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. Over 180 people joined in on the invitation and enjoyed the wonderful dinner made by Karen Kirkland, who caters many meals at Memorial.

The idea for this dinner before the worship service came from the sermon series the pastors were leading the congregation in just before Advent. The series, "Turn, Turn, Turn" encouraged Memorial to "Turn Down the Noise", "Turn off the Screens", and "Turn Toward Each Other." Having a meal together with members from other local congregations before worship was an opportunity to live out the challenge to "turn toward each other". And the congregation did just that! After dinner, everyone gathered in the Sanctuary for an Ecumenical Community Thanksgiving Worship service, led by a team of pastors from our local church partners. The message was given by Rev. Mary Kendrick Moore of New Vision Congregational Church.