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Since I’ve written about prayer recently, I thought I would share this with you.

Early into the first of our three walks along El Camino de Santiago, our younger son, Bennett, saw one of the way markers beside the path and asked about it. Our sons, Jackson and Bennett, were 12 and 10 at the time, and we were all new to the pilgrim experience, but Amy and I had read about the markers. Every half-kilometer or so, along the full 500-mile route, there’s a concrete marker indicating the direction of the path and the remaining mileage to Santiago. If you ever get lost – look for a way marker!

Most of these concrete pillars also have small stones stacked on them. We explained that people, in lots of places and times, have stacked stones for spiritual purposes – marking sacred places, indicating altars, or just stacking them up as prayers. “These are prayers of the people who walked this way before us,” we said.

Bennett left a stone on that first marker for Miss Wendy, his Sunday school teacher, and that started it for us. Every time we pass a marker, we leave a prayer. There are prayers for many of you, still standing on the tops of those markers from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France, to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Usually these are simple prayers of gratitude. “Praying in nouns,” as I have often commended… just a momentary reflection… calling your face(s) to mind… calling your name(s) out loud… But those prayers have become an important part of our walking.

So, I had to have one of my own.

When we returned from the last pilgrimage, two summers ago, I built a form and filled it with almost 200 pounds of wet concrete and let the magic of time and air and cement do its job and, voila. Our own way marker.

As you can see, a few of you have already offered your prayers, and we look forward to adding to these tangible reminders. When you come for a visit (and overtime, we’d love to have you all), please bring a prayer, would you?

And when you get to the door. you’ll notice another timeless symbol. The mezuzah is a traditional Jewish symbol, based on that Deuteronomy passage, that speaks of the importance of knowing God’s law: Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates (Deut. 6.8-9). The mezuzah on our doorframe was a gift from Caleb Foust and serves as another reminder that we want our home to be built on prayer.

I don’t mean anything sanctimonious about that. We just want to remember… to look back… to look forward… to look around… to be grateful… to be humble… to be true. And, if you’re anything like me, I need some consistent reminding – maybe even 200-pounds-worth!

Remembering you, right now… - Russ

Welcome our newest member, Ana Karim, who is a counselor and physical therapist. A graduate of Baptist Seminary at Richmond with family roots in Cuba, Ana has been a wonderful help to us as a Spanish translator and has been active with us for the last few years. We are delighted to have Ana as an official member!

The June Mission Offering will go to Time Out Youth, a Charlotte-based organization that supports LGBTQ+ youth by offering vital programs, fostering unconditional acceptance, and creating safe spaces for self-expression through leadership, community support, and advocacy. They work to inspire inclusive communities where all youth are equally empowered to reach their true potential.

Thanks for your enthusiastic support for our new Vision — Sunday's vote was unanimous! This summer you will be hearing much more. Look for five "Heart & Soul" articles outlining the five Directives of our Vision and for periodic updates as we form Building and Capital Campaign committees. We will also modify our Bylaws to allow the Child Development Center to become a separate, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The CDC will remain a mission of our church, though for legal reasons will receive its own Tax ID number. Congratulations. We are on the way!

It’s time once again for our monthly food collection! On the first Sunday of each month—which is this Sunday, June 7 —we collect nonperishable food items to support the Duncan Community Pantry, a vital ministry serving our neighbors in Charlotte.

⭐ Top-priority items include (self-opening cans are especially needed):

• Easy-open cans of meat: chicken, tuna, turkey, Spam, Vienna sausages, and more. (Canned meat is always the first to run out.)
• Granola bars, breakfast bars, peanut butter crackers, individual bags of chips and popcorn, shelf-stable fruit cups, and pudding cups (individual snacks)
• Ramen, self-opening cans of soup and chili, individual bowls of mac and cheese that just need water added, and ravioli in a can
• Capri Sun drinks, juice boxes, sports drinks, and other shelf-stable beverages

We are currently very well stocked on canned beans.

🛢 Look for the donation bin in Helt Hall during Sunday morning services.

💵 Prefer to give financially? Just note “Duncan Pantry” with your donation.

📌 Kind reminder: Please check expiration dates—no opened, partially used, or expired items, please.

I try to mix up our eating opportunities -- some ethnic options, some American cuisine, some casual, and the occasional fine(r) dining experience. That will be us for this next time out. On Friday, June 5, we'll enjoy the ambiance and the finery of the new Laurel Park restaurant in South Park (4201 Congress St., Unit 190). It's not coat-and-tie for lunch, but you may not want to wear your overalls, either! The menu looks wonderful, and if the weather is good, we're hoping for patio seating. Please let us know if you're coming — whether you're riding with us (11:15 a.m.) or joining us there (11:30 a.m.). We need a complete count, so please RSVP by emailing the church office at info@parkroadbaptist.org or by signing up in Helt Hall on Sunday mornings. I'm looking forward to it!  -Russ

Join us for Thirsty Third Thursday, June 18, 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!

Two weeks ago, Child Care Resources invited our Child Development Center Co-Director Heather Gaskins and teacher Chrystie Hurley to attend a reception event at the Governor’s Mansion in Raleigh. Governor Stein celebrated childcare providers of North Carolina and delivered a proclamation honoring Child Care Provider Appreciation Day. Thank you for representing Park Road Baptist Child Development Center so well, ladies!

Sunday, June 21 | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Location: Parking lot behind the church (off Ashcraft)

Everyone is invited to take part in our upcoming PRBC Blood Drive, hosted by OneBlood and sponsored by the Men’s Work Connection Group. The Big Red Bus will be on site for donations — come out and help make a life-saving difference!

How to Participate:

• Visit oneblood.org and search for blood drives in ZIP code 28209 on 06/21/2026 to schedule your appointment.
• Walk-ups are also welcome on a first come, first served basis.

Questions? Contact Kevin Kline at kk5thirty1@yahoo.com or 704-771-6319.

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

Baccalaureate Sunday

Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 7th! We will honor our graduates in worship on Baccalaureate Sunday and have some time to celebrate alongside them in the community center following the service (12:10–1:00 p.m.). These seniors have been an integral part of the life and story of Park Road, and we are so excited for all the places, near and far, they will go in this next chapter! Join us to celebrate them right before they graduate!

Unidiversity is Almost Here!

UniDiversity is quickly approaching. Students have already received the seminar and elective choices this week (students choose 2 seminars and 1 elective to participate in during the week) and need to give Caleb their selections by May 17th. If you have not paid yet, the cost for camp is $350 and can be paid by check or online. For questions please contact Caleb .

Regular Scheduled Programing is as follows:

• Sunday Mornings, 10a - Preview (Will pause for the Summer staring June 14th)

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

Families: Summer Plans Are Coming Soon!

Last year, I learned that less is more in our summer schedule, so this year I’ve decided to keep it simple. We have a week of Youth Camp and a week of Kids Camp, but we will also look to do a family day out at the lake in August, as well as a church-wide outing to the Charlotte Pride parade. We will also look to do a trip to Carowinds and a movie night! Be on the lookout for the summer calendar coming soon! - Caleb

Camp Prism Is Almost Here!

Camp Prism is almost here. We have eleven 3rd–5th graders already signed up and ready to go this year. Registration closes May 25th, so sign up now if you haven’t yet. The cost for the week is $175 and includes all meals and lodging.For questions or more information please contact caleb@parkroadbaptist.org

Regular Scheduled Programing is as follows:

• Sunday Mornings 9:45-10:45am Children's Sunday School (K-5th) (Will pause for the Summer staring June 14th)
• 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)