A Community of Abundant Welcome to All, Growing Together in Christ and serving with Love

March 1, 2023 - Thrift Shop is Open!

The FFC THRIFT SHOP, a mission of the Franklin Federated Church, is being established to support our covenant to be “A Community of Abundant Welcome to All, Growing Together in Christ and Serving with Love.”

Open weekly Fridays from 2-5pm and Saturdays 9am-1pm.
We are accepting donations when the shop is open.

We want to provide affordable clothing to the local community. Our church supports many mission projects like the Franklin Food Pantry, Gilly House, and Common Cathedral in Boston as well as donations to charities to support families in need like New Hope in Attleboro. 

We view this volunteer run, donation-based shop as another way to serve and give back to the community.

Holy Week:  April 10th through April 17th

Palm Sunday: In-Person & Livestream Worship - April 10, 10 am

  • Intergenerational Palm Parade around the Sanctuary

  • Children’s Message (in addition to the Sermon)

  • Traditional Hymns of Celebration

Maundy Thursday: In-Person & Livestream Worship - April 14, 7 pm

  • Communion

  • Scripture Readings that tell the story of events leading up to the Crucifixion

  • Tennebrae - candles extinguished after each reading; service ends in darkness

Good Friday: Livestream Only Worship - April 15, 3pm

  • Theme: "Engaging the Passion of Christ and the Environmental Crisis”

  • Service planned by Rev. Emma Brewer-Wallin, Minister for Environmental and Economic Justice, and Rev. Liz Garrigan-Byerly, ACM for the North Central Region

  • Jazz Music by The Willie Sordillo Ensemble

Easter Sunday: In-Person & Livestream - April 17, 10 am

  • "Flower Cross” - bring a cut flower to add to this symbol of new life

  • Children’s Message (in addition to the Sermon)

  • Traditional Easter Hymns

  • Special Music by Kathy Danielson & Julie Gorman

Spring Fling Auction!

Spring Fling Auction! 

March 14, 2022

Dear members and friends of FFC,

In 2021, in the midst of Covid, we tried a new fundraiser by doing the “Go for the Green” online auction and it was a success!  The auction raised a little over $6000 for our budget thanks to the contributions of many church members and friends who stepped up to help.  This was a group endeavor!

Let’s do it again!

A small group of people has met to get the ball rolling and here are the details:

The Spring Fling Auction will run from Sunday, May 8 to Wednesday, May 18.  

Item pick-up will be at the church on Saturday, May 21.

We learned that raffling some items raised more money than just auctioning them off.  So some items, such as a few select baskets, will be raffled.

Our own master organizer, Debbie Holleran, is keeping a spreadsheet of items being donated to facilitate the creation of the website.

Crackerjack office manager, Michele Webster, has agreed to help us set up the website and post items.

Here’s how you can help:

If you are unable to use the online form, please print out this form Donation Request Form and send it to Debbie Holleran (by snail mail to: 241 King St., Franklin, MA 02038 or scan/email to debbieholeran241@gmail.com). A photo will need to be taken of the item for the auction website, so you can submit one taken by phone or bring the item to the church on or before April 29 so it can be photographed there.

  • Solicit goods, services, or gift cards around town.  A letter to businesses is below.  A thank-you letter will be sent acknowledging any gift for tax write-off purposes. Be sure to send the form below to Deb for any donations received

    Donation request letter

Donation Request Form

  • Contribute smaller items for baskets which will be created. Each basket will have a manager. The following baskets have been suggested:

         - Doggie basket (manager-Deb Holleran)
         - 2 Lottery ticket baskets-(manager Annette Thompson)
         - Kids basket of activities-preschool-(manager- Deb Holleran)
         - Kids basket of activities-elementary-(manager-Deb Holleran)
         - Italian basket-(manager Lonnie Grillo)
         - Gardening basket-(manager-Rev. Marlayna)
         - Bird basket-(manager needed)
         - Franklin basket-(manager needed)
         - Beach basket-(managers-Deb B and Michelle D)
         - Pamper Yourself basket-(manager needed)
         - Restaurant gift card basket-(manager needed)
         - Coffee Lover’s basket-(manager needed)

  • Deliver all auction items, except food, to the church by Friday, April 29.

  • Spread the Word!!  Once we are ready to roll, publicity will be key.

1 Corinthians 12:14

“For the body is not one member, but many.”

Thanksgiving Interfaith Service

The Franklin Interfaith Council announces its annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service for the community. Everyone is welcome! Please join us on Sunday, November 21 at 7pm at St Mary’s Catholic Parish (masks required) or on Zoom and Facebook: Franklin Interfaith Council. If you would like to receive the Zoom link, please email Rector@StJohnsFranklinMA.org.  

This year, the service features preacher Rev. Dr. Marylayna Schmidt, Interim Minister at Franklin Federated Church, and live performance by the Interfaith Choir, directed by Mary Diehl of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The collection will benefit Gilly’s House addiction treatment center in Wrentham (gillyshouse.com).

The Franklin Interfaith Council is an organization whose membership is composed of faith communities in the town of Franklin, Massachusetts. It addresses the various needs of its community by recognizing the power of faith as defined by the individual spiritual traditions.  However, it is these same traditions that unite us in the common goal to initiate and sponsor activities that enrich and challenge the citizens of Franklin. The intent of the council is to sensitize the Franklin community to issues of deprivation and social injustice, and to promote tolerance and understanding through shared worship, programs, performances, and publications, and to bring the understanding of our faith traditions to bear on these issues. Additionally, through these same devices, the council seeks to acknowledge and celebrate both the diversity and the common values existing within the community. The council is a nonprofit organization that has as its primary purpose the betterment of the community it serves.

Participating Houses of Worship :

For more information, o to www.FranklinInterfaith.org or on Facebook:  Franklin Interfaith Council.

Please join Franklin Interfaith Council in speaking out against hate-filled speech

Dear Church Family—

This past week, a Franklin High School student representative to School Committee was speaking about not feeling safe in the high school due to bullying because of her sexual orientation. She was shouted down by audience members in a disturbing scene. You can see it at minute 38.30 of the You Tube video of Franklin School Committee.

The Franklin Interfaith Council took quick action and composed a letter to the public on behalf of all of our houses of worship. You can see it below.

If you would like to sign on to it as an individual, we urge you to do so by November 2ND. Please fill out the form you will find on this link: https://forms.gle/hT5YqNNjvRXKVJVz6.
We will also ask FFC Council to endorse it on behalf of the whole congregation.

Help us shine the light of Christ in our community,
Sue Borchard and Rev. Dr. Marlayna Schmidt, FFC representatives to Franklin Interfaith Council

#LOVEfranklin
A Call to Our Community
We are appalled by the recent lack of respect and civility shown to Mackenzie Atwood, a Franklin High School senior and student representative to the Franklin School Committee, who spoke with courage at the October 26, 2021, Franklin School Committee meeting about the discrimination she and her friends experience on a regular basis. The interruption and attempt to silence Mackenzie by speaking over her cannot and should not be tolerated.

Over the last several months, we have become acutely aware of an increase in hate-filled rhetoric and vandalism in our community. Hate speech and vandalism against members of the LGBTQIA+ community, racial slurs, and anti-Semitic graffiti cannot and should not be tolerated. We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to hate-filled language and actions no matter how frequently they may occur in our community or elsewhere. We must speak out and act against hate to build a better community.

Each of our faith traditions calls us to love: to value the sacred worth of everyone, treating each person with dignity and respect. To be very specific, let us love Franklin. We resolve to create a beloved community where all persons regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnic background, age, stature, ability, creed, or faith can find a home.

Therefore, we commit ourselves to love Franklin. And, we ask you to commit yourself to love Franklin too.

Rabbi Tom Alpert, Temple Etz Chaim
Susan Borchard, Franklin Federated Church
Rev. Eric Cherry, First Universalist Society in Franklin
Mary Diehl, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Franklin Interfaith Choir Director
Rev. Maggie Geller, St. John's Episcopal Church
Alisa Hansen, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Rev. Dr. Jacob W. Juncker, Franklin United Methodist Church
Father Brian Manning, Saint Mary Parish, Franklin MA
Bishop Karl Meredith, Franklin 1st Ward, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Rev. Kathleen McAdams, St. John's Episcopal Church
Rev. Dr. Marlayna Schmidt, Franklin Federated Church

In Support of COVID-19 Vaccination

A Statement by the Franklin Interfaith Council:

In Support of COVID-19 Vaccination

“Love your neighbor as yourself” is a key principle of the religions we practice.  We believe it’s what God calls us to do.  But while it’s an easy phrase to remember and recite, it can be challenging to actually live it out in our daily lives. 

We are in the middle of a pandemic.  To state the obvious, it has been a stressful, scary, exhausting, grief-filled year and a half, and it’s not over yet.  The advent of the Delta variant is ramping things up again.  In the middle of our own stress, can we stop to consider what our neighbors might need from us?  How might we, practically, treat them with love?

One way to answer that question: 

Please get the Covid 19 vaccine!     (if you are eligible)

Here are some reasons we would like everyone who is eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine:

●       It drastically reduces the possibility of you contracting the virus and spreading it to others.

●       Even if a vaccinated person does get a breakthrough infection, they get a MUCH milder case, as the vaccine is highly effective at preventing hospitalization and death.  

●       Since vaccinated people are less likely to contract the virus and pass it on, it protects the people around them, particularly children and the immunocompromised who are not eligible for the vaccine. 

●       More vaccinated people means fewer hosts for the virus, thus less virus present in the community.

●       Fewer people infected with COVID means fewer people dying, fewer people hospitalized, and therefore less risk for healthcare workers, and fewer people missing work and school.

●       Since the vast majority of people hospitalized with COVID are unvaccinated, if everyone chose to get vaccinated, that would free up ICU’s, doctors, and nurses to treat people with other conditions.

If you are fearful about the vaccine, talk with your doctor.  Read up on the science behind the vaccine on the websites of the Centers for Disease Control (cdc.gov), the World Health Organization (who.int), Massachusetts Department of Health (mass.gov/covid-19-updates-and-information), or other local governments.  We hope that everyone will use their God-given powers of reason, discernment, and understanding to make an informed decision to get vaccinated and care for their neighbors as well as themselves. 

Signed by the following Franklin Interfaith Council representatives:   

Rabbi Tom Alpert, Temple Etz Chaim

Susan Borchard, Franklin Federated Church

Rev. Eric Cherry, Minister, First Universalist Society in Franklin

Mary Diehl, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Rev. Maggie Geller, Deacon, St. John’s Episcopal Church

Rev. Dr. Jacob W. Juncker, Pastor, Franklin United Methodist Church

Rev. Brian Manning, Pastor, Saint Mary Parish

The Rev. Kathy McAdams, Rector, St. John’s Episcopal Church

Rev. Dr. Marlayna Schmidt, Interim Pastor, Franklin Federated Church

Rummage Sale - October 16th

Rummage Sale – Save the Date
October 16th

Hi everyone! As of this date, the annual church Rummage Sale will take place so please mark your calendars for Saturday, October 16th. We will start to accept donations on Saturday, September 25th – NOT BEFORE. There will be a designated drop off station at the rear of the church building by the kitchen door.

Since the status of this sale could change at any moment due to new COVID restrictions possibly coming out, we CANNOT accept donations until September 25th.

We are looking for new and gently used donations of books, DVDs, toys, clothes/shoes, household items, small furniture, jewelry, holiday decorations, unique items, and antiques. Any questions on what we accept, please contact Lesa Rogers at lesa.rogers@comcast.net or 508-282-0868.

Regretfully, we cannot accept air conditioners, computers or monitors, televisions, large exercise equipment or exercise bikes, artificial Christmas trees over 3’ tall, car seats, cribs, upholstered furniture, VCR tapes, mattresses, skis, encyclopedias, and stuffed animals.

Anyone that is willing to help in any way with this church fundraiser, please contact Lesa Rogers. As always, we will need folks to sort thru the donations, price them, move them in the pod, help set up for the sale and clean up after it.


Lesa

SUMMER DINE-OUTS ARE BACK!

Once again, we are getting together to eat together in favorite restaurants. The first 2021 dine-out will be on July 21 at 6:30 PM at the 45 Restaurant in Medway at the junction of Routes 126 and 109. To make reservations, please contact the church office at franklin.federated @ gmail.com or Lyn Pickhover at lyn@pickhover.net by Sunday, July 18 so the restaurant will know for how many to set up. Contact Lyn for more information of for directions.

Important Changes for Worship effective Sunday, 6/1

Franklin Federated Church:
A Community of Abundant Welcome to All,
Growing Together in Christ and Serving with Love


With updates from the CDC and changes to Massachusetts restrictions, Church Council has made the following updates to our guidelines for worship on Sundays through Labor Day:

- MASKS - We request that in person attendees wear a mask upon entering and exiting the church.
> This is the time where people greet each other or talk in small groups.
> Ushers and Greeters will wear masks until they are seated as they are in the flow of people entering the building.

- SOCIAL DISTANCING - Pew social distancing will remain in place and we request you make effort to social distance when talking with others
> Roped off pews will continue in the sanctuary

- SINGING - Singing will be allowed at the in person church service.
> For those gathered in person, it is your decision to put on your mask while you or others are singing to protect yourself
> Hymnals and Bibles will be put back into the active pews

- FELLOWSHIP TIME - When the weather allows, there will be hospitality outside after the service. You can bring your own chairs if desired.
> We ask that you socialize outside of the building as there is minimal air flow and ventilation within the building.

FFC plans to continue to offer a livestream service for those that wish to worship but may not be comfortable with in person at this time.

Council had a lengthy discussion about many options. As Jesus calls us to “love our neighbors as ourselves” and be mindful of the most vulnerable among us, these decisions considered how our church community can best support those who are in situations where additional care may be needed.

Thank you for your patience and care for our church staff, your congregational family and the community as we navigate these complex times.

Yours in Christ,
FFC Church Council

Vision Process Update

Thank you to all who participated in the Vision Process whether via Zoom, telephone, in person, or comments shared with all or some of the Transition Team. The journey began last fall with Reverend Dr. Marlayna Schmidt as our facilitator. She has led and participated in the Vision process at other churches. Because Marlayna is our interim minister, the Transition Team was offered the opportunity to participate in coaching sessions led by Marlayna's husband, Reverend Paul Nickerson, a nationally known Church Consultant. We met monthly as a group and monthly with other churches being coached by Reverend Nickerson.

Using his training materials augmented by the experiences of other churches in the training sessions, the Transition Team began crafting and refining the questions used to elicit your input and Vision for FFC. Periodically, Church Council was informed of progress, asked for input and updated on the status of the vision process. Feedback from Council was incorporated into the Vision Statement.

The results of your input and the comments garnered during the discussion sessions including the request to dream, to pray and to identify what is important to you were distilled and refined to create FFC's Vision Statement.

We invite all to read, reflect and join us in moving forward with it.

Maridee Kirwin, on behalf of the Transition Team

Vision Statement

common cathedral collection is a success!

Hebrews13:16 says "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

Members of The Franklin Federated Church shared generously on sunday - enough to pack 150 lunches and more! After a blessing from our Interim Pastor, The Reverend Marlyana Schmidt, Bonnie and Ricky, members of the church drove their packed car into Boston to share with members of common cathedral.

The Missions Team thanks the congregation of FFC for their support each and every year!

Witness

This week's offering to watch and think about from the Racism Awareness Team.

SPOTLIGHT: Witness - Southern New England Conference of the UCC (sneucc.org)


A production from the "Tales from the Stoop" project: a joint effort by Pilgrim Church UCC, in Sherborn, MA and Bethel AME Church in Jamaica Plain, MA focusing on racial relations.

Reprinted with permission from Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ, Spotlight

common cathedral

For the 15th year in a row, we will be providing lunch for those attending common cathedral on Boston Common. Due to COVID, they are asking us to once again provide bagged lunches and drinks to be distributed after their worship. We will miss the time spent with the people gathered there, but are grateful that you provide hearty lunches for those in need.

We will be providing 150 bagged lunches. BJ’s and Shaws have already donated gift cards to be used to purchase the drinks. Your donation of food items will be much appreciated. Please make sure the area you are preparing food is sanitized - Eccelesia Ministries prefers that the food be prepared in homes instead of a large area. The Missions Team will assemble the lunches the morning of April 25th.

Click here to sign up for one of the food items (sandwiches, hard boiled egg, brownies, clementines) You may bring to the church’s kitchen door between 9:00 and 9:30 on April 25th. A member of the Missions Team will come out to your car. Thank you for your help in this Missions project that has been so important to our church.

Saturday: The Harrowing of Hell

Did you ever note that none of the canonical (Biblical) gospels describe Jesus' resurrection? We have stories of the empty tomb, but our only resurrection description is in the Gospel of Peter where Pilate sends a centurion and soldiers to go with the Temple elders and scribes to safeguard the tomb so Jesus' followers would not steal the body and claim he had risen from the dead. Two soldiers watching the tomb hear a loud voice; the heavens open and two radiant men walk into the sepulcher. The soldiers wake the centurion and elders, and they all see three men, two whose heads reach the heavens, and the third taller still, walk out of the tomb, followed by a cross. A voice from heaven asks: "Have you made the proclamation to those who have fallen asleep? The cross answers "Yes." (Peter 28-42) This is the harrowing or emptying of Hell.

The Western and the Eastern churches interpret Jesus' resurrection differently. Our tradition teaches that Jesus rose out of the tomb alone, requiring that a general resurrection wait until the end (whatever the end is.) The Orthodox tradition depicts Jesus pulling with him Adam and Eve, and all the righteous who already died. The general resurrection has already happened.
What does this mean for us?

Lenten Devotions
April 3, 2021

Friday: The Temple Veil

The story of Jesus' crucifixion is well-known: his last supper with his disciples, telling Judas to go and do what he had to do, praying in the garden while his friends slept, arrest by a horde of soldiers and security guards, disciples in hiding, examination and torture by Temple authorities who took him to Pilate for punishment, more torture and ridicule as "King of the Jews," the agonizing tramp to Golgotha with woman followers watching from a distance, and the humiliating, horrific execution.
Mark tells this story in three-hour segments. Between noon and 3 PM, the land is in darkness, and as Jesus gives his last cry, the curtain of the Temple is torn in two. (Mark 15:38.)
With all this going on, it would be easy to miss the significance of the destruction of the Temple veil, the curtain shutting off the Holy of Holies, God's special home, from the outside world. Only the high priest was allowed to enter this place, and only once a year. The ruined curtain symbolized not only the end of the priests' power, but - more important for us - the opening of direct access to the presence and love of God without intercession or mediation from someone standing between us and our God.
Jesus lived and died so we could take an active role in establishing God's kingdom on earth.

Lenten Devotions
April 2, 2021