Dear Grace-Filled Family,
You will all likely be aware of the highly accelerated rate of COVID spread in our own community. It is no secret that our hospital and health systems are under immense pressure as a result.
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I am also aware that we have a number of cases within our own church family at this time.
On Tuesday, the CDC changed their mask advisory to state that they now recommend the wearing of masks for vaccinated people “in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission.” Currently, every county in Florida is considered a high transmission area, with Nassau County having the highest transmission rate not only in the state, but the nation. I have spoken with local doctors, who have expressed to me the immense pressure they are under and the urgency of our local situation.
Throughout our COVID journey, we have based our decisions primarily on the CDC advisories and the guidance of the Florida Annual Conference. Given Tuesday’s announcement by the CDC, the guidance of the Florida Annual Conference and the high rate of transmission in our county, it is necessary for us to make an adjustment our own COVID protocols at Memorial:
- Beginning this Sunday, August 1st, we are requesting that all worshipers, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, wear masks during worship.
- Also, if you are feeling any symptoms or know you are sick, please stay home and worship online – our online service continues to go out each week on Facebook at 11:00AM and is available afterwards on our YouTube Channel.
Please be assured that we do not at all relish making this change. All of us are so sick and tired of having to pivot back and forth like this, and we know you all are, too. Yet the reality of our local situation cannot be denied, and our call to love our neighbors and do no harm remains constant. The simple acts of wearing a mask, staying at home if we are sick, and getting our shots (if we are eligible and have not already done so) can make a difference in our community, and can play a role in lightening the load on our local hospital staff.
Also, we are still planning to make a return on Sunday morning in-person Children’s Ministry activities on Sunday, August 8. I am reminded once more that our children under 12 do not yet have access to any form of vaccine. Our choice to wear our masks and remain vigilant is an expression of our care for the children of our church family.
Since March 2020, we have all been in this thing together, and I am so thankful for you. I know that this move will be frustrating for some. If that is you, I want to invite you to come talk through those frustrations with me – my door is open and you will be warmly welcomed and listened to by me.
Finally, the voices of those medical professionals I have been speaking with this week keep ringing in my ears. They are under huge strain at this time. Will you please join me in praying for them and for those they are caring for? Together we will make it through this. Please take care.
Blessings
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A video of the newest COVID-19 Update from Pastor Charlie can be seen here.
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This Sunday
at Memorial:
Our new worship series continues!
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No matter which service you choose, please take a moment to sign our digital attendance pad: mumconline.com/here
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Want to read the Scripture for this Sunday? Click HERE
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Access our digital worship guide HERE
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Did you get to see Pastor Carrie's MIDWEEK MESSAGE on Wednesday? She shared ways to get connected this week and what the basics of discipleship are.
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If you have served or are interested in serving in our many music ministries at Memorial, come to the choir get-together August 11th at 6:00PM in the music room. Dr. Joan will be there to give you updates on the come year and help you get plugged in! |
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On Campus Sunday School Options for Adults:
to sign up.
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9:30AM
Mike Wilkins Class - Room 301 - Take a deep dive into scripture each week. Using the curriculum Adult Bible Studies each participant reads during the week and then come together for a discussion and sharing on Sunday morning. Class is taught by Steve Feith.
Seekers Sunday School Class - Room 305 - Join with others to learn from each other as you discuss different books related to the Bible and your Christian life. Class is led by Nancy Jordan.
11:00AM
Yokefellows - Room 304 - Carol Carroll leads this group through a series of video-based studies focused on deepening the participants understanding of scripture.
Young Adults Group - Room 305 - Join in this drop in/out class with other young adults to discuss together how to live your faith in your everyday life. Topics will vary based on group need but will include Bible study, parenting, faith and work, marriage, etc. This class is guided by Andy and Gaye Foote. Class begins August 8th by looking at Childhood Discipleship.
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We Need Your Feedback! Christian Ed Survey:
The Christian Education committee is committed to offering classes that you believe will help you deepen your discipleship. Filling out the quick survey below will help us plan the courses to offer this fall, as well as the time and place to offer them. Thank you for your help!
To access the survey, click HERE
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- Pastor Charlie leads a Scripture & Prayer focused on the book of Hebrews at 11:00AM
on Zoom
- Pastor Charlie leads a Scripture study on the book of James, 6:00PM
- Dr. Joan leads a study devotional on favorite hymns! There is a book with this study that you can get from Joan. This class is ON CAMPUS in the Music Room at 6:00PM
- And Faithlinks continues, 6:00PM on Zoom
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Pastor Alyce is available by appointment for pastoral counselling via phone. You can contact Pastor Alyce by calling: 850-544-4826
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Are you feeling worn out? Frustrated? Lonely? Scared? In need of someone to talk to? Our Stephen Ministers are here to help. Memorial has a great team of Stephen Ministers who are extensively trained and gifted to help walk with you through this challenging season of life. Stephen Ministers meet with people one-on-one to provide spiritual care and comfort.
To request a Stephen Minister, contact a pastor in the Church office.
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Altar Flowers Are BACK!
If you are interested in reserving the flowers in Maxwell Hall or the Sanctuary one Sunday for a special person or to recognize a special occasion, please contact Donna Feith or call 904-225-2140 .
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Memorial provides a place for inurning the cremated remains of church members & their loved ones.
Inurning loved ones on the grounds of a church where they were baptized, married, or nurtured in faith, is an age-old tradition. Along with niches for inuring, the garden includes a wall for memorial plaques and an area for memorial pavers to be placed.
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PLEASE BRING IN ALL YOUR DONATIONS THIS WEEK!
We will be inviting teachers to “shop” for what they need for free on August 8th. Do you know a local teacher who would like to shop for school supplies? Let them know about August 8th at 12:30PM!
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Ways to Give a Gift to Memorial
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Electronically:
In Person:
- drop boxes in Maxwell Hall
- mail slot at the Partin Center
Through the Mail:
- 601 Centre St., Fernandina Beach, Fl 32034
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Give of your time and talents at Memorial
We would love to invite you to join our greeter team and help welcome people to worship. If you are interested in joining this ministry, please contact Peggy Roselle or Pastor Drew.
We would like to have some online greeters to assist with our digital worship services. If you are interested in helping in this way, contact Pastor Drew.
If you are looking for other ways to serve, the Music & Worship Arts department is looking for singers, musicians, and audio/visual techs, Pastor Carrie is always happy for people to volunteer and lead classes, and Johnny Armstrong (or facilities manager) could use some help with his F-Troop, which helps turn over rooms and set up chairs when needed. Contact at pastor or the church office to get involved!
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Do you need a Memorial nametag?
and put in an order for one today!
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Children's On Campus Activities Beginning August 8th
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8:00AM – Families worship together in the Sanctuary (childcare is offered for those who need in for children 1st grade and younger beginning August 8th )
9:30AM- Families enter worship together and, following the children sermon, children 3 years - 1st grade are invited to Children’s Church where they will learn, grown, worship, and play together. This program will include music, movement, and Bible stories and will serve as the 3s/PreK main Sunday School learning opportunity. *
10:45AM – Children who are in kindergarten through 5th grade, are invited to the multipurpose room for a large group time of worship and learning, at 11:15AM the children will be sent to their small group Sunday school classes for Bible stories and learning for their age.
*Children PreK and younger are invited to play in the childcare room and on the playground (as weather permits) *
11:00AM – While the kids are in Sunday School, parents can be, too! NEW Sunday School Class offering for Young Adults! Join the group in room 305 to read scripture together and learn from each other how to raise children of faith.
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For permission slips and more info visit:
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The United Methodist Church has its own news service! Methodist New Service website, umnews.org,
or the Florida Conference Website, flumc.org.
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FLUMC: Updated FL Conference COVID Guidance - July 29, 2021
We wrote and shared our concerns about the rising COVID-19 cases in Florida. We write again this week because of the continued increase of infections and the updated CDC guidelines related to masks. Please factor these two realities into your...
Read more
www.flumc.org
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Young Methodists raising climate change awareness |...
An international group of young Methodists, dubbed Climate Justice for All, or CJ4A, is posting videos and other information on a website to help educate people about the threat of climate change. * Among their goals is a request that the...
Read more
www.umnews.org
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Agencies sell jointly owned building | United Methodist...
Discipleship Ministries and the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry have sold the jointly owned Kern Building to nearby Vanderbilt University. * The two agencies will share offices in the Harry Denman Building, which is also...
Read more
www.umnews.org
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For Virginia, climate action is a matter of faith -...
By Karen McElfish This past year has challenged Virginia in unforeseeable ways. Our faith communities have been tested by not one, but four converging crises: the COVID-19 pandemic, an economic recession, racial inequalities and the climate...
Read more
www.virginiamercury.com
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Chuck Knows Church:
Learn a little bit more about Christianity and the United Methodist Church. This week's video looks into the divine name: Yahweh.
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Do you like crossword puzzled? The Florida Conference offers free religious-themed crossword puzzles each week HERE.
Or try their weekly Bible quiz HERE.
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