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Thanks to so many of you for the kind comments about last Sunday’s Baccalaureate service. That service is the result of being the kind of church we are – small enough to be a real community – a community where everyone can know everyone else – a community where we, as your pastors, can say personal things about our graduates because we have watched them grow, have spent enough personal time with them to really know them. That’s one of the advantages of our size and style.

Our usual clerical garb includes a stole appropriate to the color of the liturgical season. Sunday should have been white for Trinity Sunday, but Amy, Dan, and I chose to provide some symbolic diversity in our colors. Dan’s white stole was embroidered with a descending dove and the Hebrew word, “Shalom,” a symbol of our congregation’s participation with the interfaith community. My stole was made from plaid fabric, the specific tartan of Scottish clergy, which Amy and I wore when we conducted Joey and Liza Haynes’s wedding a few years ago in Scotland. That stole represented Joey’s past work as our Youth Minister and our graduates’ past experiences as part of a youth group.

Amy’s stole was a beautiful, multicolored Guatemalan handcraft that had been a gift some years ago. She wore the stole as a reminder to our young people that they have been raised in a church that stands with pride in the affirmation of all people:

As one former pastor used to say it, “We believe in the infinite worth of all people, inherently.” As we remind you every Sunday, no matter who you are: You are loved. You are forgiven. So be at peace.

That collection of stoles was an appropriate beginning to Pride Month, especially Amy’s choice as it alludes to those words that have become something of a church motto. I don’t know another expression that better characterizes our theological commitments and the warmth of fellowship. In their formative stages of development, we especially want our children and youth to know – no matter who you are, no matter whom you love. All. Are. Welcome.

About 10 years ago our son, Bennett, was taking trumpet lessons. His instructor learned that I have tried to keep my chops in shape over the years, so she invited me to join her in The Charlotte Pride Band. I played one season and then missed a few, but I started back with CPB about three years ago. After our practice space became unavailable, I invited the band to Park Road. We’ve been the proud home of the Pride Band ever since.

The band is composed of about 45 brass and percussion musicians. We rehearse in the sanctuary every Thursday night and play most of our concerts there. The director is Dr. John Ross, who is the Director of Bands at Appalachian State. John drives from Boone every Thursday and provides excellent leadership and a lot of enthusiasm for our music.

I’m proud to have the opportunity to play some very good music with some very fine musicians. Mostly, I’m proud to be part of a church that can offer a full, unhesitating welcome to all the members of this band. All are welcome.

As we enter this year’s Pride Month, in addition to celebrating our community of welcome and affirmation, I want to share with you my concern for so many of our youth. Our trans-kids and our gay and queer youth are particularly in the spotlight with the recent rise of so much angry, anti-gay and anti-trans legislation around the country. My heart goes out to kids who do not experience the expected norm of gender identity and sexual expression. They need arms of love, not laws that alienate and stigmatize them further. With such a mean spirit in the air, I wish all kids could feel the warmth of your welcome, the love of Christ for their lives – as our own youth do. And my deepest prayers go with parents who are struggling to help their own children navigate the hostility of so many leaders in church and state.

I hope this month you will join me in praying for change – that the spirit of Pride, the beautiful and good people who make up the Pride community, might inspire hearts of love and policies of acceptance. We need more communities around the country like Park Road.

I’m proud of you. - Russ

We need volunteers for our 3^rd Men’s Shelter Lunch of the year, on June 10 at the shelter on 1210 N. Tryon St. Volunteers prepare lunch beginning at 10:30a and then serve 110-150 meals, the work wraps up at or before 1p. No prior experience is necessary and working with a team from Park Road provides a fun opportunity to get to know one another better! Plus, it’s a worthwhile project that is much appreciated by the folks we serve. If you’ve never tried it before, come and join us! 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0945aca92da2fd0-roof#/

A few years ago a group of men took a Friday night/Saturday for some time away, together. We want to repeat that good opportunity, and this time our friend, Dan Davis (who led our recent Youth Spring Retreat) will join us. After 30 years as the director of Camp Rockmont for boys, Dan’s passion for leading, especially men and boys, led him to start Animate Mentoring (https://animatementoring.com). We will all benefit from Dan’s years of experience and his passion for what he likes to call “Men’s Work.” Men of all ages are welcome. We’ll have a Friday evening session and another on Saturday. We will also get to spend time on the water at Lake Greenwood. The accommodation is basic, but Russ’s parents’ lake house will provide a place to gather. The cost for the overnighter is $40. Please call the church office or contact Russ to sign up.

It’s one of those “pandemic” things that we decided to keep. Back when we could not be together safely, we started opening up our backyard and told everyone “BYOE” (Bring Your Own Everything). Being outside felt safe, but serving food that someone else prepared didn’t. Yet we opened our backyard and told people that if they wanted something to eat to bring it and if they wanted something to drink to bring it. Many people packed a picnic or stopped for takeout, and they arrived with their small cooler in hand. We sat around and just enjoyed being together. It was too good to stop, so join us next Thursday, June 15 (PLEASE NOTE – the date was printed incorrectly in last week’s newsletter – IT IS Thursday, June 15.)

Arrive any time 6p or after and stay until . . . come for a long visit or just drop in . . . catch up with old friends and meet some new ones . . . bring your bathing suit and enjoy the pool and hot tub . . . play some corn hole or spike ball or just sit and relax. Come to the backyard gate and let yourself in. We can’t wait to meet you and greet you. If it rains, we will just bring the party inside and enjoy being really close. Either way it will be a wonderful evening!

People are needed to provide transportation for members of the Perez family. There is a once-a-weekend trip to Compare Foods (the family will purchase their own groceries), a variety of appointments for Yolani, and several upcoming dental visits for Yaison. Please sign-up here and let Dan know if you have any questions:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0945aca92da2fd0-transportation#/

It’s always such a bittersweet day in the life of the Church. It is the day we celebrate our high school graduates and the day we prepare to launch them into the world. There’s still the Mission Trip and Unidiversity and probably a pool party or two, but for the most part, their Youth Group experience has come to an end. We congratulate Emily Neeriemer who will be headed to Meredith College, Liam Kinney who is going to Appalachian State University, Riley Haskin who will attend UNC Charlotte, and Isabel Terry who is headed to Agnes Scott College. Last Sunday, after we had honored them and celebrated them and prayed for them during the worship service, we had a cake reception in their honor. The Youth Group shared a meal together Sunday night, and people spoke about each graduate and wished them well. We then ate ice cream and watched a slide show that included pictures from when they were itty-bitty. (Click here to view the whole slide show – some of the photos are just too precious.)

As is our custom, we presented each graduate with a personalized copy of our benediction to put in their college rooms. Each year we hear that many now-adulting former grads still have theirs in their homes; such news warms our hearts.

So . . . “as you go into the world this day, dear Emily, dear Liam, dear Riley, and dear Isabel . . .” know that you go with our love and with our prayers.

CDC Teacher Graduates

The PRBCDC Family congratulates two of our very own teachers, Mackela Marable and Clements Voyer, for achieving their goal. Mackela graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education, and Clement graduated from Catawba College with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. Their hard work, determination, and perseverance have paid off. Hats off to you for achieving this milestone!  

To the Pre-K classes, the PRBCDC family says, “Congratulations on your graduation! You did it! 😊 You are all full of so much potential, and we are so proud of you all. The world is yours for the taking.” Now off to kindergarten you go!

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.

Coming Up at Park Road

Sunday Worship

Facebook Live and In-Person

11a

First Wednesdays

Dinner and Vespers

(Community Center)

5:30p Dinner / 6p Vespers

First and Third Tuesdays

Coffee and Kibitz Bible Study

(Community Center - Room C503)

10a

Tuesday and Thursdays

Flexercise

(Community Center)

9a

Park Road Baptist Church 

 3900 Park Road | Charlotte NC | 28209

Tel (704) 523-5717 

Fax (704) 523-8481

info@parkroadbaptist.org 

 www.parkroadbaptist.org