Mason book signing June 4
Senior Pastor Emeritus George Mason will sign copies of his new book, a collection of sermons from his 33-year Wilshire ministry, on Sunday, June 4, from 9 to 11 a.m. and from noon to 2 p.m. in James Gallery. One free copy of the book, titled “The Word Made Fresh: Preaching God’s Love for Every Body,” will be available at the event for each Wilshire member household. Members who can’t attend the event can pick up their copy in the church office after June 4. The book project was announced as a surprise for George on his final Sunday as senior pastor last August. The finished product has been developed with George’s input by a team including Wilshire member Gail Brookshire and pastoral residency alums Ann Bell Worley, Jake Hall and Julie Merritt Lee. “The Word Made Fresh” will be officially released on June 27 by Read the Spirit Books, an imprint of Front Edge Publishing. Additional copies can be preordered through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and independent booksellers everywhere.
Wear orange on June 4
Wilshire members are encouraged to wear orange on Sunday, June 4, in observance of National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange Weekend. Orange ribbons will be available at all Sanctuary entrances, the North Atrium, South Lobby, north building entrance and near the main office. Reflection boards are set up near the office and in the North Atrium, and all are encouraged to share on a sticky note why gun violence awareness is important to them. Wear Orange began on June 2, 2015, in honor of what would have been Hadiya Pendleton’s 18th birthday. Hadiya was shot and killed on a Chicago playground in January 2013. Wear Orange is now an annual observation encompassing National Gun Violence Awareness Day, the first Friday in June, and Wear Orange Weekend, the accompanying weekend. Learn more at wearorange.org.
Wilshire Winds concert June 4
Pops & Popsicles, a Wilshire Winds concert in the Sanctuary followed by a popsicle reception in James Gallery, will be held Sunday, June 4, at 6:30 p.m. Familiar tunes on the program include George Gershwin’s “Strike Up the Band,” a brass ensemble version of “Londonderry Air” (a.k.a. “Danny Boy”), “Saint Louis Blues March” and a fanfare based on “All Creatures of Our God and King.” A section of the concert themed The British Invasion will include a Phantom of the Opera medley, two marches by Kenneth Alford (the British March King) and Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing.” To end the concert, Jeff Brummel will join the Winds to play the Finale from the Saint-Saëns “Organ” Symphony No. 3.
Music search focus groups
The Minister of Music Search Committee is holding focus group sessions to gather congregational input. All are welcome. An online survey will also be utilized, and each music group will have a dedicated time to visit with search committee members.
Sunday, June 4
9:45 – 10:45 a.m. | Community Hall | Breakfast treats provided
Sunday, June 11
After Worship | Community Hall | Lunch provided
Applicants sought for minister roles
Minister of music
The Minister of Music Search Committee will accept applications through June 25 for the minister of music role. Applicants can visit wilshirebc.org/music-search to view the job description and apply using an online form.
■ You can recommend someone for the role by filling out a form at wilshirebc.org/music-rec. The form will be available through Sunday, June 11. Submissions will only be visible to the search committee.
Minister to senior adults
Wilshire is actively seeking applicants to fill the minister to senior adults role. The job description and instructions for applying can be found at wilshirebc.org/employment. Applications will be accepted through June 25.
Vacation Bible School
June 12–16, 9 a.m.–Noon
Operation Restoration is the theme for this year’s Vacation Bible School, for preschoolers through sixth graders. Kids will learn to be menders of the universe as they explore daily themes of Feed, Heal, Forgive, Pray and Rest. VBS is free, but class sizes are limited. Register by June 5 at wilshirebc.org/summer-camps.
VBS Volunteers needed
We need leaders and helpers for missions, crafts, recreation, snacks, worship, audiovisual work and grade-level groups. It’s fun and easy, with a great curriculum to guide us. If you can help, even if not every day, contact Minister to Children Julie Girards at jgirards@wilshirebc.org or Minister to Preschoolers Joan Hammons at jhammons@wilshirebc.org.
Donate items for VBS missions
Children at Wilshire’s Vacation Bible School next week will experience the joy of serving others as they make a difference outside the walls of the church. But your donations are needed. Drop off items for both drives in a bin outside the main office through Monday, June 12. Students may bring donations to their VBS classrooms on Monday, June 12.
■ Sixth graders will visit a different nonprofit each day to learn about the agency’s mission and assist with a project. In advance of their visit to HHM Health (formerly Healing Hands Ministries), the sixth graders ask for donations of new school supplies, including:
Two-Pocket Organizer Folders
Pencil Cases
#2 Pencils
Crayons
Highlighters
12-Inch Rulers
Easy Twist-Up Glue Stick (Washable)
Pink Erasers
■ Kids in kindergarten through grade 5 will assemble care packages for families being served by the Parkland NICU.
Requested items are:
Lip balm
Snacks
Magazines
Puzzle books
Water bottles
Sleep masks/ear plugs
Adult coloring books
Colored pencils
New around here?
■ The Wilshire Welcome class helps guests and new members learn what the church is all about. Wilshire Welcome will meet this summer on June 18 and Aug. 20 at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room (1100-B) near McIver Chapel.
■ 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, July 16, at 9:45 a.m. in Timothy’s office (Room 2203, second floor).
■ Questions about the above events? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.
New Song at June 7 Lunch & Learn
New Song Community Choir will sing at Lunch & Learn on June 7 at 11:30 a.m. in Community Hall. Directed by Sarah Stafford, New Song provides a supportive environment for senior adults to share their love of music, build relationships and serve the community. Lunch & Learn, held the first Wednesday of the month, includes a meal ($10 each), fellowship and a program. No RSVP needed. Lunch & Learn will take a break in July and August. Contact: Barbara Clayton (bclayton@wilshirebc.org)
Camcorder donation sought
Got a camcorder you no longer use because your phone takes great video? Wilshire’s Video Ministry Team is seeking a used camcorder to replace one that recently bit the dust. Any model with an HDMI output will do. Contact David Hammons at davidhvideo@gmail.com.
Let’s play Pickleball!
Join Wilshire friends from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 10, to play the fast-growing sport of Pickleball. Equipment and two courts will be provided at Northridge Presbyterian Church (6920 Bob O Link Dr.). All skill levels are welcome; experienced players will be on hand for simple lessons and tips. Questions? Contact Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org) or Colman Vigil (co.vigil@yahoo.com).
Adventurers outing to McKinney
On Tuesday, June 20, the Wilshire Adventurers will visit historic downtown McKinney to view the Silos Mural Project and enjoy lunch, shopping and strolling around the town square. The group will meet at Wilshire at 9 a.m., depart by bus at 9:30 and return at 2:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per person. Lunch is on your own. Reservations are required by June 18; visit wilshirebc.org/registration or contact Barbara Clayton (214-452-3125 or bclayton@wilshirebc.org).
Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW Tuesday Evening Book Club will have dinner on June 13 at Jason’s Deli (Park Lane and 75), then will meet July 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor to discuss Leila Meacham’s Dragonfly. 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 6, the group will discuss Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)
Youth Camp 2023: “All Around You”
July 3 – 8 / Ferncliff Camp
It’s not hard to see all that is wrong with the world today. It seems like everywhere we look we are faced with examples of greed, hatred, intolerance, violence and brokenness. It’s enough to get us pretty depressed if we aren’t careful. However, Christian hope calls us to not only see the world as it currently is, but to see how it can be. Our faith allows us to not only see all that is wrong, but to see all that is still good and right. The truth is: beauty, acceptance, grace, generosity and wholeness are also very present in our world today, and we have a part to play in bringing those things to bear. It might mean we have to look at the world through fresh eyes. It might mean we need to rethink some things we thought we knew. It might take some creativity. It will likely take some courage. It will definitely take all of us working together. Join us at camp as we explore how we might increase our awareness of how God is at work in the world and the ways we can join in.
■ Camp pastors are pastoral resident alum Leigh Curl-Dove and her husband, Keith. Registration is open to Wilshire members and guests alike. Visit wilshirebc.org/registration.
Summer camps for children and preschoolers
Visit wilshirebc.org/summer-camps for full details and registration.
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