Brothers & Sisters, 

Last May we launched our BEYOND initiative, trusting God to lead us into an exciting new future as a congregation. Now, 11 months into this 24-month initiative, it is prudent that we pause to acknowledge, measure and celebrate what God has done and is doing through our church.

In the last year we have observed measurable growth in our first objective of BEYOND: Greater Ministry Impact. By the grace of God, in our 2023 year end report we were able to share that every quantifiable metric at our disposal indicated growth in 2023. Ministries inside our walls, including children, students, BG’s and Life Groups, and attendance have all grown numerically. The same is true for ministry outside our wall - money given, members serving and witnessing to Christian hope. I am pleased to report that this growth has not only continued into the first quarter of 2024, but accelerated!

The second objective of BEYOND is New Construction on our property at 3200 Ross Bridge Parkway. As we have shared, historic inflation in the new construction market created some disappointing delays for the goal of building our new sanctuary. Our leaders immediately pivoted to develop a Phase 1a (project phasing strategy) with our design and build teams. I am pleased to report that after several rounds of study and revision with our city permitting office, revised plans for Phase 1a of our project are being submitted later today. It is our hope and expectation that this final approval will allow our general contractor to begin mobilizing to cut down trees and move dirt in the coming weeks in May!

Friends, our church is moving forward as the Holy Spirit grips and guides our hearts. One manifestation of God’s power is through your generous giving to BEYOND - the report we will share this Sunday will confirm that!

Over the coming month I look forward to celebrating progress to-date and envisioning our next steps as a church. We said from the beginning that God could work through us, together. You are allowing that - thank you and thanks be to God!

With hope,

Pastor Nathan

We welcome Chris and Bethany Higginbotham to our church family! Chris has worked in operations at a local church for 15 years. Bethany has worked at Central Alabama Wellness for 20 years advocating for people with special needs, and is currently the Director of Case Management for people with special needs. They have 3 daughters, 2 of whom are married, and 1 is a junior at UNA. Chris and Bethany love cats, Birmingham Bulls hockey, and Alabama football. They are looking forward to serving in a variety of ministries here. We are SO thrilled y’all are #ALLIN here at CARB!

Did you know that around 70% of families who have a child with special needs do not attend church because they feel there is not a space for their child?

Because of this, we have developed a NEW MINISTRY!

The Rainbow Room will be opened from 9:30-10:30a every Sunday so families can attend worship. In this space, we will provide a safe and caring environment for children who have special needs, ages 5-12 years old.

This past Sunday we had three children participate in

 the grand opening!!

THANK YOU TO THE FIRST 10 VOLUNTEERS WHO MADE OUR FIRST FEW WEEKS WONDERFUL!

WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP!

We need adults and youth (8th grade and older) to help serve in this ministry!

Please click the link below and sign up for one Sunday to volunteer!

Rainbow Room Volunteers Click HERE

VBS REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

July 22nd - 25th

For children ENTERING Kindergarten - 5th grades

Morning Session ONLY:

Time: 9a-12p

Cost: $10 per child

Morning Session + Extended Day

(ONLY 21 Spots Remain for extended day):

Time: 9a - 3p

Cost: $35 Per child

You MUST pay to hold your spot!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR VBS!

Come spend the morning with us as we make a unique craft together (using paint).



We will also have refreshments and a Photo Booth!

Saturday, May 4th 

3:00 - 4:00PM (TIME CHANGE)

Bridge Students Room, Church at Ross Bridge

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR MOM & ME DAY!

DID YOU KNOW... In the last 30 days, your generosity allowed us to do the following outreach:

1) The BG's fed the women of the Foundry

2) Cornerstone Life Group also fed the women of the Foundry

3) CARB cooked and served Sunday lunch to those experiencing

homelessness at Church of the Reconciler in downtown Birmingham

4) Father/Son group cooked 200 hotdogs and served a cookout dinner to the

men of the Foundry

5) The Women at the Well Life Group provided 10 complete bedding sets for

the women of the Foundry

You impacted the lives of over 225 people during these events, not only by providing nourishment and other practical necessities, by more importantly by providing HOPE! Thank you for allowing CARB to go BEYOND our own walls to reach those that need reaching!

A special message from CARB member, Vicki Herring:

Thank you so very much to each person who helped me during my fall episode on Sunday April 7. So many of our church members stayed to provide support and to minister to me in many ways until I was taken to the ER. A special thank you to the Monsmas who were by my side, took me to the ER and stayed with me until my family arrived. Your loving kindness is much appreciated and a hallmark of this special church that God has led me to.

Our BG's Group had a wonderful time together seeing Sean of the South, and enjoying dinner at Speedy's Mexican Foods in Hueytown before the show! Like to go with them on their next adventure? Contact Margaret Dunkin!

BRIDGE STUDENTS

Bridge Students Is Back On Sundays!

Have students bring 85 of their closest friends!!!

Camp Big Stuf · Jun 17-21

Sign ups are here!!!

Click this link to sign up your student!!

Click this link to pay for your student!!

Big Stuf is $520 this year. We require a $100 deposit to hold your spot! Scholarship help is available (just email Lawson!).

Only 9 spots left!!

Once all spots are taken you will be added to a wait list!

This fee covers the following:

1.) 4 nights of lodging and transportation

2.) 10 meals

3.) 7 Breakout sessions

***Students will need their own money for gift shop and additional snacks/drinks.***

Volunteer

There is a leader meeting on May 5th directly after the 10:45am service! This meeting is for current and potential leaders! So if you are on the fence about it still show up and get all of the information! Any questions please shoot me an email at the address below!

If you would like to provide a meal for the youth please click this link here.

Any questions or concerns please message me at: lawson@rossbridge.church