The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Saturday, April 26, 2025
What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, April 26, 2025 ???
The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars
Upcoming Community Concert, Discussion, and Worship with Franklin United Methodist Church
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Upcoming Community Concert, Discussion, and Worship | ||||
Dear Franklin UMC members and friends, There are a few things quickly coming up that I wanted to make sure you didn't miss. First, there is a Community Concert tomorrow, April 26, at 7p in the sanctuary featuring Michael Rivelis. Michael will be playing classic rock and folk hits. You can learn more about him and download the concert poster by going to https://franklinumc.org/2025/03/18/community-concert-feat-michael-rivelis-saturday-april-26/. Second, we are starting a new worship series this Sunday where we will discuss what it means to live our faith in this time. This series is based off of one of my favorite (secular) leadership books, Who Do We Choose to Be? Facing Reality, Claiming Leadership, Restoring Sanity (Oakland, CA: Berrett-Koehler, 2023) by Margaret J. Wheatley. Information about this Sunday's worship can be found here: https://franklinumc.org/2025/04/24/worship-together-sunday-april-27-2025/. For anyone interested in reading the book, Who Do We Choose to Be? by Margaret Wheatley, and discussing it, we will gather on Wednesday evenings (via Google Meet) to go through each chapter. We will discuss the "Opening" on Wednesday, April 30. This discussion is open to anyone. You don't have to attend worship, or even be a Christian, to participate. I am going to try to have a discussion guide for each week. Everyone is invited to participate. You can learn more about the book, worship series and discussion series at https://franklinumc.org/2025/04/24/new-book-worship-series-who-do-we-choose-to-be/. As always, if ever you have questions about the church or faith, don't hesitate to reach out. We're on this journey together. I look forward to seeing you in worship and/or at one of the events we have coming up! Peace. >< Rev. Dr. Jacob W. Juncker 508-528-1092 (o) | ||||
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 ???
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Library & Senior Center events |
** Franklin Art Association Art Show and Sale Exhibit (Norfolk Public Library)
10:30am Local Hero Storytime! (Franklin Public Library)
11am Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)
1pm Dean Vocal Ensemble "Folk Princess" (Franklin Public Library)
6:30pm “Ancient Lore with Modern Applications”: How Digitization is Transforming Cultural Heritage (Franklin Public Library)
7pm Musical Bingo (Raillery Public House)
Design Review Meeting - Cancelled
Tuesday, April 22 Time: 7:00 PM
no agenda for this cancelled meeting
The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars
Friday, April 18, 2025
Holy Week and Easter, join us at Franklin United Methodist Church
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Holy Week and Easter, join us at Franklin UMC | ||||
Dear Franklin UMC members and friends, We are half-way through Holy Week, the final days leading up to Easter. How goes it with your soul? In these final days of the Lenten season, as Easter quickly approaches, I wanted to take a quick moment to remind you of all that will be going on over the next few days:
Lent is the holiest of seasons. Easter is the highest of holy days, the most important holiday we celebrate as Christians, as we rejoice in the triumph of God's love. I hope you'll join us on Good Friday and Easter. It is important that you're there; and, invite your friends, family, and neighbors. If you (or they) have any questions about our worship, the season, or just have questions about faith and what it all means, know that you can always reach out. I'm happy to correspond and chat. I look forward to seeing you in worship--in-person in the sanctuary, via Google Meet, or streaming on YouTube over the next couple of days as we conclude the season of Lent and celebrate Easter together. Peace. >< Rev. Dr. Jacob W. Juncker | ||||
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, April 15, 2025 ???
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Library & Senior Center events |
Tuesday, April 15 = Tax Day
** Franklin Art Association Art Show and Sale Exhibit (Norfolk Public Library)
** Eat at Jersey Mike's help the Children's Museum
The School district calendar is found https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars
Sunday, April 6, 2025
Community closet changes schedule to open Every Tuesday
Read the latest update and sign up to volunteer by going to https://franklinumc.org/2025/04/04/community-closet-franklinumc-april-2025/.
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
FREE Community Concert Franklin United Methodist Church features Michael Rivelis - Apr 26
Michael Rivelis - Apr 26 "Join us for a FREE Community Concert @FranklinUMC featuring Michael Rivelis on Saturday, April 26, at 7pm.To learn more about the Community Concerts @FranklinUMC, the artist, and to download and print a flyer for this event, go to https://franklinumc.org/community/concerts/.Franklin United Methodist Church (UMC) is located at 82 W. Central Street, Franklin (MA). Parking is available in the parking lot between the church and the Franklin Historical Museum. Street parking is available on East St., West St., and Church Ave"
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Join us for a FREE Community Concert @FranklinUMC featuring The Padula Bros. Trio on Saturday, March 22, at 7 PM
The Padula Bros. Trio on Saturday, March 22
https://franklinumc.org/2025/03/03/community-concert-feat-the-padula-bros-trio-saturday-march-22/
Friday, March 7, 2025
Community Closet scheduled for Tuesday, March18
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Community Concert March 22 features the Padula Brothers Trio
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Community Concert March 22 features the Padula Brothers Trio |
Friday, February 14, 2025
Rise Up meeting on Saturday, Feb 15 feaures "special discussion about disability awareness & advocacy"
- individuals navigating life with disability to meet others they can relate with
- community partners to learn more about the population and share resources
- support persons to meet other support persons
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Rise Up meeting on Saturday, Feb 15 feaures "special discussion about disability awareness & advocacy" |
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
FUMC: A Pastoral Letter re: Executive Orders & Immigration
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A Pastoral Letter re: Executive Orders & Immigration | ||||
Dear members and friends of Franklin United Methodist Church, On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order which allows officers enforcing immigration law to arrest migrants at sensitive locations, including churches, without prior approval.[i] Since that time, there have been many verified[ii] and rumored[iii] detentions where people have been targeted based upon the color of their skin and the language they speak and not solely upon past or on-going criminal investigations and immigration status. Many in our community, including non-white citizens and those with legal immigration status, are afraid. We must stand with the migrant, immigrant, and the refugee. We cannot remain silent. As United Methodists, "we affirm the dignity, worth, and rights of migrants, immigrants and refugees, including displaced and stateless people."[iv] And, "we oppose all laws and policies that attempt to criminalize, dehumanize or punish displaced individuals and families based on their status as migrants, immigrants or refugees. Additionally, we decry attempts to detain displaced people and hold them in inhumane and unsanitary conditions. We challenge policies that call for the separation of families, especially parents and minor children, and we oppose the existence of for-profit detention centers for such purposes."[v] As United Methodists, we are urged to welcome migrants, refugees, and immigrants into our congregation and provide concrete support, "including help with navigating restrictive and often lengthy immigration policies, and assistance with securing food, housing, education, employment and other kinds of support."[vi] As Christians, we affirm that "The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow" (Psalm 146:9a, New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition). We see it as our call to show hospitality and welcome to the stranger and foreigner, treating them as family and citizens of our own land (cf. Leviticus 19:34, Deuteronomy 27:19, Ezekiel 47:22, Zechariah 7:9-10, Matthew 25:31-36). We believe, in the words of Jesus, that the entirety of Scripture can be summed up in two commandments, love God with all your heart, soul, and mind; and, love your neighbor as yourself (cf. Matthew 22:34-40). This love extends to all persons regardless of one's race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, age, and immigration status. God's love found in the person of Jesus Christ breaks down these human constructs and molds us into one diverse and inclusive people (cf. Romans 8:28). As citizens of the United States of America, we hold it as a fundamental right that all persons should be granted the freedom to gather and exercise the religion of their choosing. President Trump's executive order creates a very real threat that "deters congregants from attending services [and practicing their religion], especially members of immigrant communities."[vii] I have instructed all staff and building users regarding protocols that should be followed should an immigration enforcement officer be spotted on church property or enter the facility. I am also making available information so that all members of our community understand their rights should they encounter such an officer. "Know Your Rights" cards, also known as "Red Cards," are available in the vestry along with printed copies of "Faith and Facts Card—Immigration to the U.S." published by the General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church. Finally, additional information and resources, specific to Massachusetts and/or The United Methodist Church, can be found below. I hope, and I pray, that President Trump will come to look with compassion and mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. Many are. [viii] I also hope, and I pray, that our church will not lose its resolve for being a place where all can experience compassion and mercy; that we might continue to be a community where all can experience meaningful relationship with God, grow in Christ, and reach out in love to others; a place where all can love and be loved; a community where all persons can be accepted as they are. I encourage everyone to pray for our President, other government officials in our country and around the world, and all those who refuse to reach out with anything less than a heart full of love, mercy and compassion. In Jesus' name, and for Christ's sake, I pray—and I hope you will too. Peace. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
NOTES AND REFERECES: [i] Rebecca Santana, "Trump administration throws out policies limiting migrant arrests at sensitive spots like church," APNews.com, January 21, 2025 (https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-sensitive-locations-trump-ab0d2d2652e9df696f14410ebb52a1fc). [ii] Marlene Lenthang, "Here are the cities where ICE raids are taking place," NBC News, January 27, 2025 (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/are-cities-ice-raids-are-taking-place-rcna189390). [iii] Gina Lee Castro, "Milwaukee officials, advocates working to verify viral report of Puerto Rican family detained by ICE," USAToday.com, January 30, 2025 (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/local/2025/01/30/telemundo-report-of-ice-detaining-puerto-rican-family-in-milwaukee-draws-concern/78058292007/). [iv] from "The Political Community," section "G. Migrants, Immigrants and Refugees" in The United Methodist Social Principles: As Adopted by General Conference Charlotte, 2024 (https://www.umcjustice.org/documents/124), p38. [v] Ibid. [vi] Ibid. [vii] "Donald Trump Sued by Quakers Over ICE Raids," Newsweek.com, January 28, 2025 (https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-sued-quakers-ice-raids-immigration-2021904). [viii] see sermon by Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, at the Washington National Cathedral, January 21, 2025 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwwaEuDeqM8). >< Rev. Dr. Jacob W. Juncker 508-528-1092 (o) | ||||
Monday, January 20, 2025
Free Community Concert features The Padula Trio on Saturday, Feb 8
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The Padula Trio on Saturday, Feb 8 |
"Mark your calendars!
We have a great FREE Community Concert featuring The Padula Trio coming up on Saturday, February 8, at 7:00 PM!"
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Thank you! Celebrating 10 months of the Community Closet!
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Thank you! Celebrating 10 months of the Community Closet! | ||||
I just wanted to send you a quick email thanking you for your involvement with the Community Closet in 2024. We officially "opened" in March of 2024 and over the course of the next 9 months the Closet logged over 400 visits helping an estimated 700 people. It was a tremendous year thanks in no small part to the time you gave to help sort donations and host shoppers. Thank you! In case you are unaware, I post regular updates to the FranklinUMC website about the Closet. You can find the latest (January/February) update here: https://franklinumc.org/2025/01/09/community-closet-franklinumc-january-february-2025/. I have also attached the updated flyer for January/February 2025. Please feel free to share the flyer -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CZDpnbqJw9YVhlnGb9tnHg4EC9U1pmW1/view?usp=drive_link As we begin a new year, I am hoping to stay better connected with all of the Community Closet volunteers. To do that, I'm going to be leveraging our database. It would be immensely helpful if you registered in the system. This has a couple perks: 1) it will allow you to track your involvement with the Closet; and, 2) allow you to keep your contact information up-to-date. I have you listed as "volunteer;" so if you're concerned about being overrun with church related emails, know that that is not the intent of having you register. Registering simply keeps the line of communication open for opportunities to volunteer with the Community Closet (and, potentially, other such similar opportunities). You can register the next time you sign up to volunteer (there's a link in the update mentioned above). You can also register by going to https://onrealm.org/FranklinUMC. And, I can also send you a personalized link/invitation through the database. If you'd like that link, let me know. If you have questions about the Closet and what we hope to accomplish in 2025, don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you again for your help--for taking time to meet, serve, and share with our neighbors. Peace. >< Rev. Dr. Jacob W. Juncker 508-528-1092 (o)
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