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Amy and I have been listening to the music of David Wilcox for a long time. The first time we heard him, he was still “up-and-coming,” a popular new guitarist, singer/songwriter making a name for himself in Asheville. We were leading a youth retreat at “In The Oaks” near Black Mountain. David, who was a friend of one of the church leaders, had agreed to sing for the kids.

There was a train track behind the retreat center, and David heard an old steam locomotive would be making its way down the track. He wanted to see it, so instead of music, we all headed out to wait. We waited. And waited. And waited. The train never showed up, and David had another gig, so we missed the train, and got cheated out of a full Wilcox experience – but the start was enough. We’ve been listening ever since.

Two years ago, our friend Dan Davis, who is a close friend of David’s, invited me for a motorcycle ride in the mountains. I was excited to learn that David would also be riding. He has been a biker (the pedal kind and the motor kind) for as long as he’s been a guitarist, and he knows all the best twisty-windies in NC, so we had a great time. We rode 500 miles, crisscrossing the Blueridge Parkway, eating together, sharing the road, food, and laughter.

We had another motorcycle trip a few months ago (because there are always more hills and turns to discover!), and one night I asked David what it would take to get him to come to Park Road. An invitation was all he required!

So, Sunday night, September 20, at 6:00pm in Milford Chapel, David Wilcox will be in concert. And it’s FREE! We may take a collection for a charity, but you can get in for free – and I can almost guarantee that you’ll enjoy the music, and the message. Some of you may remember that David joined our retreat leader, Dan Davis, for one session at our most recent Intergenerational Retreat in the mountains! We are thrilled to have David back for a full concert as a command performance for Park Road folks! (We’re still working on a possible Food Truck for a supper option, but the concert is set.)

We’ve listed this as a Park Road University session in this semester’s lineup, because David is one of those quietly spiritual artists. He doesn’t play “Christian music,” but there’s a lot of Spirit in what he says. A lot of religious and cultural commentary. A lot of love and life. A lot of deep things – and belly laughs, too. David will make you laugh. He’ll make you cry. His music will make you think. One of my favorites is one of his oldie goldies. Someone asked him about his faith convictions, and he answered with a song:

“Do I dare believe and let love lead my life? Could I not believe and leave that love behind?

You ask me if I’m faithful. I tell you that it's true. I answer with a question. It's all that I can do. Do I dare believe…

I don’t have all the answers. I can’t explain it all. I don’t know where I’m going, but I think I hear a call. Do I dare believe…”

If you can make it, I think you’ll join Amy and me in loving the music of David Wilcox, and Milford Chapel will be a perfect, small, intimate venue for this concert. - Russ Dean

We had a good start on Sunday with Hannah Nevans's 3-week Park Road University session, "Villains in the Bible, and the God Who Loves Them." There are a surprising number of less-than-reputable characters who make their way into the Bible — and not always in the way you might expect. Join Hannah for the next two Sundays, September 13 and 20, to learn about two more of these villains and the God who can even love them. 9:45am. Milford Chapel. All are welcome.

Every other month on the second Saturday, Park Road volunteers prepare and serve lunch for more than 100 men at the Men's Shelter (1210 N. Tryon St.). Our next opportunity to participate will be from 10:30am - 1pm, this Saturday September 12. The work is not difficult, and it's a fun way to get to know some other Park Road members. If you can help on the 12th, please sign up by clicking here or by contacting Dan McClintock:



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

This month's Fun Food Friday takes us to State of Confusion in Lower South End, 3500 Dewitt Ln — an artsy little spot blending Cajun and Latin flavors, with a menu full of good trouble (monkey bread, calamari, a shrimp po' boy, even a bison burger). Come hungry. Join us at church on Friday, September 18 at 11:15am to ride together, or meet us at the restaurant at 11:30am, and let's eat! Please RSVP by signing up in Helt Hall on Sunday or emailing the church office at info@ParkRoadBaptist.org.

Despite the many hardships that our Cuban friends are experiencing on an ongoing basis, they continue to come together as a church family and community to affirm their faith, hear the word of God, pray, sing and support each other and the community. They find strength and support in coming together in these very challenging times. Their faith remains very strong. Their church is a place of hope, love, and service for all of the members and the larger community.

Recently the church hosted a two-day Vacation Bible School. On Saturday, the program was shared with other churches in the community. Approximately 120 children and 20 adults attended the day of activities hosted and led by our friends at Resurrection Baptist. The theme was "Illumination" based on the scripture Matthew 5:14-16. They shared Bible stories, crafts, games, singing, and dancing. The church provided snacks and goody bags for the participants. The event was written up in the Fraternity of Baptists newsletter and described as "a time of great joy, sharing faith, love, unity, a very special shared time between the churches of the community."

Thanks to your generous support, Mileidys has been able to provide the members of the congregation with care packages distributed at church. These packages contain necessities such as rice, beans, bath soap, detergent and OTC medications. All of these essential items are priced out of people's reach and are very difficult to obtain. Members of the church continue to work on preparing and serving meals for the children and the elderly and caring for those in the community who need their help. The church has a strong, dedicated group of lay leaders who work tirelessly to help with the many missions and activities of the church.

One of the most important things that our partnership provides to them is the knowledge that they have our love, support and prayers from a distance. In these very, very difficult times, that knowledge gives them strength, hope and the assurance that they are part of a larger community of faith. They continue to pray for our church, our people and our country. Mileidys always asks "how is Amy? We continue to pray for her." Our long, deeply rooted partnership is a true blessing for both of our church communities. May we continue to support each other from a distance until we can once again visit them in person.

 - Linda Hefner

Join us for Thirsty Third Thursday, September 17, at 6 p.m. at Rhino Market and Deli in South Park, located at 4300 Congress Street, Charlotte, NC 28209. Please note, there are multiple Rhino Market locations, so be sure to head to the South Park spot, conveniently located directly across from the Village Tavern. We can’t wait to see you there!

New Sensory Tools

Exciting news from our Child Development Center! They recently purchased Tuff Trays for all of our preschool classrooms. These trays open up wonderful new opportunities for sensory learning, and they're excited to put them to use as their little ones dive into hands-on exploration this new school year!

*Youth - are students who are currently in grades 6th – 12th during the 2026-2027 school year.

Regular Scheduled Programing is as follows:

• Sunday Mornings, 10a - Preview

*Children - are students who are currently in grades K– 5th during the

2026-2027 school year.

Regular Scheduled Programing is as follows:

• Sunday Mornings 9:45-10:45am Children's Sunday School (K-5th)
• Sunday Mornings 10am-12pm Nursery
• First Wednesdays 5:30pm Dinner/6pm Children's Midweek - The first Wednesday of each month.

Coming Up at Park Road

• Sunday Worship

Facebook Live and In-Person - 11am

(Sancutary)

• Sundays

Pickleball - 7:15pm

(Community Center - Gym)

• First Wednesdays

Dinner and Vespers

5:30pm Dinner / 6pm Vespers

(Community Center - Gym)

• First and Third Tuesdays

Bible Study and Fellowship - 10am

(Community Center - Room 503)

• Tuesday and Thursdays

Flexercise - 9am

(Community Center - Gym)

PRU Fall 2026 Offerings

September 13 – “Villains in the Bible, and the God Who Loves

Them,” Hannah Nevans

There are a surprising number of less-than-reputable characters who make their way into the Bible and not in the way you might expect. This series is exploring these villains and the God who can even love villains. Milford Chapel. 9:45am.

September 20 – “Villains in the Bible, and the God Who Loves Them,” Hannah Nevans

September 20 – David Wilcox in concert

Join us for a concert by one of North Carolina’s most creative artists. David has become a friend of the Deans, and his creative guitar licks and humorous and insightful lyrics will inspire your soul. We’re working on food trucks to make this a dinner/concert evening (stay tuned). Milford Chapel. Concert, 6:00pm.

October 4 – “How to Read the Bible in Today’s World” Sandy Rogers

Perhaps nothing is needed more today than helping people read the Bible well, because the abuse of scripture is so rampant on our national stage. If you’ve ever said, “I really want to know more about the Bible” – reading it well is where you start. Milford Chapel. 9:45am.

October 18 – Indigo: The Color of Grief, Jonathan Foster

After the tragic death of his teenage daughter, Jonathan expressed his grief in a collection of powerful poems. Some of you met Jonathan at last year’s Open and Relational Theology conference. He will join us for a Sunday morning session in Milford Chapel and will preach in worship. Milford Chapel. 9:45am. Worship in the sanctuary, 11:00am.

October 19 – “Monday School”

If Sunday School has quit working for you, maybe a Monday night discussion group at the home of Marinn and John Esch will be just right. More details TBA.

October 25 – “Teaching Dissent: the Witness of the Minority,” Bill Leonard

Our friend, Dr. Bill Leonard, former Dean of Wake Forest Divinity School and one of the country’s leading Baptist Historians, will lead a session on the historic Baptist voice of dissent and will preach in worship. Community Center. 9:45am. Worship in the sanctuary, 11:00am.

November 8 – “How to Read the Bible in Today’s World,” Dr. Sandy Rogers

November 9 – “Monday School”

November 15 - “Stitching Strength,” ALS documentary film with Dr. Richard Bedlack

Dr. Bedlack, M.D., Ph.D., Duke University, is one of the world’s leading researchers and a practicing physician for patients suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Dr. Bedlack will be with us to entertain our questions after we view his documentary film. Sanctuary. 1:30-3:00pm.

December 6 – “How to Read the Bible in Today’s World,” Dr. Sandy Rogers

December 20 – Dealing with Grief in the Holidays

While the holidays are a joyful time, they can also be very difficult. If the loss of a loved one or some other grief weighs heavy during the holiday season, join us to share together. Place and time, TBD.