Independence Day

July usually brings the heat of summer, thoughts of ice cream and ways to cool down as the national celebrates the 4^th of July with picnics, parades and fireworks. This year may we pause for a moment and think about what we, as a people of the United States, are celebrating.

The 4^th of July, also known as Independence Day, became a federal holiday in 1941 and has been celebrated since the American Revolution. Representatives of the thirteen original colonies came together in June of 1776 to write a resolution declaring their independence from Great Britain. A vote was taken by the Continental Congress on July 2^nd favoring independence and on July 4^th the delegates adopted the Declaration of Independence.

The wording of the Declaration of Independence can be seen at the link below:

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html

If you ever find yourself in Washington, D.C., in my opinion it worth everyone’s time to take a trip to the National Archives and see the original document. The signatures are fading and there may come a time when it is declared the original document is too fragile to be in public so be sure to go see it.

So, how we make Independence Day personal? Do you have an ancestor that served during the Revolutionary War? The Daughters of the American Revolution have a great website that you can search to see if a member of your family is already listed as a patriot. Their website is

www.dar.og

The land for both this church and the Lisle Cemetery were donated by James C. Hatch. James was the son of Capt. Azel Hatch who served during the War of 1812. Capt. Reuben Hatch and Joseph Hatch, the grandfather and great-grandfather, respectively, of James Hatch served during the Revolutionary War. Reuben’s records state he was a civil servant from the state of New Hampshire. Joseph was a soldier from Connecticut. I can imagine that James grew up hearing many stories about the war and assume the 4^th of July was an important holiday for their family.

So this 4^th of July, think about what our Founding Fathers went through writing the Declaration of Independence and all the people who served in the war and continue to serve in the military today.

Grace and blessings to all.

The Origins of Father's Day

Tomorrow is Sunday, June 19th when many people will celebrate Father's Day. This day has become a time for families to come together and remember the people who have been father figures in their lives.

According to history.com, the origins of Father's Day began when the governor of Washington proclaimed the first "Father's Day" on June 19, 1910 (exactly 106 years ago tomorrow). It wasn't until 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed the proclamation making Father's Day a national holiday. Economists today estimate that more than $1 billion is spent by Americans for Father's Day gifts.

Father's Day wasn't declared a national holiday until 58 years after Mother's Day. Some people tried to get both holidays removed for a combined "Parent's Day." The idea behind a combined day was that both parents should be honored and respected and at the time many men did not like Father's Day because they were paying for gifts to themselves that they did not like. It was the Depression that derailed the idea of a "Parent's Day" because retailers began marketing Father's Day as the opportunity to give dads a second Christmas. As the Depression moved into World War II, Father's Day became a time to honor men and fathers who were fighting in the war.

So, take a moment this weekend to thank a special person in your life who has made an impact on your life - father, uncle, neighbor, etc. Remember that whether tomorrow is Father's Day or Parent's Day, the impact someone made on our life is the same impact you can make on another life.

Grace and blessings to all!


Source:  http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/fathers-day

Celebrating Our Military

Are you aware that the cemetery across Ogden Avenue from the church is the final resting place of many Veterans?

The month of May is a time to remember the Veterans, active military and their families.

Today, May 21, 2016, is Armed Forces Day. President Harry Truman led the effort to find one day where all the brave soldiers in every branch of the military are celebrated. The Secretary of the Department of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of Armed Forces Day on August 31, 1949.

Monday, May 30, 2016, is Memorial Day. Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and was a day to remember all those who died in their military service to our country. The history of where Decoration Day started is unclear; however, it began after the Civil War as a way to honor the men who died. "It was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11."** The 30th of May was chosen because it was a day that a battle did not occur during the Civil War. The first Decoration Day was commemorated at Arlington National Cemetery where 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers were buried. Memorial Day became a Federal Holiday in 1971 when the National Holiday Act was passed.

If you see people wearing red poppies, this is a tradition started by Moina Michael who wrote a poem inspired by In Flanders Fields (see poem below). Ms. Michael began to wear a red poppy and then sold poppies to others with the proceeds going to support the military. Ms. Michael's poem read:

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

The National Moment of Remembrance is a resolution that was passed in 2000 asking that people across the United States voluntarily observe at 3 p.m. their local time a moment of respect for those who have served this country.

The Village of Lisle will be hosting a Memorial Day parade, Remembrance Ceremony and picnic. If you know a Veteran, active military member or a family member, please take the time to thank him/her for their service. If you have some time, walk through the Lisle Cemetery and reflect on all the Veterans who served.

**Source:  http://www.usmemorialday.org/?page_id=2

Grace and blessings to all!

In Flanders Fields

John McCrae, 1872 - 1918

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row, 
That mark our place, and in the sky, 
The larks, still bravely singing, fly, 
Scarce heard amid the guns below. 

We are the dead; short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, 
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields. 

Take up our quarrel with the foe! 
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high! 
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Source: https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/flanders-fields

Happy Easter

Sunday, March 27, 2016, is the celebration of Easter. For some Christians this day involves attending service followed by family celebrations including a large meal together. One traditional meat served at Easter is ham. Today ham is easily purchased at a local grocery story or a local specialty store. The person in charge of cooking the ham (or just warming it up) will put it in an oven, or microwave if you really want to be quick. When a timer goes off the ham is sliced, put on a platter and served.

Thinking back to the time frame of when this church was established, a popular book for housewives was The American Frugal Housewife by Mrs. Child. The edition quoted from in this blog entry is taken from a reprint of The American Frugal Housewife published by Applewood Books, Bedford, MA. The author, Mrs. Lydia Maria Child, provided women with recipes, medicinal cures, parenting tips and other housekeeping tips. According to Applewood Books, Mrs. Child "was an early feminist and abolitionist who supported her family through her various literary activities as a writer, a pamphleteer, and an editor." (back cover)

Back in the early 1800's, anyone who wanted to have a ham for Easter would have go through the following process to cure a ham -- remember too that the ham probably came from a pig on your farm: According to Mrs. Child:

"The old-fashioned way for curing hams is to rub them with salt very thoroughly, and let them lay twenty-four hours. To each ham allow two ounces of salt-petre, one quart of common salt and one quart of molasses. First baste them with molasses: next rub in the salt-petre: and, last of all, the common salt. They must be carefully turned and rubbed every day for six weeks; then hang them in a chimney, or smoke-house, four weeks.

"They should be well covered up in paper bags, and put in a chest, or barrel, with layers of ashes, or charcoal, between. When you take out a ham to cut for use, be sure and put it away in a dark place, well covered up; especially in summer." (pages 41-42)

That is a lot of work to prepare ham compared to what is required for people today.

As we gather to celebrate Easter, we ask that you remember the risen Christ and all those who have come before you.

Grace and blessings to all!

Social Media

We are expanding our social media presence and hope you like us on Facebook.

Our page is located at:

First Congregational Church

The plan is post pictures and information about current events going on at the church.

One of the goals is to share stories about the history of the church. If you have or know someone who is or was a member of the church and has a story to share, please contact us via email at:

lislecongregationalchurch@gmail.com

We would love to share your story.

Grace and Blessings to all!

Welcome to First Congregational Church in Lisle, IL

Welcome to the inaugural post of First Congregational Church located in Lisle, IL.

According to the church history, this church was originally organized on July 13, 1833, as the Presbyterian of DuPage by Rev. Porter, Rev. N. Catlin Clark, and Rev. C. W. Babbit who were missionaries located in the Northern Illinois area. Although the people settled in the Lisle area were of Puritan descent, they agreed to be organized as a Presbyterian congregation since both religious groups were working together to help settlers moving west.

This church is considered the first organized church located in DuPage County. Although the congregation has gone through a long history of changes, this building holds a great history of serving many prominent settlers and their families throughout the years.

As many historical buildings have been lost over the years, the people of First Congregational Church are looking forward to sharing our history with our neighbors and the community. We are looking forward to opening our doors beyond the Sunday morning worship service to host events (weddings, musical performances, funerals, etc.) and welcome the community to share their history with our history.

Please follow us here and on Facebook to keep up-to-date on what is happening at First Congregational Church.

Grace and Blessings to all.