Timothy Peoples starts Jan. 22 as senior pastor.
A new era begins at Wilshire next Sunday, Jan. 22, when Timothy Peoples preaches his first sermon as Wilshire’s senior pastor. He will also lead a children’s moment during worship. Timothy will begin in the office on Monday, Jan. 23. Church members will be able to interact with and hear from Timothy at various events planned for the coming weeks. Plans are still being developed, but here are some opportunities to be aware of:
■ A “Dialogue with Timothy” will be held Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 6 p.m. in Community Hall.
■ Timothy will be the featured speaker for Lunch & Learn on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at 11:30 a.m. in Community Hall.
■ Timothy will visit Sunday School classes during the next few months. Associate Pastor Darren DeMent will work with class directors on creating a schedule.
■ A special installation service for Timothy will be held during morning worship on Sunday, Feb. 26.
Hear from Timothy at annual church conference, Jan. 22
Make plans to attend Wilshire’s annual church conference in Community Hall after worship on Sunday, Jan. 22. We’ll adopt a budget, elect deacons and committees and hear a word from Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples on his first day. Lunch will be provided.
■ Zoom will be available, but only in-person attendees will be able to participate in voting. Email Associate Pastor Heather Mustain (hmustain@wilshirebc.org) for the Zoom information or look for it at wilshirebc.org/conference closer to Jan. 22. A PDF of conference materials will also be available at that link.
■ Childcare will be available for infants through grade 6. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration by Jan. 15.
■ Children’s and Youth Choirs will rehearse as normal on Jan. 22.
New deacons recommended
The Deacon Nominating Committee has recommended five Wilshire members to be ordained as new deacons: Andy Brookshire, Ivan Martinez, Katie Murray, Kristi Reavis and Colman Vigil. Ten deacons were nominated to return to active service: Gail Brookshire, Kile Brown, Pat Cullum, Joannah DeMent, Ed Francis, Linda Francis, Jill Granberry, LeAnn Hampton, Anna Hines and Collin Yarbrough. One Wilshire member ordained elsewhere, Steven Hallman, was nominated to serve as a deacon at Wilshire for the first time. Nominations will be voted on at the church conference on Jan. 22, and new deacons will be ordained during worship on Jan. 29.
New deacon officers
Wilshire’s deacon body has elected new officers for 2023. Gladys Kolenovsky will serve as chair, Paula Woodbury will be chair-elect and Dennis Smith will serve as vice-chair.
Meal Packing Event with Rise Against Hunger – Monday, Jan. 16, 10 a.m.– Noon
Join us in Community Hall on the MLK Day holiday as we partner with Rise Against Hunger to pack 15,120 healthy meals for those in need. This fun project is for everyone, with opportunities for children and ways to serve seated or standing. Volunteers are needed for set-up and clean-up. Rise Against Hunger’s mission is to create immediate and long-term solutions to hunger by building resilience, self-sufficiency and empowerment in communities worldwide. To sign up, which is helpful but not required, scan the code or visit wilshirebc.org/registration to find the sign-up link.
Wednesday Night Live: Jan. 18
Koinonia Café
5 – 6 p.m. | Community Hall | Buffet-style dinner for the whole family. See pricing and details at wilshirebc.org/wednesdays.
Music, Missions & More
6 – 7 p.m. | Age 3 – Pre-K | Fun activities and lessons focused on God’s love.
KidConnect
6 – 7 p.m. | K – Grade 6 | This 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 is different. Activities include art, music, science, puppets and cooking.
Resident-Led Series: Remembering Baptism
6 p.m. | Jan. 18 | McIver Chapel
Liturgically, as Christmastide winds down, our faith story skips ahead to the scene of Jesus’s baptism — a whirlpool of confusion, surrender, Spirit and favor. But what’s all that have to do with us, here and now? Whether or not you came to the first session last week, join us in McIver Chapel on Jan. 18 as we hold time and space for all to remember and be encouraged by their baptisms — regardless if you were baptized as an infant, a geriatric or even a Methodist! We pray this time will lift your spirit and prepare your heart for the year to come.
Also on Wednesdays
■ Watershed | Grades 7 – 12 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Youth Center
■ Sanctuary Choir | 7 – 8:30 p.m. | Choral Hall | No audition necessary
We almost closed the gap in 2022
On Dec. 18 Wilshire was facing a $530,420 gap between income and projected expenses. Thanks to your generosity at year-end, we closed 96% of that gap. Gifts to Wilshire’s Unified Budget for 2022 totaled $3,591,097. Expenses for the year were $3,609,841, resulting in a deficit of $18,744. The deficit will be covered by operating contingency funds we were able to set aside from the 2021 giving surplus and the Paycheck Protection Program loan received in 2021. The Finance Committee will present a budget for 2023 at the annual church conference on Jan. 22.
Median Adult Trivia Night
All median adults are invited to a fun night of socializing and trivia at Times Ten Cellars (6324 Prospect Ave., Dallas 75214) on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. Think you’re a median adult or wish you were? Join us. A $12 charge covers heavy hors d’oeuvres. RSVP at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Piano Affinity Group to meet Jan. 22
Wilshire’s Piano Affinity Group, which gives pianists the opportunity to perform for their peers in a relaxed, encouraging setting, will meet Sunday, Jan. 22, at 4 p.m. in McIver Chapel. Participants are invited to play a classical piece or hymn arrangement. To learn more, contact Max Tucker at 214-215-3766.
Adventurers movie afternoon
The Wilshire Adventurers will enjoy an afternoon at the movies on Monday, Jan. 23, at 1 p.m. in Community Hall. The 1999 comedy- drama Tea with Mussolini will be shown. A $5 charge covers popcorn, cookies and drinks. No reservation needed; pay at the door.
Volunteer for homeless count
Housing Forward will conduct its 2023 Point in Time Count the night of Jan. 26 to take a census of our unhoused neighbors. Volunteers are needed; learn more at housingforward.pointintime.info. Orientation is provided, and forming a team with friends is encouraged.
Souper Bowl of Caring set for Feb. 5
Wilshire’s annual Souper Bowl of Caring will be held in Community Hall after worship on Sunday, Feb. 5. The beneficiary of this year’s event and other details will be announced soon.
Digital safety for grades 4 – 6
A five-week Sunday School series called Brain Defense will help kids in grades 4 through 6 learn to use technology in positive ways. Wilshire member Dawn Hallman will teach the series from Jan. 22 to Feb. 19. Topics include self-discipline with screen time, avoiding online predators and bullies, and good digital citizenship. An information session for parents will be offered Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 6 p.m. in room 2230.
Brianna Childs to lead February Sunday School option
Pastoral Resident Brianna Childs will lead a limited Sunday School series, Faithful Women, on the four Sundays of February. Brianna says, “We will dive into the lives of some extraordinary women in history who changed Christianity as we know it. Though many have tried to erase their influence, their stories have persisted and are meant to be told for generations to come.” The class, which will meet in McIver Chapel, will be a good option for anyone not connected to a class or those new to Sunday School. Existing classes may attend to give their regular teachers a break.
Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor. On Feb. 14, the group will discuss The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org)
■ The WOW! Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On Feb. 2, the group will discuss Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)
Do Timothy and Valerie a favor: update your photo in Realm
Let’s update our profile pictures in Realm to help new Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples and his wife, Valerie Lott, learn names and faces.
■ Open the Realm Connect app on your mobile device.
■ Tap your picture or the empty icon next to your name. (If you don’t see your profile picture, choose More from the bottom menu to go to the next screen, then look in the top left corner.)
■ Tap the pencil icon in the bottom right of the icon circle.
■ Chose New Profile Photo and then select a photo from your phone’s camera roll. Tap Apply to set the photo.
■ If you access Realm on a computer, click your name in the upper right corner, then choose Realm under My Profile Views. Click on your photo, then the pencil icon. You can then upload a photo from your computer.
■ Need help? Contact Susan Kimball (skimball@wilshirebc.org) or Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org).