The Bible Doesn't Say That! - Acclaimed author to speak April 11 in Franklin

Spend an evening with Dr. Joel M. Hoffman as he presents a talk titled The Bible Doesn't Say That! on Monday, April 11, 2016 at 7:00 PM at Franklin Federated Church, 171 Main Street.

What does the Bible really say about violence? About marriage? About men and women? The Bible has been reinterpreted and misinterpreted almost from the day it was written, so most people reading the Bible now have very little sense of the original text. Come listen and learn as Dr. Hoffman peels back 2,000 years of revisionism to take a look at the Bible as it was originally composed.

A popular and engaging speaker, Dr. Hoffman focuses on bringing the Bible to life and is known for his "fresh insights and interpretations about religious life in the 21st century." An internationally acclaimed teacher, author and translator, he presents to churches, synagogues, community groups, and university audiences across the world. He holds a Ph.D. in linguistics and has served on the faculties of Brandeis University and Hebrew Union College.

The Bible Doesn't Say That: 40 Biblical Mistranslations, Misconceptions, and Other Misunderstandings

Hoffman is the author of the popular books "And God Said: How Translations Conceal the Bible's Original Meaning" and "The Bible's Cutting Room Floor: The Holy Scriptures Missing From Your Bible." Writing under the pen-name "J.M. Hoffman," he has also authored the thriller series "The Warwick Files." His latest book, "The Bible Doesn't Say That: 40 Biblical Mistranslations, Misconceptions, and Other Misunderstandings" hit the bookshelves on February 16, 2016.

The event is sponsored jointly by Temple Etz Chaim, Franklin Federated Church, The Parish of St. Mary (Roman Catholic), St. John's Episcopal Church, Franklin United Methodist Church and The First Universalist Society of Franklin.

Admission is free, although donations are welcome.

Franklin Federated Church reaches $500,000 Restoration Campaign Goal

Franklin Federated Church is pleased to announce that it has successfully met its goal of raising $500,000 in donations and pledges to fund substantial repairs and updates to its historic buildings, and to support an area nonprofit dedicated to healing domestic violence.

A total of 95 families and individuals pledged $500,815 to the campaign. Nearly $172,000 has been received, and the rest is pledged to be donated over the next three years.

"The success of the Restoration Campaign will ensure that Franklin Federated will be able to continue to support not only the Town of Franklin, but the community at large for many years to come," said campaign co-chair Allen Sawyer. "The members of the congregation and surrounding community never cease to amaze me with their hard work, dedication and generosity."

The funds are already being put to use to address issues with the structural integrity, safety and heating systems of the buildings. New gutters, downspouts and ice melt cables have been installed on the historic 1895 church building, and grading work is being done at the foundation level to stop the incursion of water which was damaging ceiling and walls inside. Electrical panels have been upgraded in the church, new heaters have been installed in the nursery and classrooms, and the concrete front walkways have been replaced. Work is about to begin to eliminate mold and drainage issues in the basement of the parsonage, which is next door to the church and houses the pastor and his family.

Future work that is in the planning stages will include replacement of the church and parsonage boilers, improvements to the church's fire safety system and accessibility, and restoration of the stained glass windows.

In keeping with the Franklin Federated Church's mission to give back to the community, $17,000 of the funds being raised will be donated to the New Hope RESPECT programs. The RESPECT program reaches out to, and helps restore, families in Franklin and neighboring communities that are broken down by violence.

Franklin Federated Church is a Welcoming and Affirming congregation, meaning that all people are invited to be a part of the mission and ministry of the church. The congregation supports organizations locally and around the world, such as Meals on Wheels, local Boy and Girl Scout troops, the Franklin Food Pantry, the Santa Foundation, New Hope, the Boston Grow Clinic and Church World Service.

Franklin Federated Church

The church's history is entwined with the town's founding. The First Congregational Church was formed in 1738, when it broke off from the Congregational Church of Wrentham. This effectively marked the beginning of the Town of Franklin, which had previously been considered the West Precinct of Wrentham. The First Congregational Church joined with the First Baptist Church in 1941, forming the Federated Church. The two congregations had begun worshiping together after the hurricane of 1938 destroyed the First Baptist Church's building on School Street.

For more information or to contribute to the restoration project, visit ffcrestoration.weebly.com.

Franklin Federated Church is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the American Baptist Churches, USA.

Teens of Franklin Federated to lead service on dating violence

The teenagers of Franklin Federated Church will be leading a special Valentine's Day worship service that looks at building healthy relationships and preventing teen dating violence.

The service will be held Sunday, Feb. 14, at 10 AM at the church at 171 Main Street.

All are welcome.  A nursery for babies is available, and activity kits are on hand in the church for children to use during the first part of the worship service. During the second part, children in preschool through grade 4 go to church school. Large print bulletins and hearing assistance devices are available, and there is an access ramp at the left side of the church.

Find out more at franklinfederated.org or facebook.com/franklinfederated.

Franklin Federated Church

Franklin Federated Church: special services for Lent

Franklin Federated Church is offering two very different opportunities for people to prepare for Lent: A Jazz Worship service on Sunday, Feb. 7 at 10 AM, and an Ash Wednesday service on Feb. 10 at 7:00 PM.

Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, is the six-week period before Easter, what is traditionally a time of self-examination and reflection for Christians.

The Jazz Worship service is a chance to worship in a celebratory and joyful way before Lent begins. The service will feature the Willie Sordillo Quartet, with musicians Willie Sordillo on alto saxophone, David Harris on tuba and trombone, David Dubinsky on trumpet and fluegelhorn and Mark Shilansky on piano.

The Ash Wednesday service will be a more contemplative service that includes the imposition of ashes for those who wish to receive them.

All are welcome at Franklin Federated Church, located at 171 Main Street. No prior experience with church is needed! A nursery for babies is available, and activity kits are on hand in the church for children to use during worship. Large print bulletins and hearing assistance devices are also available, and there is an access ramp at the left side of the church. Find out more at franklinfederated.org or facebook.com/franklinfederated.

Franklin Federated Church

Residents invited to help Franklin Federated reach fundraising goal

Franklin Federated Church nears $500,000 Restoration Campaign Goal

Church is asking the community to help close the fundraising gap

Just over a month after launching a capital campaign dedicated to funding substantial repairs and updates to its historic buildings, the Franklin Federated Church is closing in on its $500,000 goal.

As of December 28, $485,515 had been pledged to the campaign by church members and friends, to be paid over the next three years. More than $113,500 in contributions have been received and work has begun on several much-needed projects.

We are excited to be so close to achieving our goal," said campaign co-chair Allan Sawyer. "At this point, we are asking the community to help us get there." Campaign co-Chair Tom Pfeifle added that "the Franklin Federated Church is a tangible symbol of Franklin's history, providing a continuous link to the town's origins."

Situated on the southwest corner of the town common at 171 Main Street, the church has long been an important center of activity in the town. Meals on Wheels uses the kitchen, Temple Etz Chaim uses the sanctuary for high holidays, and Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and various support groups also meet there. The church hosts a popular annual yard sale and a Christmas concert, and has opened its doors in times of need, such as following the vigil for Lexi and Sean Munroe on Franklin Common.

Franklin Federated Church

The congregation is a Welcoming and Affirming congregation, meaning that all people are invited to be a part of the mission and ministry of the church. The congregation supports organizations locally and around the world, such as the Franklin Food Pantry, the Santa Foundation, New Hope, the Boston Grow Clinic and Church World Service.

In keeping with the Franklin Federated Church's mission to give back to the community, a portion of the funds raised will be donated to the New Hope RESPECT programs. The RESPECT programs reach out to, and help restore, families in our community that are broken down by violence.

Franklin residents who have benefited from using the building over the years are invited to consider helping with the restoration effort. Contributions can be made via the website: ffcrestoration.weebly.com or checks made out to Franklin Federated Church can be mailed to Franklin Federated Restoration Campaign, 171 Main St., Franklin, MA 02038.

The church's history is entwined with the town's founding. The First Congregational Church was formed in 1738, when it broke off from the Congregational Church of Wrentham. This effectively marked the beginning of the Town of Franklin, which had previously been considered the West Precinct of Wrentham. The First Congregational Church joined with the First Baptist Church in 1941, forming the Federated Church. The two congregations had begun worshiping together after the hurricane of 1938 destroyed the First Baptist Church's building on School Street.

The current church building, constructed in 1895, features a sanctuary with a high vaulted ceiling, exposed wooden beams and large stained glass windows. The church building needs substantial work to repair damage from age and the elements, and to improve the accessibility and functionality of the space. Some necessary improvements include replacement of the heating system, work to both roof and foundation to stop the incursion of water, and the installation of upgraded fire safety and electrical systems. The parsonage, which sits next to the church and which was built in 1868, is also in need of new heating and drainage systems. The parsonage houses the pastor, Rev. Charley Eastman, and his family.

Franklin Federated Church is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the American Baptist Churches, USA.

For more information, contact the campaign co-chairs: Allen Sawyer, allen.sawyer@comcast.net or 508-346-3120; and Tom Pfeifle, nashpfeifle@gmail.com or 508 361-1954.

Franklin Federated Church: Christmas Concert - Dec. 12

Franklin Federated Church will present this year's Annual Christmas Concert, Peace on Earth, on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 7:00 PM at the church at 171 Main Street.

The concert will feature an arrangement of classical music and Christmas melodies performed by "Quartet Duviteux," a string quartet of young, talented musicians who met as students at the New England Conservatory of Music.The quartet has been described as "proficient, passionate, gifted, international, irreverent, flexible, experimental, and joyful."

Quartet Duviteux

The group hails from all points on the compass. Maria van der Sloot, violin, is from Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada; Luther Warren also plays violin, and comes from Minneapolis, Minnesota; Linda Numagami plays viola, and comes from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Cellist Marza Merophi Wilks was born in Peru and spent her high school years in Ithaca, New York.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling the church office at 508-528-3803.

Franklin Federated Church launching $500,000 restoration campaign

Historic buildings to get needed repairs, better accessibility

The Franklin Federated Church will launch a $500,000 capital campaign in November aimed at funding substantial repairs and updates to the church's historic buildings.

The campaign: Restoring our Church, Building our Future, will officially kick off with a celebration event at the church at 171 Main St. on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 10 AM. A festive worship service will be followed by activities throughout the church building, including a family photo booth with props, tours of the church, a variety of food and more. Anyone in the community is warmly invited to attend.

The 300-member Franklin Federated Church has an active worship life and Christian Education program and its members and friends participate in a variety of small groups – from movie, book and art groups to a youth group and two women's groups. The congregation is a Welcoming and Affirming congregation, meaning that all people are invited to be a part of the mission and ministry of the church.

The congregation supports organizations locally and around the world, such as the Franklin Food Pantry, the Santa Foundation, New Hope, the Boston Grow Clinic and Church World Service. The church also hosts a variety of organizations in its building: Meals on Wheels uses the kitchen, Temple Etz Chaim uses the sanctuary for high holidays, and the Girl Scouts and other organizations meet within its walls. The congregation also mentors a student pastor from Andover Newton Theological School each year.

The Franklin Federated Church became "federated" in 1941 when the First Congregational Church and the First Baptist Church came together as one. The two congregations began worshiping together after the hurricane of 1938 destroyed the First Baptist Church's building on School Street.

The First Congregational Church's history is entwined with the town's founding. The church was formed in 1738, when it broke off from the Congregational Church of Wrentham. This effectively marked the beginning of the Town of Franklin, which had previously been considered the West Precinct of Wrentham.

The current church building, constructed in 1895, features a sanctuary with a high vaulted ceiling, exposed wooden beams and large stained glass windows. The church building needs substantial work to repair damage from age and the elements, and to improve the accessibility and functionality of the space.  Some necessary improvements include replacement of the heating system, work to both roof and foundation to stop the incursion of water, and the installation of upgraded fire safety and electrical systems. The parsonage, which sits next to the church and which was built in 1868, is also in need of new heating and drainage systems. The parsonage houses the pastor, Rev. Charley Eastman, and his family.

 "Our spiritual home represents more than a Christian church structure.  It is a tangible symbol of Franklin's history; a place to find fellowship and God waiting for our hopes, celebrations, concerns and cares," said Tom Pfeifle, a member of the church and co-chair of the campaign.

Franklin Federated Church

The church voted unanimously on Sept. 27 to undertake the campaign, after a feasibility study projected that the church can raise $500,000 over the next three years. Each person pledging to the campaign will also be invited to dedicate a portion of that pledge to the RESEPCT program of New Hope, whose mission is to end domestic violence in 54 communities, including Franklin. The RESPECT program works to hold individuals accountable for their abusive behaviors and to help them learn non-violent communication skills.

"As we restore our home, we will also help to restore families through the New Hope RESPECT program," Pfeifle said.

Franklin Federated Church is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the American Baptist Churches, USA.

For more information, contact the campaign co-chairs: Allen Sawyer, allen.sawyer@comcast.net or 508-346-3120; and Tom Pfeifle, nashpfeifle@gmail.com or 857 362 2935.