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GOOD TIDINGS

The Weekly Newsletter for Park Road Baptist Church

May 31, 2023

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“What are you doing this summer?”

It’s one of my favorite questions to ask this time of the year. I love discovering the special things folks are doing on summer vacation like trips to faraway places but also hearing the tried-and-true traditions (“We always spend a week at Ocean Isle.” “My folks have a place in the mountains.” etc.) Sometimes those familiar places are even better than an exotic locale. So let me ask you…

What are you doing this summer?

Because the next generation of our family is on the way (Yes, we’ll be grandparents in September!) we knew the summer would probably get crazy. Amy started planning early this year. Our tried-and-true has been my parent’s lake house in South Carolina. All-day skiing, barefooting, tubing, clowning around on the water, followed by good food and evening games – this has been our go-to for family vacation. When we were watching lots of baseball a few years back, Amy loved to see a catcher throw the guy out trying to steal second base. She never missed a chance to say: “It never gets old.” For me, the lake never gets old.

Recently, however, we’ve turned more attention to the coast. We never spent a lot of time in saltwater during the summer, but we’re learning! As it turned out, Memorial Day weekend was our only chance to gather with our kids. The extended Dean family is usually at Lake Greenwood, but Amy and I aren’t the only ones with another generation in the works. Getting all those families together is getting more difficult these days, so for the first time I can remember we did not gather for the usual all-Dean gathering at the lake.

Instead, Amy found a nice condo at Hilton Head (3 bedrooms and 2 dogs!), and we took Sunday off. The weather did not look promising – and this time the meteorologists got it right. It was the coldest May 26 on record, and it rained ALL DAY. While disappointing, that just meant we spent the day inside rather than on the beach – but we were still together. We played Farkle and Dominos and Turn-10 and cooked local seafood for our evening meal. The weather broke enough on Sunday for some Pickleball and a game of Spikeball and a round of Bocce Ball on the beach. (And, yes, we did sit down and enjoy the surf just a little bit!)

Then Jackson/Madison and Bennett left, and Amy and I had the rest of Monday to relax, to eat leftovers, and to cleanup before a slow return on Tuesday. We’re back in the office today, and oh, my... it’s hard to come back from vacation, isn’t it!?

What are you doing this summer?

Seriously, we’d love to know. Whether it’s something new, or the same old thing, drop us an email, send us a text. We’d love to hear some of your plans. If we collect enough of them, maybe we’ll fill another Heart & Soul with your ideas.

Whatever you are doing this summer, I hope it’s mostly about spending time with your family. (And that you’re saving a little time for church, too! 😊) -Russ

"Do.Love.Walk." - Last Call for Camp Prism, 2023

Our week of camp, July 11-14, will soon be upon us. There’s still time to signup – but the deadline is this Sunday, June 4. Please let Russ know if your child (completed grades 3, 4, 5)

plans to attend.

"Men's Work" - A 24-hour Retreat: July 21-22

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.

Next Backyard Meet & Greet at the Deans': June 15

During COVID it was the only safe way to gather, and we fell in love with having our yard filled with our church friends. This summer, we are looking forward to three more opportunities to have you at our place: June 15, July 20, and August 10. We hope you will join us. The pool and hot tub will be open, and a few yard games will be available. Bring your own food and drink. We’ll start at 6p and be there until the fun runs out! – Russ & Amy

Last Book-A-Palooza of the School Year

Park Road will sponsor the last Book-A-Palooza event of the school year on June 7 and 8. The students at Marie G Davis K-8 School will be able to select 5 books from our inventory to keep for themselves. Volunteers are needed on Tuesday, June 6 through Thursday June 9 to unpack books and assist students. Somedays will require packing, unpacking, and transporting the books. Please sign up to help here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0b4caaae2daafe3-bookapalooza7#/

Sunday Worship

May 28, 2023

Baccalaureate Sunday for our High School Graduates

This Sunday, we will honor our high school graduates at the end of worship and celebrate them with a cake reception in the Community Center following the service. Please plan to stick around for a few minutes on Sunday morning and congratulate Riley Haskin, Liam Kinney, Emily Neeriemer, and Isabel Terry.

All youth are invited to a Youth Group dinner in honor of our seniors. A special program is planned for Sunday evening beginning at 5:30p in the Youth Building to continue to celebrate how these special upcoming graduates have been to the Youth Group and to our Church.

Fun Food Friday - This Friday

Join us this Friday, June 2. We’ll enjoy the atmosphere and some tasty Tex-Mex cuisine at SouthBound Restaurant (www.eatsouthbound.com). Meet us in the church parking lot at 11:30a to carpool or join us at 11:45a at 2433 South Boulevard – but, either way, please let us know you are coming (becka@parkroadbaptist.org or 704-523-5717).

First Wednesday - June 7

We have been enjoying a chance to meet for Fellowship Supper and a brief Vespers worship service on the first Wednesday of each month. That schedule will continue: June 7, July 5, August 2 (5:30p dinner, 6p vespers). Take advantage of this opportunity to get to know some of your church members better. It’s a good meal and a wonderful midweek break. Please call the church office (704-523-5717) to sign up by Tuesday at noon, the week of the program. You may also sign up in Helt Hall on Sunday mornings.

Men's Shelter Lunch - Saturday, June 10

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#/

Spring Financial Update

Results continue to be strong this year! Through the end of April, net income was $8,412 compared to a budgeted net loss of $(24,718). Revenues were $225,283, which was right in line with the budget. Expenses were $216,871 compared to a budget of $250,110, with most expense categories running under budget. Thank you for your continued support and for being faithful!

PRBCDC will be celebrating their

Pre-K graduates

Friday, June 2, 2023

11:00a

In the PRBC gym

Light refreshments will be severed immediately following.

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.