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We have told you what a wonderful staff we have, and from your own experience you know how important it is to work with people you trust. Working well together makes a day go by so much better – and then if you actually like them, well, what a bonus!

Amy and I left Southern Seminary in Louisville 36 years ago. We had only completed two years of work towards our Master of Divinity degrees when First Baptist Church in Clemson offered us two jobs on their staff. For the next 18 months, we worked part-time – Amy was the Minister to College Students and Single Adults; I was Minister to Youth and Senior Adults. While working, we transferred to Erskine Theological Seminary (in the metropolis of Due West, SC!) and completed our seminary work by driving an hour, four days a week, to study with the Presbyterians. After graduating, we became full-time at First Baptist and worked a full five years in Tiger Town before moving to Birmingham, Alabama.

We liked our staff in Clemson, too – so much so that we got together on Monday of this week for a 30-year reunion! Amy and I traveled back to Clemson and met for lunch with all of them. They were all there, all of them, everyone, including the custodian who, after 44 years at First Baptist, now has seniority in our group! We gathered, with spouses, and retold all the funny stories, remembered all the hard work, spoke of all the good people (and groaned at all the ones who were pains in the neck!) We caught each other up on current life – our work, our children, our grands, even a few great-grands. We laughed, We cried. And we left grateful for each other, and grateful for the years we had had together.

I hope you have good colleagues. I hope you are a good colleague. It makes a world of difference to our lives. Family is a priority, but we actually spend more time with colleagues during any given week, so a work environment that nurtures life instead of just adding stress is such a wonderful gift.

To Roger and Gail, James and Beth, Tony and Cam, Jean, Nancy, and Mike – thank you. Thank you for the years we had together, and for the camaraderie that brought us back together even after so long apart.

Thinking of good colleagues, - Russ

In May we started the 5th Sunday Faith Lab aimed at providing a space for our children to ask questions and talk about what it is we're seeing in worship as we're seeing it. This week is a 5th Sunday, which means our kids will be invited to leave after the Children's time and go to Helt Hall, and follow along in worship together. This also allows a time for parents of young children to experience worship without focusing on the attention of our kids and allows the freedom for the curiosity of our kids. We will provide a snack and I'll have some guiding questions and coloring sheets to lead our kids in conversation about what exactly it is we do during worship! If you want to brush up or have a specific question, feel free to join us, but if you'd like a time to sit and participate in worship, feel free to use that time!

She was one of the most delightful and colorful members we’ve had. Everyone knew Mack and loved her wit and spunk. One of our oldest members when she died, her family provided a Legacy Gift, and we named our Good Samaritan fund in her memory. Every Fifth Sunday our Mission Offering is dedicated to this fund – which is used to support church members in times of need. It is wonderful to have such a fund, which is used more often than many might expect. This Sunday you will have an opportunity to remember Mack, and to support some of your fellow church members, as needs arise.

The Wild Goose Festival is a gathering of people of all walks rooted in progressive Christianity. This means moving beyond belief to center ourselves in justice and compassion, to walk toward those in need and to solidarity with the marginalized and the oppressed, acknowledging our own privilege and actively working to use our power to alleviate suffering and achieve wholeness, and striving to create a world that works for all.

A wild goose is strong, beautiful and… utterly unpredictable. It often surprises us and disturbs our plans, leading us on wild and wonderful adventures. As such, it truly symbolizes the spirit we follow and the beloved community we seek to build. After all, wild geese most often fly in flocks, sharing a common direction, honking their encouragement to each other and freely providing "lift" to one another simply by sticking together.

So each year, in Harmony (just north of Statesville) a gathering occurs where churches and individuals gets to walk alongside and wonder together, where might the spirit be leading us? The set up is much like a music festival. There are several tents and you can float between event speakers, and presenters across the 4-day festival, September 3-6, 2026. Some of us are going up on Friday evening and others are coming on Saturday but we're encouraging anyone who doesn't have plans to join us at the festival. Park Road is involved in the planning, logistics, and sponsorship of the Wild Space Tent, so be sure to stop by.

For purchasing tickets, please know that prices vary depending on the day(s) and how long you'd like to stay, so grab yours ahead of time and feel free to coordinate carpooling with each other! You can purchase tickets here: https://wildgoosefest.festivalpro.com/form/ramRriLeXosKcsUtUILL/73.

More information and the full schedule of events for Saturday can be found at the website (https://wildgoosefestival.org), but know things don't really kick off Saturday morning until after 10am and you can stay as long as you want! - Caleb

If you ordered a shirt, but couldn't join us for the Pride Parade, they are available. They will be available for pick-up in Helt Hall on Sunday mornings before and after worship. If you have not yet paid, they are $20 each (payable to the Church). If you choose to pay online, please mark "pride shirt" in the memo line so we make sure it gets to the correct budget line. If you want to pick up during the week, simply reach out to Caleb and he'll coordinate a time to get yours.

All shirts are currently spoken for, however if there is enough interest we can place another order. Please reach out to Caleb@ParkRoadBaptist.org if you would like to be a part of the next possible order.

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, September 1, at noon at info@parkroadbaptist.org, or sign up in Helt Hall on Sunday.

Every other month on the second Saturday, Park Road volunteers prepare and serve lunch for more than 100 men at the Men's Shelter (1210 N. Tryon St.). Our next opportunity to participate will be on September 12. The work is not difficult, and it's a fun way to get to know some other Park Road members. If you can help on the 12th, please sign up by clicking here or by contacting Dan McClintock:



https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0945aca92da2fd0-roof#/

Stop by the PRBC Library to check out our newest additions! Now available: Bicycling with Butterflies by Sara Dykman, and Proclaiming the Parables by Thomas Long — one of the books that has been helping to guide this summer's sermon series on the parables. Thanks to Twila for keeping our shelves stocked with great reads!

On Saturday, October 3, we will meet at 9:00 a.m. to give attention to the landscaping on campus. We would love to have a large group of folks with hedge trimmers and pruners. We want to give special attention to shrubs and trees in the landscaped areas around campus. We will spend the morning working together. Hope you can join us.

*Youth - are students who are currently in grades 6th – 12th during the 2026-2027 school year.

Regular Scheduled Programing is as follows:

• Sunday Mornings, 10a - Preview

*Children - are students who are currently in grades K– 5th during the

2026-2027 school year.

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)

PRU Fall 2026 Offerings

September 6 – “Villains in the Bible, and the God Who Loves Them,” Hannah Nevans

There are a surprising number of less-than-reputable characters who make their way into the Bible and not in the way you might expect. This 3-week series will explore these villains and the God who can even love villains. Milford Chapel. 9:45am.

September 13 – “Villains in the Bible, and the God Who Loves

Them,” Hannah Nevans

September 20 – “Villains in the Bible, and the God Who Loves Them,” Hannah Nevans

September 20 – David Wilcox in concert

Join us for a concert by one of North Carolina’s most creative artists. David has become a friend of the Deans, and his creative guitar licks and humorous and insightful lyrics will inspire your soul. We’re working on food trucks to make this a dinner/concert evening (stay tuned). Milford Chapel. Concert, 6:00pm.

October 4 – “How to Read the Bible in Today’s World” Sandy Rogers

Perhaps nothing is needed more today than helping people read the Bible well, because the abuse of scripture is so rampant on our national stage. If you’ve ever said, “I really want to know more about the Bible” – reading it well is where you start. Milford Chapel. 9:45am.

October 18 – Indigo: The Color of Grief, Jonathan Foster

After the tragic death of his teenage daughter, Jonathan expressed his grief in a collection of powerful poems. Some of you met Jonathan at last year’s Open and Relational Theology conference. He will join us for a Sunday morning session in Milford Chapel and will preach in worship. Milford Chapel. 9:45am. Worship in the sanctuary, 11:00am.

October 19 – “Monday School”

If Sunday School has quit working for you, maybe a Monday night discussion group at the home of Marinn and John Esch will be just right. More details TBA.

October 25 – “Teaching Dissent: the Witness of the Minority,” Bill Leonard

Our friend, Dr. Bill Leonard, former Dean of Wake Forest Divinity School and one of the country’s leading Baptist Historians, will lead a session on the historic Baptist voice of dissent and will preach in worship. Community Center. 9:45am. Worship in the sanctuary, 11:00am.

November 8 – “How to Read the Bible in Today’s World,” Dr. Sandy Rogers

November 9 – “Monday School”

November 15 - “Stitching Strength,” ALS documentary film with Dr. Richard Bedlack

Dr. Bedlack, M.D., Ph.D., Duke University, is one of the world’s leading researchers and a practicing physician for patients suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Dr. Bedlack will be with us to entertain our questions after we view his documentary film. Sanctuary. 1:30-3:00pm.

December 6 – “How to Read the Bible in Today’s World,” Dr. Sandy Rogers

December 20 – Dealing with Grief in the Holidays

While the holidays are a joyful time, they can also be very difficult. If the loss of a loved one or some other grief weighs heavy during the holiday season, join us to share together. Place and time, TBD.