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In Costa Rica, you hear "pura vida" everywhere. Literally, it means "pure life," but locals — ticos and ticas — use it for so much more: hello, goodbye, thank you, "everything is fine," all in one phrase. It's less a greeting and more a philosophy — gratitude, community, and a relaxed resilience that doesn't budge no matter what the day brings.

In mid-July, I went to Costa Rica for a six-day writing retreat with Legacy Trips and my writing coach, Kim Marsh, founder of The Open Book Company. We flew into San José and drove five hours to the Caribbean coast, landing in the small town of Puerto Viejo. It was the first trip I've ever taken without my kids, a significant other, or a church group — just me. And almost everything about it surprised me.

I didn't expect to be so deep in the jungle. No air conditioning, animals everywhere, and somehow I felt more welcomed than I have in a long time. I found parts of myself I didn't know were still there. Comfort and trust came easily with new people, too, sharing our writing with each other like we'd known one another for years.

There was a childlike joy in seeing howler monkeys, sloths, toucans, parakeets, red frogs, and crabs in the wild — and I mean that literally. I let out actual squeals of delight more than once, which made my friend Tina, who owns and runs Legacy Trips and has lived in Costa Rica for five years, so happy. Landslides closed the roads more than once, and while we sat and waited, we found pink bananas, ripe and ready to eat, growing right there.

I also came away having learned some real history. Puerto Viejo sits in Limón province, where a large Afro-Costa Rican community has deep Jamaican roots — not from sugarcane, as I'd assumed, but from the Atlantic Railroad. Jamaican workers arrived starting in 1872 to help build it, and many stayed on afterward to work the banana plantations that boomed along the coast. That history still shows up in the language, the music, and especially the food — an incredible fusion of Jamaican and Costa Rican flavors, some of the best I've ever had.

This notorious overpacker still ran through nearly every outfit I brought, thanks to daily sweat and multiple outfit changes a day. And somehow I stayed busy the whole time — hiking, writing, exploring — without the bone-deep exhaustion "busy" usually brings. Costa Rica has a way of giving you energy back instead of draining it.

While I was there, I kept writing a little more honestly, a little further from the tidy, happy-ending version of my story. That kind of writing takes trust, and I found more of it than I expected — in myself and in the people around me. If I hadn't already lived it, I'd go again in a heartbeat. Now, I'm not in a rush to go back — I let it fill me up, and it did.

None of this would have been possible without my coworkers here at Park Road. They didn't hesitate to cover the office phones while I was away, and they were genuinely excited for me — cheering me on to go. That kind of support isn't something I take for granted. I'm grateful to work somewhere that doesn't just tolerate my passions outside these walls, but actually encourages them.

Pura vida. Pure life. I'm still carrying a little bit of that jungle resilience with me. - Becka Eppley, PRBC Communications Director

It’s been a busy few weeks with personnel, and we’re saying goodbye to two colleagues—but we’re welcoming two wonderful folks in their place. Allison Wieland has been our Finance Director for 9½ years but has had an opportunity that she feels she needs to take. We are sorry to lose her, but she has recommended to us a former colleague, and Lauren McNeely has spent this week training with Allison. We welcome Lauren to our staff and hope you will have a chance to meet her soon.

Sunday, you helped us say goodbye to Roxanne Holt Watson. We have loved having Roxanne in our music program and wish her and her husband well as they move to Asheville. In a wonderful twist of events, Mark Frye, who was our Organist and Director in 2019 and through the months of the COVID shutdown, will return to the organ this Sunday. We have met with Mark this week and are glad to renew our kinship. You will enjoy hearing Mark in worship this Sunday.

Thanks to Allison and Roxanne. Welcome, Lauren and Mark.

A Note from Allison

After almost 10 years at PRBC, it is bittersweet to share that this is my last week at the church. Park Road has been family to me, and I will always be thankful for the pastors and staff whom I have shared many laughs, tears, and memories with. Thank you to the congregation for all your support and kind words over the years. I will miss everyone dearly but won’t be a stranger! - Allison

The final summer session of Ways to Pray: Creativity as Spiritual Practice will be held Sunday, August 9, from 1–3 p.m. in Room 503 of the Community Center. An optional lunch will begin at 12:30 p.m.

This final session will be something special. Participants will create a personal set of prayer beads and take part in a group prayer ritual that will include special prayers for Amy and Russ. Whether you’ve joined us for an earlier workshop or this will be your first, you are welcome to be part of this meaningful afternoon together.

All supplies are provided, and there is a $10 materials fee. Space is limited, so please RSVP by Wednesday, August 5, to Missy at revmissydolomon@gmail.com or contact the church office info@Parkroadbaptist.org

Please join us for our next First Wednesday meal and time together around the tables. In our increasingly isolated world, it’s great to have time together, sharing a meal and fellowship face to face. That’s what families do! Please email to make your dinner reservation by Tuesday, August 4, at noon at info@parkroadbaptist.org, or sign up in Helt Hall on Sunday.

What better way to recover from the first few days back at school than by celebrating the close of summer with a day at the lake? Beth and Mark Mintich have graciously offered to host us for some time on the boats and relaxing together on Saturday, August 29. It really helps with planning and boating if we can get an RSVP for this event.

Lunch will be provided, along with opportunities for tubing, water activities, and swimming. RSVP to Caleb by emailing him at Caleb@parkroadbaptist.org.

You may remember that Christians Caring for Creation (C3) was originally planned as our July Mission Offering. When Roof Above experienced significant storm damage and an immediate need for support, we shifted the remainder of our July offering to help with their recovery. This month, we return to our planned support of C3.

Christians Caring for Creation is an environmental nonprofit that encourages and equips people of faith to care for the world we share. Through education, advocacy, and partnerships, C3 challenges us to recognize that loving God and loving our neighbors also calls us to care for all of God’s creation. We invite you to support C3 through our August Mission Offering as we help care for the one wild and precious Earth we share.

The CDC recently celebrated Hawaiian Day, and the children got into the spirit by wearing Hawaiian shirts, dresses, shorts, and more. The participation was great, and everyone was so colorful! At PRBCDC, “he ‘ohana kākou!” (We are family!)

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

Regular Scheduled Programing is as follows:

• Sunday Mornings, 10a - Preview
  (Currently paused for the Summer, will return on August 23rd.)

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

Regular Scheduled Programing is as follows:

• Sunday Mornings 9:45-10:45am Children's Sunday School (K-5th) (Currently paused for the Summer, will return on August 23rd.)
• Sunday Mornings 10am-12pm Nursery
• First Wednesdays 5:30pm Dinner/6pm Children's Midweek - The first Wednesday of each month.

~

We extend sympathy to the family of Bobby Curtis. Bobby was a longtime member and for 17 years opened up Hope Chapel for the homeless community in Charlotte. We were able to celebrate Bobby‘s life last Sunday at a memorial service. He will be missed by family and friends, including his church family.

~

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)