The Pastor’s Report (below) was written for the annual church/charge conference on December 3, 2023 as a summation of the year. We stand in a long line of faithful people who have dared, with limited resources, to establish a Methodist church in Franklin. In the past year, we have accomplished a lot together. It hasn’t been easy. In many ways the church continues to have its challenges, and yet we dare, like our forebears, to dream and work towards a vibrant, Methodist community of faith in Franklin.
As this year draws to a close, I invite you to consider making a year-end gift to the church. You can make your donation electronically by clicking here. Cash/checks can be mailed to the church (PO Box 313, 82 W Central St., Franklin, MA 02038) or dropped in the offering plate on Sunday, December 31 during worship at 10am. If you would like to give in another way, feel free to email me at [email protected].
Thank you for continued support! And, I look forward to the year that lies ahead.
Peace.
Pastor Jacob
The Pastor’s Report
Submitted by Pastor Jacob to the 2023 Church/Charge Conference of the Franklin United Methodist Church (December 3, 2023)
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses… let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.”
Hebrews 12:1, New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition, emphasis added
In April 1853, a petition signed by Elias Paine, Charles W. Steward, James M. Freeman, and Gilbert Gilmore was sent to the New England Conference, meeting in Salem, requesting that a Methodist Church be established. A pastor was sent, a society organized, and meetings held in the Franklin Town Hall. The society struggled to take root and lasted only a few years. From 1857 to 1871 no regular services were held in Franklin. In the summer of 1871 a “small company of the faithful were found and organized into a class… They met weekly in the home of Misses Daniels on Union street.” A supply preacher was eventually appointed. In the spring of 1872, Rev. E.P. King was appointed and on September 9, 1872, the church was officially organized. There were thirteen original members: Abigail Fisher, Hannah Morse, Susan Peary, Sarah E. Cook, John Metcalf, Lizzie Metcalf, Charles S. Bassett, Alfred F. Everett, Maria Everett, Hattie A. Daniels, Annie H. Lombard, Wesley W. Haslam, and Hattie Haslam. As I reflect upon the church’s history, it never ceases to amaze me how much was accomplished by so few people. Four people petitioned the Conference, 170 years ago, to establish this congregation in Franklin. 13 members took on the challenge of constructing the facility we continue to worship in some 150 years later. We are heirs of their commitment and dedication. From generation to generation the baton has been passed and we are challenged to continue running the race, proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and living into God’s kingdom. It’s not always easy. The struggle and challenges continue, but we keep moving forward, “run[ning] with perseverance the race that is set before us.”
As I reflect on the year that has past, I stand in awe of all that we have accomplished together. In my five years in Franklin and 15 years of full-time ministry, I am hard pressed to recall a year where more has been done.
Administratively, we passed a Leadership Handbook in January which detailed the general responsibilities of and regular meeting outlines for the administrative committees of the church. It also included a leadership directory with contact information for each leader. The intent is that this Handbook will be amended and approved annually. We passed the Resource Handbook which includes all policies relating to the church’s finances and facilities. Policies recommended this year by the Resource Committee and approved by the Church Council include a Gift Acceptance Policy, Facility Usage Policy, and Key Policy. The Personnel Handbook was approved in November and includes all policies relating to the church’s staff and lay leadership. The policy recommended by the Personnel Committee and approved by the Church Council was the Employment Policy and Procedures. This policy details hiring, compensation, paid and unpaid leave, and standards of conduct. The Personnel Committee has also recommended Lay Leadership Policies and Procedures, this has yet to be reviewed and approved by the Church Council. I hope that we will get to drafting a Ministry Handbook in the coming year. Each of these handbooks are living documents that will be added to and amended as necessary providing guidance to the administrative committees of the church.
There were several major facility challenges this year. We had major sewage backups that caused flooding in the basement. A portion of the main sewage line which runs underneath the floor of the basement had collapsed. We ended up having to cut the floor and replace part of the drain. A section of the sanctuary ceiling collapsed this year. After several long months of corresponding with the insurance company, it was determined that the insurance company would not cover the incident; however, upon inspection, they found that the roof had wind damage and they agreed to pay to replace the entirety roof. As of the writing of this report, contractors are scheduled to begin repairs on the sanctuary ceiling in a few weeks and the entire roof, less the steeple, has been replaced. We anticipate the ceiling work to be done before Lent begins and are hopeful that the roof can be completed sometime in the Spring.
Our facility is a constant buzz of activity. Aprende Spanish Immersion has seen an increase in enrollment and expanded its use of the basement this year to include all but two classrooms. Tri-Valley Inc. Meals on Wheels continues to utilize the vestry and an adjoining room for their weekday meal distributions. They have seen a steady uptick in volume and are currently distributing 130-150 meals per day to residents in Franklin, Bellingham, and Medway. In August, the Town of Franklin was notified that the State of Massachusetts would be opening an Emergency Shelter at the Best Western Hotel in Franklin to house families under the state’s “right to shelter” law. Our congregation has become the locus of efforts by the Franklin Interfaith Council to collect, store, and distribute donations to persons in the shelter. So far, we have clothed and provided hygiene supplies to over 300 people in the Franklin shelter and are being asked to provide resources to shelters in nearby communities.
Worship attendance is growing slowly but steadily. We continue to worship in a hybrid setting meeting in the room, via Google Meet, and streaming on YouTube. Our community gatherings and events—summer cookouts, game nights, potlucks, Easter Egg hunt, Trunk or Treat, there’s really too many things to name—were all well attended. We have collected many pounds of food for the Franklin Food Pantry. We continue to see a steady stream of new visitors many of whom find us and initially participate online.
Perhaps the biggest accomplishment of this year has been our stepping out in faith and agreeing to move forward with a capital campaign. As I stated at the “First Impression” event in May, I firmly believe that our actions will define our generation and impact all those who come after us. We have contracted with Horizons Stewardship to help facilitate the campaign. The public phase of the campaign is slated to start during Lent 2024. Campaign leaders have been recruited and work to plan the campaign has begun. A Building Committee has been named by the Church Council and a Building Committee Handbook approved. God is already at work and there is much work yet to do. I am confident we will rise to the challenge of our day for Christ’s sake and the sake of future generations.
This year marks 150 years since the consecration of our church building and 170 years since the petition was sent to the conference and the first class meeting formed in the Town of Franklin. The church is here because four people dared to dream about a community of Methodists being established here. The church is here because 13 members committed to building a facility trusting that others would join their efforts, come to know the love of God in Jesus Christ, and be inspired to live that love in the Town of Franklin and beyond. It is my hope that as we move into a new year together, we might not grow complacent, satisfied with all we have accomplished, nor grow weary, but instead dare to dream, risk building something new, and have faith that God will guide us each step of the way just like God led our forebears. I look forward to running the next leg of the race with you. May we continue to persevere and encourage one another.
Amen? and amen.