Providence Connections | April 2024

CONNECTIONS

IN MARCH, OUR STUDENT CHOIR TOOK A TRIP TO MYRTLE BEACH, SC FOR FESTIVAL BY THE SEA TO FELLOWSHIP AND LEAD IN WORSHIP!

From the Student Minister

Sabbaticals represent an opportunity for pastoral staff members to have a time of renewal, education, and refreshment. The concept of sabbatical is rooted in the biblical concept of “Sabbath” which God modeled (Genesis 2:1-4a) and commanded (Exodus 20:8-11). In Leviticus 25:1-7, the Lord says that after the sixth year the people were not supposed to sow the fields or harvest a crop. The land was allowed to rest, and therefore, so were the people. I recently returned to ministry at Providence having taken a sabbatical and I want to share with you all a few brief reflections. My sabbatical’s purpose was renewal of vision, refreshment of ministry, and enrichment of leadership. I used the time I had as an opportunity not only for review and reflection, but for personal and professional equipping and preparing of new material for use in ministry. I believe each element of my sabbatical will help me be a better minister to students, a better minister to Providence, or both.

Academically, I was able to attend the International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry’s biannual conference. Over 90 youth ministry professors, students, and practitioners from all over the world met to share current research and discuss how the profession and calling of youth ministry can be supported and advanced. I also spent some time continuing in my own studies, finishing some writing and research for my Doctor of Ministry degree.

Professionally, I had the opportunity to learn and grow at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s Youth Ministry Network bi-annual retreat called Oasis. Here, CBF Youth ministers from across the country gathered to be encouraged and pastorally cared for, as well as share new ideas in their own ministries.

Spiritually, I had the opportunity to engage in the practice of Pilgrimage, walking the Camino de Santiago or The “Way of St. James”— a network of routes leading to the shrine of the

apostle James in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain. Thousands of people make this journey each year, following its routes as a form of spiritual path or retreat for their own spiritual growth.

Personally, I was able to rest, create new healthy rhythms, explore new hobbies, and spend quality time with family and friends.

I am grateful to Providence for affirming this time and look forward to sharing more about this experience with you all real soon. I want to express special thanks to Kristen Hendrix, Carrie Query, Sarah Blackwell, and Tanya Price for their leadership, as well as the Student Committee and weekly leaders.

Grace + Peace,

Ministry @ Providence

ADULT DISCIPLESHIP

Blake Kendrick, bkendrick@providencebc.org

Adult Bible Study

Adult Bible Study will resume its in-person sessions on Thursday, April 18 at 11am in the Missions Center. We appreciate your patience and understanding as recent sessions were moved online to accommodate Blake Kendrick’s schedule.

ACTIVITY CENTER

Joshua Jones, jjones@providencebc.org

Summer Camp

Providence’s half-day Summer Camp has returned and registration is now live! Please be sure to visit the Activity Center webpage for dates and registration information. Grab your spot before they’re gone!

CHILDREN

Elizabeth Maye Hudson, emaye@providencebc.org

Providence Racers

Get ready! Get set! It’s almost time for children in Kindergarten thru 5th grade to let their cars go! Join us on April 10 at 6:30pm in the Activity Center gym for a fun-filled night of cheering on our elementary kids at Providence Racers.

Midweek for Children

Our final Midweek gatherings focus on building and celebrating a faith community. Parents will need to attend with their children for these weeks, but grown-ups – you don’t want to miss this! Stay tuned for more information about our Faithful Families Night and Kids vs. Parents Game Night!

CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Ursula Taylor, utaylor@providencebc.org

Spring Break

From Monday, April 1 through Friday, April 5, the Half-Day program (9am1pm) will be home for Spring Break. The Full Care program will operate on its normal schedule.

Week of the Young Child

From Monday, April 8 through Friday, April 12, the CDC will celebrate The Week of the Young Child with a Family Picnic on Thursday, April 11. This is a time to celebrate young children and thank early childhood teachers and everyone involved in the care and education of young children.

STUDENTS

Dane Jackson, djackson@providencebc.org

Sundaes on Sundays

Grades 8-12 are invited to a 6-part Bible study. We will gather for a meal and dessert, then read through the book of Ephesians, learning what it means to be Unified in Christ. Please bring $5 to offset the cost of the meal. Register on Realm for April 14 from 5:30-7:30pm.

High School Beach Retreat

Join us April 26-28 at Ocean Isle Beach for a weekend of rest, growth, and fun at the beach! This retreat will challenge us to take that first step toward doing what God is calling us to do. Register on Realm by April 14. If you are interested in chaperoning, email Dane or Kristen.

SENIOR ADULTS

Wilna Eury, wilna.eury@att.net

PrimeTimer’s Luncheon

Mark your calendar for our Thursday, April 18 PrimeTimer’s Luncheon at 12pm in the Fellowship Hall! Our own Nathan Hudson and his trumpet will be entertaining the group. Invite a friend to join us. RSVP by April 12.

December ADVENTure Trip

The Senior Adult Team is sponsoring a two-night getaway to Charleston, SC from December 5-7. $50 deposit is due by May 16.

CHURCHWIDE

Providence Campus Closed

Providence campus, including the Activity Center and CDC, will be closed on Monday, April 1.

No Midweek Activities

On Wednesday, April 3, there will be NO Midweek activities.

Women on Mission

Women on Mission will meet April 9 at 10:30am for Mission Action and Prayer Group followed by the general meeting at 11:30am. Our guest will be a representative from The Bulb. This will be our final in-person meeting for the Spring. In May, we will attend the Empty Bowl Luncheon sponsored by Second Harvest Food Bank.

Quarterly Church Conference

Our Q2 Church Conference will be held at 11:30am in the Sanctuary following worship on Sunday, April 21.

Prayer Vigil

You are invited to come sit and pray quietly from 8am-12pm in the Chapel on April 27. Suggested Prayer guides are available.

Elevator Update

The elevator by the Rotunda is now fully operational! Thank you to everyone that has contributed to this much needed upgrade, and a special thanks to Wilna Eury who led most of this project for Providence. This project was completed as a prelude to Restore & Renew and was funded by generous gifts from Spring of 2023. We are so excited to continue to Restore & Renew Providence so “those yet to be born may praise the Lord!” (Psalm 102:18)

Our Midweek schedule offers Music, Missions, and Faith Formation for all ages. See the opportunities below and join us during the month of April!

There will be NO Midweek Activities on Wednesday, April 3

ADULT ROTATIONS | 6–7PM

April 3 – NO Midweek Activities

April 10 – NO Book Club (Providence Racers)

April 17 – Do Justice

April 24 – Hearing About Dane’s Sabbatical

MUSIC

Rehearsal Times: Young Musicians, 5:30–6:30pm; Cherub Choir and Trinity Singers, 5:45–6:30pm; Student Music, 6:30–7:30pm; Sanctuary Choir, 7:30–9pm

STUDENT FUSION | 5:45–6:30PM

Our midweek gathering will meet at 5:45pm in the Youth Room.

April Calendar

WEEKLY CALENDAR

Mondays

5:30pm Adult Open Gym (ages 18+)

Tuesdays

6pm Adult Pickleball (ages 18+)

Tuesdays & Thursdays

2:30pm Youth Open Gym (ages 12-17)

Wednesdays

5pm Midweek at Providence

Thursdays

11am Adult Bible Study, Missions Center

12pm Senior Pickleball (ages 55+)

Sundays 9:15am Faith Formation classes (all ages)

10:30am Worship

MONDAY, APRIL 1

Providence Campus Closed

APRIL 1-5

CDC Half-Day Spring Break

CHILDREN’S ROTATIONS | 6:30–7:15PM

Preschool – Watch Providence Racers (April 10), Missions Rotations (April 17 & 24)

K-5th Grade – Providence Racers (April 10), Faithful Families Night (April 17), Kids vs. Parents Game Night (April 24)

MIDWEEK MENU

April 3 NO Midweek Activities

April 10 Breakfast for Dinner

April 17 Rotisserie Quarters

April 24 Blackened Beef Tips

Fellowship Meals will cost:

$25 per Family, $8 per Individual, $5 per Child 10 and under, Free for Children 5 and under.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday through Thursday, 9am–4pm; Friday, 9am–1pm

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3

No Midweek Activities

APRIL 8-12

CDC Week of the Young Child

TUESDAY, APRIL 9

10:30am Women on Mission, Missions Center

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10

6:30pm Providence Racers, Activity Center Gym

THURSDAY, APRIL 11

11am CDC Family Picnic, CDC Front Lawn

SUNDAY, APRIL 14

5:30pm Sundaes on Sundays

THURSDAY, APRIL 18

11am Adult Bible Study, Missions Center

12pm PrimeTimer’s Luncheon, Fellowship Hall

SUNDAY, APRIL 21

11:30am Q2 Church Conference, Sanctuary

THURSDAY, APRIL 25

11am Adult Bible Study, Missions Center

APRIL 26-28

High School Beach Retreat

SATURDAY, APRIL 27

8am-12pm Prayer Vigil Gordon Chapel

9-11am Parents of Emerging Adults Brunch, Missions Center

Staff Transition

Join is as we welcome Ciarra Trotter, our newest Kitchen Associate! We are so happy to have her at Providence.

The Record We Wrote

New Members

February 25

March 10 CARSON

February 25

Save The Date

MAY 1

End-of-Year Celebration

MOMs Group

MAY 8

Children’s Choir Concert

MAY 14

Senior Adult Trip

MAY 15

VBS Volunteer Dinner & Kickoff

MAY 19

Anniversary Sunday

Dedication of Life

GEORGE,

February 25

Charlotte, NC USPS 979-940 PHELPS

CHARLOTTE,

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On Sundays, pick up an online giving card as you enter the Narthex and place it in the offering plate during worship!

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