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It was years ago, and we were at James and Nita Jacks’ house in Clinton. We were all there, which was the usual course of events in those days – Mom and Pop, Rut and Ginger, Susan and Don, all the children. Pop was the center of the conversation, as usual. (When he died, our older son, Jackson, lamented, “Oh… but, Pop was the main excitement,” which about describes it “to a T.”) I wish I could recall the conversation. I’ve thought of it often and wish I could recall Pop’s exact words, because now that I’ve gotten another call from Bob Clare (“Dr. Dean, Happy Birthday!”), I’m feeling those words more than ever.

The conversation turned to youth and age, and there was a comment from one of the grandchildren about Pop being older, slower, more “senior.” This was a reference to a general virility – the strength, energy, and vitality of manhood. Pop said, something like, “Don’t think that just because I’m old, there’s anything different about me. I’m the same man on the inside I’ve always been.”

One more time around the sun. I guess we can all be happy to get that call from Bob Clare, but you do start to feel it a little more each year, don’t you? Bob calls them “DOB issues.” Over the years those Date of Birth issues start to mount up… that water ski accident, dislocating the tendons of my left ankle will take me to the grave… a wrist pain I’ve had since spending six hours last summer under our son, Bennett’s, house, helping install a vapor barrier… the two surgeries to my left eye (I’m still trying to figure out which eye to use to read my sermon manuscript on Sunday mornings!)… just that general ache, kind of all over, when you get up, from most anywhere, most anytime… (Tell me that’s just a DOB issue, please!)

But on the inside, I’m the same man I’ve always been. Know what I mean? Same instincts, same passions, same ideas of energy (if not the same energy!), same thoughts and feelings and perceptions. Same, same, same…

The 16th century French philosopher, Rene Decartes, separated the world into “mind” and “matter,” and that “Cartesian dualism” influenced science for the next 400 years. That dualism is easy to understand – in my mind, I’m the same man I’ve always been, even if my body is continually changing. But there are scientists and philosophers now calling that simple dualism into question. Maybe “mind” and “matter” are not really separate at all. Maybe there’s some “mind” that goes “all the way down.”

Alfred North Whitehead believed reality is not formulated by the smallest component of matter. That’s the view of “materialism” – at the bottom of everything is some non-living, non-thinking fundamental speck of matter, the component upon which all things are made. Whitehead believed (and his view is finding resonance in modern science) that reality is not constituted of purely physical matter, but something more dynamic. Whitehead spoke about “actual occasions,” believing the most fundamental element of existence is not some tiniest billiard ball, but a relationship, an energy, a movement… maybe “mind” that goes all the way down.

As I try to process one more trip around the sun, even though I’m feeling it more and more, all the way down into my bones, I’m living more into the reality that life is fundamentally constituted by the energy of relationship. In all things. All the way down.

If Whitehead is right, that means Church, at its very best, is a reflection of the nature of reality – relationship all the way down. Believing this, even with all my aches and pains, I’m looking forward to the next “actual occasion” of our being together! - Russ

As we move into 2026, please remember that your online recurring gift will not automatically update for an increased pledge. You will need to log onto your online giving account and update the recurring gift for your 2026 pledge. If you need assistance in doing so, please reach out to Allison Wieland at either allison@parkroadbaptist.org  or 704-523-5717. Thank you for your faithful support!

This Saturday, January 10, Park Road will host lunch at the Men's Shelter (1210 N. Tryon St.). Volunteers are needed to prepare and serve lunch, beginning at 10:30a. with service ending at 1:00p. No prior experience is needed.

Volunteer for Men's Shelter Lunch this Saturday:

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

Now that we are through the holidays, we need to return our attention to the mountains. We will be working at Jennifer’s house this Friday, January 9. We have some unskilled and some semiskilled projects. If you are available, please contact Dan or Russ. We will leave from the church at 6:30 a.m., or meet at Jennifer’s house, ready to work at about 9 a.m.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to Claire’s Stocking, our December non-perishable food drive held in honor of Mark and Beth Mintich’s daughter, Claire. Together, 274 pounds of food were donated to Second Harvest Food Bank, with three additional large bags given to Project 658. Your generosity means a great deal to Mark and Beth and is deeply appreciated.

Mark your calendars now for our first FFF of '26... The restaurant will be

revealed in next week's newsletter!

This Sunday, January 11, we will continue our study of the book God After Deconstruction by Thomas Oord and Tripp Fuller. This week, our topic is doubt and uncertainty, and we will discuss questions like what benefits do doubt and uncertainty provide, and where does faith fit in the picture? Can someone have faith and still doubt? 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 room 206 at about 9:45am.

This Christmas season has been very busy for our partner church in Carlos Rojas. At the request of the other pastors in the town, the church organized and hosted a Christmas worship service for the combined churches. The participating churches presented dances, music, readings, and the church was filled, with some watching from outside. Mileidys said that it was a wonderful, uplifting time of shared worship and filled with joy. The generator that we sent provided them with electricity for the service. Also, during this holiday season, the church prepared and served a special meal for those who did not have family support. They celebrated the New Year with a special meal for the church members following worship and sent food to twelve families who could not attend.

This has been a very difficult year with many challenges for our partner congregation. Many, including Mileidys, continue to live with lingering effects from the Chikungunya virus. Their faith remains strong, and they are known for their good works in the community. Mileydis has plans to open another prayer house and is looking for a place to establish a church mission. They send love, gratitude, and prayers for our congregation. They are grateful for our partnership and for our material and spiritual support.

Thirsty Third Thursday returns to Rhino Market this month! Join us at 6:00 PM on January 15 at Rhino Market and Deli – South Park (4300 Congress Street, Charlotte, NC 28209) as we kick off another great year of TTT.

We’re excited to confirm that Rhino Market’s kitchen will be open for dinner. We look forward to seeing the gang again and celebrating the start of a new year together.

Important reminder: Rhino Market has multiple locations, so be sure to head to the South Park location, conveniently located directly across from Village Tavern.

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

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)