Unified Budget update through March 1
YTD budget gifts: $601,086
YTD budget projected: $574,000
YTD giving in excess of budget goal: $27,085
Wednesday Lenten meditations. This Wednesday, March 11, two tracks of Lenten meditations will be offered from 6 to 7 p.m., both drawn from this year’s Lenten theme: God Be in Us. Doug Haney will facilitate a session in McIver Chapel titled “God Be in Our Ears,” which will allow participants to use sacred choral music as a form of listening prayer. Leanna Coyle-Carr will facilitate a session in Room 1205-L titled “God Be in Our Hands,” which will offer participants a time of lectio divina Scripture reading and to express prayers through free-form art.
Spring break schedule changes. On Wednesday, March 18, all normal Wednesday activities — morning and evening — will be cancelled due to spring break. The full Wednesday schedule will resume the following week.
An Altar in the World. Join Leigh Curl for three Wednesdays in Lent (March 25, April 1 and 8) for a study on Barbara Brown Taylor’s book An Altar in the World. Taylor reveals meaningful ways to discover the sacred in the small things we do and see, from simple practices such as walking, working and prayer. Perhaps you will find a new practice for your Lenten journey. As we begin to incorporate these ordinary practices into our daily lives, we begin to discover altars everywhere. We can find places and moments of worship where we encounter the Divine everywhere we go and in nearly everything we do. You do not have to read the book to participate in the class, but it is encouraged. The class meets from 6 to 7 p.m. in Room 1205-L.
Wilshire piano group forming. A new affinity group is forming to allow those in the Wilshire community an opportunity to perform a classical piece or hymn arrangement before their peers in a relaxed and encouraging setting on one of Wilshire’s fine pianos. The initial meeting is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, at 2 p.m. in the Sanctuary. At the initial meeting, all attendees may perform a piece not to exceed 10 minutes. Those present also will have a brief discussion concerning the frequency and format for future meetings. If you have further questions or wish to be notified of future meetings, contact Max Tucker at (214) 215-3766.
Koinonia Café: March 11 — (Lunch and dinner served in Community Hall) Pulled pork, green chile chicken, Spanish rice, pinto beans, zucchini with tomatoes and onions, roasted veggies, salad bar, dessert bar. March 18 —No Wednesday meals or activities due to spring break. March 25 — Swedish meatballs, lemon-garlic chicken, gnocchi with herbed butter, roasted vegetables, cauliflower gratin, broccoli, salad bar, dessert bar.
Condolences to: Janell and Conrad Mirochna on the death of Janell’s father, Ronald Kincy, March 3; Dawn and Michael Sheaffer on the death of Dawn’s grandmother, Eloise Reser, March 2; Dennis and Laura Smith on the death of their sister-in-law, Dine Smith Feb. 28; Rebecca and Lance Currie on the death of Rebecca’s mother, Betsy Pense, Feb. 29.
WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club. The Women of Wilshire Tuesday Evening Book Club meets monthly at 7 p.m. in the Parlor.Upcoming date and book title are: March 24, Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson.
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. You’re invited to dinner with new Wilshire friends — but you won’t know who they are until you arrive at your assigned destination on Saturday, April 4. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner is an annual Wilshire tradition that helps us meet fellow members we don’t normally encounter in a large church. A few days before the event, you’ll receive an email with the identification of your hosts and their address. The gatherings are intergenerational and informal and will be convenient to where you live; we even have a host home in Fort Worth this year. Space is limited so sign up today. Cost is $10 per person. Sign up and pay online at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Lenten devotional book. You are invited to join the congregation in reading a new book of brief daily devotionals during the Lenten season. The book, God Be in My Head, is built around an ancient prayer known as The Sarum Prayer. The five-line prayer begins, “God be in my head and in my understanding.” The book is written by Michigan pastor Ken Wilson. Its daily reflections and prompts are simple and straightforward and appropriate for older children, youth and adults. Copies of the book are available in the church office for $5 apiece. A digital version of the book also is available from Amazon.
Contemplative retreat. “Creating Sacred Spaces” is the theme for this year’s contemplative retreat, organized by Wilshire members and others each spring. The dates are Friday, April 24, through Sunday, April 26. Registration deadline is Friday, April 8. Location is Arrowhead Camp, near Glen Rose. Brochures with full details are available in the church office or online at wilshirebc.org/registration. The structure for the retreat is intentionally open. The group will gather on Friday evening for a time of fellowship followed by a shared meal. Leadership for the weekend will be shared by laity. Saturday will be spent in intentional quietness, with optional experiences available including guided prayer, creative expression, yoga, praying Scripture, and prayer for personal healing and restoration.
Housing stabilization program. Anyone interested in joining a new missions initiative on housing stabilization for the homeless is invited to a training session on Monday, April 6, from 6 to 7 p.m. This will be led by Wilshire mission partner Austin Street Center as part of a nationwide pilot program to utilize volunteers to phone individuals recently housed through Austin Street. Each year the center houses nearly 400 individuals, but as an organization they do not have the capacity to remain in contact. Volunteers will call and run through a simple survey with individuals to make sure any housing concerns are brought to the immediate attention of a case manager. Volunteers will be asked to make at least 10 calls a week, which takes about an hour of time and may be done from anywhere. For more information, contact Heather Mustain at (214) 452-3110.
Wilshire Welcome Class. Guests and prospective members are invited to get to know Wilshire through a rotating series of classes offered on Sunday mornings at 9:40 a.m. March 8: Worship and Learn: Learn how and why we structure our worship services the way we do, and hear about other Bible study opportunities on Sunday mornings and during the week. Meet in the McIver Chapel hallway. March 15: Meet and Greet. Join us for a casual reception with coffee and breakfast while visiting with some of our members and other guests in James Gallery. March 22: Serve, Care and Give. Hear about our mission partners and ways Wilshire serves and gives to the community and beyond. Meet in McIver Chapel hallway. March 29: Coffee and Conversation. An informal hour with Senior Pastor George Mason. Meet in the pastor’s study on the second floor.
Pantry volunteers needed. Two of Wilshire’s missions partners, CitySquare and Wilkinson Center, need volunteers to serve in their food pantries. This would be a four-hour commitment during a Monday, Wednesday or Thursday morning or Tuesday afternoon. If interested, contact Heather Mustain at (214) 452-3110.
Beginnings Class for newly & nearly married. The Beginnings Class for newly and nearly married couples continues for the next five Sunday mornings. The class meets during the Sunday School hour, from 9:40 to 10:45 a.m. It is open to all couples making life commitments. Guest speakers and topics covered include family financial management with David Nabors, couple conflict resolution with Phill and Gloria Martin, spirituality in marriage by George Mason, the Five Love Languages by Ryan Wilson, and understanding issues with family of origin by Amy and Cory Anderson. The class is free but preregistration is preferred. Contact Darren DeMent.
Perkins Summit for Faith and Learning. Wilshire members are invited to participate in the Perkins Seminary Summit for Faith and Learning March 26-28. This is a lay-friendly event with noted speakers from the Perkins Seminary faculty. Course options include “A Boundless God: The Spirit According to the Old Testament,” with Jack Levison; “How to Read the Bible According to the Early Church Fathers” with James Kang Hoon Lee; “Truth Telling in a Post-Truth World” with Stephen Long; “The Emperor’s New Clothes: How Mark’s Ironic Passion Story Reveals God’s Reign” with Wesley Allen; “How Do We Solve A Problem Like … Mary?” with Jeanne Stevenson-Moessner. Registration prices begin as low as $35. See the full schedule and register online via the link at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Brown Bag Book Club. Wilshire’s Brown Bag Book Club meets once a month on Thursdays at noon in Room 1205-L. Bring your own lunch and join the conversation about a great book. March 12, Still Life by Louise Penny; April 2, Call Your Daughter Home by Deb Spera; May 7, The New Girl by Daniel Silva; June 4, The Guardians by John Grisham.
Youth spring retreat. Listening to the stories of others will be the theme of this year’s youth spring retreat, slated for April 17-19 at Glen Lake Camp and Retreat Center near Glen Rose. The bus will depart Wilshire at 6:30 p.m. that Friday and return by noon Sunday to allow for participation in Youth Choir. Cost is $100 per student, and scholarships are available. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration.
JazzStand this Tuesday. JazzStand on Abrams continues its season this Tuesday night, March 10, at 7 p.m., with the Dan Haerle Quartet. Performers include Dan Haerle, piano; Brad Leali, saxophone; Raul Reyes, bass; Ed Soph, drums. JazzStand concerts take place in the Sanctuary at Wilshire and are open to all, free of charge. Concerts run 90 minutes, followed by a reception with the artists in Community Hall.