Support for Ukraine - Sunday, June 12 - 5 PM

"This Sunday evening at 5 PM there will be a Prayer Vigil/Service on the Town Common for the people of Ukraine. 

The Franklin Interfaith Council along with invited guests will be participating in the service. Please plan to come and stand with and for the Ukraine people, pray for them, and also the end of the horrible violence. You will notice that it is early evening so people may find it more convenient to attend. 

If it rains, we will use Saint Mary Church for the Service.

Everyone is welcome. You may wish to bring a “beach chair” to sit on. "

Shared from the St Mary's Facebook page

Support for Ukraine - Sunday, June 12 - 5 PM

Franklin's Event Outlook: Dec 24 - Dec 30, 2021

The Christmas holiday weekend is upon us. Many of the Interfaith Council of Churches (https://franklininterfaith.org/) have services scheduled for in-person and remote participation. Sunday, you can join the group walk on the rail trail to "walk off the cookies" at 9 AM.

Otherwise, given COVID is still rather prevalent, PLEASE be careful when you gather. We all need to be healthy going into the new year. There is a whole lot to do. Health first, civil conversation next to take on the tasks ahead.

 
Friday, December 24
Christmas Eve
Day off for Christmas Day

Saturday, December 25
Christmas Day

Sunday, December 26
9:00am - walk off the cookies
1:00pm - Historical Museum (always free)

Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

The School district calendar is found   https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

Community Calendar

Candlelight Vigil for Shirley Owen - 12/19/21 (audio)

FM #682 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 682 in the series. 

This shares audio recording of the candlelight vigil in memory of Shirley Owen. The vigil was held on the Franklin Town Common and attended by a couple of thousand neighbors, friends, and members of the Franklin community.

The event ‘master of ceremonies’ was State Representative Jeff Roy.

Link to the GoFundMe for the Owen family is included in the show notes. At the time of the vigil, over $225,000 had been raised.

The recording runs about 33 minutes. Let’s listen to this recording of the candlelight vigil held Dec 19, 2021

** Audio file ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-682-candlelight-vigil-for-shirley-owens-12-19-21

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GoFundMe for Shirley Owen  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/gofundme-for-shirley-in-our-hearts.html 

Link to photos of the vigil ->https://photos.app.goo.gl/fhNJYofT7V7AsHqz7

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

Franklin's Event Outlook: Nov 19 - Nov 25, 2021

Indoor events mostly now for the autumn season. Book sale/bag sale at the Library this weekend. Rising Stars Cabaret at THE BLACK BOX Friday night. Help decorate downtown Saturday morning and then get to the Winter Farmers Market Saturday.

Close out the weekend with the Thanksgiving Service put on by the Franklin Interfaith Council either in person at St Mary's or via virtual option via live streaming.

Friday, November 19
1:00pm - Book Sale
7:30pm - Rising Stars Cabaret

Saturday, November 20
9:00am - Book Sale
9:00am - Decorating Downtown (volunteers needed)
10:00am - Winter Farmers Market
10:00am - Historical Museum (always free)
1:00pm - Bag Sale

Sunday, November 21
1:00pm - Historical Museum (always free)
7:00pm - Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

The School district calendar is found   https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

Community Calendar

Reminder: Franklin Interfaith Council schedules Thanksgiving Service - Nov 21

The Franklin Interfaith Council announces its annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service for the community. Everyone is welcome! Please join us on Sunday, November 21 at 7 PM at St Mary’s Catholic Parish, 1 Church Square (masks required) and live streamed at stmarysfranklin.org, then  click Live-stream Masses.

This year, the service features preacher Rev. Dr. Marylayna Schmidt, Interim Minister at Franklin Federated Church, and live performance by the Interfaith Choir, directed by Mary Diehl of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The collection will benefit Gilly’s House addiction treatment center in Wrentham (gillyshouse.com).

The Franklin Interfaith Council is an organization whose membership is composed of faith communities in the town of Franklin, Massachusetts. It addresses the various needs of its community by recognizing the power of faith as defined by the individual spiritual traditions.  However, it is these same traditions that unite us in the common goal to initiate and sponsor activities that enrich and challenge the citizens of Franklin. 

The intent of the council is to sensitize the Franklin community to issues of deprivation and social injustice, and to promote tolerance and understanding through shared worship, programs, performances, and publications, and to bring the understanding of our faith traditions to bear on these issues. Additionally, through these same devices, the council seeks to acknowledge and celebrate both the diversity and the common values existing within the community. The council is a nonprofit organization that has as its primary purpose the betterment of the community it serves.

Participating Houses of Worship :

●      First Universalist Society in Franklin

●      St. John’s Episcopal Church

●      Temple Etz Chaim

●      St. Mary’s Catholic Parish

●      Franklin Federated Church

●      Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

●       Franklin United Methodist Church

For more information, go to www.FranklinInterfaith.org or on Facebook:  Franklin Interfaith Council. 

Franklin Interfaith Council schedules Thanksgiving Service - Nov 21

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service scheduled for Nov 21

The Franklin Interfaith Council announces its annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service for the community. Everyone is welcome! Please join us on Sunday, November 21 at 7 PM at St Mary’s Catholic Parish, 1 Church Square (masks required) and live streamed at stmarysfranklin.org, then  click Live-stream Masses.

This year, the service features preacher Rev. Dr. Marylayna Schmidt, Interim Minister at Franklin Federated Church, and live performance by the Interfaith Choir, directed by Mary Diehl of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The collection will benefit Gilly’s House addiction treatment center in Wrentham (gillyshouse.com).

The Franklin Interfaith Council is an organization whose membership is composed of faith communities in the town of Franklin, Massachusetts. It addresses the various needs of its community by recognizing the power of faith as defined by the individual spiritual traditions.  However, it is these same traditions that unite us in the common goal to initiate and sponsor activities that enrich and challenge the citizens of Franklin. 

The intent of the council is to sensitize the Franklin community to issues of deprivation and social injustice, and to promote tolerance and understanding through shared worship, programs, performances, and publications, and to bring the understanding of our faith traditions to bear on these issues. Additionally, through these same devices, the council seeks to acknowledge and celebrate both the diversity and the common values existing within the community. The council is a nonprofit organization that has as its primary purpose the betterment of the community it serves.

Participating Houses of Worship :

●      First Universalist Society in Franklin

●      St. John’s Episcopal Church

●      Temple Etz Chaim

●      St. Mary’s Catholic Parish

●      Franklin Federated Church

●      Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

●       Franklin United Methodist Church

For more information, go to www.FranklinInterfaith.org or on Facebook:  Franklin Interfaith Council. 

Franklin Interfaith Council schedules Thanksgiving Service - Nov 21

Franklin Interfaith Council schedules Thanksgiving Service - Nov 21

The Franklin Interfaith Council announces its annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service for the community. Everyone is welcome! Please join us on Sunday, November 21 at 7 PM at St Mary’s Catholic Parish, 1 Church Square (masks required) and live streamed at stmarysfranklin.org, then  click Live-stream Masses.

This year, the service features preacher Rev. Dr. Marylayna Schmidt, Interim Minister at Franklin Federated Church, and live performance by the Interfaith Choir, directed by Mary Diehl of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The collection will benefit Gilly’s House addiction treatment center in Wrentham (gillyshouse.com).

The Franklin Interfaith Council is an organization whose membership is composed of faith communities in the town of Franklin, Massachusetts. It addresses the various needs of its community by recognizing the power of faith as defined by the individual spiritual traditions.  However, it is these same traditions that unite us in the common goal to initiate and sponsor activities that enrich and challenge the citizens of Franklin. 

The intent of the council is to sensitize the Franklin community to issues of deprivation and social injustice, and to promote tolerance and understanding through shared worship, programs, performances, and publications, and to bring the understanding of our faith traditions to bear on these issues. Additionally, through these same devices, the council seeks to acknowledge and celebrate both the diversity and the common values existing within the community. The council is a nonprofit organization that has as its primary purpose the betterment of the community it serves.

Participating Houses of Worship :

●      First Universalist Society in Franklin

●      St. John’s Episcopal Church

●      Temple Etz Chaim

●      St. Mary’s Catholic Parish

●      Franklin Federated Church

●      Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

●       Franklin United Methodist Church

For more information, go to www.FranklinInterfaith.org or on Facebook:  Franklin Interfaith Council. 

Franklin Interfaith Council schedules Thanksgiving Service - Nov 21

A Call to Our Community: #LOVEfranklin

We are appalled by the recent lack of respect and civility shown to Mackenzie Atwood, a Franklin High School senior and student representative to the Franklin School Committee, who spoke with courage at the October 26, 2021, Franklin School Committee meeting about the discrimination she and her friends experience on a regular basis.  The interruption and attempt to silence Mackenzie by speaking over her cannot and should not be tolerated.

 

Over the last several months, we have become acutely aware of an increase in hate-filled rhetoric and vandalism in our community.  Hate speech and vandalism against members of the LGBTQIA+ community, racial slurs, and anti-Semitic graffiti cannot and should not tolerated.  We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to hate-filled language and actions no matter how frequently they may occur in our community or elsewhere.  We must speak out and act against hate to build a better community.

 

Each of our faith traditions calls us to love: to value the sacred worth of everyone, treating each person with dignity and respect.  To be very specific, let us love Franklin.  We resolve to create a beloved community where all persons regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnic background, age, stature, ability, creed, or faith can find a home.

 

Therefore, we commit ourselves to love Franklin.  And, we ask you to commit yourself to love Franklin too.

 

• Rabbi Tom Alpert, Temple Etz Chaim
• Susan Borchard, Franklin Federated Church
• Rev. Eric Cherry, First Universalist Society in Franklin
• Mary Diehl, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Franklin Interfaith Choir Director
• Rev. Maggie Geller, St. John's Episcopal Church
• Alisa Hansen, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Rev. Dr. Jacob W. Juncker, Franklin United Methodist Church
• Father Brian Manning, Saint Mary Parish, Franklin MA
• Rev. Kathleen McAdams, St. John's Episcopal Church
• Rev. Dr. Marlayna Schmidt, Franklin Federated Church

I hope you’ll consider adding your name and encouraging others to do the same.  You can find a link to the statement along with a form to add your name here: https://forms.gle/2NDHRSLeqNhkFknY6

A Call to Our Community: #LOVEfranklin

A Statement by the Franklin Interfaith Council: In Support of COVID-19 Vaccination

“Love your neighbor as yourself” is a key principle of the religions we practice.  We believe it’s what God calls us to do.  But while it’s an easy phrase to remember and recite, it can be challenging to actually live it out in our daily lives.  

We are in the middle of a pandemic.  To state the obvious, it has been a stressful, scary, exhausting, grief-filled year and a half, and it’s not over yet.  The advent of the Delta variant is ramping things up again.  

In the middle of our own stress, can we stop to consider what our neighbors might need from us?  How might we, practically, treat them with love?

One way to answer that question:  
Please get the Covid 19 vaccine!     (if you are eligible)

Here are some reasons we would like everyone who is eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine:

• It drastically reduces the possibility of you contracting the virus and spreading it to others.
• Even if a vaccinated person does get a breakthrough infection, they get a MUCH milder case, as the vaccine is highly effective at preventing hospitalization and death.   
• Since vaccinated people are less likely to contract the virus and pass it on, it protects the people around them, particularly children and the immunocompromised who are not eligible for the vaccine.  
• More vaccinated people means fewer hosts for the virus, thus less virus present in the community.
• Fewer people infected with COVID means fewer people dying, fewer people hospitalized, and therefore less risk for healthcare workers, and fewer people missing work and school.
• Since the vast majority of people hospitalized with COVID are unvaccinated, if everyone chose to get vaccinated, that would free up ICU’s, doctors, and nurses to treat people with other conditions.

If you are fearful about the vaccine, talk with your doctor.  Read up on the science behind the vaccine on the websites of the Centers for Disease Control (cdc.gov), the World Health Organization (who.int), Massachusetts Department of Health (mass.gov/covid-19-updates-and-information), or other local governments.  We hope that everyone will use their God-given powers of reason, discernment, and understanding to make an informed decision to get vaccinated and care for their neighbors as well as themselves.  

Signed by the following Franklin Interfaith Council representatives:   

• Rabbi Tom Alpert, Temple Etz Chaim
• Susan Borchard, Franklin Federated Church
• Rev. Eric Cherry, Minister, First Universalist Society in Franklin
• Mary Diehl, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• The Rev. Maggie Geller, Deacon, St. John’s Episcopal Church
• Rev. Dr. Jacob W. Juncker, Pastor, Franklin United Methodist Church
• Rev. Brian Manning, Pastor, Saint Mary Parish
• The Rev. Kathy McAdams, Rector, St. John’s Episcopal Church
• Rev. Dr. Marlayna Schmidt, Interim Pastor, Franklin Federated Church

For more information:
Visit    www.FranklinInterfaith.org
Like us on Facebook:     Franklin Interfaith Council 

Download a PDF copy of the statement ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FM3lxpWutEN6sBHSauq-9Omz2l2FnT6t/view?usp=sharing

A Statement by the Franklin Interfaith Council: In Support of COVID-19 Vaccination 

wfpr.fm: A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister - 011 - June 2021

"Dr. Pandora Carlucci is joined by Rev. Cherry, Priest McAdams and Rabbi Alpert to discuss faith in their own congregations and how listeners can discover more opportunities to practice faith in their own lives. "

Direct link ->  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/279c12e6-1a5c-4c56-abee-9cd17d0a98c6

wfpr.fm: A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister - 011 - June 2021

wfpr.fm: A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister - 010 - May 2021

"Dr. Pandora Carlucci is joined by Rev. Cherry, Priest McAdams and Rabbi Alpert to discuss faith in their own congregations and how listeners can discover more opportunities to practice faith in their own lives."

Direct link ->  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/624cf907-27ab-4cae-99ae-4d8352c2ce84

wfpr.fm: A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister - 010 - May 2021

wfpr.fm: A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister - 009 - March 2021

"Jay Horrigan and Dr. Pandora Carlucci join Rev. Cherry, Priest McAdams and Rabbi Alpert to discuss faith in their own congregations and how listeners can discover more opportunities to practice faith in their own lives."

Direct link ->  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/4d8cda14-ed14-4686-bd64-9631a5ab459e

wfpr.fm: A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister - 009 - March 2021

wfpr.fm: A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister - 008 - February 2021

"Jay Horrigan and Dr. Pandora Carlucci join Rev. Cherry, Priest McAdams and Rabbi Alpert to discuss faith in their own congregations and how listeners can discover more opportunities to practice faith in their own lives. "

 Direct link -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/9e062e20-b56b-49e2-bf96-16708695a3df

wfpr.fm: A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister - 008 - February 2021

wfpr.fm: A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister - 007 - January 2021

"Jay Horrigan and Dr. Pandora Carlucci join Rev. Cherry, Priest McAdams and Rabbi Alpert to discuss faith in their own congregations and how listeners can discover more opportunities to practice faith in their own lives. "

Direct link -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a80e38c0-0968-49a9-9c4a-304f7510a75b 

wfpr.fm: A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister - 007 - January 2021

wfpr.fm: A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister - 006 - December 2020

"Jay Horrigan and Dr. Pandora Carlucci join Rev. Cherry, Priest McAdams and Rabbi Alpert to discuss faith in their own congregations and how listeners can discover more opportunities to practice faith in their own lives."

Direct ink ->  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/c25496ff-369a-4b6f-9248-051fa5506f2b

wfpr.fm: A Priest A Rabbi and A Minister - 006 - December 2020

 

Project Envoy – Thank you! – Franklin Food Pantry

"We’d like to thank you everyone who worked hard to make Project Envoy a success! Project Envoy, a community driven project, designed to support local restaurants who in-turn donated some of their proceeds to The Franklin Food Pantry, ran from February 1 through April 30.

Thank you to the  following restaurants who participated: 360 Pizzeria,  Acapulcos, Central Pizza, The Curry House, Dacey’s Market & Deli, Franklin Pizza, George’s Pizza, Intermission Café, King Street Café,  Rhapsody’s Victorian Coffee House, The Rome Restaurant, Santa Fe, Sierra’s Brick Oven Pizza,  and Spruce Pond Creamery. 

We’d especially like to thank the Franklin Interfaith Council Team members representing St. Mary’s Parish, St. John’s Episcopal, Temple Etz Chaim, the First Universalist Society in Franklin, the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, and the Franklin Federated Church for their time and dedication in running this program."

Shared from https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/project-envoy-thank-you/

Project Envoy – Thank you! – Franklin Food Pantry

Franklin Interfaith Council Celebrates Earth Day by Planting Trees

Thursday, April 22nd was an unseasonably cold morning, but members of St John’s Episcopal Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,  First Universalist Society of Franklin (FUSF), and Franklin Federated Church gathered to plant trees. “It was a wonderful way to celebrate God’s gift of Creation,” said The Rev. Kathy McAdams, Rector of St John’s and President of the Franklin Interfaith Council.

In preparation for Earth Day, McAdams led an online lesson with the St John’s Church School to discuss the many benefits that trees provide, such as erosion protection, filtering of the air we breathe and the water we drink, noise reduction, shade that reduces the need for air-conditioning, food and habitat for birds and other animals, food and raw materials for people, the fun of climbing them, and the beauty of looking at them.

The Interfaith group planted seven trees - maples, oak, cherry, and purple beech - at several sites in Franklin. The Department of Public Works chose the locations and dug the holes at Horace Mann Middle School, Franklin High School, Keller-Sullivan School, and the Community Garden at King Street Memorial Park. Participants, then, planted the trees, added compost, and have committed to continue watering the trees until they are well-established. McAdams added, “We give thanks for all that God gives us in Creation, and we show our gratitude by being good stewards.”

tree planted at King St Memorial Park, near the Community Garden

FM #484 - Dan Feerick for Project Envoy - 03/02/21 (audio)

FM #484 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 484 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Dan Feerick. Dan is part of the Franklin Interfaith Council - Food Security Team. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about:   Project Envoy

• February was good, more restaurants added
• Calendar set for March
• Eat in, take out at the restaurant of the day (per calendar)
• This helps out the restaurants during the pandemic
• The restaurant in turn will contribute a portion of the sales to help out the Franklin Food Pantry
• A win, win, win for Franklin

The link to the Project Envoy page is included in the show notes. Our conversation runs about 16 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Dan Feerick.  Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/092329d4-2258-4922-b2d3-39aecb79a991

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Link to Project Envoy page = https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/project-envoy/

Link to March calendar = https://149356006.v2.pressablecdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/0001-1-300x232.jpg 

Hashtag your social post with  #ProjectEnvoy  #noonegoeshungryFranklin   

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
 
How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
 
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Project Envoy March calendar