The Bell Tower January 2015 This past Christmas Eve service our three children lit the advent wreath at the late 11:00 p.m. service. Actually they did that at our very first late service when they were much younger. We kept them up late, but Santa came anyway. We've been doing this a long time. We sometimes tell people that we have only lived in Franklin for twenty-one years. That may sound like a lot to some, but when you get to serve in a church in the Franklin historic district with those who can claim to be seventh generation Franklinites and Williamson Countians (if that's the way to put it), twenty-one years doesn't seem so long. As many of you know, we moved here because of the opportunity in this church to do many things we love--preaching, caring for folks, music. We moved here to be near family in Nashville. And, we moved here because it is a place where we would be, and have been, happy for our children to grow up. Part of the joy of this place is having had our three children in the area schools, Liberty, Freedom (Intermediate and Middle), and Centennial. Our children were not always thrilled to say what we did for a living when they were students. One of them (guess which one) even told his class that I was a police officer so as to avoid saying that I was "a preacher." I think they worried their friends would think they would try to convert them, or something like that. We didn't teach them to do that. We taught them to keep an open mind and to learn from their teachers and also from others. Some of those 'others' were people who didn't claim to be especially religious. Some were people who were adherents of other faiths--Jewish, Hindu, Muslim. While we are not as diverse in this county as some other places, what diversity there was and is we have appreciated, and we wanted them to as well. I like to think this is a place others can appreciate as well. Recently I read of a director of the Muslim study center in Columbia who moved to Williamson County because he felt it would be a "safe environment" for his son to grow up. He should know. That center was torched in 2008 in a hate crime by white supremacists making so-called Christian claims. I hope he's right about us, that ours is a safe environment for his son, and all of our sons and daughters, because I'd like ours to be that kind of place, just as it has been for us and our children. Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church is in a unique position to help make our community that kind of place, because of where we are, and because of what we have the opportunity to say. Anyone who goes to our Christmas Eve services knows that we draw from the larger community. The earlier service, of course, is sort of a Bethlehem mayhem that maybe matches the sudden chorus of angels in the fields where shepherds kept their flocks by night. The later one we appreciate also because it feels closer to that chance for wise ones to bow down in a quiet manger and offer gifts. We're glad that people come to either service, and I imagine that many from the community who come may not even consider themselves especially religious, or may be of a different religion. But, we have never seen Christmas Eve as some kind of opportunity to convert people. We see it as a chance to share in some good news--what we call gospel--about a child and savior who brings peace and good will and just might save us from all of our world's warring ways. It's important that we provide that good news in our community. Many words around us have little peace or good will in them. One area group paints Muslim-Americans uniformly as a threat. Their so-called 'facts' are loosely drawn from internet declarations. They remind me of the careless portrayals of African-Americans in the deep south where I was raised, portraying them as threats to our way of life rather than fellow citizens who hope for the same kinds of communities my family and I hope for. Those portrayals, and these more recent ones, were meant to create fear, fear of people who are different from us. They are no more based in facts than the way some vigorous secularists portray us Christians as ignorant and intolerant, or more to the point, they take isolated facts and certain segments of any religious community and pretend that's how we all are. As someone who loves Franklin and as a Christian, I like to think we all can do better. I like to think we all want good communities. I like to think we don't want to insist on our religious point of view in a way that makes those around us who think or believe differently feel uncomfortable. I think we want to understand each other, not fear each other. The angels in our Christmas stories read at Christmas eve pointed us in the right direction, saying time and time again, "Fear not, I bring good news of great joy which shall be for all people." Fear not--Good news--Great joy--All people. That's a message that will always make ours a better community. I even think that's a message that will make us better Christians. Reverend Will Berger 2014 Children’s Christmas Program Addy Mitchell, Brown Jewell, Tanner and Harrison Welch all sang in the BGA Christmas Choral program on December 8th… Jonathan Warden sang and danced in the Independence High School Christmas program Choral program on December 11th… Connie and Frank Brahan travelled to Virginia to be present for son Bryan's Navy reenlistment ceremony… Sydney Gleason is in France for the holidays… David and Lucy Kells enjoyed a trip to Chicago to see Cat Stevens... Robert Smith and Karen Connolly visited family in Virginia… Taylor Zachry was seen on Conan O'Brien, playing bass for Olivia Jean... WELCOME to the HFPC Session Class of 2017 Brent Andrews Hal Moore, Jr. Cindy Morelli Lillian Stewart Thank you for being willing to serve in the life of our church. PLEASE E-MAIL THE CHURCH OFFICE WITH ANY ADDRESS CHANGES OR CORRECTIONS [email protected] To keep in our prayers: Brian Lake Lois Davis Mary Ann Tate Karen Hardin Max Hendrix Sympathy to the family of Rob Dreussi on the death of his father, Joe. “The eternal God is your dwelling place and underneath are the everlasting arms. “ Mark your Calendars! The 2015 HFPC Women’s Retreat Friday, March 20—Sunday March 22 Camp NaCoMe Topic: “Love One Another” MISSION LAST WEDNESDAY FELLOWSHIP Last Wednesday fellowship for the month of January will be on Wednesday, January 28th at 6:30 pm Many thanks to all who contributed gifts to The Manger. This was the 24th year that this program has been in operation, and over 800 families had an opportunity to shop for loved ones. Your gifts helped make it a success! Betsy Bond, Christi Ensch and Mary Winton Hughes all volunteered at The Manger and each had a very rewarding experience. The youth delivered a Christmas basket to one of the families, rounding out our participation. The menu will be lasagna, salad, bread, and assorted desserts. The program will be led by Steve Young who will share details of his trip to Cuba for Living Waters for the World. Sarah Litton will lead the children in a program on “Art and the Psalms.” Come join the fun! January ART CRAWL HFPC Memorial Hall Friday, January 2nd 6-9 p.m. BOOK CLUB Everyone is invited to join us for discussion and fellowship at 11:30 a.m. on January 27 . “The Aviator’s Wife” by Melanie Benjamin Meet at the home of June Warren 409 Boyd Mill Ave. For more information contact June Warren 615-794-7453 or [email protected] The Presbyterian Women’s Bible Group will meet Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at 9:45 a.m. in the church parlor. The Bible Study topic for reflection and discussion will be based on 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:10. Study books are available in the parlor. All ladies of the church are invited to join us for coffee, refreshments, and fellowship. Sewing Circle Join us as you work on any craft project and enjoy the company of others! January 2nd at 10 am January 16th at 10 am A THANK YOU TO HFPC Dear all, On Sunday January 4th, I've been invited to preach for my last time at Second Presbyterian Church and will receive a little goodbye from them. The job as part-time interim parish associate (yes, that is what I was called), that was going to last for a year, actually has lasted one year and nine months. It has been a rewarding time for me. Second is a unique congregation (as each congregation is), with great emphasis on inclusivity for all persons regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, of disability, and in that sense many have found a comfortable home there. But, Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church is also unique and welcoming and a place where people with many different outlooks on faith can gather and worship. It has been my church home for 21 years, and it is my church home. I am so very grateful to the good people of this church who supported me in this unusual endeavor which had me away more or less one Sunday a month and preaching at Second. You've always shown interest and a willingness for this to work. It has been a rewarding time, but a time that I'm ready to complete so I can be completely back at home with you. AND, when thanking the congregation, I especially want to thank June Warren, my piano partner, and my organist/choir director substitute, for all of the times she played in my absence. It is always great when I'm away to know that she and the choir will be 'just fine.' Will Berger YOUTH NEWS HFPC youth in grades 5 through 12 enjoyed a fun Christmas party at the home of Will Berger and Sally Hughes on December 14th. Join us in January for more fun and fellowship! January 11th, 5-7pm January 18th , 5-7pm Please contact Brittany Hanlin, our youth director, at 615-779-2757 or [email protected] for more information. Beginning Sunday, January 11th, we will have a “Singing, Ringing and Rhythm” program for children and youth, led by Sarah Litton, who has been working with our children on Last Wednesday Fellowship. Our time together will begin at 4:00 p.m. We will include children from K-4th grade, but any interested youth are also invited and will be given opportunities appropriate to them. We’ll conclude by 5:00 for youth group. “Singing, Ringing and Rhythm” will meet second and third Sundays at 4:00 prior to youth group meetings. Dickens of a Christmas at HFPC Once again HFPC was the site for some of the activities during the Dickens of a Christmas festival December 13 and 14. One special addition was our handbell choir playing in front of our church on Saturday morning. We managed to fill over an hour with music and many listened and applauded (with occasional breaks for coffee, donuts and just getting warm). Special challenges were presented by police sirens indicating the beginning of the festival and the steady ping of the walk/don't walk sign on the corner, but they all braved it and are much appreciated. Throughout the weekend, Janet and Hugh Tharpe provided the Green Room for festival volunteers and made the entire place smell wonderful with good food and hospitality. The festival ended with a carol sing in our church sanctuary with a steady stream of carols led by the pipe organ. "Let there Be Peace On Earth" was the last song we sang, and the voices definitely filled up the room even as the lights mysterious dimmed--a special effect we can't explain. Thanks to John Fraser for making the carol sing happen, to Hugh and Janet for the Green Room, and to our Handbell Choir for playing so nicely. A SPECIAL THANK YOU: The Christian Education Committee would like to extend their thanks to the following individuals who helped teach the 2014 Summer Sunday School for the children: Kathleen Koontz David Strickland Cindy and Bill Morelli Linda and George Mahathy Lynne Welch Tonya Young Claudia Zanolini Jackie Pennington Mona Lee Jeanne and L.T. Preston HFPC 2015 APPROVED OPERATING BUDGET Christian Education VBS Wonderful Wednesdays Supplies Materials/Curriculum Youth Group Food Youth Montreat Conference Registration Montreat Van Rental Montreat Housing Montreat Supplies/Food Total Christian Education $150.00 $600.00 $300.00 $1,000.00 $200.00 $600.00 $700.00 $1,200.00 $300.00 $5,050.00 Congregational Life Kitchen Supplies Food Support Miscellaneous Member Care PW Total Congregational Life $1,000.00 $600.00 $200.00 $300.00 $2,100.00 Missions Bridges Living Waters Graceworks Meals on Wheels Presbytery Hard Bargain Mercy Clinic Pastoral Counseling Mission Project (Committee Discretion) Total Mission $1,500.00 $1,300.00 $1,800.00 $900.00 $5,000.00 $1,000.00 $650.00 $650.00 $1,000.00 $13,800.00 Personnel Office Expense: Bookkeeping (Payroll Fees) Equipment Computer Maintenance Copier Contract Printing Postage Supplies Telephone & e-fax Workers' Compensation Insurance (previously under B&G) Internet & Website Subtotal Office Expenses $1,350.00 $730.00 $300.00 $3,250.00 $1,000.00 $1,460.00 $1,500.00 $2,240.00 $1,211.00 $1,635.00 $14,676.00 Salaries: Pastor Salaries - Sally Pastor Salaries - Will Office Assistant Youth Director Nursery Worker Bookkeeper Subtotal Salaries $48,400.00 $19,215.00 $22,620.00 $3,500.00 $2,288.00 $1,850.00 $97,873.00 Benefits & Allowances: Pension & Medical - Sally Pension & Medical - Will Housing Mileage Books - Continuting Education Utilities Allowance Employer Taxes Subtotal Benefits & Allowances Total Personnel $27,900.00 $13,200.00 $10,200.00 $9,731.00 $3,060.00 $5,600.00 $9,000.00 $78,691.00 $191,240.00 Buildings and Grounds Cleaning services Cleaning supplies Exterminator ADS Security Utilities General Maintenance Elevator Licenses & Permits Insurance Lawn/Grounds Maintenance Total Building & Grounds $19,000.00 $400.00 $400.00 $600.00 $20,900.00 $11,000.00 $1,280.00 $150.00 $12,400.00 $5,280.00 $71,410.00 Worship Worship supplies Pulpit Substitutes Music Substitutes Concerts Total Worship $1,400.00 $1,400.00 $1,400.00 $800.00 $5,000.00 Total Operating Expenses $288,600.00 Financial Update: Here’s a summary of 2014 and a quick look at 2015. I’m pleased to report that we’ve continued to maintain reasonable balances in both our operating and capital accounts for the past year. Our capital account currently has $33,500. This balance has been relatively steady for the last 9 months, as we now receive regular contributions from those who pledged to the 2014 capital campaign. We continue to make $1,150 weekly payments against the debt we owe on our re-structured construction loan. Those payments favor reduction of the principal, though we still do make interest payments. I want to maintain a robust balance in this account so those weekly deductions simply become routine for us. But the overall good (or perhaps ‘Great!’) news regarding the capital account is that the principal on our loan will have been reduced by fully $100,000 in the very near future. When we began planning the 2014 Capital Campaign last January, our principal balance was $619,000. Our current balance is $525,000. This week our operating account has $130,000 in it, which does include funds from the settlement of our insurance claim on the roof. I hope many of you have had an opportunity to see the progress on the roof. The shingles themselves are distinctive, but I think you can already tell that the copper work, as it is completed, will be a true highlight. The roof repair will be complete in mid- to late-January, and at that time we will owe the contractor approximately $95,000, which I anticipate to be split between the operating account and the Endowment Fund (approximately 2/3:1/3). I expect our operating account balance to be close to $60,000 after that payment. I’m sure you can understand the desire of the Finance Committee – and the Session -- to continue to maintain a healthy balance in the operating account for the near term. The two accounts that the trustees oversee, the Endowment Fund and Organ Fund, are separate from the routine bank accounts. The Organ fund covers the cost of annual maintenance and regular parts replacement for the organ. The Endowment can be used for many things, including significant repairs to our church structure. In March, I gained Trustee and Session approval to use Endowment funds for the final repairs to the parking lot behind the building. And now, also in accordance with the terms of the endowment, we will use some of those funds for improvements to the roof. As you can see in the approved operating budget, our 2015 budget will be $288,600. That is an increase of about $12,000 from 2014. A portion of that increase was predicated upon the income we will receive from our renters in the Annex and Frothy Monkey. But we also based some budget decisions regarding the 2015 budget on equaling, or perhaps slightly building upon, the Stewardship pledges we received in 2014. At this point, based on last year’s final figures, we’ve received just about 2/3 of the total number of pledges and just about 2/3 of the total amount in funds pledged. I know this is a tremendously busy time of year, but I’d like to encourage everyone who hasn't already done so to thoughtfully consider making a Stewardship pledge. We'll gladly accept a note regarding your pledge until the first week of the New Year, or, for those who wish, I'd be happy to receive your email pledge sent to [email protected]. Last, I’m sure you are all interested to know about the interior repairs to the sanctuary that will be done in coordination with the roof repair. The interior work could not begin until a major portion of the roof was complete, so completing final repairs on the roof would not disturb any new work that was being done directly under that. As I’m sure you understand, our use of the sanctuary in the last two weeks was of primary importance, but we also had two days of rain that kept the roofers off the job anyway. The interior contractor is prepared to begin on Monday, Dec 29. He should take about 2 full work-weeks (please remember that the week of the 29 th has one more holiday in it, so it will be a short work week). You will see signs of progress in the sanctuary by Sunday, January 11 (and probably earlier, if you stop by). Thanks all. Hope you’re having a blessed holiday season. If you have questions about the information contained in this note, please feel free to contact [email protected]. We’d be glad to have your input. Kindest regards, Mike Ensch Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church Fifth Avenue and Main Street P.O. Box 323 Franklin Tennessee 37065-0323 Return Service Requested Serving Christ and neighbor at the crossroads! January 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 New Year’s Day 2 Sewing 10-1 ART CRAWL/Memorial Hall 6-9 3 8 12:30 Art Class 9 10 16 Sewing 10-1 17 23 24 30 31 4 First Sunday Fellowship 8:30/11 Worship 9:45 Sunday School 12:30 Session Meeting 5 6 7 12:30 Art Class 6pm Bells 7:15 pm Choir 11 8:30/11 Worship 9:45 Sunday School 2-4 Recital 4-5 Youth Choir 5-7 Youth Group 12 13 14 12:30 Art Class 6pm Bells 7:15 pm Choir 15 12:30 Art Class 18 8:30/11 Worship 9:45 Sunday School 4-5 Youth Choir 5-7 Youth Group 19 Martin Luther King , Jr Day 20 9:45 PW Bible Study 21 12:30 Art Class 6:00 pm Bells 7:15 pm Choir 22 12:30 Art Class 5 8:30/11 Worship 9:45 Sunday School Children’s Play Practice 26 27 Book club 11:30 28 12:30 Art Class 6:30 LWF 6pm Bells 7:30 pm Choir 5-8 Bridges 5-8 Bridges 5-8 Bridges 29 12:30 Art Class 5-8 Bridges
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