August 14th, 2026 | Rev. Rachel Williams

Dear Beloved Friends,

               In the book of Matthew, Jesus has some very clear instructions for his disciples: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20). This is the Great Commission, and one of the core imperatives for the disciples is that they make other disciples, by baptizing them and teaching them. Our discipleship journey, then, is vital not only for our individual faith development but also a means by which we grow collectively as a body of believers.

As Wesleyans and United Methodists, a core part of our identity is connection, particularly connection that is made when we gather together to pray, search the Scriptures, learn, and take the sacraments together. My encouragement for you in this new “school year” is to engage ever more deeply in your discipleship journey by taking one of our classes or joining one of our Sunday School classes.

               This Sunday, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to learn more about all of the Christian Education opportunities- from infancy to late adulthood- at our Faith Formation Expo in the Gathering Space of Maxwell Hall. Between the 8AM and 9:30AM services and following service at 11AM, you’ll have the opportunity to meet with teachers, learn about and sign up for classes, and consider ways in which you might be able to connect with others spiritually. I know many of us are incredibly busy with work, family, travel or any number of life’s good and hard complications, but I hope that there might be something that speaks to you, that gives you space to broaden and deepen your understanding of God’s infinite love. I hope to see you this Sunday!

With Grace and Peace,

Pastor Rachel  

August 7th, 2026 | Rev. Angie Long

This is the first year I won't be preparing, moving, or planning for one of our children to start school. While they are both getting ready for college classes, they are already settled into their housing and continuing studies they've already begun. It is an exciting season in their lives, but I find myself missing the anticipation of a new school year. Gathering supplies, packing backpacks, meeting teachers, and discovering new classrooms always brought a sense of excitement, along with a little nervousness.

To help ease some of those first-week jitters, we will celebrate the Blessing of the Backpacks during worship this Sunday. The best part is that this blessing is for students of all ages and for teachers as well. Be sure to bring your backpack, book bag, or teacher's tote and join us as we send one another into the new school year with God's peace and love.

We also celebrate the return of our VPK (Voluntary Prekindergarten Program) at Lamb Early Education Center (EEC) on Monday. This unique Florida program provides free early education for four-year-olds, helping prepare them for kindergarten and the years ahead. What a blessing it is to offer this opportunity right here through Lamb!

Though my children are long past those preschool years, I still remember how important early education was in their development. Programs like VPK do more than introduce learning. They help children adjust to the rhythms of school while building confidence and community. What a wonderful opportunity we have to nurture some of God's beloved children. I am grateful for the dedicated staff, teachers, and supporters of Lamb EEC and Memorial who make this ministry possible.

As the new school year begins, please keep all students, teachers, administrators, and parents in your prayers.

This Sunday we will also continue our series on how God shapes us toward hope. Last week, we reflected on the unique gifts God has given each of us, gifts woven into our lives from the very beginning and meant to be used throughout our journey. This week, we will visit the potter's house and discover that, in God's hands, nothing is wasted and nothing is beyond redemption. Every experience and every part of who we are can be used for God's good purposes and for the good of God's kingdom. What good news indeed!

I hope you will join us this Sunday, either in person or online, as together we explore what this promise means for our lives today.

Blessings,

Pastor Angie

#LoveShowsUp: Memorial Provides Free Classroom Supplies for Area Teachers

August 2nd, 2026 - Teachers representing 3 local counties picked up free classroom supplies on Sunday,

during Memorial United Methodist Church’s annual Free Teacher’s Supply Fair. Many area teachers spend their own money on classroom necessities and Memorial wanted to ensure that teachers could focus entirely on teaching & inspiring children without the stress of worrying about missing essentials on the first day of school. The congregation donated thousands of the most requested classroom items and set up the free “shop” on their campus in Maxwell Hall.

(article continues below the photos)

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Senior Pastor, Rev. Angie Long, was encouraged by the support provided by the congregation. ”This church felt a call a few years ago to care for our local educators. I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of this grace-filled family at Memorial who have donated all of these school supplies.”

Teachers were each given a large bag of cleaning supplies and then were invited to “shop” for free for other items they may need. This year teachers shopped for reams of white and colored copy paper, pencils, dry erase markers, folders, binders, and more. The local Harris Teeter donated paper shopping bags for the event that Memorial volunteers filled with cleaning supplies like paper towels, hand sanitizers, antibacterial cleaner, cleaning wipes, and magic erasers. The educators were even treated to ice cream on their way out of the fair.

“We value the love, care, and teaching local educators provide our children,” Associate Pastor, Rachel Williams said. “We are happy to offer them a bit of love back each year through school supplies. Many teachers have to purchase these items out of their own funds. The Teacher’s Supply Fair is a way we can help make ‘back-to-school’ easier for them.”

The congregation's donations not only provided supplies for area teachers. Classroom items were also donation to two mission partners of Memorial: The district's McKinney Vento Program, which helps unhoused students in Nassau County, and Yulee Primary School. Along with giving supplies to Yulee Primary, volunteers from Memorial also provided a special brunch for teachers at the school on Friday, July 31^st, as the educators returned to their classrooms for the new school year.  

“We feel strongly that as a local church; we should be partnering with the communities we serve.“ Rev. Long added. “When we see a need in our area, we can work together to help Christ’s ’love show up’ for our neighbors.”