The Good News: Memorial's United Women in Faith "Are a Force for Good!"

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 members of the 6 circles at Memorial, were in attendance as the leadership installed new officers for 2026: President: Sharyl Wood, Vice President/Programs: Jennifer Broussard, Secretary: Tammy Hutcheson, and Treasurer: Mary Smither.

Also in attendance and recognized were Mary Negron, President of the North East District UWF and FLUMC Deaconess, Lucinda Lautz. Both are members at Memorial. Committee members and circle leaders were also recognized.

A highlight of the brunch was when Treasurer, Mary Smither gave a report on the impressive amount of money the group donated to mission in 2025.

Including apportionments to the District and Global work of the UWF, the unit from Memorial donated $11,076 in 2026 for missions. As Mary noted, "Although this total is impressive, it does not include the tangible items that you have al provided when needed nor your time volunteering. average in all those things, the impact for 2026 was even greater." The unit at Memorial was also awarded a "5 Star Unit" award from the UWF internationally as a group that gives to all of the missions supported by the international group. The UWF also recognized seven people with special "Mission Recognition" awards from the unit, for their "faith, hope, and love in action for children and youth around the world." The seven recognized at the event were Andy Foote, Gaye Foote, Sherry Cobb-Thompson, Jack Burke, Sherry Sutton, Dr. Don Twiggs, and Sarah Flint. The keynote speaker for the brunch was Richard Thompson, the Program Director of The Hope House at the Salvation Army. He spoke about the work Hope House does in our community to assist the unhoused and underemployed in our area. He reiterated their mission that strives to "Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in his name without discrimination." He was thankful for the United Women in Faith and Memorial for their continued support of the work of The Hope House.

As a surprise, Jennette Richo, who was the founder of the Hope House, was also in attendance with her daughter. Ms. Richo offered thanks to the women and said that Memorial was integral in supporting the creation of The Hope House from the beginning.

February 8th, 2026 | Pastor Rachel

Beloved Friends,

Last week, we came together in a time of healing prayer to pray for our community, our country and our world. We are feeling the immense weight of a barrage of bad news. It's a burden too great for us to bear, and many of us are finding that lament is the greatest response we can offer. We lament the loss of lives to violence in any form. We lament the lost relationships of family, friends, and neighbors. But sometimes, our anguish leads us further into anger and despair. I want to offer a reflection on this.

At the start of the year, I found myself growing increasingly more anxious. To be sure, the many injustices in this world are enough to leave anyone uneasy and upset, especially if your concern goes beyond your immediate safety to the safety of your neighbors. This was something different. My brain would not turn off from the constant spiral of anxious thoughts despite the shifts I made in my personal and spiritual life. I was rooting myself in Scripture but finding myself adrift in the algorithmic sea of social media, something that is intent on generating more and more of a certain thing. I felt the tension between staying informed for the sake of my ministry and community and tuning out for my own sanity. How quickly our sermon series, “Turn, Turn, Turn,” left my head!

It was time to return to those messages, so I turned down the noise and deleted some of my news apps. They weren’t helping. In fact, they were causing more harm, putting me at risk of making idols out of my own fears and fixations. If we find ourselves centering something other than God’s love in the ways we act, think, and live we will find ourselves in a hard place that we do not want to be. I also reflected on the message of 1 John 4:17-19:

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgement, because as he is, so are we in this world.  There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us.

“Perfect love casts out all fear” has become a mantra of mine, especially in times of stress, anger, and sorrow. If we sit in the assurance of God’s love let nothing cause us to fear. There is nothing to fear that Christ has not already conquered by his death and resurrection. Our faith is not placed in a person, an institution, a government, or a country but in Jesus Christ who calls us to do the work of building the Kingdom of God. That means we must be peacemakers and advocates for justice in this world. We must center God’s love in all that we do, even when we are afraid, even when we are angry, and live with love as the lead. And maybe, if you’re like me, it’s time to turn down the noise and turn off the screens once again. 

I am praying for you all as you go throughout your week.

With Love,

Pastor Rachel

The Good News: Memorial Hosts Community Vigil with Local Congregations

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 Baptist Nassau and Community Hospice, and supported by the clergy of Trinity United Methodist Church and St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church.

Fr. Eric, from St. Michael’s, was unavailable to attend in person, and sent over a greeting along with words that were shared from a recent message given by Archbishop Coakley, the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:  "Let us pray for reconciliation where there is division, for justice where there are violations of fundamental rights, and for consolation for all who feel overwhelmed by fear or loss." 

As a welcome and reminder of the purpose of the gathering, Pastor Charlie said,” We are not here in protest. There are times and places for that. We are here to hold one another up in our collective sadness, concern, and frustration, and to stand alongside our brothers and sisters across the nation and world.” Then, referencing Genesis 4:9, he offered,” We too are asked this question, ‘Am I really my brother’s keeper?’ Yes, you are your brother’s keeper. To be human means to care for one another – brothers and sisters alike.”

Rev. Dawn, from First Presbyterian, lifted up areas of shared concern in her prayers with the people, “for places throughout our world that are steeped in conflict: Ukraine, the Middle East, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo. And also, for our own nation, especially the city of Minneapolis tonight. We lift these places up before you. Your people cry, ‘How long, O Lord?’ “

The candlelight vigil ended with the gathered singing “Amazing Grace” and carrying their lights with them into the darkness.