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We first learned about the disease four years ago, by the ominous title, “COVID-19”, and in the winter of 2020 the world shut down. Three years later, it is a little bit difficult to really remember all that we’ve been through.

The whole world closed -shops, restaurants, schools, churches. I remember that first Sunday when Amy, Dan, and I showed up to church, with Mark Frye at the organ, to stand in an empty sanctuary and try to offer some kind of worship for you at home. The only technology at our disposal was an iPhone (which is amazing technology) and the free Facebook Live platform. Oh. My. What an embarrassment!

As we began our first worship broadcast, the camera was turned the wrong way. We started getting text messages that all you could see was the back wall of the sanctuary. “Turn the camera around!” We quickly flipped the camera angle but did not physically turn the camera around on the tripod we were using. We thought we were so smart, but when it came time for the offertory, we displayed our new text-to-give phone number. It was printed on a piece of paper, taped to the front of the lectern, but because we had just flipped/mirrored the camera angle, that number appeared backwards in your screens!

As Amy loved to say, “We weren’t called to be televangelists!” But, we did church that way for about a year. Can you even remember that? Then we started learning of the wars being fought in churches across the country about remote-worship vs. in-person… masks or no masks. Park Road almost entirely avoided those disagreements. Thank you for your generous and cooperative spirit. Our Ministry Council served as a COVID Task Force, and we agreed as a church to cooperate with their recommendations. Many churches, and many families, split over these issues. You remained church, together. Thank you.

Now three years has past, and the slow return from sheltering-in-place, lock-downs, and everything-remote has been agonizing, but we seem to be out of the woods. We should take one moment to pause and remember the estimated 6.9 million deaths, worldwide, and 1.1 million in this country…

On this side of the worst pandemic in a century, we are now trying to pick up the pieces and, with churches across the country, trying to mark a strategy for moving forward. What will the church be post-COVID? What needs to return? What needs to be new?

We are feeling a growing excitement about using this fall to rethink church. We have an Intergenerational Church-Wide Retreat scheduled for Labor Day Weekend. (Click here to signup.) JD McDonald has come onboard, and the energy he is bringing to all things Children and Youth and Families is fun to witness. The timing of JD’s arrival might just be what they call “providential”! We’re also planning a Church Staff Retreat to think about re-tooling and focusing our efforts on Park Road, new and improved. There’s even a hint that a new “Long Range Vision” may be in store.

As the summer wears down, and we head toward the fall, please keep your church in your prayerful thoughts. We have weathered the storm and want to use the opportunity before us to position Park Road to remain strong and vibrant.

Amy and I are excited about all the potential that lies ahead. Thank you for being the kind of church you were during the pandemic. Your spirit brought us to this point. That good spirit will carry us well into the future. - Russ

It’s going to be a hot one, so dress for the sweltering time together – or better yet – bring your bathing suit and enjoy the pool. We would love that! As always, if you want something to eat or drink bring it with you. (BYOE – Bring Your Own Everything.) We will have water and tea available and some cool sweet treats. We will provide the space while you all provide the fellowship and fun. Come to the back gate and share our backyard with us starting at 6p. Come later if that’s better for your schedule. Drop in or stay for a while. This time is meant to be informal and casual and easy. We simply love having you at our home! (If you need Russ and Amy’s address, please email info@ParkRoadBaptist.org)

Over the years, we have offered some times for the men of the church to work and study and play together. Thanks to a new leadership group (Matt Kinney, Tyler Crosby, Kevin Kline, and Darin Gantt), we’re trying to step up those efforts and hope to have more regular opportunities in the future. Join us this Sunday, immediately after worship, at Sir Ed’s Pub at the back of the Park Road Shopping Center. We’ll eat together and discuss all the potential “work” we may do together in the future.

Have you signed up yet? It’s not too late, and this is truly one of those experiences where “the more the merrier.” We have even been contacted by some of our out-of-town members who have joined remotely asking if they could join us. OF COURSE, “the more the merrier” and what a perfect way to get to know those from afar. It’s a new day in being church, especially with our on-line viewing crowd. We hope that many people of all ages and places will join us Friday evening through Sunday noon, September 1-3 at Lutheridge Conference Center in Arden, NC.

Longtime friend of the Deans, Dan Davis will lead our retreat time. Come and enjoy a weekend of fun, fellowship, and deepening connection. The theme “Practice Makes Possible” will explore different ancient and modern rituals that help us engage our faith and daily commitments in new ways. 

You can expect the sessions to be fun, engaging, interactive, and times for reflection. The retreat will also be filled with good food, music, and plenty of games for all ages.

Thanks to a generous donor, you can come and enjoy the weekend at no cost to you! So, mark your calendars and plan to join us on Labor Day weekend! Please make sure to reserve your spot by emailing info@ParkRoadBaptist.org.

Welcome to the World ….

Hinson Franklin Worrel, who was born July 10, 2023. Hinson weighed 7 lbs 8 oz and is the son of Reid and Alex Worrel. 

Greetings all! We had a wonderful time at Unidiversity camp. Picture lots of dancing, meals together, a super-sized raft floating downstream (and only occasionally getting stuck), messy games and times of listening to one another. We had powerful sermons to digest, impactful Bible study, and a lot of time just simply being together. We discussed acceptance, surrender, and trust, and I have certainly already had to put lessons learned into practice. Gotta love it!  

Some of my favorite moments throughout the week were 1 on 1s I had with several of our students (with many more to come!). Getting to know each member of our group individually inspires me and gives me vision for what the next year of ministry calls for and how God may be moving among us. I hope parents and youth will join me this Sunday, July 23 at 5:30p in the youth building for a “visioning meeting.” It’s a time for your voice to be heard. Please make every effort to attend.

Perhaps the greatest gift of camp came through the grace of embrace. I feel totally welcomed by our students and already have many times to look forward to with them. We had two graduates on the trip, Emily and Liam. On the last night, we prayed for them trusting that this week of Unidiversity and our youth ministry, is a beginning point. Here’s to beginning a wonderful journey together for our graduates and our church. 

I’d love to visit with you and your family, so don’t hesitate to ask. I hope I’m developing a reputation for not being “polite,” person and each of you know I really mean that. 😊  

With gratitude and excitement 

Peace, - JD  

Camp Prism 2023 was another wonderful success. We had 81 campers from six churches, plus adult chaperones. We spent the mornings divided into Bible study groups with activities and studies along our theme based on Micah 6.8 “Do! Love! Walk!” The afternoons provided plenty of time for adventure, with children challenging themselves on the climbing tower, the “leap of faith,” the zip line, and with plenty of gaga ball, soccer, and pool time thrown in. There was never a dull moment!

At night, we gathered for a brief worship service, lots of singing, and an evening activity together. We had three boys this year, along with Beth Mintich, who served as the camp nurse.

Each year we choose a mission project and collect an offering at the end of the week. This year’s mission was Charlotte-based Project 658. Our own Cindy King is a Family Nurse Practitioner with Project 658, which works with many indigenous folks and refugee families, providing healthcare and an array of services. The children of Camp Prism collected $659 for Project 658.

 We are already looking forward to Camp Prism 2024!

We hate to lose Holly and Kim Zipperer and their beautiful granddaughter, Ayanna, but Holly has a new job in Charleston. Sunday was their last day. We wish them the best as they go. Godspeed Kim and Holly!

We’ve been enjoying good crowds and wonderful fellowship at our once-a-month program. Join us in August for a good meal and a brief Vespers service around the tables. 

In memory of Dot Finley, the Tuesday morning Bible Study and Fellowship Group enjoyed hot tea in fancy teacups and saucers and goodies to honor that wonderful British tradition of a lovely tea party. Since Dot grew up in England and always kept her beautiful British accent, this seemed the perfect way to remember their friend. 

Sympathy

We continue to remember the family of Dot Finley following her recent death. Plans for her Memorial Service have been set: 2p on July 22, 2023, at McEwen Funeral Service, 5716 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Interment will be private.

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

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