June 6th, 2025 | Rev. Dr. Mark Charles

First of all, let me publicly wish my favorite daughter, Eva Charles, a happy 20th birthday! Our lives changed forever in all the best ways when we became parents on June 6th, 2005.

However, being born on June 6th means that Eva's birthday will usually clash with Annual Conference, where Margaret and I are this week. 

Annual Conference is the annual get together of the people called United Methodist in Florida. We gather to renew relationships with one another, to work of God in our Conference area, and to discuss the business of the church. Conferencing is a Methodist tradition that stretches all the way back to our beginnings as a denomination.

John Wesley held the first Methodist Annual Conference in 1744 with his brother, Charles Wesley, four other Anglican clergymen, and four of his lay preachers who were invited to join them. It lasted for six days, and the business was conducted in question and answer form. It deliberated about 'what to teach, how to teach and what to do, i.e. how to regulate our doctrine, discipline and practice'. 

Conferences are no longer six days long (praise God!) and business is no longer conducted only in question and answer form, although that certainly remains part of our work. Overall, Annual Conference is a sacred time together - encouraging, uplifting, challenging, and inspiring. 

Along with Margaret and myself, there are fourteen other Memorial people who are here in some capacity. Thirteen of them are voting representatives to the Conference. Please hold us all in your prayers this week. Pray for encouragement, wisdom, and abundant grace as we gather, worship, pray, and break bread together. 

And don't forget, the highlight of this Annual Conference for Memorial is that Pastor Rachel will be ordained as a Deacon in Full Connection this Saturday morning. If you can't make the trip to be in Lakeland in person, please come join the watch party that will take place in Maxwell Hall this Saturday morning. This is a special moment in her ministry journey, and we are incredibly proud of her! 

One more thing: remember that this Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. Don't forget to wear red to church as we celebrate the gift of God's Spirit given to empower the Church. 

See you then! 

Pastor Charlie