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“Dissenters of the dissenters of the dissenters.” It’s how I describe Baptists.

The Puritans left the Church of England in the mid-1500s, seeking to purify the Protestant Church of any remaining Catholic practices. (The first dissenters.) Then in the late 1500s the Separatists separated from the Puritans, emphasizing believer’s baptism over infant baptism. (These were the dissenters of the dissenters.) Then the Baptists left the Separatists, insisting on full and complete separation of Church and State, and a freedom of conscience – the dissenters of the dissenters of the dissenters.

This is our history. Strong. Independent-minded. Ornery! Committed to principles, over loyalty to any existing church structure.

I find it a fascinating history, and so appropriate for today – when so many Baptists are insisting on doctrinal conformity rather than independent thought and hierarchical leadership rather than principled autonomy.

On Sunday, Dr. Bill Leonard will be our guest. (I promise, one more Sunday and then Amy and I are coming back to the pulpit!) Bill was a favorite professor at The Southern Baptist Seminary when we were students in the 1980s. After the fundamentalist takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention, he became the founding Dean of the Divinity School at Wake Forest, where he served until retirement a few years ago. Bill has become one of the premier Baptist historians in the world today – and let me promise you (if history doesn’t sound particularly appealing), he always makes history fun!

In a day when many political and religious voices are promoting authoritarian ideas and leaders, the Baptist voice of dissent is much needed. During our Connection Group time (9:45am in Milford Chapel), Dr. Leonard will speak on “Teaching Dissent: The Witness of the Minority.” I hope you’ll join us for an informative Park Road University offering that will include time for your questions and dialogue with Bill. Then in worship, he’ll preach, “Priests to Each Other.”

Both of these times will help us to understand what it truly means to be Baptist, in theology and practice (not just “a Baptist” by denomination). In this dangerously divided age, I hope you will join us, so we can all learn to live more faithfully into our history.

Ironically, here’s to hoping you’ll conform to my request – so we can all be better, independent-minded dissenters! 😊 - Russ

The last Sunday of October is always “Legacy Sunday” – a day to emphasize those who have made lasting gifts to their church. The curved sidewalk of the garden just outside the sanctuary is laced with bricks, engraved with the names of all our Legacy givers. Legacy (estate) giving has been important to our church in recent years, providing significant funding for designated and undesignated needs. Have you considered adding Park Road to your will? There’s no better way to leave a mark on your world. Talk with your financial planner about the best way to include a gift in your estate or talk with one of the ministers if you have questions or ideas about how the church could utilize such a gift. We hope it will be a long time before we get to use your gift – but future generations will be glad you planned ahead.

Families are invited to join us at the Foust House for an evening of food, fun and fellowship. In this season of crisper nights, fading light and rushed days, gather around the table with other children and youth families for an intentional Sunday evening, October 25, from 5:30-7:30. We will have an outdoor movie on the blow-up screen and carve pumpkins together as we move into the deep fall. We will have all supplies needed and dinner will be provided but we need to know how many to expect, so if you'd like to join please let Caleb know by 10/22.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, November 15, from 1:30 to 3:00pm in the Sanctuary. Dr. Richard Bedlack of Duke University, one of the world’s leading ALS researchers, will join us to share his documentary film, Stitching Strength.

The film looks at life with ALS through creativity, courage, and connection. It follows Dr. Bedlack, a neurologist known for his bold fashion and even bolder optimism, along with patients who refuse to be defined by a diagnosis and families who turn their grief into art, music, and action. It is a story of hope and of believing in what is still possible.

Dr. Bedlack will stay after the film to answer your questions. Bring a friend, a neighbor, or anyone who could use a dose of positivity.

Join our campus partner, the Charlotte Pride Band, this Sunday for an enchanting afternoon of haunting melodies, eerie harmonies, and the thrill of the autumn season. From dramatic overtures to goosebump-inducing chords, this “Spooky Season” concert captures the chill, magic, and mystery of fall through the power of a live wind symphony.

Sunday, October 25 | 4:00 PM | Park Road, 3900 Park Road

Tickets: “Pay What You May.” Free and open to all! Supporter tickets ($10, $20, $35) help sustain the band’s mission. Reserve yours at zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/music-for-the-spirits--2026.

Bring a friend or neighbor and come enjoy an afternoon of live music with us!

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 November 14. 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 13th, please sign up by clicking here or by contacting Dan McClintock: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0945aca92da2fd0-roof#/

Our Child Development Center 2026 staff retreat was a huge success! Our team worked hard tackling training on the new STARs Assessment layout to level up our operations. To balance out the hard work, we embraced the autumn spirit by squeezing in some festive, spooky painting and hitting the floor for line dancing. Thank you to everyone who made it such a blast!

*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

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. Milford Chapel, 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.