together stories in the media; then ask, “How would God want us to act in this situation? What would ‘loving God and loving others’ look like in this situation?” As a family, decide on actions that you might take, such as: visiting in houses of worship different from your own, writing to officials, or joining others in your community to provide food or clothing to those hurt by hateful actions.
Refrigerator Reminders
Post on the refrigerator a Scripture passage, a line from a hymn or song, an inspirational thought, or a brief prayer. Change the reminder each Saturday. Place this at a level that all in the family can see when they open the refrigerator door.
Scripture / Prayer / Thought-for-the-Day Cards
Buy a spiral notebook of index cards; write a favorite Scripture verse, short prayer, or thought for the day about love on each card. Illustrate each card. Each day, turn over one of the cards to reveal the Scripture verse, short prayer, or thought for the day to read aloud.
Idea Starters for Conversations around the Table (or at any time)
What did Jesus mean in saying, “Love your neighbor as yourself”?
Name a kindness you would describe as an act of love. What other kindness could be described as an act of love?
Talk about an experience when you realized that God loves you.
Which “random act of kindness” expresses for you a good example of expressing God’s love: Feeding a stray animal, sitting by someone you do not really like and having a conversation, taking out the trash when not asked to do so? Why is this a good example?
Talk about a time when you did not feel loved.
What is one of your first memories of being loved?
What are some loving experiences you have had at church – in Sunday school, worship, on retreat, during a special program?
Complete one of these sentences (or create your own):
God is with me when...
A person I know who shares God’s love is…
My favorite story about love in the Bible is…
I would like to tell stories about Jesus to…
A favorite memory about church is…
The best church retreat ever was when…
If I preached a sermon, it would be about…
I like to be with my family when we…
Establish a Family Covenant for Love
This covenant can be renewed every three months; however, the basic elements of the covenant stay intact. The promise of love, forgiveness, acceptance, truthfulness, growth, and witness is the basis of the covenant. This leads to peaceful family living.
For additional Christian Home Month resources from Discipleship Ministries, click here.United Methodist Communications
The communications agency for The United Methodist Church
810 12th Avenue South
Nashville, Tennessee 37203, United States
UMNow@umc.org | 615.742.5400
-------
Mothers of U.S. Mother’s Day were West Virginia Methodists by the United Methodist News ServiceThe celebration of Mother's Day can be traced back to ancient Greece, but the mother of Mother's Day in the United States was Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis, a Methodist from West Virginia.
Her daughter, Anna, led a successful campaign in the early 1900s to have Mother's Day recognized as a national holiday.
Anna was not quite 2 years old when her family moved to Grafton, four miles south of Webster, W.Va. According to historical records, Anna heard her mother express hope that a memorial would be established for all mothers, living and dead.
After the death of her father in 1902, Anna — along with her mother and sister, Lillie — moved to Philadelphia to reside with her brother, Claude. After Ann's death on May 9, 1905, Anna began an intense campaign to fulfill the wish of her mother.
On May 10, 1908, the third anniversary of Ann's death, a program was held at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton and in Philadelphia, launching the observance of a general memorial day for all mothers.
Subsequently, the church observed Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May each year, making Andrews the mother church of Mother's Day. The church, no longer an active Methodist congregation, was incorporated as an international shrine in 1962 and is open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each weekday between April 15 and Oct. 15.
For the first official Mother's Day service in 1908, Anna sent 500 white carnations to the church to be given to the participating mothers. During the next several years, she sent more than 10,000 carnations there. Carnations -- red for the living and white for the deceased -- became symbols of the purity, strength and endurance of motherhood.
In her campaign to have Mother's Day recognized as a national holiday, Anna called on clergymen, business leaders and politicians for help. Those included John Wanamaker, who presided over a Mother's Day service in the 5,000-seat auditorium of his Philadelphia store on May 10, 1908. More than 15,000 reportedly tried to attend the event, where Anna spoke for more than an hour.
The first Mother's Day proclamation was issued by West Virginia's governor in 1910. The day was celebrated in most states in 1911.
In 1914, the U.S. House and Senate approved a resolution proclaiming the second Sunday of May as Mother's Day. President Woodrow Wilson endorsed it, and Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan proclaimed it.
Today, countries around the world celebrate Mother's Day. Some -- including Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia and Belgium -- have joined the United States in observing it on the second Sunday in May.
Anna spent her remaining years promoting the Mother's Day movement but was unsuccessful at thwarting what she considered commercialization of the day.
She died in 1948 at age 84 and was buried in Philadelphia. On the day of the funeral, the bell on Andrews Church in Grafton tolled 84 times in her honor.
The home where Anna was born in the village of Webster, W.Va., has been restored as a museum and is open for visitors from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday and all holidays, March through December.
Learn more about the history of Mother's Day»
This story was reported by the United Methodist News Service. It was first published in 1998.
Read more
A blessing for graduates
This is the time of year many students begin a new chapter in their lives. This video provides a prayer and some joyous images to mark the occasion. Share with a grad you know.
View video
5 tips to help students find jobs
Many students and graduates are on the hunt for jobs. United Methodist-related colleges offer career-prep tips for a smoother journey.
Photo by Marilyn WilliamsRyan Brechbill, Director of the Center for Career & Professional Development at Otterbein University, advises student Haley Young, a public relations major.
Tips for UM students in a competitive job market by Natalie Bannon*
What to do after college:
5 tips for students in a competitive job market
With the job market at a competitive level, it’s important for students to find creative ways to prepare for the real world. So, after you’ve shed the cap and gown, what’s next?
“Career centers at United Methodist-related colleges and universities can help pave the road ahead for a smoother journey,” said Gerald D. Lord, Associate General Secretary in the Division of Higher Education of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. “No matter where a student is in the process of career preparation, our institutions are equipped to train and guide them for the next step—even in this tough economy.”
We talked to Otterbein University’s Director of the Center for Career & Professional Development, Ryan Brechbill, to get the top five tips needed for career-prep.
Get outside the classroom
A degree with outstanding transcripts is not enough. Employers are looking for personnel who have hands-on training. “It is imperative for students to complete internships to show employers that they can grasp the classroom concepts,” said Ryan. “It’s evidence that they can put those theories into the workplace.” So, how do you find internships? Look at internship posts, target organizations that interest you and, most importantly…
Network
United Methodist-related colleges and universities, like Otterbein, have strong networks of alumni that are still connected with the campus. Current students are encouraged to connect with the 2200 members on the school’s LinkedIn group. Don’t be intimidated. “We coach students in how to reach out to alumni they don’t know,” says Ryan. “We give them guidance and confidence in that process. After students do it the first time, and get a response, they get more confidence.”
Weigh your options
Should you apply for grad school or jump straight into the workforce? Don’t just enroll because you’ve had a great undergrad experience and want to continue the process. Ryan advises students on this next step based on a variety of factors. “Does the student have a strong desire to learn or have a strong curiosity in a certain field? For some students, it is the next right step. For some, they could benefit from working for the next three or four years before considering it.”
Schedule informational interviews
Not all interviews are about landing the job. An informational interview is a focused meeting designed to help you get an insider’s view on a particular career. On its website, Otterbein has a sample email that you can tailor to request a meeting. The form states, “To find a working professional, check with your advisor or a faculty member in your department. Professional organizations, organizational directories, company websites, local business newspaper articles and classroom guest speakers are also good resources.” Ask people you already know, like friends, pastors and relatives if you can meet with them or if they know someone who is already established in your chosen field.
Build your skills
Ryan says regardless of your major, there are certain skills that every employer requires. Focus on communication, creativity, problem-solving and analytical skills. Think of examples when you’ve used those and don’t be afraid to shine a light on them during an interview.
Remember, too, that there are benefits to attending a United Methodist-related school. “It’s the values education,” said Ryan. “It’s woven throughout the curriculum. You’re going to be able to solve problems in a humane context, and that’s important in this world.”
*Natalie Bannon is a public relations specialist based in Nashville, Tenn. Media contact at United Methodist Communications is Fran Walsh, 615-742-5458.
This story was first published in May, 2014. Read more
Make the most of family time
Christian Family Week begins on May 8. Make your home life more spiritual with everything from refrigerator reminders to topics for dinnertime discussions.
Get tips
Photo courtesy of the Rev. Maidstone MulengaThe Rev. Maidstone Mulenga poses with his wife Charity and daughters Lukonde and Mukuka.
Tips for better family time during Christian Home Month
While Christian Home Month is typically celebrated during the month of May, congregations may choose any month of the year to focus on the Christian home and its key role as a center for faith formation, as stated by Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church. For the complete set of Christian Home Month resources, click here.
Family Devotion
Prepare a gathering place for family worship. Create a centerpiece on the table where you eat your meals or in another area of your home where you can gather as a family. Include a candle, the words “Love God, Love Others” written and placed next to the candle, and items that remind you of God. During your time of devotions, follow this worship sequence:
Praise: Praise God with a song, or simply start your time saying together, “We Praise God.”
Prayer: Use a family prayer or say the Lord’s Prayer. Hold hands as you pray.
Reading: Read a Scripture passage of your choice, a short devotional passage from The Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide, or another devotion of your choice.
Reflection: Ask each person to answer these questions, “What was your favorite part of this Scripture or devotion? What have you learned from this Scripture or devotion? What actions do you think we need to take because of this Scripture or devotion?”
Sharing: Family members share joys, concerns, and prayers for themselves and others.
Blessing: Use a hymn such as the “Doxology” or “Blest Be the Tie that Binds” to end your time together. Or use a simple dismissal, saying together, “God be with you” or “God’s love surrounds you.”
Family Night
Set aside a regular time for sharing family fun activities together. You could do the same activity each time (play board games, cook special treats, volunteer as a family in service to others, learn about people who live different lives from yours). Or each family night could be planned by a different family member, with the activity based on agreed-upon criteria.
Loving Others
Identify people in your community who are in need of knowing God’s love (someone who has just lost a family member, someone struggling in school, someone new to your community, someone who can no longer drive a car, someone who is sick). Each month, make cards together to send to those who need to know God’s love; or, as a family, visit someone from your church or your community who is alone and needs to know there are those who care about him or her.
Learn About People Who May Be Persecuted By Others
In recent weeks, there have been increasing numbers of hate crimes by groups and individuals. Such hateful acts have included desecrating cemeteries, writing hateful words on buildings, hurting those different from themselves. Talk about these hard issues. Read together stories in the media; then ask, “How would God want us to act in this situation? What would ‘loving God and loving others’ look like in this situation?” As a family, decide on actions that you might take, such as: visiting in houses of worship different from your own, writing to officials, or joining others in your community to provide food or clothing to those hurt by hateful actions.
Refrigerator Reminders
Post on the refrigerator a Scripture passage, a line from a hymn or song, an inspirational thought, or a brief prayer. Change the reminder each Saturday. Place this at a level that all in the family can see when they open the refrigerator door.
Scripture / Prayer / Thought-for-the-Day Cards
Buy a spiral notebook of index cards; write a favorite Scripture verse, short prayer, or thought for the day about love on each card. Illustrate each card. Each day, turn over one of the cards to reveal the Scripture verse, short prayer, or thought for the day to read aloud.
Idea Starters for Conversations around the Table (or at any time)
What did Jesus mean in saying, “Love your neighbor as yourself”?
Name a kindness you would describe as an act of love. What other kindness could be described as an act of love?
Talk about an experience when you realized that God loves you.
Which “random act of kindness” expresses for you a good example of expressing God’s love: Feeding a stray animal, sitting by someone you do not really like and having a conversation, taking out the trash when not asked to do so? Why is this a good example?
Talk about a time when you did not feel loved.
What is one of your first memories of being loved?
What are some loving experiences you have had at church – in Sunday school, worship, on retreat, during a special program?
Complete one of these sentences (or create your own):
God is with me when...
A person I know who shares God’s love is…
My favorite story about love in the Bible is…
I would like to tell stories about Jesus to…
A favorite memory about church is…
The best church retreat ever was when…
If I preached a sermon, it would be about…
I like to be with my family when we…
Establish a Family Covenant for Love
This covenant can be renewed every three months; however, the basic elements of the covenant stay intact. The promise of love, forgiveness, acceptance, truthfulness, growth, and witness is the basis of the covenant. This leads to peaceful family living.
For additional Christian Home Month resources from Discipleship Ministries, click here.United Methodist Communications
The communications agency for The United Methodist Church
810 12th Avenue South
Nashville, Tennessee 37203, United States
UMNow@umc.org | 615.742.5400
-------
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