The Summer Addition

A Progressive Baptist Voice For Charlotte

Summer Edition 2023

May 10, 2022

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I dislocated both peroneal tendons in my left ankle in a little waterskiing mishap last July 18. It’s been 8 1/2 long months of rehab and yearning, so when I hopped off the boat last Thursday morning and sank into the water about 6:40a, the fog had lifted enough for me to see the buoys as the boat entered the slalom course, so even though the air was 43° and the water 61°…

Oh. My. It was so good to be back! I hope you are as glad as I am to see summertime on the horizon, and in addition to a normal skiing routine, there’s a lot of other good stuff planned.

Please use this “Summer Edition” newsletter to note many ways you can be involved in your Community of Faith this summer: First Wednesdays… Fun Food Fridays… Meet & Greet (at church and in our backyard) … Sunday-Only Choir (3^rd Sundays) … Mission Trip and Unidiversity for Youth… Camp Prism for Children… (And looking ahead, the return of our Intergenerational Church-Wide Retreat, Labor Day Weekend!)

For worship, as is our pattern, we’ll diverge from the Lectionary and engage in a series which I hope you’ll join us in being excited about. Especially for our newer folks, this series will be a great opportunity to get to know Park Road, as we take the summer to consider:

What We’re About

Utilizing the book of Proverbs, we will survey, review, and celebrate the church at 3900 Park Road. Who are we? Where did we come from? What are our programs? How are we like and unlike others? How does knowing who we are help us live into God’s call? Proverbs says, “By wisdom a house is built” (Proverbs 24.3). This summer we’ll ask: Is our house built on wisdom?

June 11 – Park Road History - Better is a neighbor who is nearby than kindred who are far away… Proverbs 27.10, 17

June 18 – Baptist Life - There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 14.12

June 25 – Theology My child, if you accept my words… Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path… Proverbs 2.1, 9-11

July 2 – Education - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight… Proverbs 3.5-6

July 9 – Mission - Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due… Proverbs 3.27.

July 16 – Seniors - Listen to your father… do not despise your mother when she is old. Proverbs 23.22

July 23 – Music - Like vinegar on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. Proverbs 25.20

July 30 – Fiscal Stewardship - By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established… Proverbs 24.3,4

August 6 – Voice in Community - Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31.9

August 13 – Children’s and Youth Ministry - Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray. Proverbs 22.6

I plan to be in the water every Thursday morning at 6:30a, ski two sets and be in the office before 10:00a. I’m grateful for the routine, and I hope church will be part of yours this summer. - Russ

Click Here to get a PDF of the Summer Schedule.

VSP Summer Send Off - Please RSVP

Summer will be here soon! Before you pack that picnic or head off to the beach for a little fun in the sun, mark May 18 for VSP. At noon, we will have a delicious lunch prepared by Chef Tam. We will have lovely door prizes for the lucky. We will have Max’s knee slapping jokes. We will have a time for fellowship and renewing friendships or making new friends. For our send-off to summer entertainer, we have our dear friend John G. Franklin! No one does summer beach music better than him! Be sure to make your reservation no later than Sunday, May 14. You can sign up in Helt Hall, RSVP to Max’s email, call the church office (704-523-5717), or contact Becka at Becka@parkroadbaptist.org. You don’t want to miss our VSP’s summer send off!

*VSP will break for the Summer and the next scheduled event will be in October, date TBD.

Welcome New Members

We welcome as new members, Greg (L) and Leonard Smith. They have been looking for a new church home after their long-time church, Metropolitan Community Church of Charlotte closed. Greg is retired from the car industry, and Leonard is a retired police officer. Welcome, Greg and Leonard!

First Wednesday w/ Stan Dotson

This past week, Stan Dotson joined us for our “First Wednesday” program. Stan has lived in Cuba and has a new book entitled “Where Are They Going?“ which tells the stories and backstories of five Cuban friends. Stan asked his friend and ours, Greg Jarrell, to join him for some music. It was an enjoyable evening of fellowship around the tables and hearing these stories. Please pray for our Cuban family, who are enduring a particularly difficult time in their country.

Watch Sunday Worship

May 7, 2023

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Mission Updates

Perez Family - Ways You Can Help!

People are needed to provide transportation for members of the Perez family. There is a once-a-weekend trip to Compare Foods (the family will purchase their own groceries), a variety of appointments for Yolani, and several upcoming dental visits for Yaison. Please sign-up here and let Dan know if you have any questions.

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

Marvin is available to do yard work, painting, and other odd jobs if you would like to put him to work. He is still waiting for a work permit but has already begun to work some part-time jobs here and there. Yolani is a talented seamstress as well so if you need any clothing alterations, keep her in mind. Thank you for the hospitality you are showing to this family!

May Mission Offering

Our May Mission Offering will go to Charlotte Family Housing as it works to empower homeless families to achieve long-term self-sufficiency by offering housing, supportive services, and advocacy.

Roof Above (Men’s Shelter Lunch), June 10

The next lunch at the Men’s Shelter will take place on Saturday, June 10. For more information and to sign-up click the link below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0945aca92da2fd0-roof

Youth Summer Happenings

Baccalaureate Sunday

On Sunday, June 4 we will recognize our graduates in worship followed by a cake reception in the Community Center. Plan to stick around for a bit after worship that day to greet and celebrate our high school graduates. That evening, the youth will host a dinner for graduates and their families in the Youth Building.

Unidiversity

We already have an amazing group signed up for this annual week of youth camp goodness. We will travel again to Maryville, TN to join a couple hundred more youth for a week of learning, fun, worship, study, and growth from July 10-14. There’s still time to add your name to the list!

This year's theme is, "Where is God?". Drawing from the ancient story of Esther and the everyday stories we tend to tell ourselves, our 2023 camp theme will lead us to questioning systems of power, the purpose of faith, a responsibility for others, and our own core identity.

PRBC CDC Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 8-12, 2023. This year, we’re joining together to tell teachers that we will listen to them, we will stand with them, and together we will take action so that every student has a teacher who feels respected and supported.

May Thirsty Third Thursday

May’s Thirsty Third Thursday will be on May 18 at 6p, at the home of Debbie and Dona. Their address is 9101 Stoney Corner Lane, Charlotte, NC. They are located very close to South Mecklenburg High School and just off Park Road. Everyone please BYOB and/or something to share. Please come and join the good times and laughter! All are welcome!

*Thirsty Third Thursdays will pause for June and July, and we encourage you to join the Back Yard Meet N Greets at Russ and Amy's home in June and July. The normal Thirsty Third Thursdays will return in August with the place TBD (please see the summer schedule for dates)

Spring 2023 PRBC Directories

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.