The Voice of FRC - June 2025

The Franklin Reformed Church

www.frcnutley.com

frcnutley@optimum.net

973-667-7022 Church Office

From the Pastor’s Desk

Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates with all choicest fruits, henna with nard, nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all chief spices— a garden fountain, a well of living water, and flowing streams from Lebanon. Awake, O north wind, and come, O south breeze! Blow upon my garden that its fragrance may be wafted abroad. Song of Solomon 4.13-16b

The Song of Solomon is an outlier in the Biblical narrative. The Tanakh, the Hebrew

Bible, which is ordered differently than the Christian Old Testament, puts this book in the Ketuvim,

which is the section of writings. In our Biblical narrative it fits into the “middle” section of the Bible

which is often called Wisdom Literature. It stands out for images of the natural world, which appear

to compose a love story. Christian interpretations tend to lean towards this as a love song between

Jesus and the church.

What I love about the Song of Solomon, which I’m not sure I’ve ever preached on, is

the rich tapestry of the natural world around which the text settles. Reading this passage, I can

almost smell the cinnamon and other spices; I can almost hear the water of the fountain splashing

against itself as it tumbles off its shelf; and I can almost feel the soft winds of the spring on my

cheeks. Evocative words call us back to the natural beauty of God’s creation.

This summer the sermon series will be “Tending God’s Good Garden.” While we often

focus only on the first chapters of Genesis when thinking about creation, we will be seeking meaning and direction for God’s people about his “good garden.” There will be times when we will look at how we are called as God’s people to tend the “garden.” Some would call that Creation care. How do we take care of the natural world that we understand as one means to see and know God, in theological language “natural revelation?”

As I have worked on preparing for this series, I have tried to be more intentional about

stopping to experience this good creation. Just today I am smelling the new spring rain, clean and

refreshing. I have tried to notice the birds that peck in the lawn seeking its sustenance. I invite you

to join me as we reacquaint ourselves with the ways that this gift of God is also a mirror for God’s

self, and our part, as God’s children, in keeping this garden good.

This and That

2025 Congregational Meeting Update: Current Consistory members have graciously agreed to remain serving as we move towards our future. They have been part of the many discussions along the road to “decision,” and it will be helpful to have consistent leadership as we move forward over the coming year.

Linda R brought our financial report. We have typically been drawing on our investments each

month, with a total of about $55,000 over the year. Looking at our current financial assets, and with

no financial emergencies, in 2027 we will have spent out those assets.

The Consistory brought three scenarios for the future of the congregation. Copies of these are

available through the church office. Basically, they are: Sell the church campus and relocate the

ministry. Partner with another church(es) or a non-profit organization. Distribute our assets and

request the Classis to dissolve the congregation and return the buildings to the Classis. The

Consistory depends on the feedback of the congregation as we move towards a decision. Speak to

any member of the Consistory or come to a Consistory meeting. We will dedicate the first half-hour

of our Consistory Meetings in June, July, and September to discussing the scenarios. We do want

your feedback!

We will have a second, special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, October 12th, after worship. At that time the Consistory will make a final recommendation for the Congregation to move forward. This is an important meeting; please make plans now for attending.

A reminder that only Active Members are eligible to vote at Congregational meetings. If you do not

know your status as to church membership (active, inactive or an adherent) please be in touch with

the church office, and we can clarify your membership status.

Generally, Communion occurs on the first Sunday of each month, unless otherwise decided by the Consistory. We will celebrate communion on June 1st, and again on August 3rd.

Pentecost this year will be celebrated on Sunday, June 8th. The liturgical color for the day is red!

Wear something red to worship that morning as we call God’s Holy Spirit to dwell among us.

Discovering God, our Adult Christian Education, will meet Sundays in June on the 8th and 15th. On

the 8th we will do the year in review and think about what the fall could bring. On the 15th we will

gather to fill the Welcome Kits at 10am.

Over the summer, beginning on June 22nd, we will be worshiping at 10 am, in the Conference Room. We will continue with this time and location through Labor Day weekend.

The series this summer is “Tending God’s Good Garden,” which will focus on how the Biblical

narrative informs us regarding taking care of God’s creation. In addition, there will be a book study of the book “Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand,” by Jeff Chu, who is an RCA minister. It is available on Amazon in hard cover, Kindle, and audio book. Dates for the gatherings (there will be two) will be announced. And we will have a movie event, watching the documentary “The Biggest Little Farm.” I hope that you will join us! And finally, if we can arrange it, we will pay a visit to the Farminary, a working farm affiliated with Princeton Theological Seminary, which focuses on creation care and ecological theology.

Carts of Caring is a ministry that allows us to take our faith to the streets! Thanks to all those who

marched, to our partner Nutley Shop Rite, members of the NFSB who joined us, and those who have provided support. Remember: Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation! Donations over the summer are important, especially for children who have access to lunch during the school year. Donations of apple sauce and other fruits (unsweetened are best), granola bars, juice boxes, peanut butter and jelly are especially helpful in the summer.

“Creating Healthy Boundaries; Developing and Keeping Sacred Trust” sponsored by the Classes of Passaic Valley and Greater Palisades, was held on May 31st at the Warwick Conference Center. Thanks to Linda R, Jainie, Tricia and Pastor Jill who attended.

doorjam will be performing in Ocean Grove on Saturday, July 5th at 1:30pm (note this is an earlier time slot than we usually have). It is also the day of the Ocean Grove 4th of July Parade which steps off at 10:30am on Main Street. Make a day of it! Hope to see you there.

The RCA in partnership with the Christian Reformed Church in Northern America, produces a

quarterly newsletter called “Breaking Barriers” and deals with disability issues in the church. If you are interested in receiving this newsletter by email, go to rca.org and look under “Publications and Media” or type “Breaking Barriers” into the search line. The form to subscribe is at the bottom of that page.

We want to assure folks that the new doors for the east side of the Community House have been

ordered. When they arrive, our contractor will schedule a time to install them.

It takes a church! I am grateful to God for all those who have lent a hand, taken on a task and

shown their commitment to the ministry of our congregation over the last month:

• Lin, Anna Marie, Dale, Gail, and Ginny J for their work on the Camp Sunrise Welcome Kits

• All those who donated items and cash for Camp Sunrise Kits

• Those who have assisted in making sure that the trash and recycling go out for pick-up

• Jim T who looks after the Cemetery

• Robert W who continues his father’s legacy by tending to the church buildings

• Jainie who has prepared Communion in Loretta’s absence

• Gail, Vicky, Linda R, and Jainie who provided leadership at the Annual Meeting

• Consistory members who have agreed to extend their terms on Consistory one year to provide

consistent leadership for this time of transition.

For those who might be interested: there are two upcoming Pride events in Nutley: Pride Flag raising at Grace Episcopal Church, with Nutley Pride, on Wednesday, May 28th. A prayer service will begin at 7:00pm and an outdoor reception will follow.

On Sunday evening, June 8th at 6pm, a Pride Mass will be hosted by the Episcopal Diocese of

Newark at Grace Episcopal Church in Nutley. A reception will follow.

We will be celebrating the 170th Anniversary of the founding of this congregation in 2025-2026. Currently we are planning a Quilt Show and Open House, a Sunday School Reunion in the summer months, with a picnic - Jeff reminded us that the Sunday School, established prior to the Church, will celebrate 200 years of learning in 2025, a field trip to the Van Bunschoten homestead in Sussex, NJ, an Anniversary Dinner, and doorjam’s Christmas Concert. If you are interested in helping to plan any of these events, and we do need your help, please be in touch with Pastor Jill or any member of Consistory.

One of the events that I am excited about will be a Sunday School reunion over the summer.

Everyone who has been educated by the church family will be invited to a Bar-B-Que. It was

wonderful to see some of our alumni during the holiday season. Let Pastor Jill know it you would like to help with the planning for this event.

As a reminder: except for Elders meetings, all church gatherings are open to every member of the Congregation, including Consistory meetings. If you are interested in attending any gathering that is announced, contact the church office for more information. Consistory minutes and financial reports are always available upon request.

Tuesday Morning Bible Study: We have completed our study of the book of Joshua. We will return to our regular schedule on September 9,2025. Information will be shared prior to our return in the fall.

The theater group of Union Congregational Church, 176 Cooper Avenue, Montclair (where Albert

F-W is the Facilities Manager) happily presents "Barbecuing Hamlet." Dates are 6/13, 14, 20, and 21 at 7:30 pm, and 6/22 at 2 pm. Vicky C. and several Nutley Little Theatre veterans are in the cast of this hilarious farce in which The Peaceful Glen Memorial Players do their best to

stumble through "Hamlet," but doing it with a Western theme, only ten actors, and many other

challenges. You may not recognize Shakespeare's famous play! $20 is the suggested donation, and

tickets will be available at the door.

The 2025 Flower Chart is posted outside of the Sanctuary. The flowers may be given for special

occasions, birthdays, anniversaries, in memory of a loved one, etc. The cost for each Sunday is $30.

Jeff G. handles the orders. While blessing us with beauty on Sunday mornings, the flowers are

given to a member or friend of the church after each worship service. They go with our prayers for

those who receive them. If you know someone who might be blessed by receiving the flowers, please let Jeff know.

The RCA General Synod made decisions in 2022 regarding the annual assessments. Each

congregation is being assessed according to a percentage of their annual income, as opposed to the number of members that we record with the denomination. The Classis of Passaic Valley and the Regional Synod of the Mid-Atlantics have decided to do the same. We are grateful to those who have made their contribution towards the assessment amount in 2024. Assessments for 2025 are $137.00, or if you use the 3 Assessment envelopes in your box set it is $46.00 per envelope.

From the Historian

200 years of Learning:

2025 - Discovering God, a study about trees in the Bible. Tuesday Morning Bible Study, the 24

chapters of Joshua, and The Beatitudes during Lent with Holy Trinity and Grace Church.

1925 - Sunday School classes: Beginner's Department, Primary Department, Junior

Department, and The Home Department.

Before the 11 a.m. Worship Service, 10:35 a.m. The Junior Congregation Service for the

students and their teachers.

The Chapel Hill Chapel Sunday School (begun in 1920) was held on Sunday afternoons at 3

pm for children who were not within walking distance of our church or Brookdale Reformed.

1825 - Our church was an outgrowth of a Sunday School founded by Mr. John T. Dodd at his

home, which was located near the mill of John W. Stitt, which later became Park Drive. As the class

grew, the Reformed Church children were going to be transferred to the Protestant Reformed Dutch Church at Stonehouse Plains, later known as Brookdale Reformed. The distance involved in going there after one Sunday resulted in the Sunday School moving to the barn of Mr. John J. Kingsland of the Spring Garden area.

By 1826 the students were moved to the Povershon School which opened in 1825, at the

intersection of Bloomfield Avenue and Centre Street. In 1826 the average attendance was 60-70

students each Sunday afternoon. In 1839 a new home became known as "The Lecture Room"

because religious services were also held there. It was located on the east side of what became

Vincent Place, and to the north where Vincent Place and William Street come together. Rev.

Roosenraad in the 1855-1955 History booklet wrote, "according to the church records, near the mill

site of Duncan and Cunningham, an old map of 1859 clearly shows the location of the "Dutch

Reformed Church" on that spot." The Franklin (Belleville) 1859 map is featured on the inside front

cover of “Nutley – Yesterday, Today” edited by Ann A. Troy with illustrations by FRC member Vivian

Noyes Fikus (1915-1981) published in 1961. Listed at the end of the book are Reference Books that

included the History of the Sunday School of the Franklin Methodist Episcopal Church, published by

the Committee on the 75th Anniversary, 1900. Also listed was a book the Nutley Museum had, “The

History of Nutley, Essex County, New Jersey” (1907 republished in 2018) by Elizabeth Stow Brown.

She wrote that "the sabbath school was soon followed by the opening of schools for the different

denominations and marked the beginnings of several churches."

January 5, 1860 - the Sunday School moved to one final home before our church was built,

and our church service was held at the new "School House on the Hill" also on land given by Henry

Stager. Frank B. Speer, in Ann Troy's book, wrote a chapter "When Nutley's Little Schoolhouse

Burned Down" which was in 1874. The Red Brick School was built in 1875, which he noted was the

year Nutley seceded from Belleville and became the Township of Franklin, later changed to Nutley in 1902.

From the Hart

OK kids, I need a really big favor. If you live at a distance from Nutley, you are excused from

this request, but if you are local, I am asking you to please give it your best, most prayerful

consideration. While we have collected all the items for the Camp Sunrise Welcome Kits, due to

various circumstances, the folks who normally deliver them (and that includes me) will be unavailable this year, at least for the beginning weeks of camp. For six weeks, beginning on June 29th, we need someone to bring the week’s kits up to the camp, located in beautiful Warwick, NY, about an hour’s drive from Nutley, and distribute them to the campers. What a great opportunity to meet the campers and counselors and see the facility! There are also many great places nearby for dining, so you can deliver the kits (need to be there by 4pm each Sunday), grab a bite, and know you’ve done a really great thing. If you can help us out, please contact the church office or put your name on the sign-up sheet that will be posted in the Cone building very soon. Thank you in advance for your help!

Till next month,

Lin