February 21st, 2025 | Rev. Rachel Williams

Dear Friends,  

We are heading into the last two weeks of our sermon series, “All the Feels”, and, if anything, I hope it has helped you reflect on what you do with your emotions, especially as a Christ-follower. Perhaps it has also ignited a desire in you to read through some of the oft-overlooked books and passages of the Old Testament.

This week, we will continue to engage the Old Testament as we examine our feelings of anger and what happens if that anger, left unchecked, leads us to intense feelings of rage. Usually, I don’t prescribe homework before a sermon, but I wonder if you will sit and consider the things that make you angry. Is your anger a righteous anger- anger in response to injustice and harm done to God’s creation and God’s people? Or is your anger fueled by something else? Were you taught that you couldn’t be angry? What happens in your body when you experience anger? How do you handle your anger?

Think on these questions as we enter into Sunday. Anger, like so many of our other emotions, can signal that something is amiss in our life or in the world around us, but it can also direct us to harm the people we care about, our neighbors, and people for whom we are not particularly fond. And more so, how can we turn our feelings of anger toward the injustices of this world in such a way that we become peacemakers? Let us explore these things together this weekend.  

With Love and Peace,  

 Pastor Rachel  

February 14th, 2025 | Rev. Rachel Williams

Dear Beloved Friends,  

Did you get a chance to catch Pastor Charlie’s sermon this past Sunday? If you didn’t, I can assure you there were some major surprises in there. SPOILER ALERT The prophet Elisha curses some young men for calling him bald, and then two she-bears come and maul 42 boys. It’s truly horrific, and there is an understandable reason why we do not normally preach on that specific passage. However, All the Feels is not a normal sermon series, and both Pastor Charlie and I have found that the Old Testament seems specifically inclined toward tales of the extremes of human emotions. And those emotions are relatable for us all. We have all been embarrassed. I hope it has not led you to curse your neighbor. I really hope she-bears have not been involved. In the final weeks, I hope you will tune in to hear about more stories, incidentally all from the Old Testament, in which we look at what it means to feel “bleh”, rage, and doom and gloom.  

Additionally, we have a lot of exciting options for connection in the coming weeks. Are you a male? Have a delicious breakfast with other Memorial men at the men’s ministry breakfast this Saturday. Do you like music? Join us at 3 PM on Sunday in the sanctuary to hear a fabulous concert by Claflin University Choir. Do you need to eat dinner? If you have not had the chance to attend a Wednesday Night Dinner or Wesley Dinner Club, next week is your week to do both! You’re not going to get a better meal or fellowship for the price. If you long to be connected in new ways at Memorial, I hope you take advantage of one or many of these events! I’ll be there right alongside you.  

With Grace and Peace,  

Rachel  

February 7th, 2025 | Rev. Dr. Mark Charles

“This week, we rejoice with Pastor Rachel as she has officially passed her final interview and received approval for ordination at this June's Annual Conference!  This is a significant moment in her journey, marking the culmination of a 12-year journey of dedication, study, and faithful discernment.

Rachel's path to this point has been one of deep commitment.  She has entered fully into the process, writing thousands of words reflecting on theology, leadership, personal growth, and proclamation.  Not only that, but she has also completed the “Residents in Ministry” process and has even completed psychological testing along the way too. This week, she traveled to Leesburg, FL. to face her final interview with the Board of Ordained Ministry of the Florida Conference.  Whew!! It’s a lot! Through it all she has remained steadfast and true to her sense of God's call to this ministry.

As her church family, we have had the pleasure of witnessing Rachel's journey firsthand since August 2023. We have prayed with and for her, supported her, and we too have recognized the gifts and graces she brings to ministry.  We affirm her calling and celebrate her growth as she stands on the threshold of ordination. We are immensely proud and filled with joy.

Rachel: your faithfulness, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to God's call are a gift to the world. We are so proud of you and excited to see all that God will continue to accomplish through your ministry.  We will continue to pray for you, worship with you, and serve alongside you in our community and world.

Be sure to congratulate Rachel personally the next time you see her – and start planning your trip to support her at the Conference Ordination Service in June!

Blessings,

Pastor Charlie