Fireside Chats: Churchwide social Nov. 12
Wilshire will host Fireside Chats at members’ homes on Sunday evening, Nov. 12. This social event with fellowship and light refreshments will deepen connections and provide an intimate setting for us to express our collective gratitude. Sign up to attend at any of the host homes throughout the area. Some sites will start at 6:30 and end at 8, while others will run from 5 to 6:30. Sign up today: wilshirebc.org/events/fireside-chats.
Unified Budget Update
YTD income: $2,631,656
YTD expenses: $3,030,814
YTD budget: $3,230,199
Income vs. Expenses Deficit: $399,158
Pathways Endowment YTD gifts: $105,579
Pathways Endowment Oct. balance: $8,840,367
About the Unified Budget
At Wilshire, we use a one-fund approach to giving called the Unified Budget. Your gifts support the basic mission and ministry of the church, including worship, age-graded programs, operations and local and global missions. Once the Unified Budget is fulfilled, gifts overflow into visionary aspects of our mission. These include our Building Reserve Fund, which covers unexpected property-related expenses, and Missions Plus, which provides grants to innovative mission partners.
Thanksgiving Food Drives
Boxes for Wilkinson Center
Wilshire has committed to provide 100 boxes for families in our community through the Wilkinson Center. A box costs $50 to $75 to assemble and is a great service opportunity for Sunday School classes, other groups or individuals. Boxes are due by Nov. 20. Scan QR code or visit wilshirebc.org/events/food-drives to sign up and see full instructions.
Food bags for White Rock Center of Hope due Nov. 12
Wilshire continues a long tradition of providing canned goods for families served by White Rock Center of Hope in East Dallas. Pick up the designated brown paper bags and attached shopping list, then fill the bags and return them. If you bring donations before Nov. 12, deliver them to the church office. Bags brought on Nov. 12 should be placed on the Sanctuary chancel steps. Amazon wishlist: you can also shop online and have items sent directly to WRCOH; scan QR code or find the link at wilshirebc.org/events/food-drives.
Tanzania mission dinner Nov. 6
Did you know Wilshire supports two primary schools in Tanzania? The Missions Committee invites you to join us for dinner and conversation with our mission partners on Monday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m. in Community Hall. Registration is requested; there is no cost for the event. Register at wilshirebc.org/events/tanzania-dinner.
New around here?
■ Wilshire Welcome, a one-hour session to help guests and new members learn what the church is all about, will meet Nov. 12 at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room near McIver Chapel.
■ Time with Tim, an informal chance for guests and new members to meet and visit with Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples, will be held Dec. 10 at 9:45 a.m. in Timothy’s office.
■ Questions about these events? Contact Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org).
Adventurers welcome Missy Buchanan Nov. 8
The Wilshire Adventurers will enjoy lunch and a presentation from author and speaker Missy Buchanan on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 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 is a fellowship group for anyone 60 or older. Contact: Barbara Clayton (bclayton@wilshirebc.org).
Wednesday Night Live: Nov. 8
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. Nov. 8: Cheese tortellini with alfredo sauce, grilled chicken, roasted cauliflower and broccoli minestrone soup, house salad, focaccia bread, tiramisu, chocolate chip cookies, jello. Kids: Pasta alfredo.
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: Chosen Family and Faithful Community | 6 – 7 p.m. | Community Hall | Jesus came preaching the kingdom of God, and new communities of believers sprang up with a distinctive character that trumped traditional ideas of kin and clan. Come explore what faithful Christian community can look like through the modern lens of chosen family, and how Wilshire can provide chosen family to those who need it most. Wilshire member Brad Russell will lead Nov. 8, and Associate Pastor Heather Mustain will wrap up the series on Nov. 15.
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.
Schedule note: There will be no Wednesday night activities at Wilshire on Nov. 22, the day before Thanksgiving.
Sign up for Nov. 10 Marriage Connections
Wilshire members Elizabeth and Doug Skemp will share “50 Years of Golden Memories” at Marriage Connections on Friday, Nov. 10, 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, Nov. 5; visit wilshirebc.org/events/marriage-connections. Contact: Abbey Adcox (aadcox@wilshirebc.org)
Single, Adoptive and Foster Care Parents Night Out, Nov. 10
Wilshire will offer free childcare (infant – grade 6) for single, adoptive and foster parents on Friday, Nov. 10, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration is required and closes Sunday, Nov. 5; visit wilshirebc.org/events/pno.
Oxford professor Anthony Reddie preaches Nov. 12
On Sunday, Nov. 12, Wilshire will welcome Anthony Reddie to the pulpit. Reddie is a professor of Black theology at Regent’s Park College at the University of Oxford in England. He also serves as director of Oxford’s Centre for Religion and Culture and is a professor of theological ethics at the University of South Africa. The author of 17 books, numerous journal articles and editor of Black Theology: An International Journal, Reddie is renowned for his innovative and engaging teaching style. After worship, join us in Community Hall for a free lunch and a time of Q&A with Professor Reddie. No reservation needed.
Next Lunch & Learn is Nov. 15
McIver Fellow John Kelly will lead a time of Bible study at the Nov. 15 Lunch & Learn. 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).
Wilshire Game Night Nov. 17
Everyone is invited to Wilshire Game Night on Friday, Nov. 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Community Hall. We’ll have board games and card games that are appropriate for preschoolers through adults, including mahjong, and you can also bring your favorite games. Feel free to bring your own dinner; we’ll supply the popcorn.
John Kelly leading November Sunday School series
Loved by a Still-Faced God is the topic of a Sunday School series to be led by McIver Fellow John Kelly on the four Sundays of November. John writes, “All of us want to know and be known; see and be seen. It’s our desire for relationship — with others, creation and God — that helps make us human, after all! At the same time, though, how we each embody and practice that desire depends on a variety of personal factors. While some of the ways we seek connection work well, others seem to leave us feeling alone, unworthy and even rejected. Join us as we unpack the relationship between our stories, our attachment styles, and, ultimately, our feelings of (dis)connection with God.” The class will meet in Community Hall at 9:45 a.m.
Ever thought about becoming a Stephen Minister?
Stephen Ministers are congregation members trained to provide one-to-one care to those experiencing a life difficulty such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness or relocation. Stephen Minister training is a Christ-centered experience that equips participants with essential caring and relating skills. Trainees learn how to listen to, care for and walk with those going through difficult times. Stephen Ministers meet with care receivers weekly to listen, encourage and provide emotional and spiritual support. Training for new Stephen Ministers will take place starting in January 2024. Interested? Talk with one of Wilshire’s Stephen Leaders: Gail Brookshire, Linda Garner, Micki Lacker, Debbie Meripolski and Tim Morgan. You can find a Stephen Minister application at wilshirebc.org/resources/care-ministries.
Women of Wilshire
Carolyn Murray is hosting a WOW “Favorite Things Party” and brunch at her home on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 10:30 a.m. Instructions: 1. Choose a favorite thing ($25-30). 2. Purchase, wrap and bring to party. 3. Leave with a new favorite thing! RSVP at wilshirebc.org/events/wow-favorite-things.
Let’s play mahjong! 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 Nov. 14, the group will discuss Pearl Buck’s The Good Earth. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org).
Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On Dec. 7, the group will discuss Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org).
Registration is open for the Women of Wilshire 2024 retreat, to be held Feb. 9 – 11 at the Prothro Retreat Center on Lake Texoma. Jillian Mason Shannon will serve as retreat pastor. See full details and register at wilshirebc.org/events/wow-retreat-2024.
Save these Advent dates
Sunday, Dec. 3, 6:30 p.m. Celebration of the Green
Wednesday, Dec. 13, 6 p.m. Pageant with preschool choirs
Sunday, Dec. 17. Morning worship includes special music by Sanctuary Choir and orchestra
Sunday, Dec. 17, 4 p.m. Blue Christmas service for those carrying loss or pain
Sunday, Dec. 24. No morning worship or Sunday School. Christmas Eve services at 4 and 11 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 31. Worship at 11 a.m. No Sunday School.
Poinsettia ordering is open
Help decorate the Sanctuary for Advent by ordering a poinsettia in honor or in memory of a loved one. Dedications will be listed in the worship folder on Sunday, Dec. 3. Each plant costs $12, and donors may take them home after Christmas Eve services. Order by Nov. 26 using a form in the office or at wilshirebc.org/poinsettias.
Sign up kids to build nativity
Children in kindergarten through grade 6 can sign up to help build the Sanctuary nativity scene by carrying an element to the chancel during worship. We will begin the first Sunday of Advent, Dec. 3, and build the scene week by week until it is complete at the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve service. The sign-up link can be found at wilshirebc.org/nativity. Contact: Julie Girards (jgirards@wilshirebc.org)