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With all the chaos we’re continuing to endure at the beginning of a new year, how about a little good news? I’ve got some to share…

For many of our 25 years at Park Road, we have approached the year-end with an anxiety that has ranged from a low-grade fever, like some background radiation, not felt so much as quietly, persistently heard, to a raging urgency: Are We Going to Make It? (And I don’t mean, “Are we going to subscribe the budget?” I mean, “Are we going to cover our expenses, just keep our heads above water?”)

It has usually started around the beginning of Advent, with a reminder from Allison Wieland: “Things are a little shaky. We’re going to need a really good December!” So, along with all the celebration, we’ve had to layer on that worry, and all the nice nagging that comes with it, the polite pastoral pressure: “Have you fulfilled your pledge? Could you do more?”

That’s always a challenge – “Little Baby Jesus is coming! And, can you help with the budget?”

With all the chaos we’re continuing to endure at the beginning of a new year, how about a little good news? I’ve got some great news to share…

For many of our 25 years at Park Road, we have approached the year-end with an anxiety that has ranged from a low-grade fever, like some background radiation, not felt so much as quietly, persistently heard, to a raging urgency: Are We Going to Make It? (And I don’t mean, “Are we going to subscribe the budget?” I mean, “Are we going to cover our expenses, just keep our heads above water?”)

It has usually started around the beginning of Advent, with a reminder from Allison Wieland: “Things are a little shaky. We’re going to need a really good December!” So, along with all the seasonal celebration, we’ve had to layer on that worry, and all the polite pastoral pressure that comes with it: “Have you fulfilled your pledge? Could you do more?”

That’s always a challenge – “Little Baby Jesus is coming! And, can you help with the budget?”

But, here’s where the good news comes in: for the last few years, we’ve had none of that. Have you noticed? Almost no pleas from the pulpit. Almost no newsletter notices. No first-class mailings, spending USPS money to see if we can close the gap at home. Wow…

Thank you!

What a difference it makes. Thank you for being found faithful in your giving! To be able to be the church, to do our work, to minister within these walls and to do missions beyond – without the worry of paying the bills, makes ministry so much more joyful.

Though we were mostly shutdown due to the COVID pandemic for two years, your giving stayed strong, and we finished those years with large surpluses. In four of the past five years we’ve finished in the black, though we did fall short (than $2,000) in 2024. Allison is closing the books this week and we’re going to end about $12,000 to the good, adding to our “retained earnings” (to use a little accounting-speak). Over these five years we’ve seen a net increase of over $120,000 – and having a financial cushion makes a huge difference to any organization. With these funds, we’ve been able to complete some maintenance issues and facility upgrades that have been much needed.

Did I say, Thank You!?

In 2025, maybe for the first time in our 25 years, our annual pledge-giving exceeded the amount pledged! In addition, non-pledge giving was strong, rental income from our active campus came in above budget, and the contribution from our Child Development Center rounded out our contributions, helping us to end in such a great position. And, for more good news…

Have you noticed the number of guests in worship recently? More than a dozen non-members were with us Sunday, and a half-dozen of those were completely new faces. While so many churches are struggling just to stay alive these days, there is an energy at Park Road that feels like thriving, not just surviving.

And, what about all the children participating in the “Children’s Time” in worship? Wow. We know that sometimes the little ones and parents in our back corner, “Pray Ground,” make a little noise, which can sometimes seem loud in our otherwise quiet sanctuary. We will continue to work with families whose children use this space as an entry for worship education, but a little noise… well, as the signs at some construction sites say, “Pardon our Progress!”

This spring we will complete and dedicate Jennifer’s House in the mountains. Many of you have contributed. Support of our Cuban family continues, and mission groups are discussing new international opportunities. Outreach to at-risk school children and our unhoused neighbors continues, with many Park Roadians volunteering. I could go on and on, but for now, for an oasis of good news in a desert of trouble, let me say, Thank You and Thanks be to God! - Russ

I am currently gathering the details for the Summer Mission Immersion Trip to New York City. The dates that our partner organization had available are June 15–20, but before we do any confirming, I want to make sure we have enough people available at the beginning of summer to make a trip. If you are interested/available to go, please let Caleb know. As a practice, youth mission trips are not reserved to youth only*, and adults are always invited as either chaperones or just adult participants. The goal of any of our mission trips is to find opportunities for mutual learning and fellowship in a missional practice. If you’re interested in our New York Mission Immersion trip with Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries, please reach out. - Caleb

*Most youth mission trips are available to anyone who has completed 6th grade and beyond. Occasionally, we will partner with organizations who have restrictions on ages allowed, but I will note those accordingly.

Let's check out Dolce Osteria (the Internet says Dolce Osteria, but the name on the restaurant is Dolce Ristorante). Looks like a beautiful restaurant, with moderately priced Italian specialties. Since we're headed to Tuscany this summer, I'm trying to get my taster set! Meet in the church parking lot Friday, January 23, at 11:15 a.m., or meet us at 1710 Kenilworth Avenue at 11:30 a.m.

Please let us know if you are planning to join us by either signing up in Helt Hall on Sunday morning or emailing the church office, info@parkroadbaptist.org. – Russ

The church office will be closed this Friday in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Since the office is always closed on Mondays, closing on Friday will provide this holiday for our hard-working staff.

Thanks to Mark Mintich, Dan McClintock, David Jackson, Matt Leach, Jim Veilleux, Russ Dean, and Brian Johnston (volunteer electrician). We had a great day of work in the mountains last Friday. We needed to get the house ready for the installation of three mini-split HVAC systems. These must be in place before sheet rock can be installed. We needed enough siding installed to be able to hang those systems on the outside of the house. The final work on interior framing had to be ready to hang sheet rock. We accomplished all of that in one day. Hooray! We are hiring the sheet rock work, so we will soon be ready to complete the exterior siding, do some interior trim carpentry, install cabinets and light and plumbing fixtures… We are moving toward the finish line. Thanks to all who have helped. We will keep you posted on our next work opportunity.

Our new friend, Dr Thomas Jay Oord, hosts an annual online conference to present books and ideas from ORT-related pastors, teachers, and friends. This year's conference will be held February 12-14, and one of the sessions will feature Russ Dean's latest book, The Story as We Have Received It. The conference is rather daunting — it runs 8-hours a day for three days! But, it's online, and you can choose which session(s) to enjoy. All sessions follow the same schedule: The author spends a few minutes summarizing her/his book; 3 panelists take a few minutes each, offering reflection and critique, and posing questions for the author's response; online participants are invited to share their comments/questions. Russ's session is Friday morning, February 13 at 11:00am.

You can see the full lineup, and register by using this link:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ortline-2026-tickets-1971280952394 .

Our January Mission Offering will go to Refugee Support Services, an organization that helps refugees, asylees, and other displaced people make themselves at home in the Charlotte area. In recent years, North Carolina has been among the top ten resettlement states in the U.S. Refugee Support Services offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for people who want to be involved with the refugee community.

Thirsty Third Thursday returns to Rhino Market this Thursday! Join us at 6:00 PM on January 15 at Rhino Market and Deli – South Park (4300 Congress Street, Charlotte, NC 28209) as we kick off another great year of TTT.

We’re excited to confirm that Rhino Market’s kitchen will be open for dinner. We look forward to seeing the gang again and celebrating the start of a new year together.

Important reminder: Rhino Market has multiple locations, so be sure to head to the South Park location, conveniently located directly across from Village Tavern.

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

Winter Retreat

If you are going on the winter retreat, I need an RSVP by January 25th. I need to know whether you want to ski, snowboard or tube. Lift Tickets must be purchased, and gear must be rented by February! We will be going to Winter Place in Ghent West Virginia. Dates are February 20-22. We have 9 spots remaining so sign up ASAP! - Caleb

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 sign up and 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)