COVID-19 Advisory Task Force Survey – Ends Monday, Nov. 2. As it did in May, Wilshire’s COVID-19 Advisory Task Force is asking you to take a survey to help them understand your needs and your thoughts on Wilshire’s work and ministry during this difficult time. Your responses will be anonymous unless you choose to identify yourself, and a summary of the findings will be made available. TAKE THE SURVEY HERE. Learn more about the task force’s work at wilshirebc.org/COVID.
Service of remembrance, Sunday, Nov. 1. Wilshire will conduct a service of remembrance in the Columbarium on Sunday, Nov. 1. The brief service, led by Senior Pastor George Mason and Pastoral Resident Jenna Sullivan will be streamed on Facebook Live at 9:30 a.m. The Columbarium service — held twice each year, on All Saints Sunday and Easter — is geared toward the families and friends of loved ones who are inurned or have been memorialized in the Columbarium. The service can be seen live at facebook.com/wilshirebc and it will remain on the page to be viewed afterward. You do not need a Facebook account to view the video. In addition, the Columbarium will be open for visits Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Leanna Coyle-Carr ordination. Second-year Pastoral Resident Leanna Coyle-Carr will be ordained to the gospel ministry on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 1, in a service conducted over Zoom. Due to the limitations of Zoom, we are unable to invite the whole congregation as we would in normal times. The service will, however, be available to watch on Wilshire’s YouTube channel after the fact.
Facebook Live Bible Study. Various teachers lead the Facebook Live Bible Study Sundays at 10:15 a.m. on our Facebook page. Wilshire member Mike Capps teaches on Nov. 1.
Start to Finish. Did you ever start something but got distracted or busy and didn’t finish it? Or did you ever finish something and then look back at the start to realize there were moments when you didn’t think you’d make it? Or have you ever been in the big middle of something — a task or even a trip — and wondered, “Why did I agree to do this?” or, “When will this ever end?” Next Sunday we launch Start to Finish, an emphasis that highlights this journey we are on together as the people of Wilshire Baptist Church committed to “building a community of faith shaped by the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” We’ve started so much together over the past 69 years — from new ways of being the church to new ways of serving the community — and the journey continues. Read more here.
Thanksgiving baskets for the Wilkinson Center. Are you, your Sunday School class or another group you’re part of interested in providing Thanksgiving baskets to families in our community? Wilshire has committed to providing 75 baskets to our missions partner, the Wilkinson Center. The baskets will go to families with someone enrolled in one of the center’s adult education classes. Each basket costs $50 to $75 to put together. To participate, sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration. Full instructions and a list of recommended items can be found at the registration link. Baskets should be delivered to Wilshire on Wednesday, Nov. 18, between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. under the porte cochère. Contact Abbey for more info at aadcox@wilshirebc.org.
Canned Food Drive. In lieu of our traditional Thanksgiving Food Sacks, Wilshire is collecting canned goods to benefit our mission partner White Rock Center of Hope. Items should to be delivered to the church by Wednesday, Nov. 18. Donations will be collected during the Koinonia Café To Go pickup times on Nov. 4, 11 and 18. Those not picking up a meal can leave donations on the cart outside the office door in the south parking lot. To order canned goods to ship directly to White Rock Center of Hope, an Amazon link is available at wilshirebc.org/registration, or email Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org. White Rock Center of Hope is a non-profit, ecumenical organization that makes a difference in peoples lives by providing a place where the community can share God’s blessings by satisfying basic human needs.
Donation collection dates and times: Wednesdays, Nov. 4, 11 and 18, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 – 6 p.m. Collection will also be held at Church in the Lot on Nov. 15.
Requested Items:
Canned ham, chicken and tuna
Chef Boyardee canned meals
Chili
Boxed Stuffing
Macaroni & Cheese
Cranberry Sauce
Green Beans
Bolsinger, Franklin headline Perkins Convocation. Anyone can register for the Perkins School of Theology Fall Convocation, which will take place online on Nov. 15 and 16. Keynote speakers are author Tod Bolsinger and Grammy-winning gospel artist and Fort Worth native Kirk Franklin. Bolsinger is the author of Canoeing the Mountain: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory. Senior Pastor George Mason told Baptist News Global that Bolsinger wrote the book “for Christian leaders who find themselves in uncharted territory needing to improvise constantly. Our pastoral residents and I are reading ahead, preparing for his visit to Perkins.” “Kirk Franklin Speaks from the Heart about Leading into Change” is the theme for Franklin’s presentation on Sunday night, Nov. 15. Bolsinger will present three sessions on Monday, Nov. 16. The convocation also offers a Monday morning worship service and several workshops on Monday afternoon. Registration for the full conference is $85 with an option of Sunday night only for $15. Learn more and register here or call 214-768-3664.
Adopt-a-Polling-Site Initiative. This year’s election will be unlike any other due to COVID-19 and the removal of the straight party ticket voting option from the ballot. This could result in longer wait times than normal and could serve as a deterrent for people getting out to vote. COVID-19 concerns, efforts to cast doubt on the integrity of the election and threats of voter intimidation have also increased anxiety about showing up to vote. For this reason, community partners and congregations are being asked by faith organizers to assist in providing resources to counter these narratives, create a spirit of welcome and encouragement at polling sites and encourage our networks and congregations to vote with confidence. The Adopt-a-Polling-Site Initiative focuses on providing the following key resources for polling locations to help ensure open, trouble-free, equitable and safe voting: Hospitality and encouragement, Water and snacks, Personal protective equipment (masks, sanitizer, gloves, etc.), Poll monitoring and observation. As an Adopt-a-Polling-Site congregation, we would be responsible for securing resources and volunteers to support a polling place on Election Day, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you’re interested, sign up here or contact Abbey Adcox aadcox@wilshirebc.org. We are looking for hourly volunteers as well as snack donations (bottled water and prepackaged snacks).
Anti-Racism Book Club hosts author Michael Waters, Nov. 19. On Nov. 19, Wilshire’s newest book club will be joined by Rev. Dr. Michael Waters for a discussion of his book, Stakes Is High. A local pastor, civil rights historian, activist and community leader, Waters can be expected to bring words of hope and empowerment. Stakes is High “blends hip-hop lyricism and social justice leadership, creating an urgent voice demanding that America listen to the suffering if it hopes to redeem its soul.” Reading the book is encouraged, but all are welcome. You can register for the discussion and buy the book for the discounted price of $10 at wilshirebc.org/registration. Questions? Contact Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org.
Church in the Lot. Sunday, Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. Just as last time, there will be outdoor seating (please bring your own chair) or an option to stay in your car. Advance sign-up is required at wilshirebc.org/registration. Free.
WOW! Book Clubs
The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club meets on Zoom monthly at 7 p.m. Upcoming dates and titles: Nov. 10, The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd; Dec. 8, A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg. Contact Debby Burton at dburton@wilshirebc.org to sign up.
The WOW! Brown Bag Book Club meets on Zoom monthly on Thursday at noon. On Nov. 5, the group will discuss Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. Contact Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org or Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org to sign up. WOW! suggests ordering through Bookshop.org to support independent book sellers or ordering through a Black-owned bookstore such as The Dock Bookshop or Pan African Connection.
Stephen Ministry – Expressing Christ’s Care for Others. Stephen Ministers bring distinctively Christian care to those in need. They express Christ’s care for others by listening and comforting, calling on their training and employing the tools of faith. If this description interests you, consider joining our next free training class starting in January, 2021. To find out more, contact Linda Garner at lgarner@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3151 or Michele Blaker at mgblaker@sbcglobal.net or 214-843-1865. The deadline to apply is Nov. 1. Fill out and return this Stephen Minister Application by mail to Wilshire Baptist Church, ATTN: Linda Garner, 4316 Abrams Road, Dallas, TX 75214 or by email to lgarner@wilshirebc.org.Learn more at wilshirebc.org/care/stephen-ministry.