Thanksgiving Boxes for Wilkinson Center due by Nov. 20
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 should be brought to the South Lobby today, Nov. 19, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. or to the south parking lot Monday morning, Nov. 20, between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. Scan QR code or visit wilshirebc.org/events/food-drives to sign up and see full instructions. For more information, contact Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org.
No Wednesday activities Nov. 22
There will be no Wednesday offerings at Wilshire on Nov. 22, the day before Thanksgiving. Sanctuary Choir will rehearse Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m.
Minister of music candidate here Dec. 15–17
The Minister of Music and Personnel Committees announced last week that a candidate to become Wilshire’s next minister of music will participate in a call weekend from Friday, Dec. 15, through Sunday, Dec. 17. You can meet and hear from the candidate at one of three Meet and Greet events, all to be held in Community Hall:
■ Meet and Greet 1: Friday, Dec. 15, 10:15–11:30 a.m.
■ Meet and Greet 2: Saturday, Dec. 16, 8:30–9:45 a.m. This session will be focused on families with preschoolers, children and youth. Childcare available.
■ Meet and Greet 3: Saturday, Dec. 16, 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m.
On Sunday, the candidate will participate in worship, and voting on the recommendation to call the candidate will occur in a special called business meeting after worship. Ballots can be picked up in James Gallery between 9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
Information about the candidate will be available beginning Friday, Dec. 1, and more details about the call weekend and vote will be provided in the coming weeks.
Called to Care on Nov. 29; handled grocery bags needed
When Wednesday Night Live returns on Nov. 29, all ages will work together on a Called to Care mission activity. Following Koinonia Café, we will stay in Community Hall to prepare weekend meal packs for Lipscomb Elementary students and to assemble backpacks for distribution during Housing Forward’s 2024 homeless count. We need 100 handled brown grocery bags, so donate your used bags and consider asking for extras when checking out at Central Market, Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. Bags in good shape may be dropped off near the main office until Nov. 29. On the 29th, preschoolers in choir will rehearse for their pageant in their classrooms at 6 p.m. Children will report to KidConnect rooms at 6 for attendance to be taken, then will return to Community Hall.
Advent begins Sunday, Dec. 3
Hope for a Weary World is Wilshire’s theme for Advent 2023. For full Advent information, visit wilshirebc.org/advent.
New to Wilshire?
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. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org).
EarlyBird Cafe and Play, Dec. 10
You’re up early, so come on over! Wilshire’s Preschool and Children’s ministries invite you to the first EarlyBird Cafe and Play, an unstructured fellowship time for families with young children. The event will be held Sunday, Dec. 10, at 8:30 a.m. in Community Hall. Feel free to bring your own breakfast; coffee will be provided.
Adventurers San Francisco trip
Plans for the September 2024 Adventurers trip to San Francisco are underway! We hope you’ll consider joining us for a time of sightseeing, exploration and community — including visits to Alcatraz, Muir Woods, Napa Valley and Sausalito. So we can gauge your interest, please complete our interest form at wilshirebc.org/san-fran or in the main office. By registering your interest you are NOT committing to the trip but are communicating that you are strongly considering going. Those who fill out the form will be the first to receive final trip details and registration information. Registration and collecting of deposits will take place in January. The cost will be, at maximum, $2,500 per person, which covers transportation, lodging, entry to all attractions and some meals. Wilshire Adventurers plans social and education opportunities for those 60 and older. Guests are welcome.
Calling all Wilshire authors
Have you written and published a book? If the answer is yes, we need you for the first-ever Wilshire Author Fair on Sunday, Jan. 14. Hosted by Wilshire’s Library Committee, this will be an opportunity to show and sell your books to the Wilshire community and beyond. We’ve already compiled a list of amazing Wilshire authors, but we’re looking for anyone we may have missed. If you haven’t been contacted, email Jeff Hampton at jefton@aol.com so you can get all the details.
Foundations of Faith to start new series in 2024
Foundations of Faith Class will spend 2024 getting better acquainted with some of the less prominent figures in both the Old and New Testaments, from Abednago to Zacchaeus; Deborah to Tamar (and Tamar!). As is true of every one of us, each of these men and women were important to God. We will look for our place in conversations thousands of years old as we explore their stories and their respective relationships with God. Theologian Frederick Buechner wrote in the introduction of Peculiar Treasures: A Biblical Who’s Who how he tried to shake the dust off these familiar faces but “They were the ones who shook the dust off me.” We hope to do the same. Foundations of Faith will start this 52-week study on Jan. 7, 2024. The class meets in Room 3303.
Ever thought about becoming a Stephen Minister?
Stephen Ministers are congregation members who provide one-to-one care to those experiencing a life difficulty such as grief, divorce, job loss or chronic or terminal illness. Stephen Minister training is a Christ-centered experience that equips participants with essential caring and relating skills. Training for new Stephen Ministers will take place starting in January. Interested? Talk with one of Wilshire’s Stephen Leaders: Gail Brookshire, Linda Garner, Micki Lacker, Debbie Meripolski or Tim Morgan. You can find a Stephen Minister application at wilshirebc.org/stephen-ministry.
Women of Wilshire events
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 Dec. 12, the group will enjoy a holiday cookie exchange and discuss The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank. 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 or scan QR code.