Because Ash Wednesday falls on Valentine’s day this year, we want to honor plans you may have made. Therefore, instead of an Ash Wednesday service, we will be offering a few options for you to receive the imposition of ashes either from your car or in the Sanctuary. | Read more

The lectionary offers us many stories of Jesus encountering people who are seeking: Nicodemus comes to him in the veil of night, he approaches a Samaritan woman at a well, he heals a man born without sight. In these stories, each person is seeking a new beginning, a different life, a deeper faith.

Since its conception, music has been an integral part of the Black church experience. Whether hymns, spirituals, gospel, or jazz, Black music serves as a conduit to experience God, liberation, and bodily expression. Throughout February, we will celebrate diverse Black histories with a bevy of spiritual growth opportunities, screenings, and guest performers, speakers, and preaching. We cannot wait for you to join us. | Learn more

Sunday, February 18

Preacher | Rev. Dr. Rodney Sadler

Music | Carolina Social Music Club

Celebrating | Black History Month

This month we will have Tameka McLean from Poppy Muse as our speaker. This non-profit helps foster children who have aged out of foster care transition to independent living–no small task for an 18-year-old. You will not want to miss this. For more information, contact Gretchen Allen ([email protected]),

At MPBC, we are dedicated to living into our mission of being a community of inclusivity, spiritualty, and justice. Throughout the year, we will incorporate our theme for 2024, “Draw the Circle Wider,” into worship and programming including our Mosaic Wednesdays. We hope everyone will join us on the third Wednesday each month.

We regret to inform you that Rev. Dr. JJ Flag is moving on to pursue a new opportunity and will no longer be serving as our Associate Minister for Pastoral Care and Justice. 

JJ joined our staff in December 2022 and has impacted our worship services with moving prayers and thought-provoking sermons.

Beginning the first of March, new Circles of Elders will be available for MPBC Seniors. The small groups of 6-8 will meet twice monthly via Zoom or in person or a combination of both and will be facilitated by Betsy Thigpen or Gary Hudson. Participants will commit to meeting March through May and then make the decision as to whether they wish to continue for an undefined period. | Learn more

If you would like to participate in our memorial Easter lily tradition, please complete an order form online or contact Carol Cedar by email or call 704.334.7232 x100.

We also need volunteers to deliver lilies on Easter Sunday or Monday.

Join us in celebrating with our dear friend, Dawn Anthony, who was named as one of QCity Metro's "The Great 28" acknowledging Charlotte residents who have made our city a better place to live, work and play. This February edition is in celebration of Black History Month. Read the article here.

Get your copy of the re-release of Rev. Dr. Ben Boswell's book, "Confronting Whiteness." Order by February 28 and save 30%.

We are offering a few options for you to receive the imposition of ashes.

• Drive through on the brick patio (enter from Selwyn Ave) between 8-9a or 4:30-5p (see map) OR
• Come into the Sanctuary to receive ashes and Communion from 11:30a-12p. There will be meditative music for those who would like to pray or meditate. | Read more

Faith & Community

Lead: Bruce Elliott & Special Guests | Shalom Hall

What can our community leaders and influencers teach us as a people of faith? Join us for guest speakers each week who will cover a variety of topics drawing heavily on the arts, literary, social and spiritual issues as viewed from a faith perspective. | Learn more

Mysticism in Uncertain Times

Lead: Various Special Guests | Shalom Hall

For the month of February, the course sessions will cover the life, works, and theology of Howard Thurman. | Learn more

We had a great turnout for our first family clay session with ceramicist and MPBC Artist-in-Residence Greg Scott! Over the next 7 weeks we will learn clay basics and begin work on a community arts program themed around the season of Lent. Keep an eye out in the Narthex on Palm Sunday for a display of our final project! If you would like to join in on the fun, email Candace Williamson for late registration!

Perhaps you have filled out a membership card but you haven't been introduced to the congregation. Perhaps you are ready to join and you have been wondering what the next step is. Attending our Navigating series is not required, nor do you have to be a member to attend.

Are you new to MPBC and looking for a way to get involved? Maybe you’ve been around for a while but you’re still wondering how you can make a difference? We’d love to have you join us for Room In The Inn. RITI is a city-wide partnership that seeks to provide temporary shelter to our unhoused neighbors during the coldest months of the year.

We are excited to announce that our Special Guest Speaker will be Dr. Sharon Gaber, Chancellor of UNCC! Please mark your calendar and go ahead and register now to make your reservation for a delicious breakfast cooked by Deeper Than Sweets, great fellowship, and a compelling and informative talk. We look forward to seeing you there! | Learn more

RSVP here

What an incredible Saturday we had with the Confronting Whiteness 2024 Conference. We learned and we laughed, we connected and we conversed. We discovered how we can participate in reparations and not feel hindered by the concept. We are grateful to our sponsors, our volunteers, and the congregation for their support of this work. Our conference was featured on the news. Check out the news stories with Spectrum News and WSOC-TV below.

On Sunday, January 28, the congregation reviewed and unanimously passed a new budget for 2024. The balanced budget, totaling $1,710,024, reflects adjustments to utilities, insurance, and other operational expenses as a result of inflation. Fortunately, MPBC has the benefit of generous givers as well as endowments established to supplement its ongoing operations and vital ministries.

It’s always wonderful when we can share a meal together. We had a wonderful time together on January 28 and are grateful to Richard and Carol Pearsall for their love of cooking and community. A big thanks to everyone who made this a success! 

Children's Ministry Newsletter

Read the latest issue here - January 2024. | Sign up to receive the Children's Ministry newsletter.

This school year, rain and storms have interrupted a number of youth events. So, when the pre-retreat lock-in had to be canceled due to thunderstorms, there were fears that the entire weekend would be ruined. However, that was far from the truth. Our retreat was an amazing time of building community, building up one another, and building relationships. (Oh, and building Legos). We started with an assessment of how we affirm disabled identities at our own church while sharing breakfast together. Youth learned and discussed ways to build a welcoming and inclusive space through accessibility. | Read the full article

Sunday, February 25

Preacher | Rev. John Blackshire, PhD

Sermon | God Is Real

Scripture | 1 John 4:7-12

Music | Jazz Logan

Celebrating | Black History Month

With such a diverse and international gathering, commitments from speakers will be rolling in as travel requirements are secured. We are thrilled to already have confirmed we will hear from Reverend Dr. Mitri Raheb from Bright Stars of Bethlehem, Reverend Dalia Juarez Fernandez from Seminario Intercultural Mayense, and our own co-director, Reverend Elijah Zehyoue, Ph.D. | Learn about them here