The Voice of FRC - October 2025

The Franklin Reformed Church

973-667-7022 Church Office

www.frcnutley.com frcnutley@optimum.net

From the Pastor’s Desk:

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with them then come offer your gift” Matthew 5:23 and 24

For those of you who worshiped in the sanctuary on Sunday, the 28th of September, this may sound familiar to you.

During the fall months our brothers and sisters in the Jewish tradition celebrate Rosh Hashanah, (the New Year, 5785), Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe), and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). In their tradition, the ancestors of our faith begin a new year with reflection, repentance, and reconciliation. What a great way to begin a New Year!

The Days of Awe are a time to reflect on the past year, especially to identify the ways in which we may have “something against our brother or sister.” Over these ten days the Jewish community will seek ways to repent and make amends or seek forgiveness from those whom we have wronged. These amends may be in the form of apology, or of seeking to “make right” - perhaps to pay off a debt or change the way that we walk into the world. Finally, then we are to reconcile with our brothers and sisters. And this is where Jesus comes into the story, now our story.

In the verses that proceed 23 and 24 in Matthew (see above), Jesus equates murder with anger. If you have anger in your heart against anyone, you are subject to the same “judgement” as the one who commits murder. This should sound familiar to those of us who are in the Reformed tradition. For John Calvin, the progenitor of our theological understandings, sin = sin = sin. And sin is breaking relationship with God and with one another.

Yom Kippur, the day of atonement in the Jewish tradition, is the day to make our repentance with God. Having cleared our lives of the “horizontal” sins, those against our family, friends or neighbors, Jews are called to make it right between God and ourselves. The vertical relationship must also be restored.

Behind this, in the Jewish tradition, is the notion that God has a “book of life” and a “book of death.” Those whose names are written in the book of life will indeed live into the next year, those in the book of death will not. But somewhere in between, is yet another book, where things have not yet been put to rights. The Days of Awe are for those people, who are in the “not yet”.

This seems to me to be a good way to begin a new year. To clean the slate, as it were, between us and our fellow humans and our God. This year we will be looking at this very concept in the Biblical narrative in Discovering God (see the note below). Love God, love others. What does that look like? Join us for Discovering God as we seek those answers together.

This and That:

At the Annual Congregational meeting this year, 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 with your questions or thoughts.

We will have a second, special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, October 12th, after worship. This will be a Potluck; bring a dish to share. At that time the Consistory will update the Congregation on how each of these scenarios is currently unfolding, and the Mission Church Team will bring us some things to consider as we make decisions going forward.

The Consistory will meet next on November 2, after worship.

Generally, Communion occurs on the first Sunday of each month, unless otherwise decided by the Consistory. We will celebrate the next communion on October 5th in the Sanctuary at 11 am.

Pastor Jill will be away for Max and Emma’s wedding (Max is Jill’s nephew) in Maine, from October 1st - 7th. If you need pastoral care during that time, please call on a Consistory member, or inform the Church Office (973) 667-7022.

The Consistory has decided that October 26th is a “Day of Visitation.” One of the possible futures may be to join another RCA Congregation. We will not have worship in the Sanctuary but encourage you to make a visit. A list will be provided of local RCA congregations with worship times. We are also encouraging those who usually join us on ZOOM to attend another “on-line” worship service as well. We shall then return to Franklin Reformed and discuss our experiences over lunch, which will be provided at 12 noon. There will be more conversation about this at the Congregational Meeting on October 12th.

We will again be lighting memorial candles this year on All Saints’ Day, Sunday, November 2nd. The names of family and friends that you wish to remember will be printed on a special insert in the Sunday bulletin that day. We once again ask for a donation of $5.00 for each name which goes to support the General Fund. Forms are available in the church office; contact us if you need one. You can leave the information and your donation in AnnMarie’s mailbox in the church office. If you have any questions, please contact AnnMarie at 973-667-3383. The deadline for submitting your intentions is Sunday, October 26th.

We will celebrate All Saints Day on Sunday, November 2nd. At the 11 am worship we will light candles (see above) and celebrate Communion. At 6:30 pm we will gather in the cemetery and place candles on gravestones in the Cemetery, followed by a short liturgy. Please plan to join us as we remember those “saints” who have gone before us.

Discovering God, our Adult Christian Education program, will be looking this year 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 October we will meet on the 12th and the 19th. 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.

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 has 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:

• Jainie who will preach and, as an Elder, serve Communion on October 5th

• Those who helped to set up for outdoor worship on September 21st.

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

• Jim who looks after the Cemetery

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

• Jainie for taking the lead in researching and composing the 2025/26 Discovering God program year

• 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 the “Blessed are the Peacemakers” event on September 27th.

A year ago, we began generating ideas for our 170th Anniversary and indeed selected some outstanding activities. Over the past year we have also been busy looking towards the future of the Congregation. There are several possibilities that are being considered. Because of this the Consistory decided to defer our Anniversary celebrations, except for a Celebration Dinner. Keep your eyes open for more details.

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.

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. I have completed all my required courses and now move into the next phase with my final project. This means the next seven months will be a marathon of work for me. Please know that I am always available for congregational and personal needs during this time, so do not hesitate to call me.

Tuesday Morning Bible Study: We are studying the book of James in the New Testament. We gather at 10 am via ZOOM. 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.

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 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.

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:

In 1963 during the time the church had Rev. Edwin Thomas Jones as an Interim Minister, the Confirmation Class was taught by Allan Riddle in the Church Basement on Saturday mornings between 9 and 10 am. Allan was the Sunday School Superintendent, and the Assistant Superintendent was Jim Muller. The students Janet Mitschow, Agnes Williamson and Joan Money were confirmed on Sunday June 23rd. Janet and Agnes, who both died in recent years, were lifelong friends. Janet's father Fred Mitschow (1914-1991) later served on Consistory as an Elder. When he retired and before moving in the mid 1980's, he was "Mr. Fixit" at the church. He, along with others, was most helpful in preparing the Manse for the arrival of The Roberts family in August of 1981. We were fortunate later to have Bud Willis, Ray Wilson, David H., and Robert W. give of their time, talents, and advice in maintaining our buildings.

During 1963 the Sunday School leaders were Mrs. Lewis Stager for the Beginners' Department, Mildred Riddle for the Primary Department, and Alma Paine for the Home Department. In 1967 Helen Swift replaced Alma. In 1968 Hugh Gambaro was the Superintendent and the leaders were Doris Epworth for the Beginners' Department, and Jane Willis the Primary Department.

In the early 1960's Mr. John Suffern served the church as the Director of Youth Work. "Jack" (1934- 2020) was a Mathematics teacher at Nutley High School for more than 40 years. After his service, Betty and Hugh Gambaro were the Directors of Youth Work along with Joe and Peg Ebert. In 1966 Elder Robert Moreland was the Franklin Reformed Church Bible Class Director. He was an Elder and served as the Clerk of Consistory.

During the 1966-67 year the Institutional church representative of Boy Scouts was Cesar Torres. The scoutmaster was Alfred Welenofsky. Joe Day was our Cemetery Warden. Jennie Day was the Superintendent of Buildings. Others serving in groups were Women's Guild President Corinne Porper, The Women's Missionary Society Mrs. Roosenraad, The Men's Association William E. Scholes, Flower and Christian Service Guild Doris Epworth, President, and the Couple's Club President was Chester Ryan. The Consistory had 18 members, nine Elders and nine Deacons.

From the Hart

Is there anything lovelier than a weekend at the shore? I think not! Twice a year the Piecemakers head down the Parkway to Wildwood for a quilting retreat. We spend hours at our sewing machines creating masterpieces (at least in our own minds) to be shown with pride when we return home. I love the time we get to spend together, and I look forward to making new friends at the retreat. I enjoy the hours of uninterrupted sewing – no housework or other obligations to distract me! But I covet our breaks when, if the weather cooperates, we get to stroll the boardwalk and gaze out at the mighty ocean. I could happily spend hours watching the waves, being lulled by the sound as they crashed onto the beach. I am reminded again and again what a miracle this world is, and how grateful I am to God for creating it. And, of course, there is also ice cream on the boardwalk...

Till next month, Lin