Road to Resurrection: Family Lenten Experience
Sunday, April 2 | Noon – 2 p.m. | Community Hall
Reserve a time at wilshirebc.org/registration.
If you enjoyed One Starry Night or find it challenging to talk with the children in your life about Jesus’ death and resurrection, you’ll love Road to Resurrection! This Lenten experience for families will provide a way to discuss this difficult but important subject on their level. It will be relevant, informative and fun for all ages, even adults, so invite your family and friends. This hour-long event traces the journey Jesus took during the last week of his earthly life, and it is filled with Bible-time experiences to engage the senses — creating and waving palm branches, tasting the Passover meal, visiting the Garden of Gethsemane and more. A kid-friendly lunch will be available for $5 per person ($20 family max) in Community Hall after worship. Registered groups of 8 to 12 will be led to the first of six stations starting at noon, rotating every 15 minutes, with the last group starting at 1:30. Walk-ups are welcome, space permitting. Reserve your entry time at wilshirebc.org/registration.
• Volunteers are needed as greeters, travel guides, costumed characters, assistants or to help with decorating. Contact Julie Girards (jgirards@wilshirebc.org) or visit wilshirebc.org/registration for a SignUpGenius link.
Food service changes
Due to staffing transitions in our food service department, we have found it necessary to make some adjustments to our practices and policies. From now until at least the end of the summer, we will not be able to accommodate those with food allergies or dietary restrictions. The staff feels that we do not currently have the capacity to do so safely. Moving forward, many if not all meals will be “chef’s choice.” This will allow for the flexibility and adaptability our kitchen staff needs. We apologize for this inconvenience and thank you for your continued grace and patience. We also believe it essential to implement a new policy that requires two weeks notice when an event at the church — with the exception of funerals — requires food or beverage service. This will allow us to adequately staff events while maximizing resources and minimizing waste. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me or Holly Irvin, Director of Hospitality. — Heather Mustain, Associate Pastor
Meeting Sunday, March 26, about Adventurers Charleston trip
Anyone interested in learning more about the Wilshire Adventurers’ planned November trip to Charleston, South Carolina, is invited to a meeting on Sunday, March 26, after worship in McIver Chapel. From Nov. 6 to 11, the Adventurers will spend five nights and six days touring in the “Holy City.” Led by Rob and Pam Banta, the group will see and experience antebellum homes and estates, Charleston cuisine, culture and architecture, a nighttime harbor cruise with dinner, a fine arts museum, Fort Sumter, Old City Market, Charleston Tea Garden and more, all accompanied by private guides. See full details at wilshirebc.org/registration or in a brochure available in the church office. The trip will accommodate a maximum of 50 participants and will require a minimum of 35. Registration is first come, first served.
Eggs, candy for Gateway due March 29
We have two opportunities to support mission partner Gateway of Grace and their annual Easter egg hunt for the refugee families they serve.
■ Plastic eggs and supplies. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration to provide fillable Easter eggs or wrapped fun-size candy. No marshmallows or candy containing gelatin, please. Items may be dropped off in containers located outside the church office, north entrance, and second-floor education office suite by Wednesday, March 29. All ages are welcome as we fill the eggs and assemble weekend meal bags for Lipscomb Elementary at Called to Care on Wednesday, March 29, at 6 p.m. in James Gallery.
■ Baked goods. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration to provide baked goods for Gateway’s cake walk. Items should
be packaged in clear wrapping or clear containers. Recommended items include one dozen cookies, brownies, bars or cupcakes. No recipes containing gelatin or marshmallow, please. Items should be dropped off on Wednesday, April 5, on tables outside the church office.
Wednesday Night Live: March 29
Called to Care: All ages together at 6 p.m.
When a month has a fifth Wednesday, adults and children join together for a fun, hands-on service project. This week, we’ll meet in James Gallery to prepare eggs for mission partner Gateway of Grace’s Easter Egg Hunt and fill weekend food bags for students of DISD’s Lipscomb Elementary School.
Koinonia Café
5 – 6 p.m. | Community Hall | Buffet-style dinner for the whole family. Pricing at wilshirebc.org/wednesdays.
The Lenten study, KidConnect and Preschool Music, Missions & More will return April 5.
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
Childcare for infants to 2-year-olds whose parents are involved in church activities is offered 6 – 7:15 p.m.
Seen. Known. Loved.
Lent 2023
Devotional guide
Join Wilshire as we journey toward Easter using Kate Bowler’s Bless the Lent We Actually Have, a devotional guide designed to go with Bowler’s book, The Lives We Actually Have. Download the guide at wilshirebc.org/lent or pick up a printed copy in the church office.
Lenten playlist
Wilshire has created an eclectic Lenten playlist on the streaming music service Spotify. The basic version of Spotify is free. Search for “seen. known. loved – Lent 2023” or find a link to the playlist at wilshirebc.org/lent.
Wednesdays: Say My Name: Names We Are Called By God
6 p.m. | Room 1205-L. When the world shouts with a million voices around us, we can count on the voice of God to call us by our true names. Join our pastoral residents as we discuss how to tune into that voice. The last session will be held on April 5.
Maundy Thursday Service
April 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Sanctuary. One of the year’s most moving services, Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with the Apostles. In addition to Scripture readings and the Lord’s Supper, this year’s service will feature music from Nova, Shekinah, Carillon Ringers and a string quartet.
Easter Sunday, April 9
■ Sunrise Service: 6:30 a.m. at White Rock Lake’s T.P. Hill.
■ Worship in the Sanctuary: 11 a.m.
■ Columbarium Service of Remembrance: 9:30 a.m. This brief service is geared toward those with a loved one inurned or memorialized in the Columbarium, which will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
■ Flowering Cross: Stop by Easter morning to place a flower into the mesh-wrapped wooden cross outside the Sanctuary. Bring your own fresh-cut flowers or take one from a limited supply provided by the church.
Find more details at wilshirebc.org/lent
New to Wilshire?
■ The monthly Wilshire Welcome class helps guests and new members learn what Wilshire is all about. Sessions are held Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room (1100-B) near McIver Chapel. Dates: April 23, May 14.
■ Time with Tim is an informal chance for guests and new members to meet and visit with Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples. The next session will be held Sunday, April 30, at 9:45 a.m. in Community Hall.
■ Questions about these events? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.
Sign up for Ramadan dinner
Wilshire will host Dialogue Institute Dallas for an interfaith Ramadan dinner on Monday, April 3, at 7 p.m. in Community Hall. The event will help us learn from our Muslim neighbors as we break bread together in the holy month of Ramadan. The evening will begin with conversation and a presentation on Ramadan, and our friends will share a home-cooked meal with us at 7:45 p.m., when they break their fast. The dinner is free, but registration is required and space is limited. To sign up, visit dialoguedallas.org/events and look for the April 3 Wilshire event. When registering, you can make a small donation toward earthquake relief efforts in Turkey, or you can enter “0.00” for the donation to reserve your spot at the dinner.
Order Easter lilies by April 2
It’s time to order Easter lilies to adorn the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday. Congregants are invited to provide the flowers in honor or in memory of beloved family members, friends or teachers. Dedications will be listed in the worship folder on Easter, April 9. Each plant costs $15. Order at wilshirebc.org/registration or in the church office. The deadline for inclusion in the listing is Palm Sunday, April 2.
Darren DeMent is guest for April 5 Lunch & Learn
Associate Pastor Darren DeMent will be the featured guest at Lunch & Learn on April 5 at 11:30 a.m. Held in Community Hall the first Wednesday each month and open to all, Lunch & Learn includes a meal, fellowship and a program. Lunch costs $10 per person. No reservation needed. Contact: Barbara Clayton (bclayton@wilshirebc.org)
Adventurers lunch will feature author presentation
The Wilshire Adventurers will enjoy lunch and a presentation from author and speaker Missy Buchanan on Tuesday, April 18, at 11:30 a.m. in Community Hall. Buchanan writes and speaks on the subject of aging faithfully, and her books include Living with Purpose in a Worn-Out Body and Dry Bones to Living Hope. Lunch costs $10 per person. No reservation necessary. Adventurers events are open to anyone 60 and above. Contact: Barbara Clayton (214-452-3125 or bclayton@wilshirebc.org).
Marriage Connections, April 14
The “Not So Newlywed Game” will be the focus of the next Marriage Connections on Friday, April 14, at 6:30 p.m. In this monthly event, free childcare (infant – grade 6) is provided while parents enjoy a short program in James Gallery and then have the rest of the night, until 9:30, to themselves. Registration is required for childcare and closes Sunday, April 9; visit wilshirebc.org/registration. Contact: Abbey Adcox (aadcox@wilshirebc.org)
Single, Adoptive and Foster Care Parents Night Out, April 14
Wilshire will offer free childcare (infant – grade 6) for single, adoptive and foster parents on Friday, April 14, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration is required and closes Sunday, April 9; visit wilshirebc.org/registration.
Pray Away film screening
On Sunday, April 16, Wilshire will co-host a free screening of Pray Away, a documentary film about the harmful practice of “conversion therapy.” The 3:45 p.m. screening at Life in Deep Ellum (where former pastoral resident Jenna Sullivan is pastor) will be followed by a panel discussion with survivors, faith leaders, LGBTQ advocates and mental health experts. The film aims to elevate the conversation on conversion therapy and inform the public — particularly religious communities, where the practice is most prevalent — about its lasting harm and devastating persistence. Register and learn more at tinyurl.com/padallas.
Homelessness panel, April 18
Wilshire will host a panel discussion on affordable housing and homelessness on Tuesday, April 18, at 6:30 p.m. in Community Hall. Associate Pastor Heather Mustain will moderate the event, themed Homelessness, Housing & Me. Panelists are Joli Robinson, president of Housing Forward; Mark Melton, founder of Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center; and Ashley Flores, senior director of Child Poverty Action Lab.
Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On April 6, the group will discuss Ann May’s Jacqueline in Paris. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)
■ The WOW Tuesday Evening Book Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor. On April 11, the group will discuss Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org)
Art exhibit through April 19
Who Is My Neighbor? is the theme of an art exhibit that will be on display through April 19 in Wilshire’s South Lobby. The show is a collection of etchings, lithographs, woodcuts and paintings that give visual insight into Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan. It includes the work of 22 artists from the last four centuries, including Rembrandt, Ernst Barlach, Tanja Butler, Ed Knippers and John August Swanson, plus political cartoons and illustrations that demonstrate the parable’s continued societal relevance.
Concert on Doug’s last day will benefit Grief and Loss Center
Sanctuary Choir and guest artist Ken Medema will be featured in a 6:30 p.m. concert on Sunday, April 30, Associate Pastor Doug Haney’s last day at Wilshire. The concert, themed “Wrap Me in Song,” will benefit the Grief and Loss Center of North Texas, a nonprofit organization based at Wilshire. Selections will include excerpts from Gabriel Faure’s Requiem and Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light. Ken Medema is a singer, songwriter and pianist who has released over 40 albums since the 1970s. Blind from birth, Medema is known for his ability to improvise songs in concert. Admission is free; an offering will be received.
Summer events for children and preschoolers
Registration is open at wilshirebc.org/summer-camps.
Vacation Bible School
June 12 – 16, 9 a.m. – noon,
Older preschool – Grade 6
Full Day: Cooking Camp & Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Grades 2 – 6
Cooking Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Listen to Your Art! Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 1 – 5:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Passport Kids! Preteen Camp
July 22 – 25, Grades 3 – 6
Preschool Friends Camp
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon
New for completed kindergartners: Creation Station
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon