Labor Day

The Village of Lisle and the surrounding area was settled by people who farmed the land. As more people settled and the arrival of the railroad, people relied on the skills of each other. Jobs such as blacksmithing, store clerks, and doctors made up small towns. Some of the early businesses located in Lisle included several blacksmith shops, a dry goods store owned by the Yender family, a creamery which provided dairy products, a flower business and an ice business. Farming, whether for profit or necessity, was prevalent for many years. Living on a farm required working every day of the week. Animals need taking care of daily and crops need tending. Neither animals nor crops know what day of the week it is. People took care of these “chores” while taking care of their family, possibly working at another job, attending church and helping make decisions within the community. The idea of taking a vacation would have been foreign to a person who knew their animals and crops needed daily care as this was their way to survive.

Many people today do not have the responsibilities of taking care of farm animals and/or crops. For people in a “business model” job where work centers around an eight hour work day Monday through Friday, the reason behind the upcoming holiday of Labor Day has lost its meaning and significance. The first Monday in September is celebrated as Labor Day and according to the Department of Labor is “a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.”

The founder of Labor Day is disputed as either Matthew Maguire or Peter McGuire. Labor Day was first recognized in 1885 and 1886 by local municipalities. Congress passed an act on June 28, 1894, declaring the first Monday in September as the legal holiday to commemorate Labor Day. For many years Labor Day was celebrated with parades, festivals and speeches given by prominent members of the community. For many years, Labor Day was celebrated with people enjoying a day off of work with family picnics marking an end of summer. While that trend has continued, the retail industry has found that “Labor Day Sales” are a reason to bring people into their stores to purchase goods.

Labor Day will be celebrated this Monday, September 5, 2016. Whatever your plans are this year, take time to think about the first settlers and the meaning of the holiday.

Peace and blessings.


Source: https://www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history

It is “Back to School” Month

The calendar has turned to August which means summer vacation is winding down and a number of children will be returning to school this month. Many people have heard that the history of schools closing down for the summer began when children were a large source of labor for their families because farming families used their children to help out during the summer months. Actually, according to Kenneth Gold, historian at the College of Staten Island, schools had two short terms occurring in the winter and summer because farming needs were needed in the spring for planting and in the fall for harvesting. It was in the late 19^th century when educators wanted a school calendar that was the same for both urban and rural areas which resulted in the summer vacation many students now enjoy.

This church was part of a rural, farming society. Many of the families who attended and built this church were farmers. The church has a history with education. According to church history, in 1860 the members of the church met at the Goodrich School for their meetings and services. The church history also notes that in 1907 the local school held classes at the church after it burned down.

So, in 1833 when the first religious society of the area was formed that would eventually become First Congregational Church of Lisle, what did women (the main people in charge of educating children) think about education? One point of view can be taken from Lydia Maria Child the author of The American Frugal Housewife which was first published in 1828 and was a popular manual for women during this time. The book contains recipes, remedies, and advice on parenting and housekeeping.

Ms. Child devotes an entire section on education and specifically young girls. She makes a point of stating that girls should not be focused on getting married. She says that young girls who focus on getting married do themselves harm because they are not equipped to handle a household and end up getting married just to say they are married whether they are in love or not. Child writes, “Leave the affections to nature to truth, and all will end well.” She advocates that young girls should spend several years with a wife and learn how to care for children and a home before taking on her own household.

Child notes that “modern girls” were in school until the age of sixteen. She believed that their education learning science, among other things, were a waste of time. She did not think that spending time and money on cultural graces such as music were wise. In her opinion, a girl’s education should have consisted of the “inelegant, every-day duties of life. Thus prepared, they enter upon matrimony. Those early habits, which would have made domestic care a light and easy task, have never been taught, for fear it would interrupt their happiness; and the result is, that when cares come, as come they must, they find them misery. I am convinced that indifference and dislike between husband and wife are more frequently occasioned by this great error in education, than by any other cause.”

What a difference in thinking of education as today the goal is make sure all students have the same opportunities so anyone can achieve their dreams. Let us all remember how thankful we are for the opportunity for all children to have an education, and be sure to watch out for school crossings as more children are walking and/or boarding buses.

Peace and blessings.

Sources:

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/debunking-myth-summer-vacation/

Child, Lydia Maria, The American Frugal Housewife. Applewood Books: Bedford, MA, 1832, 91-96.

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!