January 19th, 2018
This Week at Memorial...
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On Tuesday, when Interim Senior Pastor Riley Short came to meet with many leaders, we all shared our gratitude, and even relief, for his availability to serve as the interim from my retirement until the arrival of the next appointed senior pastor. Pastor Riley’s droll humor, wise stories, and warm capacity to “work the room” as he met group after group was reassuring. He loves the local church, and is glad to use his passion and gifts to help churches grow in their trust of God and their appreciation of the connection we share as United Methodists.
Then at the Church Council meeting on Wednesday night, I was reminded of the many ways God has provided just the right combination of leaders at the right time. Over and over, when a specific need or opportunity arose, someone (or more) was available to work in that area. A trained architect was available to lead the Building Committee. The Capital Campaign committee had folks familiar with banking and mortgages. The pastoral care work group leaders had social work background as well as personal experience with hospitalizations and recovery. When gifted musicians moved away, others moved into MUMC.
The group reminded me that the gifts I brought when I came to Memorial matched well with some of the needs here, even though I arrived in a transition that was neither expected nor sought. My own background, growing up with home remodeling, as well as experience at the conference office with renovations, turned out to be a providential match. I am so grateful for these past years we have shared together. Both the work and the relationships have been gracious gifts of God, and I trust the next chapters of MUMC’s journey will be, likewise, graced.
-Pastor Beth
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Don't Miss Pastor Beth's Retirement Reception:
February 18th
at 2:00PM in Maxwell Hall!
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This Sunday, Pastor Beth concludes the worship series "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors" with a message on Mark 1:14-21. Here is the Common English translation of the Scripture:
"After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee announcing God’s good news, saying, 'Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!'
As Jesus passed alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, throwing fishing nets into the sea, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow me,' he said, 'and I’ll show you how to fish for people.'
Right away, they left their nets and followed him.
After going a little farther, he saw James and John, Zebedee’s sons, in their boat repairing the fishing nets.
At that very moment he called them. They followed him, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired workers."
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Sing the Lenten Cantana with the Chancel Choir
The chancel choir will begin work on a Lenten cantata for our Maundy Thursday Communion service, whichis March 29th at 7:00PM. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays nights at 6:00PM. This is a great way to sing as a short-term commitment. You may even love it so much – you will want to join the Chancel Choir! Contact Joan for more info or just show up Wednesday at 6pm in the music room behind the Sanctuary.
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Praying in Color Workshops
Looking for new ways to pray or how to engage with your creative side? Join Memorial and First Presbyterian Saturday, February 3rd from 9:00AM – Noon in the Multipurpose Room as we welcome Sybil MacBeth, the author of
Praying in Color.
The workshop is a $20 donation. Nursery is available by request. join us again Sunday morning for a workshop for children and their parents/grandparents at 9:45AM at First Presbyterian. Sybil will teach us ways to engage with our children in prayer. RSVP to
Pastor Carrie
or the church office for either workshop. Books will be available for purchase at the event.
Child & Youth Protection Training, January 28
th
Do you work or volunteer with children or youth at Memorial? It’s time again for the mandatory required training, January 28
th
at 12:15PM in the Multipurpose Room. All new volunteers who work with children must attend. All current volunteers are due for this annual training and will also need to attend. Please contact Pastor Carrie with questions.
Confirmation for Youth and Adults Beginning Soon
Memorial offers two parallel confirmation classes. One for youth (6
th
grade and older) and one for adults. Both classes will begin on Jan. 28
th
at 3:30PM. If you have any questions, contact
Pastor Drew
or
Pastor Carrie
.
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Snapshots of Grace...
Wilma Bunch Kids:
Each month, the ladies in the Wilma Bunch Circle at Memorial bring items to their monthly meetings that are needed by local non-profits. This month, they began a program to get their kids involved, as well! During the lady's monthly meeting, the "Wilma Bunch Kids" put together over 50 health kits of the Barnabas Center to distribute. Their mom's also brought in nonperishable food for the Barnabas Food Pantry.
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Acolyte Training:
Pastor Carrie led an acolyte training last Sunday where 12 of Memorial's children and their parents went through acolyte training together. Parents learned alongside their children all the duties and expectation of an acolyte during worship, including how to light the candles and put on the robes (the parents even tried their hands at tying the cinctures and walking down the isle to light the candles)! Be on the look out for our newest acolytes and some current, familiar faces, as well.
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Help Feed the Community: Rise Against Hunger Meal Packaging Event, Jan. 27
th
In line with Memorial’s calling to help feed the community, we are supporting the Rise Against Hunger Event, January 27
th
, 10:00AM – Noon at the Atlantic Avenue Rec Center.
Rise Against Hunger’s meal packaging program is a volunteer-based initiative that coordinates the assembly-line packaging of highly nutritious dehydrated meals for those in need. It’s an easy way to really do something positive for the community. You’ll see many friendly, Methodist faces there so be sure to stop by and be a part of making a difference!
Serve at Memorial:
Volunteers Needed! Volunteers are currently needed at Memorial in a few areas:
- Help with Sunday Attendance Pads
- Help with Donuts
- Help with Chancel Choir
- And Ushers, Greeters, Liturgists, and Acolytes to serve on Sunday.
If you are interested in helping in any of these areas, please contact
Pastor Drew.
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M&M’s January Dinner, January 25
th
The Mature & Methodists will hold their next monthly dinner this Thursday at 6:00PM in Maxwell Hall. Our own Kay Stephens will be the guest speaker and update the group on the Porch de Solomon mission. An enchiladas dinner will be $8.00. Please RSVP to Mary Cillo at [email protected] or call 904-335-0902.
AARP Driver Safety Course
Memorial will sponsor an AARP Driver Safety Course on February 20
th
& 21
st
, 9:00AM to 12:15PM to be held in the multipurpose room. The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. The course is open to the church and community. Most auto insurance companies offer a discount on premiums with a completion certificate. Please call the church office for more information or to RSVP.
Share the Gift of Stephen Minsters
Do you have a friend, neighbor, or relative who has suffered a loss or is going through a difficult time? Stephen Minsters are available to them, too. Stephen Ministers provide confidential, one-to-one, Christian care to hurting people. They meet weekly with their care receiver to listen and provide emotional and spiritual support. Women are paired with women, and men with men. The relationship lasts as long as the person needs. For info., contact Carol Dunnagan, 904-261-6484, or Pastor Drew.
Messages for Pastor Beth's Retirement Reception
Do you have a special memory of Pastor Beth’s time with us at Memorial? Please write notes or cards for Pastor Beth to show your appreciation for her. Baskets will be in the back of the Sanctuary and on the table by the doors in Maxwell Hall and your messages can be placed in those. They will be presented to her at her retirement party on February 18
th
at 2:00PM in Maxwell Hall
.
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This Week's Activities:
SUNDAY:
SWEL (Single Women Enjoying Lunch)
The ladies will meet at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club in January. Please RSVP weekly to
Marilyn Perkins.
MONDAY:
The Monday Memorial Singers
(M/M Singers) will meet on January 22nd at 10:00AM at Savannah Grand. All are invited to join this group who visit a different assisted living facility each week to sing favorite hymns to the residents. Click
HERE
for the schedule!
WEDNESDAY:
Dinners and Classes Continue
Wednesday dinner begins at 5:00PM. Dinner will be Salmon Croquettes. Stay after for classes and small groups beginning at 6:00PM.
THURSDAY:
M&M's (Mature and Methodist) Monthly Dinner
The
Mature & Methodists will hold their next monthly dinner this Thursday at 6:00PM in Maxwell Hall. Our own Kay Stephens will be the guest speaker and update the group on the Porch de Solomon mission. An enchiladas dinner will be $8.00. Please RSVP to Mary Cillo at
[email protected]
or call 904-335-0902.
NEXT SATURDAY:
Help Feed the Community: Rise Against Hunger Meal Packaging Event
In line with Memorial’s calling to help feed the community, we are supporting the Rise Against Hunger Event, January 27
th
, 10:00AM – Noon at the Atlantic Avenue Rec Center.
Rise Against Hunger’s meal packaging program is a volunteer-based initiative that coordinates the assembly-line packaging of highly nutritious dehydrated meals for those in need. It’s an easy way to really do something positive for the community. You’ll see many friendly, Methodist faces there so be sure to stop by and be a part of making a difference!
Mark Your Calendars:
Jan. 25
th
–
M&M’s Monthly Dinner, 6:00PM in Maxwell Hall
Jan. 27
th
– Rise Against Hunger Event, Rec. Center, 10:00AM
Jan 28
th
– Child & Youth Protection Training, 12:15PM,
Multipurpose Room
Jan 28
th
–
Confirmation Classes Begin for Adults and Youth, 3:30PM
Jan. 30
th
- UMW Annual Dinner, 6:00PM, Maxwell Hall
Feb 3
rd
-Praying in Color Event, 9:00AM – Noon, Multipurpose Room
Feb. 3
rd
– Youth Trip: Rebounderz in Jax
Feb. 4
th
–
Pastor Riley Short’s first Sunday Preaching at Memorial
Feb. 4
th
–
Taizé Worship, 6:00PM, Trinity
Feb. 14
th
– Ash Wednesday Worship, after dinner, 6:15PM,
the Sanctuary
Feb. 18
th
–
Bloodmobile at Memorial
Feb. 18
th –
Pastor
Beth’s Retirement Reception. 2:00PM in Maxwell Hall
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