Oct 3-9, 2022

We Have a New Website!

For over a year, our communications staff have been working with a web developer to build an entirely new website for our church with a more contemporary and professional look that boldly communicates our inclusivity as a community and is easier to navigate for our members. We are excited to share this new website with you! | Read more | Start exploring

Faith in the 21st Century presents:

A Weekend with John Pavlovitz

OCT 8-9, 2022 at Myers Park Baptist Church

No registrations necessary except for the SAT evening event.

SUN, Oct 2 Worship

If you weren't able to join us, you can watch it now. Just click on the image above. Watch on YouTube, our website or Facebook.

"The Story of Separation"

Rev. Dr. Ben Boswell's sermon is available on our website, Facebook, Twitter, & YouTube.

Offertory Anthem

"'Yesu Azali Awa' Jesus Is Here With Us"

Arranged by Mark Burrows

Chancel Choir led by Fran Morrison

Accompanied by Jim Brock, percussion

Introducing Rev. Dr. JJ Flag, our Associate Minister of Pastoral Care & Outreach

New Director Named at the Cornwell Center

We Celebrate Laura Geer's Sabbatical

Introducing Dr. Caleb Hopkins, Artist-in-Residence 2022

Sharing the Love For Our Retiring Staff

The days & months are passing quickly & we wanted to take this time to remind everyone that Rev. Joe Aldrich will be retiring on SUN, Nov 27 & we will celebrate his ministry with us at a reception in Heaton Hall following worship that day.

Tom & Amy Jones will be retiring on Dec 31 & we will celebrate their years of service at the end of worship on SUN, Dec 18. As is our tradition, we welcome you to send cards, notes, & a love offering donation to show them your love & gratitude for their many years of service to our church & to us all. (Note: love offerings are not tax deductible.)

Piko Ewoodzie Received Prestigious Sociology Award

Rev. Dr. Ben Boswell Interviewed 

You may have heard about the Great Resignation in the news. Learn more here if you want to see what it’s all about. Churches are also experiencing this as ministers have discovered how much longer the “things seminary did not teach me” list grew & has continued to grow since March 2020. The clergy at MPBC can all name at least one minister colleague who has walked away from ministry for one reason or another. 

October is Clergy Appreciation Month. You are invited & encouraged to give a little extra appreciation to your ministers this month. The two articles listed below give you a glimpse into what being a minister in 2022 is like. Our ministers can relate to them more than they would like to admit.

A Response to the Rise of Christian Nationalism

A Conversation About How Religion is Being Mis-used to Subvert Democracy

WED, Oct 5 | 7-8p | Heaton Hall

Book Launch Panel | The 7 Deadly Sins of White Christian Nationalism: A Call To Action

TUE, Oct 11, 2022 | 8-9p | Online

Sometimes It's Best to Start with the Basics

We are partnering with identiversity, a Charlotte based non-profit, who makes this learning accessible for all of us. And what better place to start then with the acronym LGBTQ+. This is a self-guided learning; you are encouraged to dive in this week, even if you think you have mastered it! 

Gaining an Understanding Through Personal Experience

Nov 11-13, 2022

"We cannot understand most of life’s important things from a distance, we must get close. . . . we must do all of this together, guided by the spirit of God."

Bryan Stevenson

Dr. Ben Boswell, Meta Commerse, Dr. Peter Wherry, Rev. Thomas Farrow, & Rev. Tara Gibbs will be our guides on this journey, & Alexis Tardy & Rev. Elijah R. Zehyoue will be the keynote speakers in Montgomery. | Continue reading

You Can Sponsor a Transformation

We are quickly approaching our pilgrimage to the Legacy Museum & National Memorial for Peace & Justice in Montgomery AL, & we have great news to share. Even if you cannot travel with us, there is still a way to participate! You can sponsor one of the pilgrims on their journey! There are many people who want to join the pilgrimage, but cannot do so for financial reasons, & you can make their dreams come true by providing funds to supplement their travel expenses. That is what it means to be the Church to each other! Any amount you give will make an impact. Simply send a donation to the church office with “Pilgrimage Sponsor” in the memo line. In gratitude for your gift, we will bring everyone who provides a sponsorship a wonderful souvenir from the museum gift shop. Please prayerfully consider sponsoring one of our pilgrims as they make this life changing journey

WHAT THE  STAFF IS READING

You asked, so we're sharing.

The staff loves to read &/or listen to audio books. Our interests are varied & we hope it will give you a glimpse into learning more about who we are. Over the next several weeks, we will be sharing books that we have read & want to recommend. Check back next week.

Join us on Wednesday nights for time to come together for dinner & programs for children & adults.

Oct 5

5-6p | Dinner | RSVP

5:30-6:30p | Children's Music, Movement, & More Program

5:30-6:30p | Adult Hangout

Volunteers are needed to help with setting up, hosting stations, & cleaning up. Please sign up to join the fun & help make it special for the kids! Questions? Contact Rev. Carrie Veal. Sign up to help here.

Virtual Community Social

SUN, Oct 23 | 5-6p | Zoom

Spiritual Growth Sunday Classes

Oct 16, 23, 30 & Nov 6, 13, 20 | 11:15a - 12p

Fall Bible Study | Digging Into the Book of James

Virtual | THUs, Oct 6, 13 | 12-1p 

Just Breathe Bi-Weekly Meditations

MONs & WEDs | 11:30a - Noon | Zoom | Password: breathe (case sensitive)

Masks are encouraged but not required for anyone.

We encourage you to make the best decision for yourself and your family. 

When should I get the omicron booster? Will I need Covid shots forever?

The new shots are here, but many people remain confused about when to get them. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention is recommending that all teenagers & adults get an updated coronavirus booster shot designed to target both the original virus & the omicron variant circulating now.

The broad protection from these updated shots could prevent more than 100,000 hospitalizations in the coming months, according to one estimate. But many people still have questions about who should get the new booster, the best timing for the shot & if it would be better to delay the booster until Covid surges again. Click here for some answers.

Missionary Roundtable is Back & Serving the Community

2nd MONs, Oct 10, Nov 14 | 10a | Parlor

Guest Speaker | Ebonnee Bailey, Executive Director of The Bulb

Being Truly Welcomed is Worth Driving For

by Marcy McClanahan

In Need of Help?

We are here for you. The Ministry of Congregational Care provides care, support & encouragement to all members in times of joy, bereavement, illness, & crisis. Information about Health & Safety, Grief, Stephen Ministry, as well as helpful resources are available on our website. Just search "In need of help?"

Stephen Ministry is Here For You

Stephen Ministers are available for free & provide safe, confidential space & listening ear. If you want to know more about the ministry, please contact Joe Aldrich at jaldrich@myersparkbaptist.org

Prayer Requests

You can submit a request by emailing prayer@myersparkbaptist.org.

It takes the whole church to make ministry, mission, & programming happen! In August, we took in more revenue than we spent. Overall, we have collected 2% more than our budgeted revenue year to date. Most of this, however, is from other revenue sources besides congregational giving. Those sources include rentals, endowment disbursements, & reserve funds. Year to date, we are slightly behind collecting financial gifts from our congregation, & hope you will click here to make a financial gift. 

August expenses are 12% more than last year & 10.7% more YTD. However, we are 1% less than budgeted YTD. We are currently running a deficit year to date, so as always, our end of year Finish Strong stewardship campaign will be important for our church.

The Cornwell Center is in an outstanding financial position right now, with a large YTD surplus & an exceptional summer camp season.

TTWS, who operates on a different fiscal year than the rest of the campus, finished their fiscal year in July with a $34,000 surplus.