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GOOD TIDINGS

The Weekly Newsletter for Park Road Baptist Church

January 25, 2023

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Our Long-Standing Cuba Partnership

Twenty years ago, a group from Park Road, under the auspices of the Alliance of Baptists, visited Carlos Rojas, Cuba for the first time. It was an exploratory visit that included Resurreccion Bautista along with two other Cuban churches that were being considered for our partnership. After the trip, the group decided to partner with the church in Carlos Rojas and the partnership was formalized the following year. Thus began a partnership with our brothers and sisters at Resurrection Baptist that has lasted twenty years and is still going strong! It has proven to be the longest lasting partnership between any Alliance affiliated church and their Cuban counterpart!

One of the reasons for our outstanding partnership is that over the years, at least 65 different Park Roadians have visited the church in Cuba! (See the list below and please let us know if we forgot to include you!) It has been our practice to make annual trips to see our friends there with the exception of the 3-year period when the pandemic precluded any travel. Even when travel was impossible, we managed to send financial help and over-the counter medicines to our Cuba partners several times during those years. Most our members have visited Resurrection Baptist just once, but several people have made multiple visits with some even reaching double digit trips!

Because shortages of over-the counter medicines are the norm in Cuba, we always take a couple of suitcases of these items with us when we go. These items have occasionally led to long delays at the airport while our bags are meticulously examined. We have also taken laptops, printers, craft supplies, pillowcase dresses, and most recently a small generator which had no trouble clearing customs because it was mistaken for a boombox!

I think everyone who goes to Cuba is struck by the beauty of the island with its endless beaches and crystal-clear blue water. However, the natural beauty of the island is juxtaposed with roads and buildings that are crumbling and in disrepair. When you visit the town of Carlos Rojas, you cannot help being struck by the simple living conditions of the people there who, certainly by American standards, have almost nothing in the way of material possessions. Yet they possess a generosity of spirit, a solidarity, and a joie de vivre that is undeniable!

Our partnership with Cuba’s Resurrection Baptist Church thrives because it is not one-sided. It is based on two-way relationships-them with us and us with them. Everyone who goes there from Park Road learns something about the resiliency of the human spirit and about finding joy even in difficult circumstances. Visiting Carlos Rojas is about laughter and hugs and sometimes shared tears. Being in Carlos Rojas is about embracing old friends and making new ones. To hear what the trip meant to our most recent travelers, join us for First Wednesday supper on February 1 at 5:30p.

- Dan

*Please call the church office (704-523-5717) or sign up in Helt Hall, to reserve your dinner or just join us by 6p for vespers. Please also note that all dinner reservations must be made no later than Tuesday,

January 31, 2023 at 2p.

Tiny House Project

On Sunday we had an excellent meeting. Our Tiny House Team spoke with Helms Jarrell, who runs “QC Family Tree” along with her husband, Greg. We have partnered with this fine non-profit for 17 years, and the Tiny House is one more possibility for our partnership. If you are interested in being involved, contact Dan McClintock.

State of the Church Annual Meeting

Join us this Sunday, January 29, directly after Worship, for our Annual State of the Church Meeting.

Leadership for 2023

Thank you to all who devote their time and energy to our Ministry Council, Leadership Committees, Diaconate, and Action Teams. This Sunday, during our “State of the Church” business meeting, we will vote to approve the following slate of nominees, presented by the Ministry Council (serving as a Nominating Committee). LINK HERE

Sunday Worship

January 22, 2023

Welcome Hana (and Kam and Dorthy, too!)

Kam and Dorothy Dahliwal, who were raised in Canada, made their home in Charlotte a few years ago and have been part of our community most of those years. Last year, beautiful little Hana joined their family and ours, and we’re delighted they made their membership official last week. You will often find Kam at the controls of the cameras and sound system, helping make our livestream happen for our remote guests. We’re thrilled to have the Dahliwals with us. Please introduce yourself.

Fun Friday - February 24

After enjoying some delicious Latin American-inspired cuisine, a few of us made our way to Odaly’s Panaderia (because Russ recently discovered the best donuts in Charlotte!). It’s a great gig, and all are welcome. Our next outing will be February 24 at Optimist Hall, an amazing food court with a dozen or so delectable options. You can meet in the church parking lot at 11a or meet at 1115 N. Brevard St. at 11:30a. Please call the church, either way, and let us know if you can join us.

Youth and Children Updates

Youth to the Whitewater Center

This Sunday, January 29, all youth plan to be at the church and READY TO LEAVE at 5p. (That means get here BEFORE 5!) Bring $25 if you want to ice skate. Hey everyone, let’s give it a try! Bring extra money if you want to buy some food (or eat before you come). We will also have an opportunity to walk ½ mile of their Trail of Lights which is supposed to be beautiful. We will return to the church at 8p. Sign up with Amy to make sure we have adequate transportation. Check the weather and dress accordingly. IN CASE OF RAIN: we will stay at the church and play games in the gym from 5-6:30p. PLEASE NOTE – this Sunday begins at 5p instead of normal 5:30p.

Children’s and Youth Minister Search Underway

Continue to pray for our Search Committee, which conducted one interview last week and has two more scheduled for the coming week. Amy has steped in to handle our young people – but she says she’s too old for this anymore! We would love to have a new Minister on board very soon.

Young Adults Volunteer at the Diaper Bank

The PRBC Young Adult group (and our young associate Hana Dahliwahl) enjoyed volunteering at the Charlotte branch of the NC Diaper Bank. The Diaper Bank is ten years old, but the Charlotte branch opened just this past April. We were sad to learn about the challenges many of our neighbors face in affording diapers, period products, and incontinence supplies but were also inspired by the research-based efforts of the Diaper Bank to help bridge the gap. We also had fun being together and jamming out to the great playlist created by our host, Avery Payne.

Congratulations to the Crosbys

Congratulations to Julie and Tyler Crosby on the birth of a daughter, Reese Caroline Crosby, born on 1/22. Reese joins her big sister, Hayes, and we are excited to have her join the Park Road family as well. Welcome, Reese!

Sympathy is extended to Matt Flowers in the recent death of his mother.

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.