The Voice of FRC - Summer 2026

The Franklin Reformed Church

www.frcnutley.com

973-667-7022 Church Office

frcnutley@optimum.net

From the Pastor’s Desk

Jesus answered, “My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not of this world.” Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.” John 18.36-37

The exchange between Jesus and Pilate, which occurs in the Gospel of John during the passion narrative, is an awkward and confusing exchange. Pilate, through no fault of his own, doesn’t understand what Jesus is talking about. Pilate thinks, lives, and speaks of a political reality, while Jesus thinks, lives, and speaks of a spiritual reality. It is like a conversation where the two people involved are literally speaking two different languages.

Over the past few weeks, I have been thinking about the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, about the national conversations around Birth Right Citizenship, and the relationship between the church and the state stirred by the statement made by the General Synod (2026) addressing Christian Nationalism.

The statement, drafted by Professors of Theology (the fourth office in the RCA), reads in part: “God governs this world through both church and state. The church is to affirm authentic faith and show fruits of the Spirit, seeking wholeness and care for everyone. The state is to work for the safety, security and peaceful order of all those under its care.... The church must invite the state to greater nobility...we have a necessary voice in the public debate but, as Christ’s body, gathered around Word and Sacrament, we must not conflate national identity with God’s reign...We belong to Jesus Christ, not to anyone or anything else. We are called to influence the public square through persuasion rather than coercion, to work for unity among all people and nations, to reconcile everyone and to stand in God’s Spirit without the corrupting influence of temporal power.” [copies of the complete statement, which was approved by a vote of 150 to 6, are available through the church office].

Or you can click on this link and read the complete statement on the RCA website.

Citizens are those who belong to a particular country, state, or commonwealth by birth or naturalization and have legally recognized rights and duties as members of that entity, according to the dictionary. We are in some ways dual citizens, both of the United States of America and the Kingdom of God, yet our primary bond is belonging to God and God’s kingdom. We are called, as the gospel tells us, to be in the world, but not of the world.

Where did all of this begin, you might ask. It began with a conversation with colleagues about our current conversations regarding this congregation. When asked what my hope for the future was, I replied that whatever happens my hope is that each and every one of us will find our place as citizens of God’s kingdom. That none of us will, as often happens when a church struggles, find ourselves “stateless.” But instead that everyone of us will find our place as a citizen of not only God’s kingdom, but of a local gathering of other citizens of this same kingdom. My prayer is that not one of this flock will find themselves wandering lonely, afraid, or lost. And my faith is that the good shepherd will indeed seek and rejoice over each one of us as we find our place in the majestic kingdom to which we belong.  

This and That

We begin our Summer schedule on July 5th; we will be worshiping at 10:00 am in the Conference Room, which is air conditioned, through September 6th.

The Consistory meets next on August 2nd. All are welcome to attend the meeting.

Pastor Jill will be the chaplain at Camp Sunrise July 19th - 24th. During the week if you need pastoral assistance, please call a member of the Consistory or the church office.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The document attached to the emailed Newsletter this month is the result of our working towards the future that God has in mind for the Congregation of the Franklin Reformed Church. We have looked at each of the three scenarios, asking and answering these questions: What are the possibilities? What would this demand of us? And what are the Next Steps? The Consistory will make their recommendation to the Congregation at a Special meeting on Sunday, October 4th. Everyone will have a voice at this meeting, but only active members will be eligible to vote to affirm the recommended scenario as we move forward. If you do not know your membership status, please contact the church office.

The Consistory decided at their April meeting that we would take 3 “field trips” this summer, back to three RCA churches in our area, First Reformed Church (Little Falls), Brookdale Reformed Church (Bloomfield), and Allwood Community Church (Clifton). These visits will coincide with Sundays that Pastor Jill will be away.

1.    Sunday July 19th there will be the next “field trip” to Brookdale Reformed Church, in Bloomfield. Worship there begins at 10:30 am. They are currently between pastors, so there will be a visiting clergy that Sunday. 

2.    Sunday, August 23, we will be visiting Allwood Community Church in Clifton. Worship begins at 10:30 am. Information will be sent out the Friday prior to this Sunday, including the ZOOM link.

The Three Churches, St. Paul’s, Holy Trinity and FRC will gather together for worship the last Sunday of each month, April through September. On July 26th we will be hosting Holy Trinity and St. Paul’s. We need one or two people to coordinate a coffee hour after worship. The usual Friday email with all the information needed for in person and online worship will go out.

We will celebrate our next communion on August 2nd, in the Conference Room at 10:00 am. If you are unable to join us in person, please call the church office to schedule home communion.

Each year Discovering God, our Adult Christian Education program, chooses a theme for the year. This past season we studied the “greatest commandment” of loving God and loving our neighbors as ourselves as taught by Jesus in the Gospels. We are currently looking for ideas for the 2026/27 program year. Currently in consideration: a second season on the greatest commandment, the stories of Jacob who becomes Israel in the book of Genesis, and wealth/money in the Biblical narrative.

Tuesday Morning Bible Study is taking a hiatus over the summer. We will resume our study of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles on Tuesday, September 15th, at 10 am. If you wish to join us, simply send an email to frcnutley@optimum.net with Tuesday Morning Bible Study in the subject line and your will be added to the list.

Anyone interested in a Book Club this summer? Pastor Jill is interested in discussing the two novellas: Prayer for the Crown Shy and A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers. These were published in one volume in 2025 under the title Monk and Robot. If you are interested let Pastor Jill know. I am thinking of meeting twice over the summer. Pango Books describes it this way: In a future where robots have retreated from human society, a curious tea monk and a sentient robot embark on a journey to explore the meaning of purpose and connection. Becky Chambers weaves a gentle, hopeful tale that blends philosophical inquiry with heartfelt companionship against a richly imagined, post-industrial world. This series invites readers to ponder what it means to live well, making it a soothing and thought-provoking escape for fans of character-driven science fiction.

The deadline for submissions for the September Newsletter is August 30th. Information can be left in Lin’s box in the church office or email her directly (momh368@aol.com).

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:

•        The Consistory who have spent additional time exploring opportunities for our future

•        Loretta and all those who supported the Sunrise Welcome Kits this year, especially the angel who purchased water

bottles

•        Jeff who oversees the flowers each week

•        Lin, Loretta, and Vicky who make sure that the trash and recycling go out for pick-up

•        Jim T. who looks after the Cemetery

•        Robert W. and his partner Margaret who continue his father’s legacy by tending to the church buildings and l

andscaping

•        Roy, who has stepped up to help Robert with tending to our heating and cooling system

•        Those who attended and gave their input at the Annual Meeting

•        The driveway fairies who patched the parking lot earlier this summer

As a reminder: with the exception of 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.

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 of cut flowers each week - with special thanks to Jeff who oversees this ministry. The calendar for 2026 is posted outside of the sanctuary. You may also be in touch with Jeff if you have a particular Sunday in mind. Also, if you know someone you would like to take the flowers to after worship.

REMINDER: Assessments for 2026 are $142, or if you use the Assessment envelopes in your box set it is $35.50 per envelope. FRC is required to submit 1/4 of the total assessment in February, April, May and July. That’s $781.50 each submission. The first one was due in February, so anyone who can pay their assessments ASAP rather than later will be most appreciated.

The Classis of Passaic Valley, to which we currently belong, through its Mission Commission has been supporting Rev. Linda Macktaby who is currently doing ministry in Lebanon and Syria, working with families who have been displaced by the conflict between Israel and Lebanon. The Consistory has decided to make a $100.00 donation to this important work. They have also directed that others in our Congregation be given the opportunity to make contributions as well. Financial contributions can be made through Ponds Reformed Church through their giving portal at pondsnj.org/give or by check payable to Ponds Reformed Church Mission. Their mailing address is 341 Ramapo Valley Road, Oakland NJ, 07436. If you would like more information about Rev. Macktaby’s ministry, please speak to Tricia or Pastor Jill.

From the Historian

Recently seeing some of the Service banners that are presently hanging up along Franklin Avenue and around the town, I noticed there is one for Louise Hessler Stuhler. She served in the U.S. Navy as a Chief Petty Officer from 1944-48. For many years she and her sisters Magdalene Ackerman, Lillian Perkowski, and Ruth Hessler each November remembered their mother, M. Louise Hessler with a flower memorial. From our congregation three other women also served during World War II, Elaine Richmond Savino, Virginia Entwisle and Elsie Jacobus.

In the last issue I included a 1987 letter from Robert Pearce, nephew of Gertrude Crawford. 100 years ago on Sunday, June 13, 1926, for the Children's Day Exercises he participated in the presentations given by the Beginner's Department. His was "Happiness," and "What Can I Do" was done by Betty Cousins later known as Betty Drummond. The opening hymn at 3 pm that afternoon was "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name". The closing Beginner's Department hymn was "The Beautiful Bright Sunshine", The Primary Department hymn was "For the Beauty of the Earth", and closing hymn

"On Our Way Rejoicing". The Junior Department included readings, a dialogue, and songs with a solo from Genevieve Ebert. She sang "God Make My Life a Little Light". Genevieve was the older sister (born 1919) of Joe Ebert (born 1924 and baptized at FRC). She was later a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Joe joined FRC in 1959.

From the Hart

Call me Pauline Bunyan. I may have a cat named Joey instead of Babe the Blue Ox, and I don’t have an axe. But I do have a chain saw! OK, it’s a mini chainsaw, described as “for ladies.” And I needed help getting it assembled (thanks Joe!). But I have now used it, and I am proud to report that I still have all my fingers and toes. There is a strip along the side of my back yard that needs taming every year (wisteria is a beast). Last year I was not up to the task, and it has gotten quite out of control. So last week I was out there with hand clippers, long handled clippers, a weed whacker, and my trusty new chain saw. I managed to get about half of it done before the Great Heat Wave of 2026 hit. And so, my tools and I are now resting comfortably indoors. We will be ready when the weather turns cool again!

Hope you are also staying cool. Have a great summer.

See you in September!

Lin