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We did it. We made it... through Lent, into Holy Week, and all the way to Easter. Now we live in the afterglow of Resurrection. “Afterglow: a light or radiance remaining after the sun has set. Figuratively, it is a pleasant, lingering feeling or memory following a positive event.” So, in theological terms, maybe Resurrection Afterglow is something like a light or radiance after the Son has risen.

Resurrection Afterglow is what I’m experiencing this week because of something as simple, and profound, as tennis shoes. Y’all got me. I had heard something about some kind of surprise for Easter, but because I do love surprises, I didn’t probe or investigate or inquire. I just waited. Sunday mornings can be hectic. I tend to get in a “zone” to get through it. Try to bring my A-game to the occasion. By the time Sunday morning arrived, I had forgotten there was a surprise coming. At about 10:45 a.m., Russ said, “Have you seen the surprise?” No, I had not. He said, “Look at everyone’s shoes!”

And there you were. Dressed in your Easter finest and some of the most fun tennis shoes I’ve ever seen. Some store-bought. Some hand-crafted. Some sparkly and sequined. Some shiny white. Some super fun colors. Some leopard print. Some high tops. Some slip-ons. Each of you so proud of yourselves for your act of solidarity with me.

I love makeup and jewelry. I love to have my nails done. I love dressy clothes. And I love my high heels - especially my super-fun glittery ones that I wear for super special occasions like weddings and fancy parties. I know the sneaker vibe is really “in” right now. We are coming up on prom season (I love prom pics on social media, btw!). Notice how many tuxes and prom dresses will be completed by awesome sneakers. It may be “in,” which makes me feel old, because I still love a good heel.

Alas, my heel-wearing days are over, and now my makeup, jewelry, and nails will be accompanied by fun tennis shoes. I’m trying to embrace this small fun thing in my new era of adjusting to my life. And what you all showed me on Easter Sunday was what “A Better Resurrection” looks like. (“A Better Resurrection” was the title of Russ’s Easter sermon where he challenged us with these words: “It is our participation today, yours and mine, that is the something better God offers, and we are strengthened for that by coming together as a community of faith. When we can offer hope to the hopeless, that is Resurrection, a Better Resurrection, because it is life today which leads to life tomorrow... Giving someone new life through our own words and actions – that’s Resurrection, a Better Resurrection.” Russ wasn’t talking about sneakers, but the shoes served as a tangible example of his point.)

I saw that Sunday. I felt that Sunday. Your shoes spoke to me of a Better Resurrection. Sunday afternoon, I texted our Preacher Camp friends: “Y’all. Got to church, and just about everyone was in tennis shoes in solidarity with me. The church I grew up in was in on it too. I think this is what Resurrection means. Isn’t it?” The first reply in our group chat was, “Yes, Amy. It is.”

Be on the lookout for more of the afterglow of Resurrection these days. In the meantime, click on the image and see a little bit of what Sunday looked like. - Amy

We are down to some "punch list" items for our house in Marshall, so there are lots of odds and ends that need attention (ceiling fan and chandelier installation, caulking and painting, wire shelving in closets, outlet covers, etc.). One big job that remains is installing insulation under the floor. We can use several hands for this work (no construction knowledge needed). We also need to put siding on the storage shed and begin cleaning and preparing under and around the house.



A crew is working there today, and we are looking for additional volunteers next week on Monday, April 13. There is no plan to spend the night, so if you can take any part of the day, please let Dan McClintock or Russ Dean know.

We welcome Donna Herrington to Park Road, Donna. Donna has been visiting with us for some time, but quite surprised us on Easter Sunday by coming forward to make it official! She sent us this message this week: "As I listened to Russ preach, I kept staring at the Cross filled with the beautiful flowers. That's when I decided—today seemed like a good day to become part of this great congregation." We are so glad to have you as one of us, Donna!

Park Road held the 2nd Book-A-Palooza of the school year at Starmount Academy of Excellence on 4/1. Nineteen volunteers helped transport books (and tables!) to/from the church and school; set out the books in an attractive display; helped kids pick their books; and then packed the extra books up. The kids got to pick 3 books of their choosing; we gave out about 1,120 new or nearly new books (which were bought by budgeted mission funds!). It was awe-inspiring to see the kids so excited about getting books that they wanted to run to get them. We’ll hold our final event of the school year in late May or early June. Be on the lookout for a sign-up so you too can experience this kind of joy!

Missy Solomon has been a member of PRBC for about 7 years. She is currently serving her second term as a deacon and leads the Babylon Connection group.

Missy attended seminary and spiritual counseling training at One Spirit Inter-Faith Seminary in NYC, where she was ordained in 2015. She is a SoulCollage® facilitator and enjoys sharing the SoulCollage® process in groups and retreats. Missy also has a small pet/house sitting business. She says it’s a great job, that dogs (and cats) are some of her favorite people!

It is probably fair to say that when most people think about praying, they think in terms of words. In the Park Road University series, “Ways to Pray: Creativity as Spiritual Practice,” we will explore a variety of ways our innate creativity can be incorporated into our prayer life. The series will be offered one Sunday afternoon each month, beginning in April and running through August.* Be on the lookout for more details and exact dates to follow. (Note: No artistic experience is needed. These are simple, fun processes anyone can do—and enjoy!)

A big thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Easter Egg Hunt such a wonderful event! We especially appreciate those who took the time to drop off candy-filled eggs in the week leading up to the hunt—your contributions helped make it extra special for the kids. A special thank you as well to Karen Holt, Beth Mintich, Lisa Mason, and Sarah Vestal, for decorating the gym ahead of time and helping create a fun atmosphere despite the change in location. While the rainy weather may have moved us indoors, it didn’t dampen the excitement. Thanks to your flexibility and help, the event came together nicely, and most importantly, the kiddos had a great time hunting for eggs and enjoying the festivities. We truly appreciate everyone who contributed to making the day special—thank you again for your support!

Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America ~ Bautistas por la Paz, which is the largest network of Baptist peacemakers in the world, brings peacemakers together in regional and international gatherings to work toward the common goal of a more just and peaceful world. 

Our April Fun Food Friday at The Naked Farmer restaurant was delicious, and a great time was had by all—be sure to check out the photo in this post to see some familiar faces!

Our next Fun Food Friday will be on May 1st at The Painted Rooster in Plaza Midwood. We will meet at the church at 11:15 a.m. to carpool together or you can meet us at the restaurant at 11:30 a.m. After lunch, we’ll head over to Austin Seagraves’ home to visit her backyard plant nursery. You may want to save a little room in your budget, as Austin will have plants available for purchase!

Please RSVP by emailing the church office at info@parkroadbaptist.org or by signing up in Helt Hall. We hope you’ll join us for another fun outing!

Fun was had by all during our Child Development Center Easter Egg Hunt last week. Each egg was filled with a surprise, and the weather was beautiful! The CDC supplied the cute little baskets, and the parents supplied the eggs. We even saw a tiny bunny hopping around after the egg hunt!

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

Unidiversity: July 6-10

We're headed back to Maryville, TN for everyones favorite

week. 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 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)