Let me begin by welcoming all of you to a new Conference year. Some of you have welcomed new pastors, while others are rejoicing in the return of your appointed clergy. I welcome Revs. Angie Long to Memorial in Fernandina Beach, Arlinda Burke to Isle of Faith, Mike Mosley to Asbury in Orange Park, Will Clarke to Trinity DeLand, Elvis Soto to St. Paul in Jacksonville, Daiane Soto to Highlands, Tamyra McLaughlin-Seavers to Avondale, Carolyn Westlake to the two-point charge of C

Each year, Diane Hamrick, takes a group of volunteers over to Kenya to serve alongside Kenya Partners at the schools and medical facilities in Nakuru. Memorial member Mary Negron has wanted to attend with Diane for many years and finally the timing was right! She was drawn to work with Kenya Partners because she had never been to Africa, she loves working with kids, and "they asked me to teach origami!", she said happily. She knew it was a good fit! Mary was part of a recent

Memorial United Methodist Church announces a pastoral transition as part of the United Methodist Church’s longstanding system of itineracy, in which pastors are appointed to serve congregations for a season before being called to new ministries. After eight years of faithful service, Rev. Dr. Mark Charles, known as “Pastor Charlie”, will conclude his appointment at the end of June. As the longest-serving senior pastor in the church’s 204-year history, he led Memorial through

Speaking with Rev. Dr. Mark Charles at the May Wesley Dinner Club were Desiree Dinkle from The Council on Aging, Oliver Causon from Nassau Sober Living, Barbara Beck from Micah’s Place, Carlene McDuffie from Affordable Housing, Inc., Jennifer Pault from The Arc Nassau, Molly Cressy from Nassau County Schools: McKinney-Vento Program, Zen Carver from Nassau County Homeless Coalition, and Sandy Phipps from Angels Unaware/ Gracie’s Kitchen. A recent survey showed that residents o

Clergy in attendance (back row), Fr. Eric Stelzer -St. Michael's, Rev. Dr. Mark Charles - Memorial, Rev. Granardo Felix- Trinity, Rev. Ben Mandrick - Prince of Peace, (front row) Pastor Gabriel Zavala - First Baptist, Rev. Dawn Mayes - First Presbyterian, and Rev. Sarah Minton - St. Peter's. The 2026 senior class of Fernandina Beach High School will be graduating on Monday, May 18th. Before they move the tassel on graduation day, they celebrated together at the annual inter

“I feel like I have a heart again.” These were the words an inmate spoke to Kairos volunteer Justin Rimondi during a recent weekend of ministry at Columbia Correctional Institution. Twice a year, men from Memorial participate in this impactful ministry, reaching into a place not many people want to go: prison. Kairos is a lay-led, interdenominational Christian ministry in which men—and women through Kairos Outside—volunteer to bring Christ’s love and forgiveness to prisoners

"Did you know that Memorial's mission reach extends over four continents?" Pastor Rachel asked the group from the Wesley Dinner Club who gathered Thursday night. "These mission partners allow us to grow our own missional impact. Thought this United Methodist Connection, we can expand where we care. We can see the image of God in the diversity of the people we reach, and we can share the love of Jesus Christ to more people." Pastor Rachel was referring to the six internation

" All of this coming together to create such a real, tangible change in the trajectory of an entire family is something only possible through God..." When asked to sum up the favorite part of her trip, Lucinda Lautz said, "The whole experience was my favorite part of the trip!" On March 14th, 2026, Memorial's annual weeklong mission trip to Porch de Salomon in Guatemala began. Missionaries gathered at the airport in Guatemala City from various parts of northeast Florida. The

Rev. Samantha Aupperlee "We get to be the light to the world. We are, together, the body of Christ." These were the words that Rev. Sam Aupperlee used to encourage the those at the Wesly Dinner Club to stay engaged with mission and connection through the United Methodist Church, Rev. Aupperlee was one of the guests Pastor Charlie invited to speak at the latest Wesley Dinner Club. Also joining Rev. Aupperlee, were Memorial member Jim Mitts, who serves as the Disaster Response

Navana played the flute. Sixty-four members of the Community Band were in Maxwell Hall giving a tremendous performance on Thursday night (March 11th, 2026). The all-volunteer band was on hand not to simply present a concert but to raise money and awareness for the PET Project/Mobility Worldwide. Seven people from Memorial's played in the band, including Navana Kern and Pastor Rachel. Another member of the church family involved in the band is Jack Burk. And he does not just p

Mary Negron, Memorial Member and President of the United Women in Faith for the North East District Each spring, the Children's Week Florida welcomes school children to Tallahassee from around the state to tour the Capitol building and meet legislators. Also in attendance during the week are teachers, social workers, faith leaders, nonprofits, and businesses advocating for the health and safety of children. They come to learn from one another and to also meet with legislators

If you look in sills of the stained-glass windows of the Sanctuary during Lent, you'll find some beautiful stone relief depictions of the stations of the cross. These are prayers markers on loan to Memorial from First United Methodist - Baton Rouge (Louisiana). These 10 prayer markers were commissioned for First UMC in 2014 and designed and created by liturgical artist Deborah Luke, who is a Baton Rouge native. Two sets were made and dedicated on Palm Sunday in 2016. Of the t

You may have heard Pastor Charlie call the United Women in Faith at Memorial a "force for good" during his recent sermon on the State of the Church. And he was right! During their most recent UWF Brunch on January 31st, the women offered up their own "State of the UWF" and celebrated their accomplishments as a chapter, recognized new offers, handed out awards to member of our congregation who are living out the mission of the UWF. Over 85 people, most representing the 136 m

As an act of collective pastoral care for our community, a group of local pastors offered a time of vigil and prayer Thursday night. Around 250 people gathered peacefully on the steps of Memorial to recognize their shared hurt by praying, singing, and finding comfort together. The vigil was led by clergy from Memorial, First Presbyterian Church, New Vision United Church of Christ, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Greater Fernandina Beach Church of God, and chaplains from Bapt

1.15.26 | Maxwell Hall: Leaders at Memorial were invited to attend the monthly Wesley Dinner Club along with the church family to hear a special panel discussion. Pastor Charlie chatted with four members of our congregation who represented four different generations. Each of the panelists grew up in the church and had memories, ideas, and hopes to share. Pastor Charlie asked the group if they could name one thing is important to them that has remained constant at Memorial ove

Throughout the four weeks leading up to Christmas, Memorial has been active in our area participating in and hosting events for our community. The first weekend of Advent, Memorial's Women's Circle hosted the No Room at the Inn Nativity display in the Sanctuary and Partin Center. This two-day event saw over 200 visitors, even during the raining weekend. The circles were able to raise nearly $615 dollars for our unhoused neighbors. That same weekend, members from our church of

For many years, local churches have gathered in Fernandina Beach to give thanks together in an interfaith Thanksgiving Worship Service. This year, Memorial decided to add a dinner on to this tradition. There is no better way to connect with others than by sharing a meal together (even Jesus knew that!) So, thanks to the help of an anonymous donor, a catered dinner was provided for free to anyone who RSVPed. We even invited some of our neighborhood unhoused to eat with us. Ove

Gratitude, music, and joy filled the air as Memorial United Methodist Church welcomed over 1,000 neighbors to its first-ever Gathering in Gratitude Free Community Fall Festival. The aim of this event was to celebrate the season of thanks and the many helping hearts in our community.

In honor of the recent Laity Sunday, Memorial was blessed to have a meal and discussion with Derrick Scott, III at the last Wesley Dinner Club. A long-time friend of Memorial, Derrick wears many hats within in the Conference and Denominational work of the United Methodist Church. Using his gift of breaking down topics into the core issues, and his skill with communicating to multiple generations, he spoke to the group about the role of the laity, our relationship with young p

On Thursday, September 18th, Memorial hosted its monthly Wesely Dinner Club in Maxwell Hall, the monthly night of great food and...