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We had a wonderful time offering remote worship the last two weeks. (And if you want to know, yes, we think our grandson is pretty darn cute!) It is fabulous to have the technology that affords us to be together even when we cannot be in the same room. But we do miss being together.

Some of Russ’s favorite moments in preparation for worship come about 9:30 every Sunday morning when Roxanne Holt Watson gets to the sanctuary to practice before choir rehearsal. Sitting in his office and she begins to play, and there is just something about that sound that sooths the soul, sets a direction in his spirit. To be clear, organ music never plays in the car or in the woodshop – so that sound, different than anything we hear all week, is a prompt. Sometimes we both go into the sanctuary just to sit and soak it in.

Yes, little Walker was cute last week with his little toy trumpet, but Roxanne helps us prepare for worship. And for being together. Honestly, there is nothing like it. We need it. When we’re away for vacation, or a conference, or for snowy Sundays, we miss it.

We may have had more people online the last two weeks than we have in the room on an average Sunday (!), but it’s been two weeks, and we need to be back together – with God, with one another, with good music and healing words.

We need to be together. We hope you will join us. – Russ and Amy

Due to current road conditions, we have decided to cancel our First Wednesday dinner and program that was originally scheduled for tonight, February 4. While snow is melting, refreezing conditions may still make travel unsafe, and we want to take good care of one another by erring on the side of caution.

Looking ahead to February 18 – Ash Wednesday

We look forward to gathering on Wednesday, February 18, as we mark Ash Wednesday together. Dinner will begin at 5:30 PM and Ash Wednesday Service will take place in the sanctuary from 6:15–7:00 PM. This evening will offer time to share a meal, reflect, and begin the season of Lent as a community.

Dinner sign-ups

Please sign up in Helt Hall on Sunday or contact the church office at info@ParkRoadBaptist.org to RSVP.

If you were previously signed up for the First Wednesday dinner on February 4, we kindly ask that you RSVP again for February 18 so we can plan well for the evening.

On Sunday, February 15, we will install returning deacons, and ordain our new deacons. The service of “Laying on of Hands” is one of the most poignant and important services of our year. Please don’t miss it.

At the conclusion of that service, we will have a brief Church Conference to entertain two motions: Election of a Slate of Nominees for the 2026 year; Approval of our Missions Budget. The slate of nominees and a detail of the missions budget will appear in next week’s newsletter.

This Sunday, February 8, we will continue our study of the book God After Deconstruction by Thomas Oord and Tripp Fuller. This week, our topic is suffering and evil. We will discuss why historical answers to the question “Why is there evil and suffering in the world?” don’t fit our images of a loving God.



Each week, topics are independent from earlier weeks, and you do not have to read the chapters. Please feel free to attend any sessions as you are able. We will meet in room 206 at about 9:45 a.m.

This is a clarification to last this week’s newsletter regarding the needs of our friends in Cuba.

“In October, when I spoke to the congregation about a need for acetaminophen to help our partner church with the severe pain associated with the chikungunya virus, you responded with amazing generosity. We were able to send a large shipment of acetaminophen and other medications. Later, we sent some financial assistance. The money that was mentioned in last week’s article is the amount remaining after our October gifts. Thank you!

The biggest needs today are health items and food. Using our remaining funds, we will immediately send another shipment of OTC medication and more financial assistance.

We usually visit Cuba in February and take donated medicines, but we are postponing our trip until October. Our friends are facing very challenging times, so we hope to continue to send medication and financial assistance periodically.



If you would like to give more to this cause, you can give online or send your donation to the church office, designated for Cuba. Mileydis is very grateful for everything that we do.

Many thanks.” — Linda Hefner

Applications for the Ola Warren Patterson and John W. Patterson Jr. Scholarship open February 16 for the 2026–2027 academic year.

This scholarship supports students who demonstrate academic strength, financial need, leadership, and character, and who have a meaningful connection to Flint Hill Baptist Church (Fort Mill, SC), First Baptist Church of Fort Mill (SC), Park Road Baptist Church (Charlotte, NC), or Pleasant Valley Baptist Church (Indian Land, SC).

Eligible students must be enrolled full-time at Wake Forest University, Campbell University, Meredith College, or Furman University. Scholarship funds may be used for tuition, fees, books, and required course materials.

Applications must be submitted online through the Center for Scholarship Administration (CSA) by April 16, 2026.

Learn more and apply at CSAScholars.org/patterson. 

Park Road has supported Roof Above's RITI program for several decades. This is a great opportunity for your family, Sunday School class, coworkers, and neighbors to come together and help some of the unhoused people in our city. This year, we are hosting at Myers Park United Methodist Church on the 2^nd and 4^th Saturdays from December through March. They are sharing their beautiful facility with us on the nights when we will be offering our 12 unhoused guests a warm bed, a hot shower, a delicious evening meal, a quick breakfast and a bag lunch.  On the dates when we are hosting, we need 10-12 volunteers each night. Our next opportunity to host at MPUMC is February 14^th. Please find a place where you can plug in to support this vital ministry. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945ACA92DA2FD0-room#/

We’d like to brag on our Meck Pre-K 1 class. ALL students accomplished their 100-books reading goal in January! NEVER have we achieved this goal so early in the school year before. Usually, it takes our students until the end of May. Parents did their part at home, and Ms. Marable and Ms. Groves encouraged their students each day. We will celebrate with a class party soon. Mr. George Miles, I’m sure you’re smiling about this!

- Heather Gaskins, Co-Director

Join us for Thirsty Third Thursday on February 19, at 6 p.m. at Rhino Market and Deli in South Park.

Location: 4300 Congress Street, Charlotte, NC 28209

Please note, there are multiple Rhino Market locations — 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!

Our new friend, Dr Thomas Jay Oord, hosts an annual online conference to present books and ideas from ORT-related pastors, teachers, and friends. This year's conference will be held February 12-14, and one of the sessions will feature Russ Dean's latest book, The Story as We Have Received It. The conference is rather daunting — it runs 8-hours a day for three days! But, it's online, and you can choose which session(s) to enjoy. All sessions follow the same schedule: The author spends a few minutes summarizing her/his book; 3 panelists take a few minutes each, offering reflection and critique, and posing questions for the author's response; online participants are invited to share their comments/questions. Russ's session is Friday morning, February 13 at 11:00am. You can see the full lineup, and register by using this link:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ortline-2026-tickets-1971280952394 .

*Youth - are students who will complete grades 6th– 12th during the 2025-2026 school year.

Winter Retreat

If you are going on the winter retreat, I need an RSVP by January 25th. I need to know whether you want to ski, snowboard or tube. Lift Tickets must be purchased, and gear must be rented by February! We will be going to Winter Place in Ghent West Virginia. Dates are February 20-22. We have 9 spots remaining so sign up ASAP! - Caleb

Regular Scheduled Programing is as follows:

• Sunday Mornings, 10a - Preview
• Sunday Evenings, 5:30-7p - SNT

*Children - are students who will complete grades K– 5th during the 2025-2026 school year.

Camp Prism: Exploring God’s Big World

Camp Prism is for all kids who have completed 3rd–5th grade. This year, we will be exploring creation and how we’re all bound together in God’s great big world. To sign up and to learn more, email caleb@parkroadbaptist.org

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.

Sympathy is extended to the family of Pat Banks in her recent death. Pat lived at Merrywood (a Senior Living Facility just down the street on Park Road) and had been a part of Park Road in many ways.

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)