We at First United Methodist Church will be observing Mothers’ Day weekend by standing up for peace and remembering the mothers and families who suffer from the senseless and grievous loss of a loved one due to violence.

In a year where we have become achingly aware of our connections in the human family, we recall the earliest goals of Mothers’ Day—for women to work together for peace and justice.

On Saturday, May 8, from 12-2pm, the community will line up in front of 1903 East Euclid Avenue, Arlington Heights. With our presence and signs, we recognize the many mothers who suffer this weekend because loved ones have been killed due to violence: police abuse, war, domestic abuse, LGBTQIA hatred, school shootings, random gunshots, racial hatred, gang shootings.

We invite all in the community to attend any part (or all) of this two-hour witness. Please, bring a sign which names a victim of violence whose story still aches within your heart. If you’d like to make a sign naming a person whose story makes your heart ache, come to Fellowship Hall from 10am-12pm to create a placard with Thom Frerk.

Witness begins at 12 noon. At 12:30pm, we will read Julia Ward Howe’s 1870 original proclamation for women to build a more peaceful world.

At 1:30pm, we will read the names of some of the children and adults who have been victims of violence. We especially remember these victims’ mothers on this Mothers’ Day weekend.

If you would like to lift up names for remembrance, please add them at fumcah.com/mothers.

Please attend this solemn Remembrance and stand for Peace and Justice.

Note: Masks and social distancing are required.

Contacts: Allison Anderson, Robin Paul