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Tuesday, January 28, 2025

I woke up this morning to the news. And with a heavy heart. The promise of mass deportations is beginning. I cannot explain what I feel, exactly, but I know I am not alone in feeling disheartened and anxious for what this means for us as a people. That feeling will only increase over the coming days, hardening the nation, dividing us even more as the “United” States of America.

As patrols of ICE agents increase their raids into businesses and homes, even into church sanctuaries, activists will rise (jeering on one side, praying on the other), and the lawsuits will skyrocket. They are already being filed. We will be mired in angry arguments in the coming years with billions spent in litigation – all the while steadily losing faith in one another and the system (which seems to be the point). The atmosphere will foster an “us vs them” mentality of entitlement mixed with paranoia, fear, and hatred.

The story was told of the father who has worked here for years, raising a family of young, US-born children, working an honest job, contributing to the social security he would never be able to collect. (According to itep.org, in 2022 alone $96.7 billion was paid in federal taxes and $25.7 billion was paid into Social Security by undocumented workers, working for US companies.) This father is not a rapist, a murderer, or a drug lord. His only crime was seeking a better life for himself and his family – and, “illegally” working for a “legal” US company who has been willing to pay him and deduct his taxes all these years. The crying children and the pleading wife are no match for a government order. He has been detained for deportation. (These detention camps provide their own set of troubling humanitarian concerns, but that’s for another day.)

According to the American Immigration Council, there are 6 million children under the age of 18, many of them born in the US, living here with at least one hard-working, but undocumented parent. “Consequently… the ever-present threats of enforcement action – have significant physical, emotional, developmental, and economic repercussions…” (americanimmigrationcouncil.org)

Along with this father, the stories are already surfacing of other dark-skinned, but documented workers – and Native Americans (Imagine the irony!) – being caught up in the frenzy that will not soon end. It is a frenzy that will not end well for us.

As I have argued for all 25 years as pastor of Park Road Baptist Church, I will continue to argue: believe what you need to believe about the immigration system and our laws – fight to change them anyway that feels necessary to you. Immigration has been a difficult issue in every age and in every place. We need all the voices, and a vigorous, civil conversation about immigration – but people of faith have only one response: we must lead with compassion.

For a recent worship service, we printed many of the scriptures that refer to immigrants, sojourners, aliens, strangers. The Bible is chock full, and the message is unwavering from start to finish: welcome the stranger – for you were once a stranger. (Click here for a copy of those scriptures.)

What plans are being made to care for the “significant physical, emotional, developmental, and economic repercussions” for the legal members of the families who are being torn apart when the undocumented father is deported? I do not believe mass deportation is a necessary or helpful response to our obviously failed immigration system, but if you believe the current actions are necessary, provisions – built into a program for deportation – provisions to care for these families would be a way to lead with compassion.

Compassion is never optional for people of faith – and there is always a way to build empathy into our system. Compassion must be a defining characteristic for us, or the Church ceases to be anything that resembles a biblical witness. A great deal of misinformation and intentional disinformation, fear and hate-mongering are being spread about immigrants and immigration. Here is a helpful article entitled, “Dispelling 10 Common Myths About Immigrants and Refugees.” Click here to read. Please be informed. Wisdom is the beginning of compassion.

You might be aware that these changes in immigration attitudes and policy may have an impact on our congregation, our mission efforts, and our campus partners. I will not mention the specifics in this public forum, but your ministers and staff are aware and seeking counsel from church and legal experts. We will be happy to discuss any questions you have, in person.

“All Are Welcome” has become something of a motto for us. Amy preached on it Sunday – from a text that was chosen months ago, in a lectionary that was written years ago – a sermon that could have come from the Park Road pulpit for most of this church’s 75-year history. That spirit of acceptance and welcome is one of the best things about this community of faith.

In these anxious days, as the walls are literally closing in, it is a spirit and a message I trust you will take with you beyond the walls of our sanctuary.

Please lead with compassion. It’s good for your heart, your mind, your faith – and the Church in this country will not survive without it.

-Russ

The State of our Church is great, and it will be up to the Vision Team – and you – to determine how the State of the Church will be next year. The Vision Team made a presentation at last Sunday’s annual meeting. See this link to review that presentation. This was a first stab at gleaning ideas from the whole church. Watch for more opportunities to come. In the meantime, it’s not too late to add your initial thoughts for the team, adding to the feedback they received. We would love to know: how would you “rank” each area in terms of priority for the future of our church, and which area(s) might you have specific interest in volunteering? Please send that information and any questions or other input to info@parkroadbaptist.org. Much more is to come from the Vision Team’s continued work as we consider the data we receive.

All children ages 4k-5th grade are invited to a fun event which will include playing games, eating pizza, making snow cones, and watching “Frosty the Snowman” movie. A highlight of this event will include fun with snowballs. Yes. You read that correctly. Snowballs! Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 23, from 5-6:30p in the gym. The youth and Steve will help with leading the games. The children’s Sunday School teachers will serve as hosts and leaders, so parents feel free to drop your children off and enjoy some time to run errands or grab coffee and have a 1½ hours to enjoy yourselves while the children have tons of winter fun!

Our First Wednesdays continue to be well-attended and fruitful, with good food, great fellowship, and a program of Vespers or discussion around the tables. Sign up now for next Wednesday night. Meals are $8/adult and $5/children 5th grade and younger. Please RSVP for dinner in Helt Hall on Sunday or by calling the church office (704) 523-5717. All dinner RSVP's need to be in by Tuesday, February 4 at noon.

Our Search Committee had its first meeting last week, and we have begun the official process of looking for a new minister. The Position Announcement and a Job Description are available on the church website click here. We need your help. If you know of any potential candidates – or have contact with any individual, church, or organization who might help share our opening, please reach out to them and share the website and the information. We would love to hire a new staff member as soon as possible.

The Duncan Community Pantry needs supplies. This Sunday is the first Sunday of the month which means we bring non-perishable food (Examples would be self-opening cans/containers of meat, veggies, or fruit) for the pantry.  The pantry is a well-used new ministry that was instigated by Hank Smyth for his Eagle Scout project in memory of his grandfather, Mack. To say that Mack would be well-pleased is an understatement. While we will certainly accept food for this ministry in the office any time, we designate the first Sunday of each month as the time to restock. There is a bin in Helt Hall to collect what is brought on Sunday morning.

Our Cuba mission trip is just 4 weeks away, and it’s time for us to begin collecting over-the-counter medications and other items that our travelers can take with them. Everything in Cuba is in short supply so anything you can contribute will be greatly appreciated! All donations are needed by Sunday, February 9, 2025.

Medications Needed:

• Acetaminophen and ibuprofen for children and adults
• Flu medicine for children and adults
• Antidiarrheal medicine for children and adults
• Vitamins for children and adults
• Menthol, aspirin, antacid, triple antibiotic, hydrocortisone cream, rehydration/electrolyte powders, thermometer, antihistamine, Pepto-Bismol, vitamin B complex 
• Reading glasses

They have also requested office supplies (pens, pencils, erasers, scissors, etc.) Reams of paper will be heavy to transport so we will purchase a reasonable amount to carry. Children’s craft items are on the list too: construction paper, children’s scissors, glue sticks, sticker books, colored pencils, crayons, etc.

If you would prefer to donate money for supplies, that would work too, just be sure to indicate that it’s for “Cuba supplies”. Thank you!

Please bring donations to the church office during the week or on Sunday Mornings to the collection barrel in Helt Hall.

Join Daniel Miles in Milford Chapel, Sunday mornings January 26, February 2 and 9, at 9:45a for a fascinating discussion:

Combining the works of biblical theologian Greg Mobley and pastoral care theologian Pamela Cooper-White, this series will examine themes of chaos and improvisation and utilize the music of the Grateful Dead as a metaphor for the divine interaction of God with people."

For the next few weeks, several of our deacons will be in Helt Hall before and after worship to take your pictures for the digital directory we are trying to roll out in March. Please come and say cheese!

Both Kevin and I sing in the choir; he as a tenor and I as an alto. (And now for the unpaid announcement - If you are interested in joining the choir, please see me or a choir member after the service. We could always use more voices in the choir.) In addition to singing in the church choir, I have also sung in a women’s’ choir (Nova Voce), Carolina Voices (the “Singing Christmas Tree” choir), and Renaissance. In the 2021-2022 inaugural season, I sang as one of two female tenors in the Charlotte Chamber Choir (an acapella classical choir) and in 2023, I sang as an alto.  

While working, I will often accompany/harmonize with Brazilian singer, Ivete Sangalo (via CD) in (mangled – mine, not hers) Portuguese. (Luckily, she is unaware of my accompaniment.) In our spare time, Kevin and I enjoy bike riding. Once we get enough miles under our belt, we plan to go on a long bike trip (the kind where the tour company act as sherpas for our stuff). 

We had a wonderful time together. The wait staff at Copper treated us well, introducing us to Indian cuisine. Mark your calendars now as we travel from India to France, for lunch at the wonderful French bistro, Café Monte, 6700 Fairview Road. Please sign up – whether you plan to meet in the parking lot at 11:15a, or meet us at the restaurant. We need an accurate number.

The MeckMIN Annual Awards Breakfast is May 8 – and MM is still receiving nominations for three awards, including a new youth award. These awards are given each year to recognize individuals or organizations who further the good work of MM to work in our community, across lines of religious difference, to promote understanding, compassion, and justice. If you would like to make a nomination, please click here for instructions.

• Regular Scheduled Programing is as follows:
• Sunday Mornings, 10a - Preview
• Sunday Evenings, 5:30-7p - SNT

• Regular Scheduled Programing is as Follows:
• Sunday Mornings 9:45a.: Children's Sunday School (K-5th)
• Sunday Mornings 9:45a. & 11a: Nursery
• First Wednesdays 5:30p Dinner/6p Children's Midweek - The first Wednesday of each month. (Starting in February)

Sympathy is extended to Clarice Morgan’s family in her recent death. A service to celebrate Clarice’s life will be this Sunday, February 2 at 2:30p in the sanctuary with a visitation reception to follow in Helt Hall.

Coming Up at Park Road

Sunday Worship

Facebook Live and In-Person

11a

Sundays

Pickleball

(Gym)

7:15p

First Wednesdays

Dinner and Vespers

(Community Center)

5:30p Dinner / 6p Vespers

First and Third Tuesdays

Bible Study and Fellowship

(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