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GOOD TIDINGS

The Weekly Newsletter for Park Road Baptist Church

May 3, 2023

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Our Campus is Alive!

I hope you have taken the time to notice how beautiful our campus is these days. We are so fortunate with the space that we occupy. It’s a prime piece of property along Park Road, and our attention to detail in recent years has paid off.

In July 2016, the church approved a Landscape Master Plan. This plan divided our campus into 11 phased landscaping projects. Over the last seven years, using funds provided through memorial donations, we have completed nine of these phases.

I’m grateful for the support of so many in the congregation, as we have completed virtually all of this work using only the labor of church members. We have enjoyed our work together, and the finished product is a beautiful campus that speaks about our care of nature, attention to detail, and the importance of providing a welcoming space.

We have two more phases to complete, both which will require some significant funding. There is a design for re-landscaping the fountain, which was originally given in memory of Paul and Gladys Allen, founding members of the church, and their daughter, Margaret. The Allens were the parents of Eleanor Helms.

The other major project increases the landscaping at the front of the church, extending a bed of trees and shrubs from the central windows, below the steeple, almost to Park Road. This project also includes a new sign for the church.

If funds become available, we hope to complete these projects in the future.

I love to be on this campus. Sometimes I just walk around enjoying the beauty. It’s exciting to see nearly every inch of our campus being used. The baseball field is overrun with “t-ballers” on the weekends. The community garden attracts local neighbors. Someone can frequently be found enjoying the peaceful setting of the new prayer garden. All around campus, there’s beauty to behold.

The Psalmist said, “let the fields the jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy” (Ps 96).

With the trees, I am also singing for joy.

-Russ

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!

Welcome New Member - Paulette Austin

Pictured with Lisa Mason on the left, is our newest member, Paulette Austin. (Lisa and her husband Keith have been members of PRBC for a while.) After having only been with us a few weeks, Paulette says everything just feels right about Park Road. We’re delighted to have her with us! Please take an opportunity to get to introduce yourself.

Sunday Worship

April 30 , 2023

First Wednesday - Tonight

Our First Wednesday suppers have been well-attended, the Vespers-style program has been well received. This time is a wonderful way to get to know folks and to catch your breath mid-week. If you’re coming for our 7p choir practice, it’s a convenient way to eat and be here for rehearsal. Dinner reservations are currently closed however you are still welcome to come and bring your dinner with you!

Youth Updates

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.

Mission Trip

Destination – Birmingham, AL from June 19-23. Monday and Friday will be travel days leaving Tuesday -Thursday to dip our toes into several different ministries and missions in the city to serve. We will also take advantage of the wonderful Civil Rights museum and learn about transformative work being done to bring justice and equality to all. Make sure your name is on the list with Amy.

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.

Sunday School in the AM and Youth Group in the PM – EACH WEEK!

The big events are fun and great, but these weekly times are foundational to the thriving of the youth group. Everyone is certainly looking forward to JD McDonald joining our team as our new Associate Pastor for Children, Youth, and Families. JD will meet us for the Mission Trip then be on board full-time beginning July 1.

Charlotte Pride Band - Spring Fling

Join the Charlotte Pride Band for an exciting afternoon of music and celebration at the Charlotte Pride Band's spring concert on May 13, 2023, at 4p right here at Park Road Church. ADMISSION IS FREE.

The Pride Band is thrilled to feature Dr. Marisa Youngs on trumpet, an accomplished musician and educator with an impressive performance history. In addition, we will be showcasing the talent of our Youth Soloist Competition winner, Alexander Bielicki, who will amaze you with his musical abilities. This promises to be an unforgettable evening of inspiring music and community spirit. The Charlotte Pride Band is proudly led by the incredible vision of our Artistic Director, Dr. John Ross and our Assistant Artistic Director, O'Shea Best. Charlotte Pride Bands is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting LGBTQ+ visibility and equality through the power of music. They believe that music has the power to bring people together and create positive change in our world. Don't miss this opportunity to support their mission and enjoy an afternoon of fantastic music.

PRBC Community Garden

The PRBC Community Garden is off to a great start. We have several new gardeners and several gardeners who have participated with us for years. It’s not too late to claim your plot. We have 4 plots left at $75 a plot. Email parkroadgarden@gmail.com to get your plot.

You still have time to get those tomatoes in the ground. I look forward to seeing you in the garden.

- Laura Leach

PRBC Spring 2023 Directory

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.