October 18, 2024 | Rev. Dr. Mark Charles

Church…I am so proud of you. So proud!

Last Sunday morning we managed to create 100 flood buckets in a remarkably short amount of time. I am proud of our missions team, who set the assembly line up. I am proud of every person who took some of their time to move through the line and get the job done. I am proud of everyone who has given a financial gift to cover the cost of the project. I am proud of the church member who delivered those flood buckets to Lakeland early in the week. And I am proud to be able to tell you that they are already in the hands of those who need them most at this time.

You made a difference, Church, by coming together and getting the job done.

Thank you.

Honestly, I am proud of our church family all the time.  Your generosity, your effort, your heart for Jesus, and your passion to make that difference in our community and world for the sake of God’s Kingdom, it NEVER ceases to blow me away.

The work of recovery after Hurricanes Helene and Milton will take many months, if not years, and it will require churches like ours to continue showing up in all the ways we can to help. I am proud that we are here for the long haul, Memorial. For more that 202 years we have been worshiping, making disciples of Jesus Christ, serving in mission for the sake of Christ, and making love show up in creative, innovative, and faithful ways. Memorial United Methodist Church is family of faithful stewards of God mission in the world.

This Sunday we will return to the Stewardship series that was paused last weekend. Pastor Rachel will bring a message she has written to inspire and encourage all of us in our stewardship journeys. After that, early next week you should receive mail from us that will include the latest edition of our newsletter, a copy of our narrative budget, and, of course, an “Estimate of Giving/Pledge” card. Please continue to pray about how you will support the faithful mission and ministry of Memorial in 2025, and plan to return those pledge cards on Sunday, October 27th.

Together, we are making a difference in our community in world. I am proud to share in this work with you.

See you Sunday!

Pastor Charlie

October 11th, 2024 | Rev. Rachel Williams

Dear Friends,  

I hope that you have experienced minimal effects from Hurricane Milton. Even as we have been spared from a direct impact of the storm, we know that many of our loved ones and friends across Florida have a long recovery ahead of them. Add this to the cleanup efforts already begun because of Hurricane Helene, and the need is overwhelming. We worship God who never leaves us nor forsakes us and is by our side in the storm. As those who follow Christ’s way of love, we can be the hands and feet of Christ in the coming weeks by doing a few things: 

1. Pray- Pray for those who have lost everything, for those living with the trauma of the storms, for those who are still lost, for the first responders and helpers, for the volunteers who will be assembling in the weeks to come.  

2. Donate - To the relief efforts of the Florida Conference or to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)- Both funds are supporting local efforts to accomplish immediate relief and long-term recovery while providing for volunteers to offer compassionate ministries in the aftermath of disasters.  

3. Flood Buckets- Join us this Sunday after the 9:30AM service in the Lamb Early Education hallway to assemble flood buckets. We will be assembling one hundred buckets to take to one of the hurricane-affected areas of Florida.  

4. Stay tuned for ways to volunteer- We are waiting for more directions from the Florida Conference on disaster response. Once communities can welcome volunteer teams, we will be in the works to send a team where they are needed.  

And for now, will you pray with me these words from Kate Bowler?  

A Blessing for When Disaster Strikes 

Oh God, the suffering I see is unbearable.  

God, come quickly. Bring swift relief and sweet comfort. 

God have mercy. 

Christ have mercy. 

Spirit have mercy.  

The world is not lost, but sometimes it seems as though. 

with trees and homes uprooted— and people’s lives alongside them. 

Blessed are we who cry out, how long, oh God? 

Blessed are we who hope even when we can’t look anymore.  

Blessed are those who lost everything. 

Blessed are the helpers, the weather people, the aid workers. 

Blessed are the leaders who are swift to act. 

Blessed are the rescue workers, the shelterers, the neighbors.  

You know the need.

 You are beginning and ending. 

You are still here.  

Be still. And know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10 )

God have mercy.

 Christ have mercy. 

Spirit have mercy. 

 Let your body sink into this truth: I am with you always, to the end of the age. 

(Matthew 28:20) 

With Grace and Love,  

Pastor Rachel  

October 4th, 2024 | Rev. Dr. Mark Charles

Last weekend we were all shocked by the scenes of devastation being reported from communities affected by Hurricane Helene.  In the week since then, that shock has remained, maybe even increased, as the full extent of Helene’s impact unfolds before our eyes. None of us could have imagined just how destructive and widespread this hurricane’s force would end up being. It will take years to recover from.

Also, last weekend, I preached the final sermon in our Wesleyan Rooted series, reminding us all that followers of Jesus Christ in the Wesleyan tradition serve impactfully in the world. It’s what we do, especially in times of great need like what is being experienced by our friends and neighbors in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina right now.

Already, the Florida Conference’s Disaster Response Team has kicked into action and is seeking to draw on all available resources throughout our Conference so that we, the people called United Methodist in Florida, can play our part in recovery efforts.  At Memorial, we will be joining in with this work in all the ways we can.

The first way we are helping is by creating 100 “Flood Buckets” and getting them to the areas they are needed.  Our Mission Team has already allocated monies from the General Missions Fund to be used to purchase the necessary supplies. There are three ways you can be part of this effort:

1. Pray for the individuals and communities that have been impacted by Hurricane Helene – your prayers matter and make a difference.

2. Make a financial gift to the General Missions Fund.

3. Plan to be at church on Sunday, October 13th, when we will pack our flood buckets after the 9:30AM service.

These are simple, but effective ways to help right now. There will be more ways to help in the days ahead, including possible volunteer team opportunities to embody how #loveshowsup in storm affected areas.

More information on ways we can help will be included in Just 3 Things in all services this coming Sunday – I hope to see you there.

Blessings,

Pastor Charlie