LAKEPORT, Calif. – The history of Mother’s Day has been presented though a variety of lenses over the years; the flower industry, greeting cards and other commercial ventures, but in truth, it began in relationship to the Civil War.

Women such as Julia Ward Howe, author of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and Ann Jarvis, mother of the woman who pursued federal recognition of Mother’s Day as a holiday, were two of the founders of this holiday, though they themselves would not likely have characterized it this way.

What they did that was so extraordinary was gather mothers from both the United States and the Confederacy and unite them in common cause during a time of terrible pain and division in our nation.

They hosted Mother’s Work Days and Mother’s Friendship Days to recognize that mothers shared a bond deeper than wartime battle lines.

To learn more about their work you are invited to United Christian Parish (UCP) on Mother’s Day at either 9 a.m. or 11 a.m.

In honor of your own mother, you are invited to wear a red flower (or button) if your mother is deceased or a white flower (or button) if she is living. More about this tradition also will be explained.

UCP is located at 745 N Brush St. in Lakeport.

For more details please call 707-263-4788 or visit the church's Web site at www.LakeportUCP.org.