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Since 2013 Bruce Holliday has led our efforts in Communications. Bruce retired this year, and we have shifted his work to Becka Eppley’s desk. As a way of thanking Bruce, and thanking Becka, we wanted to share some insight into Bruce’s work, which will continue now in Becka’s able and creative hands.

I spoke with Bruce yesterday and recorded this interview:

When all of this started, you came to us and volunteered to come work for free for six months. What was it about Park Road that piqued your interest to make such an offer?

I was introduced to Park Road when my future wife, Denise Long, suggested we visit Park Road. I was skeptical of attending a Baptist Church but was impressed by Russ's sermon and wanted to learn. I sought out Russ after the service and we chatted. That entire experience helped me understand that Park Road was a unique church and a place where my questions and doubts would not be shunned.

What was your perception of the church then? Has it changed after 10 years?

It has been a decade since we started "the experiment." I'm not sure how much the church has changed in those years. It remains the open and inclusive space that I was impressed with initially. It is a bit younger, and I think has become more vital to the community as a place that models compassion, acceptance, and tolerance – in a society that too often seems to be moving away from those virtues.

What was your goal for a communications program for our church?

I wanted more people to know Park Road is unique and inclusive. I wanted to share with the community all the positive activity, especially in a Baptist church. Mostly, I believed in what Park Road wanted to achieve for the congregation and the community and was excited to push those objectives forward.

What were some of the specific actions you put in place to achieve that goal, or goals?

I brought more of the perspective of an outsider or potential visitor to the communications effort. I could see the church without the filter of already knowing who the people were, how the church operated, and what the church stood for in terms of its core commitments.

Specifically, I worked on the website, the church's social media presence, the newsletter, and the branding to make sure the "soul" of the church was accurately reflected. I also worked with the staff to craft a message that would help anyone unfamiliar with Park Road have a better sense of what an amazing church it is.

We have had a good bit of growth in recent years, and we credit the church’s, communication program, the messages and marketing that have communicated what kind of church we are. From your perspective, what are the important messages, the significant talking points or “selling features” that needed to be communicated?

First and foremost, Park Road's message of acceptance and inclusivity is at the core of the church's essence. There can be a lot of negativity around religion, and it was always a goal to help people understand that Christianity is not a monolith – that there are many ways to worship. Park Road's embrace of questions and doubts among the congregation creates a wide door for all types of believers (and non-believers perhaps) that I think is essential to the future of the Church. Park Road will walk with you as you find your way through your spiritual journey. That is both refreshing and reassuring for many people today. Park Road allows you to be "who you are" as opposed to telling you who you have to be.

Do you have any thoughts about the future of the church in general, or Park Road in specific, as we head into a post Bruce Holliday era of communication?

Post Bruce Holliday should be great! New ideas and new energy are needed. I was at the job for a long time and enjoyed it, but I know the church always benefits from new perspectives. I'm very optimistic about that aspect of Park Road's future.

As for "The Church," I think Park Road is a model for the future. Open, inclusive, with an active community outreach emphasis, a place where people of varied spiritual experiences can come together to support each other as they explore their beliefs while trying to make the world a better place. There is a lot of disaffection with "religion" these days. Fortunately, churches like Park Road offer an important alternative for those seeking a spiritual experience but uncomfortable with the fundamentalism, nationalism, and intolerance that can be found in so many churches today.

I am grateful for Bruce’s years of work, for his insights, his creativity, his dedicated efforts – and I’m confident that our Communication efforts are still in great hands as we move forward with Becka as our new Communications Director.



It’s all about the message. Thanks, Bruce and Becka.

-Russ

When you receive this message, it will be too late to reserve a meal for tonight, but you can still bring your own and join us for supper at 5:30p or be here at 6 o’clock in the Community Center for the casual service of vespers: music, scripture, dialogue around the tables, a word from the pastors. 

Alongside that dictionary definition, in the Park Road Baptist dictionary, are pictures of a handful of good folks, among them, Tara Brittain and Chris Woolley. Others could be named to this Hall of Fame, but it is appropriate to call these names, because after about a decade of faithful service, stopping by the church office once a week, every week, to review financials and sign checks, Tara Brittain is finally taking a break. (Let’s not say, “retiring,” not yet!) Stepping in, another veteran: Deacon, Deacon Chair, Capital Campaign Committee Chair, former Treasurer, Chris Woolley has stepped back in for another year of duty. No one seems to stay in a job very long these days. Careers cover five or six different jobs, and who has ever heard of a church treasurer serving for an entire decade!? Thank you, Tara. (Tara has served for that same length of time, also as the Chair or Co-chair of our Child Development Center Committee. Thank you, Tara!) We may not have records going back far enough to track all of Chris’s involvement, but, apparently, he has not had enough yet! He’s back. Thank you, Chris. For years of faithful service, a commitment of consistency and integrity, working behind the scenes with no pay, and very little thanks, we are deeply grateful.

For 20 years, we have had some variation of a morning Men’s Bible Study. We are looking for a new start. Beginning Wednesday, March 8, we will begin using a lectionary-based Bible resource. All are welcome. We will meet every Wednesday morning, March-May, from 8-9:30a in Room CC503. Please contact Russ if you are interested so he can send you the materials.  

Optimist Hall is a fascinating venue, an old Charlotte mill renovated for shopping and dining. The eclectic food court offers cuisine from Cuba, Asia, Ethiopia, India, Mexico, as well as some good old fashioned southern burgers and BBQ. Our group enjoyed most of that diversity and some great gelato for dessert. Our next FFF is March 24, restaurant to be determined. Mark your calendars now and plan to join us for good food and great fellowship.

It is that very special time of the year - our early spring meeting! We can’t predict if the weather will be chilly or warm. However, we do know that Thursday, March 16 will abound with fun, food, and fellowship with a generous measure of laughter. We will have a delicious lunch at noon. Since VSP meets on St. Patrick’s Eve, come lucky ones will receive one of the coveted door prizes. Another first, for our entertainment: a blue grass trio will make us want to dance a jig! Indeed all of us will truly have good fortune because we’ll be together! Be sure to make your reservations by Sunday, March 12!

This ritual, the imposition of ashes in the sign of the cross on one’s forehead, may seem on the surface to be morbid, but the Ash Wednesday service has become a meaningful service for many of us. Rather than a macabre reminder of death, however, those who participate are offered an opportunity, as the Psalmist said, to “number our days that we might apply our hearts to wisdom. “ 

The Maundy Thursday service, the Thursday night before Easter, offers a similar atmosphere, and, as we remember the death of Jesus, commemorated in the serving of communion, we are invited to remember the significance of his life. Our sanctuary choir, accompanied by a string quartet from the Charlotte Symphony, will present a stirring 2-movement piece, commemorating the night before Jesus’s crucifixion. If you missed Ash Wednesday, we hope you will be able to join us for dinner on Maundy Thursday, 5:30p, and the service in the sanctuary at 6p.

Thanks to Kathleen Carriere for leading our youth in a fun (and informative) round of Easter Jeopardy last Sunday night. The boys dominated for most of the game, yet the girls came through with victory after making smart wagers in the Final Jeopardy round.

They also  learned facts about rabbits, eggs, and chocolate - oh, and the Bible!! Lots of laughter and learning always makes for a good youth event!!

Beginning in March, Bob Pritchard is offering you an opportunity to sing in the choir without the commitment of Wednesday night rehearsals. On the third Sunday of each month, join Bob and the sanctuary choir at 9:30a for an anthem that you can learn in an hour and then sing in worship. We would love to add a few voices to the choir loft on these Sundays. No audition is required! Just, “make a joyful noise unto the Lord.” 

It’s a First!

Our first remote member joined two Sundays ago. Mary Copeland-Myers is a Laurens County SC native having grown up in Amy’s home church. They are cousins. Mary had been attending Park Road regularly since we began live streaming our services. She has been wanting to be a part of a church that extends radical welcome and follows in the Way of Jesus, so she asked if Park Road could be her church home …from afar! Mary has three children and is a nurse and professor specializing in Nurse Midwifery. We extend our welcome and our prayers as Mary is currently in intense treatment for cancer. 

Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)

Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!

Julie Faulkner Connelly grew up at Park Road along with her brother, John, who now lives in California. Julie and her husband, Chris, who is a neurologist at Atrium Cabarrus, also live in Concord. They have been enjoying Park Road along with her parents, and we are delighted they have made a decision to officially unite with our congregation. Welcome Chris and Julie!

PRBC Hosting Habitat Collegiate Group, March 5-10

A group of college students from Boston College will be staying in the youth building next week and working during the day for Habitat for Humanity.

Room In The Inn

Room in the Inn at Park Road has gone very well this year with many of you volunteering to help in a variety of ways. We have hosted men, women, and children who have enjoyed the welcome they have received at Park Road, thanks to the meals you have provided, warm beds and a comfortable environment. There are just two more sessions to go, one on March 11 and the other on the 25. Thanks to the Abundant Grace Connection Group, many (but not all) of the slots are filled for the 11^th, but volunteers are still needed for the 25^th. Please sign up here to help:



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

This Lenten season we are repeating the series which began last year, an opportunity to share a meal among friends in our Park Road churches. The Park Road Clergy group has met for a monthly lunch for more than two decades. The pastors are glad to share this friendship with their congregations. Thanks to those who were able to join us for our first lunch. All are welcome in the coming weeks. Bring a lunch if you care to eat. Drinks and a light dessert will be provided. 

Join us next Wednesday, March 8, right here at PRBC!

The schedule is as follows:



• March 8 – Park Road Baptist Church - Jonathan Coppedge-Henley
• March 15 – Holy Comforter Episcopal - Jim Ewing
• March 22 – Avondale Presbyterian Church - TBD
• March 29 - Woodlawn Community Fellowship - Tom Stinson-Wesley

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

Third Wednesday of Each Month 

Virtual Midweek Meet-Up - Facebook Live

6p

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