August 25th, 2023 | Rev. Rachel Williams

Last Sunday will stay with me as the most memorable start to a ministry appointment. I’m not even writing specifically about Charlie’s absence, or the quick pivot to a digital sermon, or the whirlwind of three services, but I’m thinking about the generosity and hospitality my family received from the Memorial community. I was told time and again on our visit this past July that Fernandina Beach has the friendliest people, and that statement remains true. You welcomed my noisy, cackling toddler into 8 AM service with smiles. You offered us food and moving assistance and general advice which we will cherish. You also offered your trust, before you even met me, that I would be someone who could worship and lead alongside Charlie, the incredible staff, and our devoted congregation of lay servants. Thank you for that generosity.

Something else that stuck with me Sunday was Charlie’s “preaching in” for my time here at Memorial. I’m not typically one to be overcome by emotion, but Charlie’s message managed to bring tears to my eyes as he preached these words from 2 Timothy 1:5:

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois

and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded now lives in you also.”

Charlie mentioned in the sermon that I was a Pastor’s Kid (PK for short). My dad has served for over thirty years as an ordained elder in the Florida Conference. I’m also a pastor and missionary’s grandkid. From both my dad and my grandpa I have learned lessons on ministry, theology, and leadership. But when I reflect on this line, I think about my own grandmother, Carole, and my own mother, Debbie, who have served as faithful leaders in their spouse’s churches- without the title of elder- while also raising children and wrangling pets and managing the mundane household obligations. Mom and grandma both went to divinity school, but they followed their call and gifts into lay ministry and Christian education. And in doing so, they instilled in their children, and many other people’s children, a deep love of God and others. I’m sure there are people you can think of from your own past that had this impact on you. Because of the faith I learned from my family, I am the first woman in our family on the path toward ordained ministry. I’m excited to share my faith with you all, so that we may share our gifts together in ministry.

In this next week, I ask that you continue to pray for Pastor Charlie, Margaret, and his whole family as they navigate the grief and sorrow that comes with losing a beloved family member. Join me in thanking our staff for all that they’ve done in this time of transition. And thank you for loving my family so well this past week (and weeks before!).

I look forward to walking in ministry and life with you all!

With Grace and Peace,

Pastor Rachel

August 18th, 2023 | Rev. Dr. Mark Charles

Last Sunday, Pastor Alyce preached a great sermon based on some of the words of the Prophet Isaiah:

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

(Isaiah 43:18-19)

What a timely word it was for us at Memorial when Alyce reminded us that: “Change is all around us and never ends.”

It surely is, and it never does!

This weekend will bring more change as another brand-new chapter in the 201-year journey of this grace-filled family begins. On Sunday morning, we will welcome Rev. Rachel Williams, her husband, Nick, and their son, Austin, as they become part our church family, and as Rachel begins her ministry here as our new Associate Pastor. I am more than a little relieved to have got to this moment (it has been a crazy two months since Pastor Carrie’s departure in June), and I am also very excited to see and be part of the new thing that God will be doing in and through Rachel’s ministry here.

This Sunday morning, I will “preach her in” to this new season of ministry with a sermon based on some of the opening words of 2nd Timothy, where the young pastor is invited to “rekindle the gift of God that is within…” I will invite Rachel to rekindle the gifts of God that are within her AND I will be inviting you all to do exactly the same.

Change certainly is all around us and it never ends. But even in the midst of transitions such as the one we are in now, God remains with us, sustaining us by God’s grace, and God is always calling us to keep journeying forward in the calling God has given us.

I am excited for this new season, and I hope you are too.

Oh…and just one more thing. I want to give a very special word of thanks to our whole church staff team. In a summer that has seen the loss of a key staff team member, a health scare for another, and in which I have needed some extra support as things play out at home with my mother, this amazing church staff team have worked hard to ensure smooth passage through it all. It is not an overstatement when I write that we have the best and most dedicated people on this team. If you see any of them at church this weekend, why not take a moment to tell them they are doing a great job and thank them for their work. Blessings,

Pastor Charlie

August 11th, 2023 | Rev. Dr. Mark Charles

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)

This verse has been playing on repeat in my mind this week. And that's a good thing because on Monday morning I received some difficult news from home: that my Mum has turned a final corner in her cancer journey and will be under palliative care for the remainder of her days.

I have a little window of time in which I am able to visit with her this week, and so I am writing this Pastor's Note from the plane as I cross the Atlantic another time.

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)

These words are so powerful in moments of difficulty and struggle, aren't they? To be reminded that even in our hardest moments God's love, mercy, and faithfulness are not absent but are up close and present, is a deep encouragement. Because of the steadfast love and faithfulness of God, I know that my mum, my family and I will have all we need this day and every day. In the strength of the God who is able and mighty to save, we will make it through.

That's a word for all of us, and it is good news of great hope. Amen?

This unplanned absence is the reason we have had to postpone the class I was getting ready to teach with Dr. Anna Wright. I do look forward to re-scheduling it in the fall. In the meantime, why not join me in prayerfully sitting with that scripture from Lamentations again. Take a few goes at slowly and deliberately reading it through, breathing deep as you do, and maybe, just maybe they will become words of deep impact, comfort, and meaning for you too this week.

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Blessings

Pastor Charlie