I often answer the question about how I came to stay at FUSF with a joke about my son’s love of the treats during fellowship hour. And while the treats are very good, that wasn’t what kept us coming back for the last five years. It was just slightly deeper than that. My husband and I both grew up in the Catholic faith and then attended a Christian reform church while dating and through the … Continue reading Nicole Harter

My husband Jake and I have been part of the First Universalist Society in Franklin since the late 1980s. Originally, we sought out a congregation that would affirm our religious origins of Judaism and Christianity and would provide a place to raise our two sons. We found so much more! Over the years, we have received many gifts from this congregation. My family was nurtured with meals and childcare when I had back surgery. This community … Continue reading Ann Willever

My journey at FUSF has been one of spiritual growth and transformation. It was only six short months ago when a beautiful angel guided me through the doors of the meetinghouse and what a beautiful world I found. Six months ago, I knew no one. Not. A. Soul. Things have certainly changed since my first visit when I walked along that cold February walkway and entered the meetinghouse. Greeting me at the table was a … Continue reading Deb Prudhomme

It’s been over a year since my wife Karen and I first heard the Words of Welcome from the pulpit. We came to this meetinghouse looking for community, for a place where like-minded people held similar values, and where people were accepting and loving. We were welcomed when we arrived and many of you, (strangers then, but now our friends) talked with us after the service.  We felt a connection to you almost immediately, as … Continue reading Drew Bogner

In the Fall of 1989, my wife, Joan, and I, along with our young sons, attended our first service at FUSF. We were familiar with the UU faith, but didn’t really know what to expect. We found a small but fast-growing community (much like Franklin at the time) consisting of both older members as well as young families, with a growing religious education program. We both soon found our way into the community, Joan as … Continue reading Wayne Toye

My love affair with FUSF began in 1993, when my neighbor invited me and my kids to come to church with her family. We both were blessed with our children coming to us through adoption. That Sunday, the children’s Religious Education program was about a mother bear adopting a baby bear.  Growing up Catholic, it was very interesting to have a woman minister who spoke about issues that felt relevant to me. During that first … Continue reading Susan Dubinsky

I’d like to tell you a little bit about why I donate my time, talent, and treasure to FUSF. I’d rather not talk about me, though—let me tell you about my children. When my oldest, precocious child was 3, she began asking some very big questions: what is God? What happens when you die? Where do babies come from? I decided we needed a place to explore answers to these questions. As she has grown … Continue reading Caitlin MacDonald

When I come to FUSF on Sundays, in many ways it is like a little vacation. I am brought into a very special sacred space with the beautiful chalice quilt, the wall of art to contemplate, and the view of creation splendidly revealed through our glass wall. I am invited to be still and calm. I am treated to the thoughtful, lovely stories and lessons, presented to our children by our director of religious education, … Continue reading Celeste Falcone