Nov 21-27, 2022

A Place to Belong

by Devin Green

Myers Park Baptist is not just a Church. We are a place where people find love, acceptance, & welcome, as told by Devin Green.

We Believe in You!

Make a Difference on Giving Tuesday

It’s time for the largest global giving day of the year – Giving Tuesday! We are excited to be a part of this worldwide event, providing you a chance to help us be a community of love, acceptance, and hospitality for our neighbors. No need to wait until November 29, you can go ahead and make your donation now by clicking on the button above.

Celebrating Joe Aldrich's 30 Years at MPBC  

SUN, Nov 27 | 11:15a | Reception in Heaton Hall

Our beloved minister, Rev. Joe Aldrich is retiring after 30 years of serving MPBC in a variety of roles.

Join us & his family for a churchwide reception after worship as we celebrate his dedicated ministry with us and wish him well on his next chapter.

SUN, Nov 20 Worship

If you weren't able to join us, you can watch the service now by clicking on the image above or on YouTube or our website.

Saved by Gratitude

Rev. Dr. Ben Boswell's sermon is available on our website, Facebook, Twitter, & YouTube.

Offertory Anthem

"Lift Your Voice in Praise and Thanksgiving" 

By Georg Frideric Handel

Chancel Choir, directed by Fran Morrison

MLK March & Wreath Laying

SUN, Jan 15, 2023 | 1p | 700 N. Tryon Street

We are incredibly honored & excited to join alongside Dr. Boswell as well as other local businesses, faith communities, non-profits to celebrate the legacy of the great civil rights hero Dr. King & his message of peace & justice for all, which aligns with the mission & vision of our church. We will meet after worship at the old Hal Marshall Bldg. on 700 N. Tryon St. at 1p (where we met for PRIDE) for the march which will end with a wreath laying ceremony at the statue of Dr. King in Marshall Park. Everyone in our congregation & community is invited to join us in the march & the ceremony. You can register to participate in the march with our church here. Does your business or local non-profit want to also walk? Register your organization for the march here.

Interracial Pilgrimage Participants Share Photos From Montgomery, AL

We look forward to hearing stories & experiences from the group of congregants of MPBC & Reeder Memorial Baptist Church who were on pilgrimage together to Montgomery, AL. In the meantime, we wanted to share some of their photos from the trip. | View on our website

Learning Our Way Around Our New Website Exploring the Events Page

We want to show off the features of our new website. This week, we are featuring the Events page which can be found in the "Connect" section.

We believe that our website is our new front door, showing newcomers around our church before they ever step foot on our campus.

This page provides a calendar of events & classes for you to get involved. Take a look around for yourself!  

Nature vs Nurture | Investigations into the biology of sexual orientation 

As we continue to learn all the nuances, vocabulary & topics around gender, identity, sexuality & more, we encourage you to read & or watch the resources from Identiversity.

Don't Miss Out!

Confronting Whiteness Conference 2023

We are excited to announce the second annual Confronting Whiteness Conference will be taking place Jan 27-28, 2023! After a successful Conference in 2021, folks have been inquiring when the next one will be. We heard you & we have been busy putting together what we think will be a powerful & rewarding experience.

It again will bring together those who have participated in the original, pilot course, "What Does It Mean to be White," those who are planning to take the newly launched Confronting Whiteness course, & those who are committed to doing their own ongoing racial justice work.

Registration for the conference is now open. Take advantage of the early bird rate until December 20. To learn more, sign up to receive the Confronting Whiteness Newsletter at confrontingwhiteness.com.

HIGHLIGHTS

Holy Conversations in the Holy Land

June 14 - 23, 2023

• See traditional Holy Land sights in places such as Old Jerusalem, Masada, Bethlehem, & Galilee
• Visit a Jewish Kibbutz & hear an Israeli perspective on the conflict
• Lectures & dialogue with local Christian, Palestinian Muslim, & Jewish representatives for their perspective, as well as a time of questions & interaction from you
• Learn about grassroots organizations committed to understanding & reconciliation among Israelis and Palestinians

When | June 14 through 23

How much | $3,898 which includes airfare from Charlotte, double occupancy first class hotels, all breakfasts & dinners, site fees, guide fees, & travel in a deluxe motor coach

For the full itinerary & to learn more, contact Leigh Anne at [email protected] or click here.

MPBC Has a New Online Bookstore!

Shop with us!

Artist-in-Residence Returns

We are excited to announce that our Artist in Residence, Dr. Caleb Hopkins will be joining us again for two more residencies over this upcoming holiday season. You can learn more about Dr. Hopkins here. Dr. Hopkins will be in residence the week of Nov. 21 and will conduct the choir in worship on the first Sunday of Advent (Nov. 27).

In addition, Dr. Hopkins will return for another residency with our Chancel Choir from Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) through MLK Sunday (Jan. 15).

We are also grateful that Dr. Hopkins will be joined by his fiancé Susannah Stewart, soprano, who will be a guest soloist in worship on the first Sunday of Advent and on Christmas Eve. You can learn more about Susannah here.

Thank you, Fran!

We express our deepest and most profound gratitude for Interim Minister of Music, Fran Morrison, who has re-energized our choir and will lead us through Lessons & Carols (Dec. 18) then take some time off for the holiday season.

Fran has graciously agreed to provide administrative support in the area of music and worship as a member of our staff until we conclude our search for the Director of Music and Worship.  

This year we are making a change, so no help needed! We will be using the same design made by the designer Emily Heaton hired when the sanctuary was built. But now we will use silk greenery and artificial nandina berries so we are not providing poison for robin birds! Love it when a better plan comes together! Peep, Peep!

Special thanks to our really creative church member, Joel Houston, who owns the fabulous Flowers Plus flower shop uptown and opening a new one on Monroe Rd. He is designing our door decorations this year so they can hopefully be used year after year!

Merry Christmas and Beautiful Advent Season to all!

Carol Pearsall

Spiritual Growth Sunday Classes

Will resume Dec 4 | 11:15a - 12p

Feeling Stressed or Anxious? - Just Breathe!

MONs & WEDs | 11:30a - 12p (EST) | Zoom | Password: breathe (case sensitive)

Don't know how to get started? We can help with that! We offer an online opportunity twice each week & would love to have you join us as often as you’re able. All you have to do is join us on Zoom & then Inhale & Exhale. Our lives rest in the balance of these simple actions. Come catch your breath with us.

Learn more

RSV, Flu and COVID: Virus Surge Impacting Children. How to Care for Your Families.

by Julie Barfield, MSN, RCN-MNN, NEA-BC

Flu & RSV are peaking earlier than normal, & COVID-19 is still impacting our communities. This triple threat is significantly impacting children. Flu View, the CDC’s weekly influenza surveillance report, states that “the highest hospitalization rates per 100,000 population were among adults aged ≥ 65 years (3.0) & children aged 0-4 years (3.0), followed by children aged 5-17 years (1.7), adults aged 50-64 (1.3) & adults aged 18-49 years (0.8).” Warning signs of respiratory illness in children include fast or labored breathing, flared nostrils, blue or discolored skin, especially in the face (signaling low oxygen) & dehydration, such as dry mouth or a decrease in wet diapers.

What can I do at home?

• Have your child drink lots of fluids, such as water, broth, sports drinks, & ice chips. This will keep your child's fluid levels up. This is especially important if your child is throwing up, passing liquid stool or less urine, or has no tears when crying.
• Your child needs to rest while getting better.
• Use a machine that makes steam like a vaporizer or humidifier. It may help open a clogged nose so your child can breathe easier.

When do I need to seek immediate medical attention?

• Trouble breathing or fast breathing. Look for ribs pulling with each breath.
• Change in color in face—usually bluish skin and lips
• Fever of 100.4 or higher in infants younger than 3 months- call pediatrician on-call first
• Fever of 105 or higher, regardless of age- call pediatrician on-call first
• Fever of 102 or higher, lasting more than two days. This is to rule out any bacterial infections like meningitis.
• Not alert when awake.
• Signs of fluid loss. These include soft spot on a baby's head looks sunken, few or no tears when crying, dark-colored urine or only a small amount of urine for more than six to eight hours, dry mouth, cracked lips, dry skin, sunken eyes, lack of energy, feeling very sleepy.

How can I prevent my child from getting either COVID, the flu, or RSV?

• Protection is always the best prevention!
• Now is the time to make sure your child gets their flu shot at their pediatrician’s office if you have not done that already.
• Get the COVID-19 vaccine or the booster if it is time.
• Unfortunately, there is no RSV vaccine for the general public currently. So, think back to all the strategies you pulled out of your toolbox during the many waves of COVID-19: wash hands, mask up when necessary, & wipe down surfaces.
• Stay away from people who are sick & keep your child home if they are experiencing symptoms. 

Masks are encouraged. 

We encourage you to make the best decision for yourself and your family. 

Masks will be available in the Narthex for those who may want one. If you or a someone in your home isn't feeling well, we encourage you to join us virtually.

Room In The Inn (RITI) Update

We Need Your Input!

Here's What's Happening This Fall for Children 

Youth on the roof learning about MPBC's pioneering solar panel technology with guests: Paula Fricke & Bob Thomasson

Youth brainstorming on an encouraging message to share with the greater church

with local guest artist Lo'Vonia Parks.

Winter Retreat 2023: Building at the Beach

Dates | SAT. Jan 14 - MON, Jan 16

Departure from MPBC at 12p | Return to MPBC at 3p

In Need of Help?

We are here for you. The Ministry of Congregational Care provides care, support & encouragement to all members in times of joy, bereavement, illness, & crisis. Information about Health & Safety, Grief, Stephen Ministry, as well as helpful resources are available on our website. Just search "In need of help?"

Stephen Ministry is Here For You

Stephen Ministers are available for free & provide safe, confidential space & listening ear. If you want to know more about the ministry, please contact Carol Cedar at [email protected].

Prayer Requests

You can submit a request by emailing [email protected].

Joys and Concerns |

We rely on friends & relatives to keep us posted on hospitalizations, births & deaths. If you know of any member not listed, please contact Carol Cedar at [email protected].