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I have just finished preparing for tonight's "First Wednesday" program. If you don't do First Wednesdays, I wish you would give it a try. (Yes, you'd rather take a beating than fight Charlotte traffic, and so would I – but some things really are worth fighting for!) Wednesday nights used to be central to who and what Park Road is. Lots of folks gathered. Lots. Every. Single. Wednesday. Night. We had good discussions. We read hard books, debated interesting subjects, agreed and disagreed, had good food – and always enjoyed great fellowship together. After COVID, we cut back to a monthly program, but all that good stuff is still happening – and a great program for your children. (Thanks, Caleb!) It's still happening – especially the fellowship. It's a great way to spend time together – and where else can you get a good meal (with second helpings), a dessert, a drink, and coffee, for $8.00?

Tonight, we're going to have a little free-form discussion. We're going to ask: What's on your mind? What are you happy about? Concerned about? What do you want to ask a question about? In thinking about what I'll write down on my own notecard, I thought of these words…

"How are you doing?"

Yesterday we had a Zoom interview with the Executive Director of Compassionate Care ALS. This non-profit is new to us. Based in Falmouth, MA, CCALS provides services to people with ALS and their caregivers. The organization started locally but now has employees and clients all over the country. They were referred to us, and without any initiative on our part, they reached out. I have already had another unprompted call this morning from another of their employees.

Somewhere in the course of the Zoom call yesterday, the Director said that "How are you doing?" is a terrible question. If I could give any advice to people relating to someone who has ALS, that advice would be, "Never ask, 'How are you doing?'" Amy readily nodded on our side of the computer screen. The question is too broad… too unspecific.

"How are you doing?" I don't know how I'm doing. On any given day, I don't know. What do I need these days, related to this new life we're living? I have no idea. What I need… how you can help me… even what I'm thinking… how I'm processing all of this… It's all still overwhelming.



I have made it a few days now without tears. That took about four months, and it doesn't happen often, but I do now occasionally make it through a day without them. So, "How am I doing?" Well, maybe I'm better. But what does "better" mean? How do you even comprehend this? Accept this? Reconcile this? Live with this?

In our first meeting with our staff after the diagnosis, Amy talked a good bit. All I could say was that I hoped my silence, my inability to talk about any of this, would not offend them, that it would not create any distance between us. I said, "I just can't." I still just can't.

So, "How am I doing?" is what's on my mind today… because I still don't know. The best I can do is two words. The first word on how I'm doing is that I'm "ok." By that I mean you do not need to worry about me doing something harmful to myself. My counselor and the Social Worker at the ALS clinic have both asked. (It is their job to ask – but, no, I've never thought of doing any harm to myself. And I'm sleeping again, and I never lost my appetite. (You know me!))

But, no… don't worry about that. I'm ok. And the second word is to say that I'm OK. I'm not better than OK. And not worse. Frankly, I cannot imagine that ever changing. How could I ever be more than OK with this?

The one thing I know for certain is that I need to be with friends. That includes all of you. I do need you, even if we don't ever talk about How I'm Doing. Coffee with a friend last week was great. Coffee this morning with Dr. Jackson Dean was great. Dinner meals last week to celebrate Amy's birthday were great. Knowing that you care enough to show up for worship, for First Wednesdays, for all the stuff we're offering. Knowing you will keep being the church, keep helping us move forward with an exciting new Vision, knowing you will be as normal as is possible in the most abnormal world I could never have imagined… that's what I need.

How am I doing? Thanks for not asking – but for showing up instead.

– Russ

Sharon Kelly joined us officially on Sunday. She and her husband, Darryl, have been visiting with us for a few months. Please take the opportunity to say hello and get to know Sharon and Darryl. Welcome to Park Road!

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 Friday, August 7, to Missy at revmissysolomon@gmail.com or contact the church office info@Parkroadbaptist.org

While we are still working out a few details for all the goings-on, we know when it's going on, so mark your calendars now, and start gearing up to get back in the habit, if you've gotten out of the habit! All Connection Groups and regular activities kick back off on Sunday, August 23. Stay tuned for more details, but we hope you will plan to be in your place on August 23.

The Park Road Baptist Child Development Center recently held a food drive to support the PRBC Duncan Community Food Pantry. Families, teachers, and staff came together with a goal of collecting 250 food items in honor of America's 250th birthday celebration.

Thank you to everyone who donated and helped make the food drive a success. Every item collected will help stock the Duncan Community Food Pantry and provide food for neighbors in need. We are grateful for the generosity and caring spirit of our CDC families, teachers, and staff as they continue to make a difference in our community.

Join us for Thirsty Third Thursday, August 20, 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!

One More Summer Day Together

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.

*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.

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)