IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | SUN, Nov 29 |
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Advent at Home
Week 1 | Hope
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Join Rev. Mia McClain, Rev. Carrie Veal, and Allen Davis as they explore the idea of hope. |
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PAUSE FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS |
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Marina Luckhoo, Faith Community Nurse |
Marina Luckhoo recently joined MPBC and is a Faith Community Nurse in her final year of seminary. She and her husband have two daughters, Eva (15) and Ella (21 on phone.) |
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3 W’s as Spiritual Practice
The Bible says that perfect love drives out fear. (1John 4:18) If we allow God’s love to direct our actions, then each step we take to prevent spread of Covid-19, is reframed as an act of love for God and neighbor. Engaging in the 3W’s as spiritual practice is one way to affirm love over fear.
WEAR A MASK
Mask wearing has become the new norm, a visible expression of who we are and how we engage with the world at large. While masks themselves have become personal and political statements, as people of faith and good faith there is an added impetus for wearing a mask, it can be a physical manifestation of love for neighbor. While there is an element of self-protection in mask wearing, the weight of benefit is for others. Source control of Covid, acknowledges that the risk of contagion may begin before symptoms appear (if ever.) Wearing a mask can be offered as a spiritual practice born of compassion, seeking to keep others from harm, providing a safe space around you. It can be imagined as an act of humility, enduring temporary discomfort for the health and wellbeing of others. It is embodied generosity, a gift to the stranger and friend alike.
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“If our love of God does not directly influence, and even change, how we engage in the issues of our time on this earth, I wonder what good religion is." - Richard Rohr |
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Get Ready!
Giving back to the community is still our secret to togetherness. Imagine a world where the legacy of the pandemic is a more just and generous world. We plan to work toward that. We invite you to join us on Giving Tuesday. Give online here: GIVING TUESDAY
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SUN | Dec 6 | Advent II | Peace
Rev. Dr. W. Benjamin Boswell preaching
Pantasia Steel Drum Band will return, along with vocalist Nitara Reaves, to provide seasonal music with a Caribbean flair
SUN | Dec 13 | Advent III | Joy
Rev. Dr. W. Benjamin Boswell preaching
Our Jazz Ensemble will be with us
SUN | Dec 20 | Advent IV | Love
Lessons and Carols with Kinder Choir, Carol Choir, Chapel Choir, Youth Choir, and ensembles of members of our Chancel Choir
THU | Dec 24 | Christmas Eve
6pm | Vigil | Sanctuary Front Lawn
We will gather on the front lawn in candlelight to sing Christmas carols, experience the story of Christmas through scripture, and then take individually wrapped Communion elements home to partake while watching our virtual worship service online.
6pm | Virtual Worship
30 minute prelude by Grammy award winning fiddle player Mark O'Connor and his wife Maggie along with organ music by John Richardson. Service will feature the O'Connors, small ensembles from the Chancel Choir, and John Richardson
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Advent at Home
Week 2 | Peace
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Join Rev. Mia McClain, Rev. Carrie Veal, and Allen Davis as they explore the idea of Peace. |
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Naptime is My Time Community Group |
Fridays (begins Dec 4) | Noon – 1p
As moms we are always looking to expand our tribe, wanting to share experiences with other moms. Join Katherine Kellogg and Wesley Campbell for a weekly chat. We will begin online, and hope to move to in person this spring. | Register here | Read More
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Bike Riders Community Group
Bike-N-Brew
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MON | Dec 7 | 5:30-7p
A leisurely 5-mile, paved surface, evening bike tour of the Stewart and Irwin Creek Greenways and the surrounding Wesley Heights neighborhood. | Register here | Read more
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Tailgating Party
SUN | Dec 13 | Noon | On Campus
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Bring the family, a chair, some food, and a mask and join us for some tailgating and then stay for the Panther’s game. This is a limited capacity event and RSVPs are REQUIRED. Masks are also REQUIRED. Register here
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Pinewood Elementary Virtual Angel Tree provides children with four gifts--clothes, jacket, shoes, and a toy--wrapped and ready for the holidays. Gifts can be purchased online and shipped directly to the school or can be dropped off at the school (between school hours of 8a - 2:30p). To participate, contact Laura Handler or Karen Taylor. | Read more
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Charlotte Bilingual Preschool needs our help with the following:
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Temperature Checker | Perform COVID safety protocol when students arrive
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Traffic Director/Runner | Enforce social distancing for students and parents
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Greeter | Give students a warm welcome
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Manifest Emmanuel: An Embodied Creative Prayer Workshop
SAT | Jan 9, 2021 | 9-11:30a | Online
Join Helms Jarrell (one of our 2021 Artists-in-Residence) for creative art practices and reflection to celebrate and honor the season of Epiphany. Free for MPBC members (use code MPBCmember) | Register here
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MONs & WEDs | 11:30a - 12p | Zoom | Passcode - breathe
Take time to catch your breath and center you mind, body, and soul. Everyone is welcome to join us.
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MONs | 5:30p
This group is open to all running levels, and walkers, too. Wear your mask, bring your dog, bring your stroller and bring your water. | Register here
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Chancel Choir Virtual Christmas Party |
Thursday, December 3 | 6:30 - 7:30p
Our holiday party will be different this year, but we can still be festive while being safe. Contact Matt Caine for the details. |
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Parenting in the Possibilities |
Thursday, December 3 | 8- 9p
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Holiday Shopping at MPBC Marketplace |
We have added a few new items to our Marketplace! With colder weather and the holidays coming, we are now offering sweatshirts and facemasks. They will make great gifts for your family and friends (and don't forget to get yourself some, too)! Order here
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Have an Idea For a Community Group? |
Our need for community is stronger now than ever before. We are working to create Community Groups for the winter based on interests, wants, and needs. You may have an idea for a group that you would like to suggest and maybe even host. From podcasts to poetry, travel to TV, we want to have something for everyone. Contact Rev. Carrie Veal with your ideas. |
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Faith Formation
Ideas to break out of the ongoing, at home rut
Many of us have a love/hate relationship with routine. We may love the consistency and practice of routine that offers us a feeling of balance. Yet it can also feel boring ... the word that every parent dreads to hear! But let's be honest, we all get bored. And as we experience shorter sunlit days, more restrictions due to COID, and colder weather, we're looking for ways to break out of the monotony. So, each week Rev. Carrie will be providing some simple ways to connect with your kids and maybe yourself, too! Each week she will provide three ideas that fall into three categories.
Children's Worship
For ages 4 - 2 nd grade | You will receive a recording each Friday in the weekly email from the Children's Ministry. | Read more
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Youth Fellowship Christmas Party
SUN | Dec 13 | 3p
Youth Community Conversations
Every youth gathering opens with community conversations, allowing the youth to connect and break the ice for the meeting. Allen Davis, Youth Director is sharing these community conversation questions and wants you to feel free to use them at the dinner table, in the car, or whenever. Enjoy!
- What do you think would probably surprise most people about you? Why?
- What is your greatest strength?
- How can you use your strength to help others?
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Children's Choirs
WEDs | Zoom
We are getting ready for Lessons and Carols! Our children need sounds in their ears, faith in their hearts, and scripture in their minds – they need art and music, and they need God!
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Youth Choir
SUNs | 5 - 6p | Online
Make sure to join us as we rehearse in preparation for our Lessons and Carols service. If you need more information, please contact Charlotte Judge. |
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GETTING TO KNOW THE ALLIANCE OF BAPTISTS |
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Myers Park Baptist Church is affiliated with the Alliance of Baptists, a progressive organization that is passionate about ecumenism, partnership in mission, relentless hospitality, and social justice. We want to help you get to know more about them and why we, as a church, value being in community with them. Learn more about who they are here.
MPBC staff were involved in helping to secure this grant:
Lilly Endowment Grant to Davidson College Paves New Ways Towards Building a Racially-Just Alliance
Posted on Nov 20, 2020
Thanks to a $1 million Lilly Endowment grant to Davidson College, the Alliance of Baptists has new partners in our movement toward building a racially-just Alliance and in supporting congregational partners in their growing commitment to expose and address systemic racism in their local contexts.
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We send a warm thank you to all those who spent their Saturday morning beautifying our Sanctuary front doors for the Advent season. |
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Do you need some help? Would you like a visit?
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Would you like to join our list of volunteers?
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Meditation with Barbara Linney
11:30a - Noon | Zoom | Password: breathe (case sensitive)
Running Community Group
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Midweek Meditation
11:30a - Noon | Zoom | Password: breathe (case sensitive)
Children's Choirs
TK/K - 2nd grade | 5 - 5:20p
3rd - 5th grades | 5:30-6p
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Chancel Choir Virtual Christmas Party
6:30-7:30p | Online
Parenting in the Possibilities
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Naptime is My Time Community Group
Noon-1p | Online
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Virtual Worship
Family Hot Chocolate Play Date
1-2:30p | On Campus
Masks Required | We are at capacity for this event
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What do NC’s new stricter mask rules mean for you?
Face coverings will now be required in all indoor settings, regardless of whether people are 6 feet apart, if the people there are not in your household. This article explains in detail what is required under the new executive order. | Read more
Unhappy for the holidays? How some people are keeping COVID-19 sadness at bay
Just as people have found ways to honor other milestones throughout the pandemic, faith leaders and mental health professionals say it’s possible to sacrifice some of the intimacy of traditional gatherings and still have a meaningful holiday season. | Read more
Anxiety is contagious, but so is compassion: Long-term mental health and COVID-19 | Read more
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Local Black-owned Eatery, Leah & Louise, recognized nationally
This Black-owned restaurant has snagged the No. 2 spot on Esquire magazine’s list of best restaurants for 2020. Leah & Louise — owned by James Beard-nominated chef Greg Collier and business partner and wife Subrina — opened at Camp North End earlier this year. | Read more
The best places to see 2020 holiday lights near Charlotte.
Enjoy the season with these virtual and outdoor displays, which allow for COVID-19 social distancing. | Read more
Taste of the Season at Carowinds
Happy holidays, y’all! Savor the holidays' flavors at Carowinds’ Taste of the Season: An Outdoor Holiday Food Festival. Sample tempting treats with your Tasting Card and make magical family memories —safely on select days through December 20. Limited capacity, so reserve your spots. | Read more
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Inclusivity | Spirituality | Community | Justice |
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Celebrating Debbie Warren's Leadership in Our Community
Debbie Warren, RAIN's Founder, President & CEO, will be retiring in January 2021, after 28 years of service to the HIV community. With a genuine sweetness and the kindest of hearts, Debbie has worked tirelessly to spread compassion and love across the region, ensuring access to quality, personalized care in a nurturing environment for individuals and their families who are living with HIV and associated chronic conditions. | Read more
The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song.
The two-part series will examine the deep history of the Black church and culture of African American faith communities. Airing on PBS February 16 and 23, 2021. | Read more
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