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Time away. It can be a good thing.

If not, we would not know the words “vacation” or “retreat.” Getting away, a change in scenery, a change in schedule, a change in tempo – any change to give us a fresh “lease on life” – can be a really good thing. Amy and I need some of all of that these days.

For 24 years I have spent one week in the summer with six other pastors. (This was originally just my group for annual Study Leave, but Amy knows all these good folks (and they like her more than me – can you blame them?), so in recent years she’s been horning in on our fun!) “Preacher Camp,” we now call it. It has been a lifesaver. Recently, several other ministerial groups have sprung up across the country, patterned on our Preacher Camp model.

We gather to change things up a bit. We read and write, we study and plan, we walk and talk, work and play (sometimes there’s a boat involved for a little water fun), we eat (and eat, and eat). We spend a week sharing the joys and challenges of our common pastoral work.

Through these years, Dr. John Ballenger, pastor of Woodbrook Baptist in Baltimore, has become a particularly close friend. We share a family connection, though we’re not exactly sure. (His grandmother and the grandmother of my sister-in-law were, sisters… maybe?) We share a Baptist heritage. His parents and mine knew each other through denominational ties. We share a seminary experience. Though John finished Southern Seminary about the time we arrived in Louisville, we bonded in friendship. He lived in our apartment one summer while we were away.

And John and I share a lot of thoughts. Yes, I know. That’s dangerous. Of all my friends, he seems to best understand the way I think, and vice versa. So, we’ve talked a lot of theology together, on the phone, in convention hotel hallways, at Preacher Camp. (One of those conversations is the subject of the last chapter in my first book. The chapter is, “Finding a Way to Leave the Blood In” (which is as interesting as it sounds).

So, twelve years ago John suggested the two of us get together for a kind of mini-Preacher Camp, winter edition. It's now another annual tradition: Writing Retreat. For a week, we find our own spots in the cabin or conference center room, and all day long, between the meals and an occasional, “Hey… what do you think about this?” we write. All three of my books owe a lot of their pages to Writing Retreat.

For a few years, Amy has joined us, and sometimes another of our Preacher Camp friends or two tag along. This short week (we’re coming home tomorrow), Dorisanne Cooper, at Watts Street Baptist in Durham is with us. It’s a good foursome. Amy is working on an idea for a book on “Wilderness” experiences, and I’m trying to finish a manuscript I started a few years ago on the Resurrection, and what that means for us. Whew. We’re not getting a lot of productive writing done on those topics this week, but we are getting some much appreciated Time Away. Thank you.



Time Away, can be a really good thing. And, it makes coming home a little sweeter. - Russ

It’s time once again for our monthly food collection! On the first Sunday of each month—which is this Sunday, March 1—we collect nonperishable food items to support the Duncan Community Pantry, a vital ministry serving neighbors in need.

Top priority items include (self-opening cans are appreciated when possible):


• Easy-open cans of meat and fruit (canned meat is always the first to run out)
• Easy-open cans of soup (instant ramen is popular) and chili.

*We are currently very well stock on canned beans and vegtables.

• Granola bars, peanutbutter crackers, fruit cups, chips, etc (individual snacks)
• Sports drinks, Capri-Suns, and other shelf-stable beverages

You can bring your non-perishable food items with you on Sunday morning or drop them by the church office during the week. If you would prefer to give financially simply put note “Duncan Pantry” with your donation.

📌 Kind reminder: Please check expiration dates—no opened, partially used, or expired items, thank you!

More than five years ago, Amy began a CaringBridge page when she was facing lung cancer. Many of you followed her journey then, offering prayers, encouragement, and steady support. She often shared how much it meant to know people were walking alongside her, even when updates were few and news came slowly.

Today, Amy finds herself starting again, having recently been diagnosed with ALS. She is using CaringBridge to share updates as she is able. If you would like to follow Amy’s journey, you can visit her page here: Click Here — and choose “Follow” to receive notifications when she posts. Your prayers, care, and support continue to mean so much to her.

We’ve made a lot of progress on Jennifer’s house, and the end is in sight, but there’s still plenty of work to do. We hope to complete exterior siding and insulation; install interior doors, flooring, cabinets, lights, and plumbing fixtures; build steps; do interior trim carpentry; and paint. With one more big shared effort, we can get very close to completing the house!

The plan is for volunteers to help from Thursday, March 12, until Monday, March 16. You’re welcome to join for all of that time or for whatever day or days you are available. We just need to know your plans so that we can arrange food and lodging, so please come for whatever days you can.

Please sign up in Helt Hall on Sunday morning or let Dan or Becka (info@ParkRoadBaptist.org) in the office know your plans no later than Monday, March 9.

The senior adults of the church are looking forward to the next VSP (Very Special People) luncheon on Thursday, March 19, at noon in Helt Hall. We will enjoy a delicious meal followed by a short program. Then Daniel Miles will entertain us. If you've never attended VSP, please give us a try. Where else can you get delightful fellowship, a good meal, excellent entertainment, and perhaps win a table centerpiece, all for $8?

Make reservations by noon Tuesday, March 17, by signing the list in Helt Hall on Sundays, calling the church office at (704) 523-5717, or emailing Max Carroll at maxhcarroll@gmail.com.

This Sunday, March 1, we will continue our study of the book God After Deconstruction by Thomas Oord and Tripp Fuller. This week, our topic is Christian Nationalism and Many Religions. We will discuss a range of topics from Christian Nationalism to religious pluralism and how these ideas affect our view of God.



Each week, topics are independent from earlier weeks, and you do not have to read the chapters. Please feel free to attend any sessions as you are able. We will meet in the Milford Chapel Conference Room 206 at about 9:45.

Please join us for our 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, March 3, at noon at info@parkroadbaptist.org, or sign up in Helt Hall on Sunday.

Our March missions giving will help support The Joe Martin ALS Foundation. Their mission is to empower families as they face the challenges of living actively with ALS by providing home care and other services at no cost. Joe Martin helped establish the Carolinas Neuromuscular/ALS Center, the Southeast’s only comprehensive facility for the treatment of Motor Neuron Disease.

The Foundation provides a strong network of support to help people living with ALS (PALS) and their families access the best caregiving techniques, equipment, and encouragement as they face this disease.

Sunday, March 15 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Location: Parking lot behind the church (off Ashcraft)

Everyone is invited to take part in our upcoming PRBC Blood Drive, hosted by OneBlood and sponsored by the Men’s Work Connection Group. The Big Red Bus will be on site for donations — come out and help make a life-saving difference!

How to Participate:

• Visit oneblood.org and search for blood drives in ZIP code 28209 on 3/15/2026 to schedule your appointment.
• Walk-ups are also welcome on a first come, first served basis.

Questions? Contact Kevin Kline at kk5thirty1@yahoo.com or 704-771-6319.

On February 16, the Child Care Development team held a productive Teacher Workday focused on preparation and professional development. The morning began with classroom cleaning and planning for upcoming spring themes, while our dedicated floaters refreshed the resource room and bulletin boards. Following a wonderful lunch from Showmars, we held a staff meeting to review policies and learn more about our Stars assessment path. We also completed essential CPR and First Aid training.

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

Our youth had a wonderful Ski Trip/Winter Retreat this past weekend

at Winter Place in West Virginia.

Unidiversity: July 6-10

We're headed back to Maryville, TN for everyones favorite week. Sign up now to lock in the $50 early bird Discount. Early Bird Pricing is $325. Contact Caleb for more information.

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)