Molly Marshall preaches May 8
Rev. Dr. Molly Marshall, known as a pioneer among Baptist women in ministry, will preach at Wilshire on Sunday, May 8. She is the first in a diverse lineup of guest preachers who, along with our pastoral residents, will fill the pulpit during our pastoral transition.
Marshall was named president of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in January after serving for 10 months as interim president of the St. Paul, Minnesota, school. According to her official bio, Marshall “believes she was put on the earth to love students, teach theology, guide spiritual formation and challenge patriarchal structures that would hinder women from full acceptance in all forms of ministry.”
Her nearly 40-year career in theological education began at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where she was the school’s first female theology professor and associate dean. Marshall later served Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Kansas, for 25 years, the last 16 as president. Marshall has been a youth minister, campus minister, pastor and has published 13 books, including Joining the Dance: A Theology of the Spirit.
The Wilshire Pulpit
May 15: Milton Brasher-Cunningham, known to Wilshire as a beloved youth camp pastor and mentor to Darren DeMent, has been a pastor, youth minister, chaplain, English teacher, chef, blogger and editor. He is ordained in the United Church of Christ.
May 22: Priscilla Pope-Levison is research professor of practical theology at SMU’s Perkins School of Theology. She and her husband, Jack, have attended Wilshire since 2018. An ordained United Methodist minister, Pope-Levison’s research interests include the history of American Christianity, contextual theology, evangelism and ecumenicism. Her latest book is Models of Evangelism.
May 29: Jenna Sullivan, pastoral resident.
June 5: Jonathan Walton is dean of Wake Forest University’s School of Divinity and was previously a professor of Christian morals at Harvard University. He is a social ethicist whose scholarship focuses on evangelical Christianity and its relationship to media and political culture. Walton’s latest book is The Lens of Love: Reading the Bible in Its World for Our World.
Come Together: One service + Fellowship Lunch this summer
Wilshire members are invited to “Come Together” this summer for one worship service followed by lunch in Community Hall. Starting May 29 we will begin offering one service only, at 11 a.m. We will return to our regular schedule of two services, 9 and 11 a.m., on Promotion Sunday, Aug. 21. Sunday School will remain at 10 a.m. throughout.
On June 12 we will begin offering a Fellowship Lunch in Community Hall after worship. Pricing and logistics will be announced soon.
Senior Pastor George Mason explained the temporary move to one service in the recent Generosity letter: “We have entered a season of pastoral transition that will include the summer months, notoriously a light time of attendance and giving. We all understand the pent-up desire for travel after two years of COVID. But I challenge you to attend every Sunday possible to hear a roster of excellent guest preachers we have lined up.”
Summer Sundays at a glance
May 8, 15 & 22: Two services, 9 & 11 a.m.
May 29 – Aug. 14: One service, 11 a.m.
June 12 – Aug. 14: Fellowship Lunch
Aug. 21: Back to two services, 9 & 11 a.m.
Transition Q&A
With George Mason preaching for the final time as senior pastor last Sunday and planning to officially retire from the senior pastor role in August, you may have questions about how things will work at the church, especially this summer.
Who do I contact for pastoral care needs or emergencies?
As always, feel free to contact any minister or ministry assistant. Additionally, each week, one of our three associate pastors will be the designated “AP on call” to cover situations requiring immediate attention. All staff are aware of this schedule and can answer questions and direct those in need. The full list of staff, with contact information, can be found on our website. Barbara Clayton is the ministry assistant for pastoral care and produces the daily Care Notes prayer list.
Can I still contact George?
Yes. While he will be out of the office quite a bit this summer using up conference and vacation time, George is senior pastor until Aug. 31. If you’re unsure whether he’s in or out on a given day, reach out to his assistant, Debby Burton.
Who is handling George’s responsibilities until we have a new senior pastor?
While still senior pastor through August, George will begin to transition out of the role this summer. Guests and our pastoral residents will handle preaching duties, and the day-to-day operations of the church will be conducted by our ministers, staff, lay leaders and volunteers under the direction of the three associate pastors. George will remain director of Pathways to Ministry with Geri McKenzie as associate director.
Merik Gillett hired as director of operations
Merik Gillett will begin June 1 as Wilshire’s full-time director of operations, a newly expanded and redefined position with oversight of property management and technology. Merik comes to Wilshire with years of experience in facilities management for Fortune 500 companies in DFW. He was most recently supervisor of facilities for Labcorp Drug Development, and before that he worked for the commercial real estate firm CBRE. Merik is married to Wilshire member Kathryn Keller, and they are the parents of Henri, 3, and Hayz, 1.
Remembering Black Dallas tour
You are invited to join fellow Wilshire members on a bus tour highlighting local Black history on Saturday, May 14. This chartered tour, operated by the nonprofit Remembering Black Dallas, will explore the sites of several Freedman’s towns, highlighting the importance of these settlements that were created by force during reconstruction. Grab a spot at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Wilshire in the Park: Churchwide Picnic
Sunday, May 15, 5–7 p.m.
Flag Pole Hill, 8015 Doran Circle
All are invited to this family-friendly event with live music, face painting and a unique inclusive playground. The pavilion and picnic tables are ours to use, and you can bring lawn chairs to sit by the playground.
The church will provide fried chicken, vegetarian baked beans, rolls and drinks. The rest of the meal is potluck
with these assignments by last name: A–F, bring fruit; G–M, vegetables N–S, salads; T–Z, dessert. Please bring enough to serve at least eight people. Containers and serving utensils must be disposable. Please include a card with allergen information (gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, soy) if appropriate.
There is construction happening at Flag Pole Hill. See signs and volunteers for help with parking. Speaking of volunteers, we need some! Look for a SignUpGenius at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Wednesday Night Live: May 11
Family Dinner
5 p.m. • Community Hall. Join us for on-site dining each Wednesday evening. Bring your own food or, better yet, order Koinonia Café To Go. Drinks and dessert will be provided by the church.
Music, Missions and More
6 p.m. Fun activities and lessons for 3-year-olds through sixth graders, including music and missions-related topics.
Resident-Led Vespers
6 p.m. • McIver Chapel. Join Wilshire’s pastoral residents for this special time of worship in the intimacy of McIver Chapel. Themed “I Have Called You By Name,” this vespers service will help you remember who you are and whose you are.
Year-end program, May 18
Wednesday night activities for this school year will end May 18 with a 6 p.m. program featuring preschool and children’s choirs. There will also be reports and displays on missions topics, and the night will be topped off with an ice-cream sundae reception. All are welcome!
Childcare is offered, 6–7 p.m., for infants to 2-year-olds whose parents are involved in church activities.
Vacation Bible School: June 13–17
Passport to Peace is the theme for Wilshire’s Vacation Bible School for preschoolers and children, which will be held Monday – Friday, June 13 –17, 9 a.m. – noon. Children’s VBS is for those who have completed kindergarten through sixth grade, while Preschool VBS is open to kids 3 and older who have not completed kindergarten. VBS is free, class sizes are limited and registration ends June 8. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Volunteers needed
We’re excited to be back to our regular in-person VBS, but we need some good volunteers to make it a meaningful and memorable experience. It’s fun, it’s easy, it’s fulfilling, you’ll have support, and you are needed! Some of the ways you can help:
■ Prep work and decorations
■ Registration
■ Preschool teachers and helpers
■ K–Grade 5 group leaders and helpers
■ K–Grade 5 rotation leaders and helpers in recreation, music, Bible story, crafts, missions and worship
■ Grade 6 field trip chaperones
For general help or to work with K–6th graders, contact Julie Girards at jgirards@wilshirebc.org. Contact Joan Hammons at jhammons@wilshirebc.org to work with preschoolers.
Recommend pastor candidates through May 15; application portal is open
The Pastor Search Committee is accepting recommendations of individuals you think should be considered for the role of senior pastor at Wilshire. An online recommendation form is available at wilshirebc.org/pastor-rec, and paper copies can be found in the church office. Submissions can be made through Sunday, May 15. Please fill out multiple forms if you have more than one name to suggest. Completed forms will only be visible to the committee. The committee asks that, if possible, you encourage those you recommend to apply for the position. Candidates can learn about the job and apply through the church website at wilshirebc.org/pastor-search. Email the search committee at pastorsearch@wilshirebc.org.
New to Wilshire?
■ The monthly Wilshire Welcome Class, which helps guests and new members learn what Wilshire is all about, will meet Sunday, May 15, at 10 a.m. in the Prayer Room (1100B) near McIver Chapel.
■ The next Coffee and Conversation will be hosted by Associate Pastor Darren DeMent on Sunday, June 12, at 10 a.m. in the senior pastor’s study (Room 2203). This informal event gives guests and new members a chance to ask questions about Wilshire.
■ Questions about these events? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.
Marriage Connections, May 13
Friday, May 13, is the next date for Marriage Connections; the deadline to register for childcare is May 8. In this monthly event, free childcare (infants – grade 6) is provided while couples attend a program and dine out on their own. This month, couples will drop off kids at Wilshire and then head to the Lathams’ house for “Paul and Patty’s Post-Pandemic Party.”
■ The same childcare is available for Single Parents’ Night Out and Adoption/Foster Care Ministry Night Out. Register at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Gaston Christian Center open house, May 14
On the corner of Royal and Greenville sits the Gaston Christian Center, home to a half dozen ethnic congregations and multiple faith-based nonprofits. One of Wilshire’s primary missions partners, GCC represents an innovative use of space in the building once occupied solely by Gaston Oaks Baptist Church. Wilshire members are invited to an open house at GCC on Saturday, May 14, from 5 to 7 p.m. to celebrate what has been and what is to come. Dinner, music by Wilshire Winds and a worship service will be included in the evening’s program. Volunteers are needed to greet and be present; email Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org.
Adventurers to Holocaust Museum
The Wilshire Adventurers will visit the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum on Monday, May 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The $14 per-person cost includes museum entry and bus transportation. Lunch is on your own at. Register (required) at wilshirebc.org/registration or contact Barbara Clayton at 214-452-3125 or bclayton@wilshirebc.org. Adventurers events are open to those 60 and up.
Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club meets in the Parlor monthly at 6:30 p.m. On May 10, the group will discuss Susan, Linda, Nina and Cokie: The Extraordinary Story
of the Founding Members of NPR by Lisa Napoli. Zoom option by request. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org).
■ The WOW! Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L.
On June 2, the group will discuss The Lost Girls of Devon by Barbara O’Neal. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org).
George Gagliardi concert, May 29
Longtime Wilshire member George Gagliardi will present a concert in Community Hall on Sunday, May 29, at 6:30 p.m. A songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist, George will be performing some of the 40-plus songs he wrote during the COVID shutdown.
Coming in June: Faith in 3D
The 2022 edition of Faith in 3D is a filmed production inspired by To Whom It May Concern, an off-Broadway musical by Carol Hall. Directed by Nancy Poynter and featuring around 25 Wilshire members, the work uses songs to explore the inner thoughts, secrets, hopes and fears of people sitting in a church service. There will be an in-person preview screening after worship on Sunday, June 5, and the show can be viewed online later in the week. More details to come.
Graduate recognition, May 15
Wilshire’s education office is gathering information on all Wilshire high school seniors and Wilshire members who have received or will receive a bachelor’s degree from June 2021 through May 2022. Wilshire will recognize high school seniors on Sunday, May 15, during the 11 a.m. service. The deadline for inclusion in graduate recognition is Sunday, May 8. Contact Carol Cabaniss at ccabaniss@wilshirebc.org.
CBF General Assembly in Dallas
Registration is open for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s 2022 General Assembly, which will be held in Dallas June 28–30. CBF is Wilshire’s primary global partner for missions and ministry, and General Assembly is CBF’s annual gathering for learning, worship, inspiration and fellowship. Learn more and register at cbf.net/general-assembly.