Wake Forest Divinity School Dean Jonathan Lee Walton preaches June 5
Jonathan Lee Walton, our pulpit guest for June 5, is the dean of the Divinity School at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Trained as a social ethicist focusing on evangelical Christianity, his work and insights have been featured in outlets ranging from the New York Times and CNN to Time magazine, ESPN and the BBC. His latest book, A Lens of Love: Reading the Bible in Its World for Our World (Westminster John Knox Press) explores the Bible from the perspective of the most vulnerable and violated characters. Its aim is to underscore a tradition of Christian witness that privileges radical inclusion and social justice. Dean Walton earned his PhD and Master of Divinity degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary. He served as the Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church at Harvard University prior to his appointment at Wake Forest. Dean Walton is married to Cecily Cline, a children’s book author, and they are the parents of three children — Zora Neale, Elijah Mays, and Baldwin Cline.
The Wilshire Pulpit
A diverse lineup of guests will preach at Wilshire during our pastoral transition. Our pastoral residents will also preach about once a month. Here’s a look at who’s coming up:
June 12: Matt Cook is assistant director of the Center for Healthy Churches. A Wilshire member since 2019, Cook has been a senior pastor at churches in Texas, Arkansas and North Carolina and was CBF moderator for 2015-2016. He has taught at Belmont University, Baylor’s Truett Seminary and Central Baptist Theological Seminary.
June 19: Veronice Miles is an associate professor of preaching at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. An ordained Baptist, she has participated in various facets of ministry for over 40 years. Her current research, Preaching and the Anticipatory Language of Hope, explores preaching as a conduit of hope in the face of seemingly hopeless circumstances.
June 26: Jonathan Merritt is a writer and speaker on issues of faith and culture. He is a contributor to The Atlantic, a contributing editor for The Week and a columnist for Religion News Service. His writings have appeared in outlets including the New York Times, USA Today and Christianity Today. Merritt, who preached at Wilshire in 2018, holds an MDiv from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a master’s in theology from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology.
See the full schedule at wilshirebc.org/guest-preachers.
Fellowship Lunch starts next Sunday, June 12. Find more information and place your order at wilshirebc.org/summer-lunches
Beginning June 12, all are invited to Community Hall after worship for a Fellowship Lunch prepared by the Wilshire kitchen staff.
■ The buffet-style “chef’s choice” meal will cost $10 for ages 10 and up, $5 for ages 4–9, and will be free for ages 3 and under ($35 household maximum).
■ Advance registration and payment through Realm are not required, but are encouraged as a way to help staff plan while being conscious of waste. Get started at wilshirebc.org/summer-lunches.
■ You can pay at the door with cash, check or credit card.
■ Everyone will have to check in upon arrival. Expedite your check-in by registering and paying in advance.
■ If you have dietary restrictions, please let us know by Wednesday each week. Email Elizabeth Ferguson (eferguson@wilshirebc.org) or note your request when registering online.
Want to eat free?
Volunteer greeters and cashiers are needed each week from 11:45 a.m. to about 12:15 p.m. and will get a free lunch. Contact Carolyn Murray or look for the SignUpGenius link at wilshirebc.org/registration.
One service
We are offering one Sunday worship service, at 11 a.m., through Aug. 14. We will return to our regular schedule of two services, 9 and 11 a.m., on Promotion Sunday, Aug. 21. Sunday School remains at 10 a.m. throughout.
■ Through Aug. 14: One service, 11 a.m.
■ June 5: Faith in 3D after worship (see p. 8)
■ June 12 – Aug. 14: Fellowship Lunch
■ Aug. 21: Back to two services, 9 & 11 a.m.
VBS is June 13–17; Online registration ends June 8
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 online registration ends June 8. Walk-up registrations on June 13 will be accommodated if space allows. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration.
VBS 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! To learn more, contact Julie Girards at jgirards@wilshirebc.org or Joan Hammons at jhammons@wilshirebc.org.
New around here?
■ 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.
■ The monthly Wilshire Welcome Class, which helps guests and new members learn what Wilshire is all about, will meet June 26 at 10 a.m. in the Prayer Room near McIver Chapel.
■ Questions about these events? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.
Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club meets in the Parlor monthly at 6:30 p.m. On June 14, the group will discuss Cara Wall’s The Dearly Beloved. 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 July 7, the group will discuss Jamie Ford’s Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org).
George to be honored at Dialogue Institute dinner
Dialogue Institute Dallas, Wilshire’s partner for Ramadan dinners in recent years, is honoring Senior Pastor George Mason at a dinner on Wednesday, June 15, at 7 p.m. George will be recognized by the Institute for his decades of religious leadership and interfaith work. Wilshire members are invited to attend the event, which will be held at the Institute’s Richardson headquarters. Space is limited. Find the link to RSVP at wilshirebc.org/registration.
CBF General Assembly in Dallas, June 28–30
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Wilshire’s primary global partner for missions and ministry, will hold its 2022 General Assembly in Dallas on Tuesday, June 28, through Thursday, June 30. General Assembly is CBF’s annual gathering for learning, worship, inspiration and fellowship. Sessions will take place at the Hyatt Regency Dallas in downtown. Registration is free, although some events with meals require a ticket purchase. Learn more here: https://wilshirebc.org/cbf-general-assembly/