NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Calendar additions and changes are found here. For a full listing of the year's events, download the PDF on the Calendar page

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THE ECUADOR EDUCATION TEAM needs the following items: School supplies (stickers, glue sticks, markers, crayons, coloring books, outside chalk), chapstick and toothbrushes (any dentists out there?), yarn, clothes pins, and LEGOS (new or slightly used). Please consider donating one or all of these items. Collections bins are in the foyer of Heaton Hall and Cornwell Center.

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Clean Air Coalition recognizes Earthkeepers
MPBC's EarthKeepers were awarded a 2007 AirKeepers recognition by the Carolinas Clean Air Coalition for their work in “spirituality and ecology.” We are so proud of what they are doing in God’s name and our church’s name in this crucial ministry of the care of creation.

Read the CAC online announcement »
Visit the Carolinas Clean Air Coalition website »

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SUNDAYS through the end of MAY
.....8th GRADE DISCIPLESHIP CLASS
.....3:30 - 5:00pm in Youth Hall

Contact Garrett Vickrey, gvickrey@mpbconline.org for any additional information.

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May 7, 2008
....."DID I REALLY SAY THAT?"
.....6:45pm in Berry Hall

Working with one scene from John Patrick Shanley's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama DOUBT, actress and teacher Elise Williams helps us examine what powers lie under and beyond our spoken words.  Join us to explore the fascinating world of hidden meaning.

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May 10, 2008
.....ST. PETER’S SOUP KITCHEN

Please contact Maria Long, longm@gmh.org, for more information or if you want to help.

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May 14, 2008
.....THE CHILDREN’S CHOIRS annual end-of-year choir celebration
.....6:45pm in Heaton Hall

We invite all of the MPBC family to come join us in this night of celebration. Don’t forget to make your Wednesday night dinner reservations so your family can enjoy dinner before the concert!

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May 18, 2008
.....THE MOTET SINGERS IN CONCERT
.....3:00pm in Sanctuary

This concert is free and open to the public. They will sing at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston the following Saturday.

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May 25, 2008
.....ORDINATION OF GEORGE LINNEY, III
.....3:00pm in Sanctuary

You are invited to this and the reception which follows immediately in Heaton Hall.

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May 31, 2008, 7:00pm
June 1, 2008, 2:30pm
.....COTTON PATCH GOSPEL in Heaton Hall

Presented by the MPBC Music Department, this bluegrass-flavored musical adaptation presents a modern day version of the life of Jesus set in Gainesville, GA (Bethlehem) and Atlanta, GA (Jerusalem). Performances are free -- donations to the Youth Choir Scholarship Fund appreciated

For more detailed description, see our Music page by clicking HERE.

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June 23 - 26, 2008
.....VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL BEACH PARTY
....."SURFING THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES"
.....9:00am - 12 noon in Heaton Hall

Designed for ages 3 through 4th grade (5th graders are needed to be helpers).. Registration forms are located in the children’s education departments, on the welcome table in Heaton Hall, and HERE.

Sign up now!
Elementary still has a few openings. Preschool registration is FULL but we will gladly begin a waiting list.

If you volunteer to help (we need adult “life guards” for each age), your children get a registration discount.

RECENT NEWS ITEMS

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5th Grader creates benefit for Preschools
On February 23rd, Alexander Jones, an extraordinary 10 year old in our church, put together a benefit concert here for two high-poverty preschools: Lakewood and Seigle Avenue. He recruited about 60 elementary-age musicians (including a good portion of our own children). He himself played a piano sonata he'd composed. Alexander conceived the event around Christmas time and worked for two months to pull it off, drawing about 200 persons raising $1,000.50 for these preschools.

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Steve Shoemaker, Robin Coira and others share impressions about this group of diverse Baptist organizations seeking common commitment. Hear their impressions from our March 9 forum, on the links here:

FORUM (part 1 - Speakers)
FORUM (part 2 - Q&A and closing remarks)

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MPBC Honored by Human Rights Campaign
Myers Park Baptist Church was selected in January to receive a 2008 Equality Award from the Carolinas Human Rights Campaign. Founded in 1980 HRC is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve LGBT equality.
Read the entire Jan. 9, 2008 Press Release from HRC Carolinas »
Read the HRC Statement honoring MPBC with the 2008 Equity Award »

See and hear comments by Steve Shoemaker, Debbie Warren, Nancy Walker, Barbara Mishoe, Ray Owens, Fran Cook and Bob Thompson on the meaning of this recognition.
VIDEO: “HRC Award” »

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N.C. State Baptist Convention 2007
On Tuesday, November 13, 2007 the N.C. Baptist Convention voted to sustain the November 12 ruling of their Executive Committee that Myers Park Baptist Church no longer be considered in friendly co-operation with the N.C. Baptist Convention. These actions came after Myers Park Baptist church leaders spoke to the officers of the Convention and to the Convention itself.

Emails and comments from the public »

Letter delivered by Dr. Shoemaker »
Letters by other members »
Earlier letters to convention leadership »