There are two studies available for FRC and our friends from the community during this Lenten Season. They are both described below and registration is available.

The Grace of Les Misérables

We'll be using a wonderful study from Reverend Matt Rawle during the 2024 Season of Lent. Small groups are being formed. Individuals can also read along independently if they choose to do so. The new study is called The Grace of Les Misérables. Learn more about the study and sign up below.

"Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables is a truly epic story. Whether you’ve tackled the 1,400-page 19th-century novel, witnessed the Broadway musical (and memorized its soundtrack), or seen the several screen adaptations of it, you already know the power of its story.

In the six-week study The Grace of Les Misérables, author and pastor Matt Rawle dives into six ideals found in the story—grace, justice, poverty, revolution, love, and hope—each represented by a character in Hugo’s story. As these imperfect and relatable characters interact, we can see how these ideals work together (perhaps even in spite of each other) out in the world.

In keeping with his previous works, Matt Rawle brings us to the intersection of Church and Pop Culture by drawing parallels between the iconic story and musical and our Christian calling, inspiring us to both understand our faith and live it out in the world."

Group meeting times:

• Tuesday daytime group - Registration is closed.
• Wednesday daytime group - Registration is closed.
• Thursday evening group - Registration is available below.

Sign up below. The study guide can be purchased through Cokesbury or Amazon. You can also pick one up in the church office.

Click here to sign up for this study.

The Red Thread - Connecting with Mary Magdalene

Come, follow the Red Thread on a Lenten journey that will explore feminine spirituality with Mary Magdalene. Join our discussions on what we know and what we want to learn about this central figure in early Christianity. Through mindful conversation and scripture study we will identify historical feminine spirituality in traditional Christianity. Our program of seven sessions presented over the Lenten season culminates in consideration of what feminine spirituality means to us today.

The dates for these sessions are:
Thursday Feb. 15
Tuesday Feb. 20, Feb. 27, March 5, March 19, March 26
Monday March 11.
We will meet at the First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains, 529 Newark Pompton Tpke. from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

This program is presented by Bonnie Holmes and Charlene Mason, co-founders of the non-profit WHIM (Women’s Hands in Mission). Our invitation to attend extends to our interdenominational friends who seek to understand the role of Mary Magdalene as the “Apostle to the Apostles” despite her relatively cryptic role in early Christianity. For questions contact Bonnie at or Charlene at

Some of our resources which may be of interest to attendees but NOT required reading are:
The Meaning of Mary Magdalene (Bourgeault, Cynthia)
Mary Magdalene Revealed (Watterson, Meggan)
The Gospel According to Mary Magdalene (Leloup, Jean-Yves)

“The red thread is about remembering the Good within ourselves and each other. And the red thread is about recognizing those who are walking with us, to remind us that we are here together, to be the Good.” Meggan Watterson

Click here to sign up for this Lenten study.