The Voice of FRC - November 2025
- Dec 12, 2025
- 9 min read
The Franklin Reformed Church
973-667-7022 Church Office
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.And those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9.9&10
I was amazed while visiting Maine in the beginning of October the way that the leaves seemed
to change right before our eyes! And now as I make my way here in New Jersey, the colors are
beginning to manifest their autumn beauty. In this season we can see the colors of the leaves change,
feel the cooler, brisk air, hear the leaves rustle as we walk along. I remember the smell of leaves being
burned in the fall when I was young; they say that the sense of smell holds many of our memories.
Changes are happening all around us in this season of fall.
Change can be difficult, challenging, exciting, and welcome. But no matter what the change
might be, the thing that is always true is that change is stressful. Events that change our lives: learning
how to walk, climb, drive, graduating from school, getting married, having children, starting a new job
or even a new career, moving, all bring with them new opportunities, but also stress.
My father promised my mother that he would teach me, the “rebel child,” how to drive. But
circumstances took him to California where his father was living at the exact right, or was it wrong,
moment. So, my mother strapped herself in and off we went. Stressful? You bet.
As a congregation we have been working over several years in seeking to discern what God’s
future holds for this “small, but mighty” church community. It has not always been easy, it has not
always been “fun,” but it has helped all of us to learn, and grow, and pray most fervently.
In the midst of all of this, God has been a faithful companion to us. The words of Psalm 9 speak
deeply to us, reminding us that God will not forsake us. God will not forsake us because we have
literally been seeking where God has been, and where the footsteps of God are leading us.
Fall is also a season of endings, and we are facing that as well. But no matter where we find
ourselves in the next months, or even years, be assured that we do not travel alone. We are upheld by
a God who is faithful, whose promises are kept. We will not be forsaken wherever we may go, thanks
be to God!
This and That
Remember to turn your clocks back on the evening of November 1st, or you will be early to
church!
The Consistory will meet next on November 2nd, after worship, and in December on the 7th
.
Generally, Communion occurs on the first Sunday of each month, unless otherwise decided by
the Consistory. We will celebrate communion next on November 2nd, in the Sanctuary at 11am.
The Consistory decided that October 26th would be a “Day of Visitation”. Thanks to everyone
who made a visit to various RCA congregations either in person or online. The conversation at lunch
afterwards was lively and helpful. The Consistory continues to work on all three scenarios; your
continued input is welcome.
Discovering God, our Adult Christian Education program, this year will be looking at the
“greatest commandment,” which Jesus tells us is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the
second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two
commandments.” In November we will meet on the 9th, 16th and 23rd. Jainie will lead our discussions.
We meet at 10am in the Conference Room; sessions are also on ZOOM. Join us as we learn more
about what these important commandments mean for us today.
Commitment Sunday is scheduled for November 23rd. A letter from the Consistory and a
Commitment Card will be mailed during the second week of November. It is helpful for the Consistory
to have an idea of Congregational income for the coming year. Cards will be received during Worship.
If you are unable to join us, please return your Commitment Card to the church office prior to that
date.
On Sunday, November 23rd we will also have an in-gathering of fresh fruits and vegetables for
our friends at Marion House. They are always very appreciative of our gift!
The doorjam Christmas concert will be on Sunday, December 21st, at 4pm in the Sanctuary.
We have always relied on the generous donations of time - decorating the Community House and
Sanctuary- and talent - creating the amazing soups and treats for our guests. Prayerfully consider
how you can help us out again this year. A free will offering is taken during the concert, which is
designated for the church’s General Fund.
We will be participating in the “Gifts of Hope” ministry again this year. Please make donation
checks payable to “Reformed Church in America” with the memo: “Gifts of Hope.” Deadline for
participation is December 28th. We will gather on January 4, 2026, to choose gifts that will be
purchased based on the generosity of the “gifters.” This year some possibilities include health care,
sewing machines, chickens, goats, and/or cows. Gail has agreed to lead this ministry. You can speak
to her for more information. Checks can be given directly to Gail, dropped off at the church office or
placed in the offering basket and should be clearly marked for “Gifts of Hope.”
The RCA in partnership with the Christian Reformed Church in North 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. Unfortunately, the contractor is having some health issues, so installation has been
delayed.
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:
• Each of those who visited a sister RCA congregation on October 26th
• Pastor Jill for the list of things to consider while visiting and for lunch afterwards
• Jeff who manages the flower donations every week as well as special seasonal displays
• AnnMarie for coordinating the All Saints candles each year
• Lin and Vicky who make sure that the trash and recycling go out for pick-up
• Jim T who looks after the Cemetery
• Robert who continues his father’s legacy by tending to the church buildings and landscaping
• Consistory members who have agreed to extend their terms on Consistory one year to provide
consistent leadership for this time of transition.
• The Nutley Clergy Fellowship for their revival of the Ecumenical, Community Thanksgiving
Service
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.
Update: I have appreciated your support over the last two and a half years as I have worked
towards a D. Min degree at New Brunswick Theological Seminary in Pastoral Care and Counseling.
Due to several factors, I have extended the timeline for my final project into the fall semester 2026,
which moves eventual graduation to May of 2027- to quote Shirley Ho “God willing!” This new
timeline allows for me to better balance both church life and school work.
Tuesday Morning Bible Study: Tuesday Morning Bible Study participants gather at 10am via
ZOOM. We are currently studying Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi. If you are interested in
joining us, please send an email to the church office (frcnutley@optimum.net) with “Tuesday Bible
Study” in the subject line and you will receive the ZOOM link every week.
Thank you to all who have signed up to sponsor flowers for Sunday morning worship. Your
support has meant that we have had a lovely arrangement each week - with special thanks to Jeff
who oversees this ministry. The calendar for 2026 will be posted soon.
REMINDER: Assessments for 2025 are $137.00, or if you use the 3 Assessment envelopes in
your box set it is $46.00 per envelope. THERE IS STILL TIME TO MAKE YOUR DONATION
TOWARDS OUR ANNUAL ASSESSMENT for 2025.
From the Historian
50 years ago, I was visiting on Laity Sunday and the preacher that day was Marjorie Schaefer. I
got to know Marjorie and remained friends with her until she died in 1983. She was one who shared
her faith, and put her beliefs into action helping others, visiting those who were ill and those living in
Nursing Homes. Her first husband was Walter Cleary. He died in August of 1969 at age 72. She was
for many years a member of the Flower and Christian Service Guild.
In 1978 two Congressional meetings were held. After another February Annual Meeting took
place at a time of harsh winter weather, it was proposed and approved to move the meeting to
October holding it with lunch after the Worship Service. This was done at the end of the Lenten series
and suppers in March. The series included discussions on church music by Corinne Zachgo, the work
of the Reformed Church in America by Hugh Gambaro, women's work in the church by Almeda Hoarle
and worship by Rev. Jones.
The November 1978 newsletter included those elected to Consistory on October 8th, Elders were
Almeda Hoarle and Robert Drummond and Deacons were Jane Willis and Donald B.. The
Women's Guild was having a Harvest Fair on November11th, and Dale Cocchiola was handling the sale
of church plates. Cilla Ruggiero had a Thank-You (for many years there were several each month like
what was expressed by Cilla) after spending time in the hospital: "beautiful cards, those who took
extra time to write a little note, to Rev. Jones for his many visits, and to the Flower Guild for those
beautiful fall flowers.” Sue H. informed the readers that “starting with the January Newsletter
please give your information to Jeff G.; he will be its new Editor.” This came about because Jane
Willis suggested to Sue that I be asked as she knew I had been the editor of Holy Trinity's newsletter
in the early 1970's. In December the proposed 1979 budget was listed by the Finance Committee, and
the total was $43,445.
In October 1980 after Rev. Jones submitted his resignation at the first Annual Meeting, a second
meeting was held on Sunday October 26th with the election of Elders Hugh Gambaro, Susan H.
and George Horak. I was elected to my first of 7 terms on Consistory as a Deacon that day along with
Linda Townsend and Marie Edmunds. Due to the busy year ahead the Consistory was increased to 14
members. The Annual Meeting was once again moved to February in 1982, so our service on
Consistory, which began in December of 1980, was extended through February of 1984. During the
fall of 1980, I made my first visit to the home of Loretta and Gerry Taylor. One Sunday after Worship
Almeda came over to our family pew, then the pew in front of where Loretta K. sits today and asked if
we would bring the flowers to Loretta. My mother and I did that after lunch that afternoon, and we
stayed to visit with Loretta and Gerry. In the November 1980 newsletter I noted that Loretta was
recuperating from her second eye surgery operation and was awaiting a third operation. In her final
months as the President of Flower Guild, the monthly notes were covered for her by Betty Gambaro
and Vicki B.. Loretta was on the prayer list for the entire year of 1981. I talked to her early in
1984 to see if she was willing to serve on Consistory again which she did that year. I had the pleasure
many years later of serving as an Elder with her until she completed her last term in 2008. From the
time of her ordeal in the early 1980's and through the remaining years of her life I was blessed by her
friendship and so often there are many reminders of things I learned from her!
From the Hart
This is the time of year when a lot of people like to make donations to their local food pantry. I
recently came across a list of suggestions for these donations, and I thought it might be a good idea
to share it with you. Thank you to my friend Alonso for posting this on his Facebook page.
1. Everyone donates Mac and Cheese in a box. They can rarely use it because it needs milk and
butter which is hard to get from regular food banks.
2. Boxed milk is a treasure, as kids need it for cereal which they also get a lot of.
3. Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles.
4. They cannot eat all the awesome canned veggies and soup unless you include a can opener or
buy pop tops.
5. Oil is a luxury but needed for Rice-a-Roni, which they also get a lot of.
6. Spices or salt and pepper would be a real Christmas gift.
7. Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care.
8. Sugar and flour are treats.
9. They love fresh produce donated by farmers and grocery stores.
10. Seeds are cool in spring and summer because growing can be easy for some.
11. They rarely get fresh meat.
12. Tuna and crackers make a good lunch.
13. Hamburger Helper goes nowhere without ground beef.
14. They get lots of peanut butter and jelly but usually not sandwich bread.
15. Butter or margarine is nice too.
16. Eggs are a real commodity.
17. Cake mix and frosting make it possible to bake a child’s birthday cake.
18. Dishwashing detergent is always appreciated.
19. Feminine hygiene products are a luxury that women love.
20. Everyone loves Stove Top Stuffing.
I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving.
Till next month,
Lin
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