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Deacon Ordination… It’s one of our favorite services of the year.

In the ancient practice of “the laying on of hands,” the recognized elders and other designated leaders of the community would place their hands on the head or shoulders of a kneeling participant, conferring blessing and initiation into a new venture of service. There is beautiful symbolism in all of that – the kneeling, the sacred touch, the recognition of gifts in a commissioning for service. In most Baptist churches, that gift of blessing is conferred only by the ordained ministers and other, previously ordained, deacons.

For many years, however, (and I wish I knew when this started) Park Road has practiced what I believe is a much more Baptist practice of ordination. Since we believe in the “priesthood of all believers,” affirming that “every member is a minister,” when we practice ordination, we invite the entire congregation to come forward. The effect is moving.

Given the snow and disruption of the last few weeks, we have had to postpone our annual “State of the Church” meeting twice. In order to officially elect this year’s class of committee members and deacons before ordination, we will entertain a brief church conference at the beginning of worship. (This is a bit confusing, and we apologize, but we will vote on the slate of nominees before worship – and then after worship, our Moderator, Tom Polaski, will call us back into session to discuss the Allocation of this year’s Mission Budget (click here to view the proposed budget). We want to allow full, open-ended time for discussion.) After voting on our slate of nominees (click here to see the nominees), we will focus worship around the calling of God and our response to service – What if God’s light really did shine?

During the “laying on of hands,” we will invite all of you to come forward to ordain those, newly elected to serve with us this year. The ministers have the best seats in the house. From the rostrum we can see your faces as you come forward, bend to embrace or touch, offer a word or a prayer. You come as individuals, sometimes as couples, occasionally as whole families, gathering around to encircle and wrap the deacon in affirmation and prayer. It’s a truly beautiful sight.

And from the kneeling/sitting side of the equation, the deacon being ordained, it is an experience of a lifetime. Truly. To sit there and feel the admiration and love, to experience the touch of friends, to know the affirmation of an entire community, a weight of privilege and responsibility literally placed on your shoulders, is a powerful experience. We are sorry that everyone does not get the opportunity to feel this kind of affirmation and love.

Whether giving or receiving, though, we can all be a part of this beautiful experience, so let me encourage you not to miss this Sunday as we name and affirm and challenge those who will lead us by serving this year.

We are all called “beloved,” ordained to serve together. - Russ

When hard things come our way, the best thing to do is to be together. When tragedies happen in schools, you often hear, “counselors will be on hand for anyone needing to talk.” In light of Amy’s recent diagnosis, there may be questions or concerns, or you may just need some time together to process outside of solitude. We tried to emphasize in worship last week that suffering is a part of life—everyone’s life. It could be that one person’s hard news triggers your own pain. Dan is hosting a session TODAY (Wednesday, February 11) at 6:00 p.m. in the Youth Building. This Sunday, February 15, Caleb will host another session in the Youth Building at 4:30 p.m. Please come and listen, share, and process with every hope that being together will bring comfort to those who are hurting.

We look forward to gathering next Wednesday, February 18, as we mark Ash Wednesday together. Dinner will begin at 5:30 PM and Ash Wednesday Service will take place in the sanctuary from 6:15–7:00 PM. This evening will offer time to share a meal, reflect, and begin the season of Lent as a community.

Dinner sign-ups

Please sign up in Helt Hall on Sunday or contact the church office at info@ParkRoadBaptist.org to RSVP.

If you were previously signed up for the First Wednesday dinner on February 4, we kindly ask that you RSVP again for February 18 so we can plan well for the evening.

Thanks so much to those who expressed interest in the New York Mission Trip. After several weeks of polling, we need to shift away from the New York Summer Mission Trip. The only week that Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries (RMM), our partner, is available is the week immediately following the end of school and is not the best week for the majority of our church. With graduation parties, family vacations, another trip to the Camino already planned for that time, UniDiversity and Prism two weeks after, and an earlier start to sports and band camps in July and August, it just doesn’t work. RMM does offer some other seasonal opportunities (Thanksgiving meals, Christmas shelters, etc.), and we will explore adding a mid-year mission trip in the future. We will schedule some additional events throughout the summer weeks, so stay tuned. If you know you're coming to UniDiversity but haven’t yet told me, let Caleb know! Early Bird ($50 off) pricing ends March 13.

This Sunday, February 15^th, we will continue our study of the book God After Deconstruction by Thomas Oord and Tripp Fuller. This week, our topic is on church doctrine and policies and how some have contributed to pain and suffering of members. 

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 the Milford Chapel Conference Room (Room 206) at about 9:45.

Join us next Friday, February 20, for some good American cuisine at "Culinary Dropout." Please let us know either way—if you plan to meet in the parking lot at 11:15 a.m. or meet us at the restaurant at 11:30 a.m., located at 1120 S. Tryon Street, Suite 100. Join us. Don’t be a Dropout!

So that we can get a count of who is coming, please sign up by emailing the church office at info@parkroadbaptist.org or on Sunday morning in Helt Hall.

Applications for the Ola Warren Patterson and John W. Patterson Jr. Scholarship open February 16 for the 2026–2027 academic year.

This scholarship supports students who demonstrate academic strength, financial need, leadership, and character, and who have a meaningful connection to Flint Hill Baptist Church (Fort Mill, SC), First Baptist Church of Fort Mill (SC), Park Road Baptist Church (Charlotte, NC), or Pleasant Valley Baptist Church (Indian Land, SC).

Eligible students must be enrolled full-time at Wake Forest University, Campbell University, Meredith College, or Furman University. Scholarship funds may be used for tuition, fees, books, and required course materials.

Applications must be submitted online through the Center for Scholarship Administration (CSA) by April 16, 2026.

Learn more and apply at CSAScholars.org/patterson. 

CDC Co-Directors, Heather and Tammy, hosted the Child Care Advisory Team, sponsored by Child Care Resources Inc., for a meeting on our campus this month. The CCAT is a group of seasoned directors in the Charlotte area who meet bi-monthly to discuss ongoing childcare topics, including rules and regulations, staffing, mentorship, and leadership. We are proud to be a part of this advisory team and are thankful for beautiful Helt Hall as a wonderful space to host our group. We received rave reviews about Russ’s warm and cozy fire!

Our friend, Dr. Thomas Jay Oord, hosts an annual online conference featuring books and ideas from ORT-related pastors, teachers, and thought partners. This year’s conference takes place February 12–14, and one of the featured sessions highlights Russ Dean’s latest book, The Story as We Have Received It.

The conference runs eight hours a day for three days—but don’t let that intimidate you! Because it’s online, you can choose the sessions that interest you most. Each session follows the same format: the author offers a brief overview of their book; three panelists respond with reflections, critiques, and questions; and online participants are invited to share comments and questions.

Russ’s session is Friday morning, February 13, at 11:00 a.m.



You can view the full lineup and register using this link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ortline-2026-tickets-1971280952394

Join us for Thirsty Third Thursday on February 19, at 6 p.m. at Rhino Market and Deli in South Park.

Location: 4300 Congress Street, Charlotte, NC 28209

Please note, there are multiple Rhino Market locations — be sure to head to the South Park spot, conveniently located directly across from the Village Tavern. We can’t wait to see you there!

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

Winter Retreat

If you are going on the winter retreat, I need an RSVP by January 25th. I need to know whether you want to ski, snowboard or tube. Lift Tickets must be purchased, and gear must be rented by February! We will be going to Winter Place in Ghent West Virginia. Dates are February 20-22. We have 9 spots remaining so sign up ASAP! - 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.

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)