Faith & Firearms: Panel discussion on Oct. 1
Following worship on Sunday, Oct. 1, the Christian Advocacy Committee will host a panel discussion in Community Hall on the growing gun violence crisis in our state and nation. Panelists will discuss its causes, effects and how faith communities can advocate for gun safety. Speakers include Miriam Sharma, an RN and the Dallas co-lead for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America; Shari Elliott, a counselor specializing in trauma therapy; Rev. Deanna Hollas of Presbyterian Peace Fellowship; and Bob Watson of Texas Impact, an interfaith policy network. Wilshire member Scott Spreier will moderate.
Parish nurse urges flu shot and COVID booster
It’s that time of year. Flu shots are due and are available at most pharmacies. Please be sure to get yours soon, as flu season is coming. Unfortunately we are not able to have a flu shot clinic at Wilshire this year due to factors beyond our control. Also, the new, improved COVID-19 boosters are available and can be given at the same time as the flu shots. They have been prepared to protect against more of the variants than the previous shots. I recommend getting both as soon as possible. You should also know that the federal government is again offering free COVID test kits, four per household. Visit covidtests.gov. —Linda Garner, parish nurse
Adopt a grandfriend
If you are a family without grandparents in town and would like to adopt a grandfriend or grandfriends, you can request to be paired with a local Wilshire grandfriend. Conversely, if you are an older adult or couple without grandchildren nearby and would like to serve as a grandfriend, please let us know. To register your interest, visit wilshirebc.org/grandfriend to fill out our online forms. Applications are due by Oct. 31, and you will be notified of your pairing by mid-November. We’ll hold a kickoff event sometime before the holidays. Questions? Contact Minister to Children Julie Girards at jgirards@wilshirebc.org.
Still room for new ringers
There’s still room in Wilshire Bells, our new handbell group for adults with limited or no experience. The group rehearses Sundays from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. in the Handbell Room. A snack lunch will be available. Reach out to director Kelly Akins (kakins@wilshirebc.org) or attend rehearsal to learn more.
Family ministries leaders lunch
Leaders, teachers and volunteers in preschool, children’s and youth ministries are invited to join Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples for a listening session about Wilshire’s family ministries. The session will be held Sunday, Oct. 15, at noon in James Gallery. Lunch will be provided; no reservation necessary.
New around here?
Wilshire Welcome, which helps guests and new members learn what the church is all about, will meet Oct. 15 at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room near McIver Chapel. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org).
Next Lunch & Learn is Oct. 4
“Writing Your Own Life Story” is the theme for Lunch & Learn on Wednesday, Oct. 4. Wilshire member and retired English professor Mike Moorhead will speak about memoir writing and lead the group in pre-writing exercises. Lunch & Learn is held the first and third Wednesdays each month at 11:30 a.m. in Community Hall. Open to all. Lunch costs $10 per person. No reservation needed. Contact: Barbara Clayton (bclayton@wilshirebc.org).
Sign up by Oct. 1 for Oct. 6 Marriage Connections
“Married (Happily)” is the theme for the next Marriage Connections on Friday, Oct. 6, at 6:30 p.m. In this event, held on select Friday nights, free childcare (infant – grade 6) is provided while parents enjoy a short program at the church and then have the rest of the night, until 9:30, to themselves. Registration is required for childcare and closes Sunday, Oct. 1; visit wilshirebc.org/events/marriage-connections. Contact: Abbey Adcox (aadcox@wilshirebc.org)
Single, Adoptive and Foster Care Parents Night Out, Oct. 6
Wilshire will offer free childcare (infant – grade 6) for single, adoptive and foster parents on Friday, Oct. 6, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration is required and closes Sunday, Oct. 1; visit wilshirebc.org/events/pno.
Wednesday Night Live: Oct. 4
Koinonia Café | 5 – 6 p.m. | Community Hall | Buffet-style dinner for the whole family. Cash/check/credit accepted. Pricing at wilshirebc.org/events/koinonia-cafe. Kid-friendly and to-go meals available. Oct. 4: chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, salad, corn chowder, chocolate pie, cookies, fruit cups or jello. Kids: chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes.
Music, Missions & More | 6 – 7 p.m. | Age 3 – Pre-K | Preschool choir, plus fun activities focused on God’s love.
KidConnect | 6 – 7 p.m. | K – Grade 6 | This rotation of art, music and more will help kids learn how to love God and others with every part of themselves.
Bible Study: Darren DeMent begins series on music | 6 – 7 p.m. | Community Hall | How might the legacy of the biblical prophets be seen in a rock ’n’ roll icon like Frank Zappa, a country music legend like Johnny Cash or a hip-hop pioneer like Grandmaster Flash? How might listening to Freddie Mercury’s vocals give us insight into Richard Rohr’s writings? How might Mick Jagger shed some light on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount? Join Associate Pastor Darren DeMent on Oct. 4, 11 & 18 for some entertaining and enlightening conversations on the intersection of faith, theology and music. This week: Isolating the vocal. Whether it is a song or a belief system, a lot can be revealed when you strip it down to its basics.
Watershed | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Grades 7–12 | Bible study and music in the Youth Center.
Sanctuary Choir | 7 p.m. | Choral Hall | No audition.
State Fair outing on Oct. 22
Join us for a church-wide outing to the State Fair of Texas on Sunday, Oct. 22, from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Admission ticket and transportation provided for $30. Register at wilshirebc.org/events/state-fair.
Save the date for Amy Butler event: Oct. 25
On Wednesday evening, Oct. 25, Wilshire will host pastor and author Amy Butler for a special event celebrating the publication of her new book, Beautiful and Terrible Things: Faith, Doubt, and Discovering a Way Back to Each Other. At 6 p.m. in McIver Chapel, Amy will be featured in conversation with Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples. Amy will sign books in the South Atrium starting at 5 p.m. and again after the talk. The 6 p.m. talk will take the place of adult Bible study on Oct. 25.
Women of Wilshire events
Join other Women of Wilshire for mahjong on the first Friday of each month at 10 a.m. or the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. All skill levels welcome. Please sign up; SignUpGenius link at wilshirebc.org/events/mahjong.
Tuesday Evening Book Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor. On Oct. 10, the group will discuss Michelle Obama’s Becoming. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org).
Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On Oct. 5, the group will discuss Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org).
Anyone who enjoys knitting is invited to Sara Tinsley’s Garland home one evening each month, usually the third Thursday, to work on their projects in fellowship with others. The group is open to knitters of all skill levels. Contact Sara for more details at saratinsley1@yahoo.com.