Our Members
Franklin First Stories
What First United Methodist Church Means to Me
Being a member of our Church since 1986, I have served and have been a part of our Church as a member and several committees for many years. I have seen the Church in several growth situations and have watched people come and go. We have seen our friend’s sons and daughters married here, and we have had friends that have died here as well. This Church is where Sandra and I have raised our two boys and have watched them participate in youth activities and have seen them commit their lives to Christ. My oldest son, William, was married here and that was a joy for Sandra and me. FUMC is home to me and my family. We have lifelong friends and family here and our lives have grown and changed spiritually by being close to our friends in this Church. We have memories here that are cherished and love. This Church has helped me grow in ways that I cannot explain. The people are why I am here and what means the most to me. Reaching out to those in our Church by friendship or need makes for a blessed life. I have no interest in making any changes and I will follow this Church wherever this membership goes. I love this Church and the people in it.
—Harrison Crabtree
First United Methodist Church Franklin, Tennessee. (Says so. Out front.) So. This is my church—and yours. What does it mean to us? Everything. But this is not OUR church. This is GOD’S church. He’s inside, down aisles, in pews, on the altar. And outside. He’s in fields and streams and on hillsides. He lives here—but get ready. If you are followers of His son, Jesus—He moves around a lot. Can’t stay put for long. If this church really means Everything to me— I’ll hear Him when He calls us. You and Me.
—Susie Sims Irvin
I have found Franklin First United Methodist Church to be a place where relationships can be built with other Christians. I have never seen so many people so active in mission work. It is an open place full of vibrant people doing the work of Christ and I find that helps me to grow in my spiritual journey.
—Cary Yancey
My church family gives me the greatest gift possible when you remind me that God is God . . . and I am not. You help me grow when you tell me “no” just as much as you tell me “yes.” You are my true friends when you comfort me because I need comfort—and at the same time make me feel uncomfortable when I need that, too. You nudge me to give of myself and my money knowing that life’s greatest blessings come from giving instead of getting. You give me “Gospel balance” when you use words like “obedience,” “sacrifice” and “truth” alongside words like “love,” “grace” and “peace”—when you declare Jesus Christ is “the way, the truth and the life” in a make-your own- God world intent on individual freedom and individual truth. You help me see God’s kingdom when you remind me to listen to God’s voice instead of the world’s noise. Thank you, church.
—Marta Aldrich
Faithfulness is a commitment to living by all the teachings of Christ while following God’s call and it begins with a close church family. As God is always there for us, Franklin First has been a blessing to me and my family as a constant resource of strength, hope and support throughout both the trying and wonderful seasons of my life.
—Mike Bellini
My life journey, now in its eighth decade, has included First Methodist for about half of that time. It is the faith community in which we have chosen to work and worship, where our children were nurtured in Sunday School and the youth program. When we lost one of those children in a tragic accident, we were comforted and sustained by the people of the church. Our daughter was married in this church. First Methodist holds many memories for our family. One measure of how First Methodist-centered my life has become is to consider the number of times I am at church during the week. My car seems to slide into its parking place as easily as I slide into my favorite pew on Sunday mornings. Even at this stage of my life the church provides opportunities for me to continue to grow in mind, spirit, and service, all in an inter-generational setting. Perhaps the most encouraging and exciting thing about First Methodist is its children.
—Martha Lawrence