Fall plans taking shape:
Wilshire’s staff and members have been busily planning what church will look like this fall, and many ministries and programs will be kicking off or re-starting in the coming weeks. Associate Pastor Heather Mustain says, “Our staff is hopeful that our adaptations of normal programming and the implementation of new ideas will help us find our new ‘now normal.’ We hope you’ll join us on the journey of re-imagining what church can mean to you and your family during this time.”What follows is a rundown of regular programming of general interest, along with a list of special events, some of which remain tentative.
This is not a full picture of the life of the church, as it does not include the dozens of groups that will meet, mostly virtually, on a regular basis — musical ensembles, women’s ministry, MOPS, committees and more.
Note: Events will be held in person only if deemed safe based on COVID-19 conditions. Capacity for these events may be limited, check-in or registration will be required and social distancing and mask wearing will be strictly enforced.
Sundays
• Online worship continues to premiere on YouTube at 8:30 a.m. and can be viewed at your convenience anytime after.
• Facebook Live Bible Study continues Sundays at 10:15 a.m. with a rotation of teachers.
• Adult Sunday School classes continue on Zoom or a similar online platform.
• In-person Sunday night services are being planned for the north parking lot. There will be one in October and one in November, dates TBA.
Wednesdays
• A new midweek video designed as an opportunity for spiritual reflection will debut Sept. 2. Produced by the pastoral residents and Darren DeMent, each 15-minute video will include prayer, music, Scripture and guided reflection, all focused around a theme that will change monthly. The video will also include a brief update from George Mason or one of the associate pastors.
• Resident-led studies: Starting Sept 2, our pastoral residents will lead a series of multi-week studies via Facebook Live most Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m.
• Resident-led vespers: Residents will present a Wednesday-evening vespers service about once a month via Facebook Live at 6 p.m. Vespers dates are Sept. 30, Oct. 28 and Dec. 2.
• Koinonia Café To-Go starts Sept. 9 and may expand to other weekdays.
Preschool (birth through Pre-K/4 yr olds)
• Playdates for preschoolers and parents will be held one Monday morning each month in the north lot. Each limited-capacity session will include a Bible story, music and activities. Dates are Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 16 and Dec. 14. Families will receive more information on how to sign up.
• Music activity videos coordinated by Candy McComb will be sent two to three times a month.
Children (Kindergarten – 6th grade)
• Music, Missions and Bible Skills will be held in the north parking lot the second and fourth Sundays each month, from Sept. 13 to Dec. 13. Start time for September and October is 6 p.m. Start time for November and December is 4:30 p.m.
• Zoom sessions with sharing, games and activities will be hosted by Julie Girards at 4 p.m. the first and third Sundays each month starting Sept. 6.
• Candy McComb will send music activity videos to families twice a month.
• Sunday School resources, including a short video lesson, will continue to be emailed to families weekly, along with the children’s worship bulletin.
Youth (7th through 12th grade)
• Sunday School continues via Zoom.
• Watershed, a time of fellowship and spiritual formation, will be held Wednesdays from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the north parking lot.
• Monday morning reflections and other content will continue to be offered on the Wilshire Student Ministry Instagram account.
• Stay tuned regarding Youth Choir and Shekinah.
Special Events
• Flu shots, Sept. 19
• Organ mini-concert, Sept. 24, online
• Churchwide social, Oct. 10, north lot
• Service of remembrance, Nov. 1, online
• Churchwide social, Nov. 14, north lot
• Organ mini-concert, Nov. 24, online
• Hanging of the Green, Dec. 6, online
• Churchwide social, Dec. 12, north lot
• Wilshire’s Got Talent: Holiday Edition, Dec. 17, online
• Christmas Eve services, Dec. 24, north lot