Church Calendar | Sermons | Sign-up to Help | Blog | Contact

{View as Webpage}

Chat About ALS

I preached last week about Curiosity as a spiritual discipline. Over dinner last week, I asked a friend (I was curious): “How is the church doing with my diagnosis?” She replied, “I think people have a lot of questions.” (more curiosity) I understood her to say that everyone respects my privacy and that their curiosity is about love and care for me – but I totally understand that you may have lots of questions. I have a lot of questions, too. 

Previously, I had said I would not write about my health issues in the newsletter or on social media – but I also said I reserve the right to change my mind! Last week, Russ and I talked, and now that we are several months into this diagnosis, we think we may all benefit from a “Chat About ALS.” We think it may help you to know more about our journey so far, about what we're anticipating, and about how we're facing our new life.

I know this is short notice, but in looking at calendars and scheduling, THIS SUNDAY is the best time. So, this Sunday, May 3, from 3:30-5:00pm in Helt Hall, I will be offering some thoughts, some details, and some hopes for what lies ahead. I will be joined by Russ and Park Road’s own, Dr. Chris Connelly, who practices neurology in Concord. He is the doctor who took amazing care of me and held my hand as he arrived at an ALS diagnosis. Chris will be able to give us the science behind Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and to offer insight into any medical questions you may have. Russ and I will be able to share some lived experience with this diagnosis and with this disease.

Our Receptions Team will provide desserts. I picture our gathering as an informal and honest time of sharing and learning — and we will provide ample time for Q&A. We are inviting any who are curious to join us. Come with a sense of compassionate curiosity, trusting that our time together will help us move forward with a sense of Hope – not just for me, but for all of us.

It will be a full day at Park Road: Connection Groups at 9:45am, Worship at 11:00am, “Ways to Pray: Creativity as Spiritual Practice” with Missy Solomon from 1:00-3:30pm (please RSVP with Missy or in the church office), and a “Chat About ALS” from 3:30-5:30pm.

Together, all day long, let’s be curious – learning, questioning, growing, and discovering. And let that holy curiosity be our prayer. And let that prayer be our Hope.

Because Hope is treatment, - Amy

As we begin a new month, we have a chance to make a real difference—join us this Sunday by bringing food to help restock our community food pantry.

In April, our usual first-Sunday reminder was missed because of Easter, and our inventory is now running low. The last time we made a big push, you all came through in a big way—thank you! Will you do it again?

Bring Food This Sunday—or Any Day of the Week: Bring food on Sundays, or drop it off during the week at the office (Tuesday–Friday, 8:30–2:00 p.m.). Self-opening cans and canned meats are especially helpful. We have plenty of canned beans for now, so please don’t stock up on those.

This is an important ministry that anyone can support by simply picking up a few extra non-perishables during your regular grocery trip.

The Cuban people are in an extremely difficult situation right now. A Russian tanker has recently delivered badly needed oil to the island, but there are extreme shortages of nearly all other goods, including food. Our partner church, Resurrection Baptist, is currently feeding about 200 people at the church each day. They invite children to come first, followed by senior adults, and then offer food to both members of the church and people in the community. Our budgeted money for Cuba is set aside for our mission trip to Carlos Rojas, so the May Mission Offering is in addition to the budgeted amount and is specifically designated to help with the feeding program. This offering provides a tangible and critical means for us to have a positive impact on meeting a dire need in Cuba. Please give generously.

One more weekend of work and Jennifer’s house should be completed! We have reserved Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3 to travel once more to Rollins, NC and, hopefully, finish the house. Once again, the Neeriemers are generously making their home available for lodging, and food will be provided.

Whether you can come for one day, the whole weekend, or even stay into Monday, your help is greatly appreciated. There are jobs remaining for both skilled and unskilled workers, so please come and join us as you’re able. Let Russ or Dan know that you’re coming so that we can plan accordingly.

For those who are available, there is also an open invitation to stay Sunday night and continue working through Monday. Some people are already planning to do so, and the Neeriemers have graciously shared that their home will also be available for Sunday night.

We are grateful to several of you for sharing with us your spiritual practice last week, when we were talking about Beauty. We hope you are taking the nudge from worship and considering a few new ways to practice faith. Thanks to Alan Eakes, Cathy Cagney, and Bill Hemmingway for sharing.

Our next Fun Food Friday will be on May 1st at The Painted Rooster in Plaza Midwood. We will meet at the church at 11:15 a.m. to carpool together, or you can meet us at the restaurant at 11:30 a.m. After lunch, we’ll head over to Austin Seagraves’ home for dessert, generously provided by Austin, and to visit her backyard plant nursery. You may want to save a little room in your budget, as Austin will have plants available for purchase!

Please RSVP by emailing the church office at info@parkroadbaptist.org or by signing up in Helt Hall. We hope you’ll join us for another fun outing!

Join us on Wednesday, May 6, for our First Wednesday meal and time of fellowship around the tables. Dinner will be served at 5:30 PM, offering a chance to slow down, share a meal, and enjoy being together as a church family.

As part of the evening, we will also host one of our upcoming Vision Q&A sessions at 6:00 PM in the Community Center. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the vision for Park Road, hear about key ministry priorities, and ask questions as we look toward the future together.

Please make your dinner reservation by Tuesday, May 5 at noon by emailing info@parkroadbaptist.org, or sign up in Helt Hall on Sunday.

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 on May 9. 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 13th, please sign up by clicking here or by contacting Dan McClintock:

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

The Park Road University series, “Ways to Pray: Creativity as Spiritual Practice,” will now begin Sunday, May 3—and it’s not too late to join! Led by Missy Solomon, this series invites participants to explore simple, creative approaches to prayer beyond words, offering meaningful ways to deepen spiritual life—no artistic experience needed, just an open heart and willingness to try something new.

Workshops will be held Sunday afternoons (1:30–3:30 PM) in Room Community Center Room 503, with an optional lunch at 1:00 PM (details provided upon RSVP). All other dates and details remain the same. Please RSVP by Wednesday, April 29 to revmissysolomon@gmail.com or info@parkroadbaptist.org.

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!

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

Unidiversity: July 6-10

We're headed back to Maryville, TN for everyones favorite

week. Contact Caleb for

more information.

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 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.

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)