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Prayer is at the heart of every religious tradition, yet I do not know a subject that people struggle with more. What is prayer? What does it do… for God? For the world? For us?

I got this text just recently, from a friend who has spent his life in the religious world, a trained seminarian, a former pastor: “Prayed 4u this morning. Dunno what that means exactly but I did it anyhow. Glad we’re friends.”

I responded: “I think it means that friendship, held in the light of the hope of something More (a mystery I name as God) is real and true. I’m more grateful for the prayers and the friendship than you can know.”

I’m praying a lot these days. But not with a lot of words. I still struggle a bit to know what to say, given this new reality that is our world, post-diagnosis. I trust that the More I know as God knows my heart… knows what all my unspeakable emotion means. So, I don’t have a lot of words, but I’m doing more praying than ever before.

I’ve spent more time on my knees than ever. I don’t say this to make you think I’m all that pious. I am not. It’s just a posture that seems to match my spirit these days. A little broken. A lot humble. Always confounded. Without words, but with a posture that is open to receiving — to receiving whatever may come.



And I’m spending a lot of time walking. It’s why our pilgrimages have been so important to me. Walking as prayer. Prayer as walking. I don’t need to say much. My brain never stops, however, and there are lots of conversations going on up there… Not "prayer" as many people think of prayer, but a lot of dialogue with God. Not a lot of asking. But a lot of talking — and also a lot of just walking with no words. Taking in what I’m seeing all around. Experiencing God, with no need for definition, justification, explanation.

In a recent Q&A about our new Vision, “Building. Community.” someone suggested that we add a labyrinth to our campus. I’m spending a good bit of my prayer time these days in our prayer garden – which is not a labyrinth, per se, but was based on that idea: a path that meanders, twisting around on itself, to a central destination, and then winds back out to the open world. I love our prayer garden. I walk. I listen.

Sometimes there are words, but mostly it’s me and the mystery I name as God and the beauty of the world. Just together. Walking.

In June, we’ll have 75 miles along the Via Francigena, and while I’m pushing “Gracie” (the name we’ve given to Amy’s spiffy new, all-terrain wheelchair) there will be a lot of that kind of praying going on. Let me invite you to join me – not in Italy, and not necessarily in walking, but in praying in a way that works for you. An old monk named Dom Chapman says, “Pray as you can, not as you can’t.”

Find a way that works for you. I’ll keep walking…

- Russ

The Vision Team will host its final Q&A session this Sunday, May 17, following worship in the Community Center, ahead of the church-wide vote on the proposed Building Community Vision Plan on May 31. The plan outlines five major initiatives for the next 5–10 years: Spiritual Discovery, Outreach for Growth, Staff Development, Facilities Improvements, and Affordable Childcare, including a proposed new Child Development Center to expand access for families across the community. We invite all church members and regular attenders to learn more about the vision, ask questions, share ideas, and be part of shaping the future of our church and community.

The Vision Team would like to encourage you to read the full overview of the proposed Building Community Vision Plan and to view the accompanying presentation slideshow before Sunday’s Q&A session. Click here to read the full Vision Team article, and click here to view the presentation slideshow.



We would also like to thank the PRBC Vision Team for their ongoing hard work, dedication, time, and effort throughout this process.

Easy? Challenging? Filled with opportunities? Yes… All of that. And, it is here!

This summer will offer the usual fare of opportunities: Unidiversity for youth. Camp Prism for children. The regular routine for Thirsty Third Thursdays and Fun Food Fridays, for anyone and everyone. Park Road University, for thirsty spirits. A special service and ribbon-cutting to dedicate Jennifer‘s House. And, Sundays for worship and fellowship. Something for everyone…

It is going to be a particularly busy summer for us. You have encouraged us to take some time, to check some things off of our bucket list — and we have thought about that (We really have!), we just have not had time. But this summer we will have some days on a new pilgrimage trail in Italy, some time with our children and family, and our usual Preacher Camp retreat… All of that - and we do not plan to miss more than a couple of Sundays!

We hope you are planning a good, enjoyable, maybe equally busy summer — and we hope you will not miss many Sundays either! As much as ever, we need to be with you. You are music to our spirits, medicine for our souls, the best therapy, the only real treatment there is, for all that ails us. Take a look at the attached calendar and add these opportunities to yours. 

—Happy Summer (and, see you Sunday! 😊)

Russ & Amy 

Senior adults, be sure to mark the date on your calendars, and it’s not too early to make your reservation by sending an email to info@parkroadbaptist.org or signing the list on Sundays in Helt Hall by May 17. The luncheon will begin at noon in Helt Hall on Thursday, May 21. The cost of the meal will remain $8. Following the delicious meal, our entertainer will be Charlotte musician Toni Naples. Toni sings and plays a mix of popular musical styles on piano, keyboard, and accordion. Steve Foley will perform with her on guitar.

For the Book-A-Palooza at the end of this school year, Park Road is partnering with Promising Pages. They supply plastic bags (much nicer than the grocery bags we have used), along with a label to go on the bag. We need to attach labels to 350 bags. The Abundant Grace Connection group is foregoing a lesson on Sunday morning, May 17, to attach labels. If you would like to join us, come to Room 505 of the Community Center (down the hall by the kitchen) at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, May 17. This is a way for those of you who cannot help during a school day to feel a part of this mission effort.

Volunteers are needed (and welcome!) at the last Snack Packing event of the school year on Tuesday morning, June 2, from 9:00 until 10:30 in the Youth Building. This initiative supports 100 of our young friends at Starmount Academy of Excellence who are in need of a little nutritional boost each month. If you would like to help with this project, please reach out to Karen Mayer at kmayer57@gmail.com. Thanks in advance for your support!

Our May 9 lunch at the Men’s Shelter was a success, thanks to the volunteers who were available to prepare and serve lunch for our guests. The desired number of volunteers needed for these lunches is 8 people, and last week, there were just 4 or 5 who were there to help. The lunches take place every other month on the second Saturday of the month, so the next one will be on July 11. With enough volunteers, the work is not difficult and doesn’t require any prior experience. If you have never helped at one of the lunches, come and volunteer to help on one of the remaining dates for this year: July 11, September 12, or November 14. It’s a nice way to get to know some fellow church members a little better and to do something positive for our less fortunate neighbors.

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

Our Child Development Center team is growing! This week, we welcome Valerie Frohlich to our team. Ms. Val comes to us with a wealth of ECE experience from around the world! She has taught early childhood in China, Panama, and here in Charlotte, NC. She joins Ms. Carol in our Crabs class (3- & 4-year-olds). Welcome to the CDC team, Ms. Val! We’re happy to have you!

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

Baccalaureate Sunday

Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 7th! We will honor our graduates in worship on Baccalaureate Sunday and have some time to celebrate alongside them in the community center following the service (12:10–1:00 p.m.). These seniors have been an integral part of the life and story of Park Road, and we are so excited for all the places, near and far, they will go in this next chapter! Join us to celebrate them right before they graduate!

This years graduates are:


• Clara Kinney (Will be attending App State University)
• Carter Erwin (Will be attending East Carolina University)
• Jacob Barner (Will be attending UNC Charlotte)
• Bruce Vestal (Will be attending NC State University)
• Sophia Terry (Will be attending Baylor University)

Unidiversity is Almost Here!

UniDiversity is quickly approaching. Students have already received the seminar and elective choices this week (students choose 2 seminars and 1 elective to participate in during the week) and need to give Caleb their selections by May 17th. If you have not paid yet, the cost for camp is $350 and can be paid by check or online. For questions please contact Caleb .

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.

Families: Summer Plans Are Coming Soon!

Last year, I learned that less is more in our summer schedule, so this year I’ve decided to keep it simple. We have a week of Youth Camp and a week of Kids Camp, but we will also look to do a family day out at the lake in August, as well as a church-wide outing to the Charlotte Pride parade. We will also look to do a trip to Carowinds and a movie night! Be on the lookout for the summer calendar coming soon! - Caleb

Camp Prism Is Almost Here!

Camp Prism is almost here. We have eleven 3rd–5th graders already signed up and ready to go this year. Registration closes May 25th, so sign up now if you haven’t yet. The cost for the week is $175 and includes all meals and lodging.For questions or more information please contact 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)