Charlie Johnson preaches Sept. 25
Charles Foster Johnson, our guest preacher for Sept. 25, is the founder and executive director of Pastors for Texas Children, a statewide ecumenical organization mobilizing the faith community for public education support and advocacy. He is also founder and co-pastor of Bread, a faith community in Fort Worth. During 40 years of ministry he has served churches in Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas. Johnson taught preaching at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology, and he has been a mentor for students at SMU’s Perkins School of Theology and TCU’s Brite Divinity School, where he serves on the board of directors. In 2004 and 2018 he was named “Baptist of the Year” by the Baptist Center for Ethics. He was inducted into Morehouse College’s Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers in 2008. Advocacy for children has long been a cornerstone of Johnson’s work. Pastors for Texas Children, founded in 2013, has over 2,000 faith partners in Texas and sister networks in four other states. He is married to Jana and has three children and three grandchildren.
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.
Sept. 25: Charles Foster Johnson is the founder and executive director of Pastors for Texas Children, a statewide ecumenical organization mobilizing the faith community for public education support and advocacy. He is also founder and co-pastor of Bread, a faith community in Fort Worth, and has served churches in several states during 40 years of ministry.
Oct. 2: Pastoral Resident John Kelly
Oct. 9: Jon Singletary has served as dean of the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University since 2016. He has been a professor in the Garland School since 2010 and first joined the faculty in 2003. His research interests include community development, advocacy and social justice. Singletary holds a PhD in social work from Virginia Commonwealth and an MDiv from the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond.
Oct. 16: Marcus Ingram has been head of equity and inclusion at Greenhill School in Dallas since 2020. Known as a tenacious and effective change agent and leader, Ingram holds an MDiv from Wake Forest University School of Divinity and a PhD in education from the University of Virginia. He has held various roles in higher education, including assistant university chaplain at Wake Forest.
■ Full schedule at wilshirebc.org/guest-preachers
COVID Task Force continues on as-needed basis
Wilshire’s COVID-19 Advisory Task Force will no longer meet regularly, but will continue monitoring conditions and meet as needed. The group has generally met weekly or monthly since the pandemic began. A special thanks to those who are faithfully serving or have served on the Task Force: George Mason, senior pastor emeritus; Heather Mustain, associate pastor; Darren DeMent, associate pastor; Doug Haney, associate pastor; Linda Garner, parish nurse; Brianna Childs, pastoral resident; John Kelly, pastoral resident; Marc LaChey, chair of Risk Management Committee; Debbie Meripolski, chair of deacons; Gladys Kolenovsky, chair-elect of deacons; Bill Jernberg, health ministry team; Chris Adcox, chair of Weekday Education Committee; Tim Morgan, chair of Finance Committee; Kenton Keller, facilitator of strategic planning; Melodie Elliott, communications advisor. Past members: Barbara Gass, Molly Shepard, Ashley Blaker, Cory Anderson, Christy Tabor, Rob Banta, Gayle Lawson, David Nabors.
New weekday building hours
Starting Monday, Oct. 3, the Wilshire building will be open to the public weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. except on Wednesdays, when it will stay open through the end of evening activities. If you are meeting with a staffer or need in the building outside of these hours, please make arrangements with a staff person in the relevant ministry area to let you in. Office hours for staff are 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Saturday building hours remain 8 a.m. to noon.
Let’s Do Lunch after Worship
Everyone — but particularly parents of children and youth who stay after worship for choir — is invited to have lunch together at a nearby restaurant once a month. Join us Sept. 25 at Palmer’s in Hillside Village.
Audition for Faith in 3D: The Crucible
The Crucible by Arthur Miller is based on events that occurred 330 years ago in Salem, Massachusetts. When the drama was written in 1952, it was hailed as “an allegory of our times.” Is it possible that 70 years later, the play can be described as an allegory of our time? With that question in mind, Faith in 3D announces auditions for its 2023 production — scenes from Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. Auditions will be held at Wilshire Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 3 and 4, at 7 p.m. The cast includes 14 adults who range in age from 30 to 80. Please register your interest in auditioning at wilshirebc.org/faith-in-3d. You will then receive more information about the audition and the production. Please register as soon as possible; auditions can be scheduled at other times by special request.
The play will be performed live in Community Hall on March 24 and 25. Wilshire’s Faith in 3D has presented a thought-provoking play or musical, often accompanied by dessert and discussion, each year since 2015. Sign up to audition here.
Wednesday Night Live for Sept. 28
Koinonia Café
5 – 6 p.m. | Community Hall | Buffet-style Wednesday meals are back! No registration necessary. Cash/check/credit card accepted at the door. Kid-friendly options available. Full Meal: $10 for ages 10 and up; $5 for kids 4 to 9; free for kids 3 and under; $35 household max. Soup & Salad Meal: $7.
Music, Missions & More
6 – 7 p.m. | Age 3 – Pre-K | Fun activities and lessons focused on God’s love and caring for others.
New: KidConnect
6 – 7 p.m. | K – Grade 6 | This all-new children’s experience features a rotation of activities to help kids learn how to love God and others with every part of themselves. Each week will be different, with activities including art, music, recreation, science, puppets and cooking.
WSM Watershed
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Grades 7 – 12 | Wilshire Student Ministry’s time of weekly Bible study in the Youth Center.
Resident-led study
6 – 7 p.m. | Through Nov. 9 | 1205-L
Join the pastoral residents this fall for Toward Wholeness: Seeking an Integrated Faith, a series to help us chart a path away from disillusionment toward authentic, embodied spiritual formation through practices of the mind, body and soul.
Sanctuary Choir
7 – 8:30 p.m. | Choral Hall | Wilshire’s primary adult choir is open to all. No audition necessary.
Childcare for infants to 2-year-olds whose parents are involved in church activities is offered 6 – 7:15 p.m.
New T-shirts available
The new “We Are Wilshire” T-shirts, which debuted at the Ministry Expo last Sunday, will be for sale Wednesday evenings in Community Hall during Koinonia Café, and on Sundays before and after Sunday School near the main church office. $10 each. Email Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org for more information.
Library Book Fair set for Oct. 12
The annual Wilshire Library Book Fair featuring children’s books from Usborne Books & More will be held Wednesday, Oct. 12, in James Gallery from 9 to 10 a.m. and 2 to 7 p.m. Checks, cash and credit cards will be accepted. A portion of the sales will benefit the Wilshire Library. Come purchase quality books that will make great Christmas presents.
Art exhibit in South Lobby runs through Nov. 15
Wilshire’s first art show since before the pandemic, Fill the Earth with Music celebrates music’s role in the life of faith and features 25 works from six centuries, including pieces by Marc Chagall, Romeyn de Hooghe, Barbara Zuber, Sandra Bowden, Edward Knippers and others.
Sanctuary Choir seeks singers in all sections
The Advent season is a great time to try singing in Sanctuary Choir. The choir will gather for a Christmas music retreat on Saturday, Oct. 1, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Regular rehearsals are held Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in Choral Hall. Contact Doug Haney for more information: dhaney@wilshirebc.org.
Dementia care expert to speak in Compass Class Sept. 25
Compass Class will host Pam Johnson, author of Did I Remember to Tell You?: A Real-Life Guidebook for Dementia Family Caregivers, on Sept. 25 at 9:45 a.m. in Room 3103. The book is based on Johnson’s 40-year career working with older adults and her personal experience caring for her father. Anyone interested in understanding more about the topic is welcome.
Adventurers to Globe Life Field
Join the Wilshire Adventurers Monday, Oct. 10, as they travel by bus to Arlington for a tour of Globe Life Field, the home of Texas Rangers baseball. The group will meet at Wilshire at 9:45 a.m. to load up for a 10 a.m. departure. The tour begins at 11 and will be followed by lunch at a nearby restaurant before the bus trip back to the church. Cost is $25 per person, not including lunch. Register by Sunday, Oct. 2. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Balance classes start Oct. 17
Physical therapists from Texas Women’s University will offer a five-week series of balance-focused exercise classes at Wilshire. The sessions are designed to help increase strength and flexibility, reduce the risk of falling and encourage active lifestyles. Classes will meet each Monday from Oct. 17 through Nov. 14, from 11 a.m. to noon in rooms 3301 and 3303. No reservation required; it’s OK if you can’t make it every week. Contact Parish Nurse Linda Garner at 214-452-3151 or lgarner@wilshirebc.org.
Puerto Rico trip planned
Join Associate Pastor Heather Mustain and Pastoral Resident John Kelly for a disaster relief trip to Puerto Rico Feb. 11–18, 2023. In partnership with First Baptist of Rio Piedras, the team will work to restore roofs left damaged from Hurricane Maria in 2017. No experience necessary. The cost for the trip is $350 for the week, plus airfare. If you’re interested or have questions, contact Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org.
Biblical overview during October
Associate Pastor Darren DeMent will present an overview of the Bible in a four-week Sunday School series from Oct. 2 to Oct. 23. The lessons will consider the who, what, when and where of the Bible, providing a refresher on the order of events, major figures, and how they relate to a broader historical timeline. This limited series, which Darren taught in January, will be a good option for anyone not connected to a class or for those new to the idea of Sunday School. Existing classes may also choose to attend to give their regular teachers a break. The series is also perfect for anyone looking to brush up on their biblical literacy. The class will meet in McIver Chapel at 9:45 a.m.
Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW! Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On Oct. 6, the group will discuss Kristin Hannah’s Night Road. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org).
■ The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club meets in the Parlor monthly at 6:30 p.m. On Oct. 11, Pastoral Resident Brianna Childs will lead the group as it discusses How the Bible Actually Works by Peter Enns. Zoom option available by request. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org).
■ WOW! Fall Book Study. Women of Wilshire will study Amy-Jill Levine’s The Difficult Words of Jesus this fall. Meetings will take place at 7:30 p.m. on six Mondays: Sept. 12, Sept. 26, Oct. 10, Oct. 24, Nov. 7 and Nov. 28. Joannah DeMent will host at her home in Lake Highlands. Register at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Wilshire hosting CenterPeace conference in November
Wilshire will host the 2022 CenterPeace Conference, a gathering of LGBTQ+ Christians and their churches and families, Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 3 – 5. Exploring topics related to faith and sexuality, CenterPeace features a range of speakers, from Biblical scholars to parents who just want to love their LGBTQ+ children well. At every session, speakers will emphasize the need to approach this topic with grace and compassion, living out our call to love as Christ loves. The goal of CenterPeace is to create a place to belong for all people in the family of God. Learn more at centerpeace.net/conference.
■ Volunteers are needed to serve as a hospitality team for the conference. Contact Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org to learn more about attending or volunteering.
Deacon Nominations sought
The Deacon Nominating Committee respectfully asks Wilshire members to submit names of persons to be considered for new deacon service, to be ordained in January. Nominees should be individuals who have been church members for at least one year and who have modeled consistent, faithful service and leadership in the life of Wilshire Baptist Church. You may nominate as many individuals as you wish. Those chosen will begin three-year terms of service in February 2023. You also may nominate a deacon in reserve to rotate into active service. View list of active, reserve and emeritus deacons. Submissions can be made at wilshirebc.org/deacon-nominations/, and are due by Oct. 7. Questions? Contact Debby Burton.
Committee Nominations sought
Wilshire’s Committee on Committees is beginning its work to nominate members for 2023 committees. If you are not currently on a committee and are interested in volunteering yourself or suggesting someone for consideration, please complete the nomination form. All names received will be considered and evaluated against current committee openings and needs. The Committee on Committees’ final report will be presented to the church in conference in January for approval. Ministry Teams are available for any interested person to join at any time. View a description of each committee and ministry team and make nominations at wilshirebc.org/serve/volunteer-within-wilshire/committees/. Questions? Contact Carolyn Murray.