Join the Friday 5. All Wilshire congregants are invited to join in an easy pastoral care project during our time of physical distancing. The idea for “Friday Five” is this: Every Friday during the coronavirus isolation, commit to contact at least five Wilshire friends in your circle of influence to see how they’re doing. Think first of those who are not your family or closest friends but who would love to hear from you. Let’s multiply our care for each other.
Find inspirational resources. Visit a new page on Wilshire’s website for a collection of inspirational videos and writings related to the present crisis. This is an ideal page to share with friends and family who are not part of the Wilshire community. Because of the accessibility of the church’s robust online presence now, it is easier than ever to share Wilshire with a friend. Consider sharing our content on your social media feed or sharing links directly with your friends and family members who need a church in these difficult times. Find the page linked on the home page or here: www.wilshirebc.org/care/inspiration-during-isolation.
Wilshire closures. Due to COVID-19 virus precautions, all public gatherings and meetings at Wilshire are suspended until further notice. Many committee meetings will be held via the Internet, as will some rehearsals. The church offices are now closed as well, in compliance with the Dallas County directive. Staff members are working from home and are available by phone and email. Find staff contact information on our website on the About Worship tab drop-down menu.
Online worship. Wilshire’s staff will continue to lead worship services each Sunday from the empty Sanctuary. Each week’s 45-minute service will include familiar Wilshire elements, such as hymns, prayers, special music, the sermon and a children’s moment or interview. Please tune in 10 minutes early beginning this week for instrumental pre-service music before the 11:00 service. Find us at www.wilshirebc.org/media or via our YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/wilshirebaptist.
Online Sunday School. Mark Wingfield continues to teach a weekly online Sunday School lesson via Facebook Live. Check the church’s Facebook page to see last week’s lesson or to find this week’s lesson, which will be broadcast beginning this Sunday at 10:15 a.m. This will be a 30-minute lesson, allowing you a short break before worship begins at 11.
Online mid-week Bible study. Our pastoral residents are offering our normal Wednesday Bible study in video format posted online. This study, along with a prayer time and music, will be published on the church website, through our Facebook page and on our YouTube channel every Wednesday before noon.
Lenten Spotify playlist. Wilshire member Kevin Summers has curated a playlist on the streaming music service Spotify for Wilshire’s Lenten theme, “God Be in Us.” Find the playlist “God Be in Us — Lent 2020 at Wilshire.”
Online book discussion this Wednesday. Join Leigh Curl for two more Wednesdays (April 1 and 8) from 6 to 7 p.m. for a discussion over Zoom (internet video) on Barbara Brown Taylor’s 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. You do not have to read the book to participate in the class, but it is encouraged. If you would like to participate in the discussion, email Leigh at by noon each Wednesday. By 2 p.m. each Wednesday, she will send out the link to join the video chat. Simply click on the link close to the meeting time, and you will be able to join the video call on your computer, laptop, tablet or phone.
Pastoral care notes. Because of the limitations now in place with hospitals and rehab facilities, most of our health-related pastoral care visits must be done by phone. However, your ministerial staff still wants to keep up with you. As always, the first line of contact is Michele Stinecipher, assistant to the associate pastor, who may be reached at (214) 452-3130. She maintains the daily Care Notes list and funnels information to the rest of the pastoral staff. You also may contact Mark Wingfield at (214) 452-3128.
Tele-counseling available. Our ministry partner The Center is now offering tele-counseling with its trained, professional staff of licensed counselors. If you need professional counseling to get through this time, call The Center’s client services team at (214) 526-4525 to schedule a tele-counseling appointment.
Contemplative retreat canceled. Due to the coronavirus limitations, the annual contemplative retreat has been canceled for this year.
Condolences to: Kirk and Lynn Newsom, Kent and Vicky Newsom, David and Jane Newsom and other friends and family of Dot Newsom, who died March 26.