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GOOD TIDINGS

The Weekly Newsletter for Park Road Baptist Church

April 19, 2023

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In Memoriam: How do I remember and honor a loved one who has died?

We seem to do a lot of “death and dying” in the church, which is not to say our church is dying, but that this is just a fairly consistent practice among people. (We all die!) Over the ages, the sad departures of our loved ones have called people to look for appropriate ways to respond -expressing gratitude, honoring those who have gone before us.

A traditional practice in the Church (not just Park Road) has been to offer a financial contribution, in memory of the deceased. The same is true of non-religious folks as obituaries will often state: “Memorials can be made to…” such and such a charity of the family’s choosing. Memorial gifts are a practical means, a tangible expression of the intangible love we feel.

In recent years, memorial giving has decreased at Park Road. Older generations of our folks seem to have had a different understanding and appreciation for this practice. When a church member died, the church office would usually receive numbers of memorial gifts; many would be small ($25-$50), but numerous gifts would be received. This pattern of giving seems to have been more ingrained in our older generations, a common, practical expression of appreciation for the deceased but also a simple means of supporting the church.

Memorials gifts received at Park Road (unless otherwise designated) have always been dedicated to the general welfare of the church, available to our Administration Committee, so generally used for maintenance of buildings and grounds. While the majority of memorial gifts have been modest, these gifts have amounted to many thousands of dollars over the years and have been an important means of maintaining our fiscal plant.

As I write about the decline of memorial giving, ironically, this year’s Easter memorials (lilies purchased in honor or memory) may have been the largest ever! My observation, then, may be more anecdotal than substantive… but my guess is that a financial analysis would prove me right.

It seems appropriate to me that we find ways to say “Thank You” to those we have lost – and supporting the community of faith you shared with the deceased seems an appropriate way to do just that. This community that brought you together represents common values and will continue to express the commitments of the deceased… how better to give thanks?

We try to take seriously memorializing our lost loved ones. You can see that in our Legacy Garden… in our reading of all the names of our deceased members on All Saints Sunday… in our remembrance of the Mack Cameron Good Samaritan Fund each Fifth Sunday… in our “Johnny Tree,” the oak planted along Ashcraft Lane in memory of Johnny Doyle – and in numerous other plantings and enhancements to our landscaping… in our Easter lily program… and in the general memorials we collect throughout the year.

If you’ve not been in the habit of remembering your friends and loved ones through Memorial Giving, it may be something you would want to consider. It’s a simple thing that has made a tremendous difference at your church.

- Russ

PRBC Spring 2023 Directory

Associate Pastor for Children, Youth, and Families - Welcome JD!

On Sunday the congregation voted unanimously to call JD McDonald to Park Road. JD comes with the highest of recommendations and with a broad background of work, which includes counseling, chaplaincy, and leadership with children and youth. We are excited about adding JD to our ministerial staff. He will be available for our Youth Mission Trip in June and will begin his full-time employment July 1.

April Mission Offering

Our April Mission Offering will go to the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America ~ Bautistas por la Paz-which is the largest network of Baptist peacemakers in the world, bringing peacemakers together in regional and international gatherings to work toward the common goal of a more just and peaceful world.

Sunday Worship

April 16 , 2023

First Wednesday

Our First Wednesday suppers have been well-attended, the Vespers-style program has been well received. This time is a wonderful way to get to know folks and to catch your breath mid-week. If you’re coming for our 7p choir practice, it’s a convenient way to eat and be here for rehearsal. Please sign up in Helt Hall on Sunday or call the church office by Tuesday, May 2, at noon.

Thirsty Third Thursday - Tomorrow Night!

We are planning to meet at T. A. P The Auto Pour, 5033-0, South Blvd. (actually on Seneca). It is a great venue for mingling and conversation. The date is April 20^th, and the time is 6p until… All are welcome!

Week of the Young Child

The first week of April was A fun-filled week celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers, families, and communities. All the families and staff at the CDC enjoyed our special activities. Music Monday was more than singing and dancing, it was a way to encourage children to be active while developing their early literacy skills and having fun with friends and family. Then on Twin Tuesday, Team Wednesday, and Class Color Thursday the children experienced teamwork and developed their social and early literacy skills.

Fun Food Friday

Our next adventure in food will be on May 12 at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen in Belmont. We will eat at 11:30a, so you can meet us in the parking lot, ready to leave by 11a, or you can meet us at 36 N Main Street in Belmont at 11:30a. This is a popular restaurant, so we have to make a reservation by next Friday, April 28. You must let us know before next Friday if you plan to eat with us (whether you’re riding or meeting us there). All are welcome!

VSP Summer Send Off

Summer will be here soon! Before you pack that picnic or head off to the beach for a little fun in the sun, mark May 18 for VSP. At noon, we will have a delicious lunch prepared by Chef Tam. We will have lovely door prizes for the lucky. We will have Max’s knee slapping jokes. We will have a time for fellowship and renewing friendships or making new friends. For our send-off to summer entertainer, we have our dear friend John G. Franklin! No one does summer beach music better than him! Be sure to make your reservation no later than Sunday, May 14. You can sign up in Helt Hall, RSVP to Max’s email, call the church office (704-523-5717), or contact Becka at Becka@parkroadbaptist.org. You don’t want to miss our VSP’s summer send off!

Only Four Spots Left

The PRBC Community Garden is off to a great start. We have several new gardeners and several gardeners who have participated with us for years. It’s not too late to claim your plot. We have 4 plots left at $75 a plot. Email parkroadgarden@gmail.com to get your plot.

You still have time to get those tomatoes in the ground. I look forward to seeing you in the garden.

- Laura Leach

Thank-you, Men's Shelter Volunteers!

Park Road prepares and serves lunch at Roof Above (the Men’s Shelter on N. Tryon St.), every other month on the second Saturday. The opportunity only takes about 2 ½ hours, requires no prior experience, and is an enjoyable way to spend the morning with church friends. Not to mention that you provide lunch for up to 150 men at the shelter! The April volunteer crew, pictured above, included a few first-time participants, and they did a fantastic job! Your next opportunity to participate will be Saturday, June 10.

Friends at Home

Please check in on each other via phone,

email, text, Zoom, or letters.

Thank you.

We list an individual each week that we call our “Friends at Home” with their contact information.

Drop a card or give a call to check-in. Even if you do not know someone personally, a contact from someone from their church is always an encouragement.