John Kelly preaches Oct. 2
Pastoral Resident John Kelly will deliver the message on Oct. 2. Residents are preaching about once a month during our pastoral transition, with guest preachers in the pulpit most weeks.
Oct. 9: Jon Singletary has been 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 joined the faculty in 2003. His interests include community development, advocacy and social justice. He 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
Capps recognition rescheduled for Oct. 9
The worship recognition and reception for Jessica Capps, originally set for Sept. 18, has been rescheduled for next Sunday, Oct. 9. Jessica recently retired from her role as Minister to Senior Adults after 22 years on Wilshire’s staff. The reception will take place in James Gallery after worship.
Biblical overview
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. The class will meet in McIver Chapel at 9:45 a.m.
Back by popular demand! Fellowship Lunch on Oct. 16
All are invited to Community Hall after worship on Sunday, Oct. 16, for a churchwide Fellowship Lunch. Pricing and other details will be announced next week.
Audition for Faith in 3D’s The Crucible
The Crucible by Arthur Miller is based on events that occurred 330 years ago in Salem, Massachusetts. When the drama debuted in 1952, it was hailed as “an allegory of our times.” Is it possible that 70 years later, the play can be called an allegory of our time? With that question in mind, Faith in 3D announces auditions for its 2023 production — scenes from The Crucible, to be performed live in Community Hall on March 24 and 25. Please register your interest in auditioning at wilshirebc.org/faith-in-3d. Your audition will be scheduled at a time convenient for you.
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 the Texas Rangers. The group will meet at Wilshire at 9:45 a.m. The tour begins at 11 and will be followed by lunch at a nearby restaurant. Cost is $25 per person, not including lunch. Register by Sunday, Oct. 2 at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Vote Common Good event Oct. 3
George Mason, Nancy Kasten, Charlie Johnson and Michael Waters are some of the Wilshire-familiar folk who will speak at the Vote Common Good rally Monday, Oct. 3, at 6:30 p.m. in the north parking lot. Vote Common Good is a nonprofit organization that aims to inspire, energize and mobilize people of faith to make the common good their voting criteria.
Lunch & Learn Oct. 5
A representative from Dallas College’s Richland Campus will speak about the school’s Emeritus Program at Lunch & Learn, Oct. 5 at 11:30 a.m. Held in Community Hall the first Wednesday each month, Lunch & Learn features a meal, fellowship and a program. Lunch costs $10 per person. No reservation needed.
Wednesday Night Live: Oct. 5
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.
Chronic illness group meets Oct. 6
Wilshire’s new support group for those experiencing a chronic or undiagnosed illness will meet for the first time on Thursday, Oct. 6, at 6 p.m. on Zoom. If you’re interested, contact Wilshire member Annette Miller at annette.a.miller@gmail.com.
Art exhibit continues
Fill the Earth with Music, our first art show since before the pandemic, 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. View it in the South Lobby through Nov. 15.
Library Book Fair set for Oct. 12
The yearly 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/credit accepted. A portion of the sales will benefit the Wilshire Library and book projects at Cornerstone Baptist Church. Can’t make it on Oct. 12? Online shopping is available through Oct. 31. Scan the QR code or visit https://f12261.myubam.com/2440007.
Evolving Faith, Oct. 14 & 15
Join Women of Wilshire for the Evolving Faith live virtual conference on Oct. 14 and 15. The event is an invitation to come “together to listen — to God and to one another…to reimagine and to rebuild, to remember and even to resurrect a faith that is truly good news.” Participants must register individually and will receive access to the live online gathering and recordings of all sessions until January 9. Gather with us at Wilshire for as much or as little of the live stream as you like. Contact Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org for our group registration link and sign up for the discounted price of $109 each.
Single, Adoptive and Foster Care Parents Night Out, Oct. 14
Wilshire will offer free childcare (infant – grade 6) for single, adoptive and foster parents on Friday, Oct. 14, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration is required and closes Oct. 9; visit wilshirebc.org/registration. This childcare is offered the second Friday each month during the school year, with the exception of December and March.
Marriage Connections, Oct. 14
The next Marriage Connections will be held Friday, Oct. 14, at 6:30 p.m. In this monthly event, free childcare (infant – grade 6) is provided while parents enjoy a short program and then have the rest of the night, until 9:30, to themselves. Marriage Connections provides an opportunity for time with other couples or for just the two of you. Registration is required for childcare and closes Oct. 9; visit wilshirebc.org/registration. Contact Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org to learn more.
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, Oct. 17 – 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 lgarner@wilshirebc.org.
Wednesday night parenting seminar starts Oct. 19
Wilshire will offer a parenting seminar on Wednesday evenings, Oct. 19 – Nov. 9, at 6 p.m. Parenting the Love and Logic Way will provide simple and practical techniques for raising happy, responsible children. The class will be led by veteran educator Candy McComb.
New around here?
The monthly Wilshire Welcome Class, which helps guests and new members learn what Wilshire is all about, will meet Oct. 30 at 10 a.m. in the Prayer Room near McIver Chapel. Contact Carolyn Murray, coordinator of congregational life, at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.
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 a discussion of How the Bible Actually Works by Peter Enns. Zoom available. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org).
■ WOW! Fall Book Study. Women of Wilshire are studying Amy-Jill Levine’s The Difficult Words of Jesus this fall on select Mondays at 7:30 p.m. Remaining dates: Oct. 10, Oct. 24, Nov. 7, Nov. 28. Joannah DeMent is hosting 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 – 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. Scholarships are available.
■ Wilshire folks are needed to serve as a hospitality team for the conference, and there will be a training session on Saturday morning, Oct. 22. Contact Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org to learn more.
Next blood drive is Oct. 19
The Carter BloodCare bus will be at Wilshire for a blood drive on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Carter is still feeling the effects of a decrease in blood donations during the pandemic; they have a less-than-one-day supply of many blood types. Walk-ups are welcome, but to make an appointment, scan the QR code on the back cover ad or find the link at wilshirebc.org/registration. Contact Parish Nurse Linda Garner with questions at lgarner@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3151.
Brianna Childs ordination, Oct. 23
Pastoral Resident Brianna Childs will be ordained to the gospel ministry on Sunday, Oct. 23, at 2 p.m. in the Sanctuary. A reception will follow in James Gallery. Brianna began the residency program in 2021 after graduating with a master’s degree in social work from Baylor University and a master of divinity degree from Baylor’s Truett Seminary.
Adam’s Baskets
Wilshire’s Adam’s Baskets ministry was started in memory of Adam Malcik and provides a way for members to help keep our food pantry stocked. Our small food pantry is maintained to meet an immediate need when a neighbor stops by the office for assistance. Proteins, peanut butter and pop-top canned goods are most needed at this time. Non-perishable food items are collected on the second Sunday of each month from the wicker baskets located around the church. Items can be placed in the baskets at any time.
Wilshire to discuss Big D Reads book, The Accomodation
Wilshire will participate in Big D Reads, a community-wide reading program, by holding a discussion of Jim Schutze’s The Accommodation: the Politics of Race in an American City. The 1987 book, long out of print and newly updated and re-released, examines the violent and suppressed history of race and racism in Dallas. A limited number of free copies are available in the church office, and our discussion will take place Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. over Zoom. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration for the Zoom link.
Mark your calendar
Senior Pastor Emeritus George Mason is involved with three upcoming events that may be of interest to Wilshire members:
Oct. 27: Maston Dinner honoring Faith Commons
Faith Commons, the nonprofit founded by George Mason, will be honored at the T.B. Maston Foundation Award Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 27, at Wilshire. The Foundation seeks to promote the life and teachings of Jesus as lived and taught by T.B. Maston, an influential Baptist ethicist and writer. Tickets and info at tbmaston.org.
Oct. 30: Luther Center event with Peter Marty
Peter Marty, editor and publisher of The Christian Century, will speak at an event hosted by Wilshire on Sunday, Oct. 30, at 4 p.m. Becoming More Human Through Worship is the theme of this year’s Herbener Lecture, presented by the Luther Center of North Texas and the Church Music Institute. George Mason will also appear on the program, which will be followed by a 5:30 dinner (by reservation) and a sung evening prayer at 6:30. The event is free with a requested donation for dinner. Register at luthercenter-northtexas.org.
Nov. 1: Ecological symposium at SMU
George Mason will be one of the speakers at a colloquium on religion and science at SMU’s Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m. The free event, titled Confronting our Global Ecological Crisis, will feature religious leaders, scholars and scientists. No reservation necessary.
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.