Blessing of the Backpacks
Sunday, Aug. 15 – 9 & 11 a.m. services
Children are encouraged to bring their backpacks or school bags to church, and during each service they will be invited to the front of the Sanctuary to receive a blessing for themselves, their teachers and parents as the new school year begins.
Promotion Sunday: Youth, children, preschoolers go to new classes Aug. 15
All preschoolers, children and youth will promote to new Sunday school classes this Sunday. Kindergarten through fourth graders will meet together in Room 2220 at 10 a.m. for singing and a short video lesson before breaking into separate classes. Kindergartners will begin attending worship with their parents at 9 or 11 and will participate in worship education during Sunday school on Aug. 15 and 22.
Takeout meals continue; evening pickup time returns
Koinonia Café To Go will keep operating as a takeout service while planning continues for the resumption of in-person Wednesday meals. Starting Aug. 18 we will again offer two pickup times: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 4:30 – 6 p.m.
Love Your Neighbor welcomes Stephen Reeves this Sunday
Love Your Neighbor is a new Zoom-based Sunday School class that meets the first and third Sundays each month at 1 p.m. The class is aimed at our long-distance Wilshire members, but anyone is welcome. Stephen Reeves will be the guest speaker for Love Your Neighbor on Aug. 15. Reeves is the new executive director of Fellowship Southwest and is leading the organization this year alongside outgoing executive director Marv Knox. An attorney, Reeves has led advocacy work for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship since 2013. To get the Zoom link, send an email to loveyourneighbor@wilshirebc.org.
Let’s write a note!
Starting Aug. 15, Sunday school boxes will be supplied with note cards and envelopes. Use this opportunity to write a note to class members letting them know you are thinking about them. There are no guidelines around who gets a note or why. Once complete, simply write the recipient’s name on the envelope and return with the box. Church staff will handle addressing and mailing the notes.
Ushers, greeters needed
The Hospitality Team needs people to serve as ushers and greeters. Contact Barbara Clayton at bclayton@wilshirebc.org if you can help.
Academic year interns begin
Leah Lucas and Lindsay Bruehl will serve as interns at Wilshire during the 2021-2022 academic year. Both are entering their third year at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology. Their internships will count as field placement required as part of the master of divinity (MDiv) program at Perkins. Both Leah and Lindsay are familiar faces at Wilshire. Leah has served as a student ministry intern under Associate Pastor Darren DeMent for the last year. She will continue in that role and will also work in young adult ministry under Darren. Lindsay and her husband, Jake, have been Wilshire members since 2017. They have two kids, Kimberlyn and Blake. In her internship, Lindsay will work in various ministry areas and will report to Associate Pastor Heather Mustain.
New here?
• The monthly Wilshire Welcome Class is designed to help guests and new members quickly learn what Wilshire is all about. Topics include our philosophy of worship, Bible study options on Sunday mornings and during the week, mission and advocacy partners and ways Wilshire serves in the community and beyond. Sessions are held during the Sunday School period in the Prayer Room (Room 1100B, McIver Chapel hallway). Upcoming dates are Aug. 22, Sept. 19, Oct. 17, Nov. 14, Dec. 12.
• Coffee and Conversation with Senior Pastor George Mason will be held this fall during the Sunday School period on Sept. 5, Oct. 31 and Dec. 5. This informal time in George’s study (Room 2203) is an opportunity for you to ask questions about Wilshire.
• Questions? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.
Women of Wilshire book clubs
• The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club meets in the Parlor monthly at 6 p.m. On Sept. 14 the group will discuss Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies by J.B. West and Mary Lynn Kotz. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org).
• The WOW! Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On Sept. 2 the group will discuss The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Contact: Abbey Adcox (aadcox@wilshirebc.org).
Restroom construction continues
The project to enlarge the first-floor restrooms near the library is ongoing. These restrooms are closed. The hallways around the Sanctuary are open but narrowed due to plastic sheeting put up for construction. If you have concerns or questions, contact Facilities Manager Dale Pride, Director of Operations Randy Crosland or notify any church staffer. The library is open as usual during construction.
Volunteer opportunity
Pamper Lake Highlands needs adult (18+) volunteers for its preschool program Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pamper Lake Highlands strengthens the community by empowering women and children to break the cycle of poverty. Contact: Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org.
Remembering Black Dallas Bus Tour postponed
The Freedman’s Town Bus Tour scheduled for Aug. 28 has been postponed due to COVID concerns. Those who have registered will be contacted, and a new date will be planned as soon as possible. We are committed to sharing this important experience together.
Depolarizing Conversations About Race
Monday, Sept. 13, 6 – 9 p.m., Community Hall. Facilitated by Braver Angels, this event is described as a “skills workshop for difficult (and necessary) conversations between white Americans about race and public policy.” While open to all, the workshop is designed for self-identified white people who believe in the equal worth and dignity of persons of all races and are concerned about our nation’s problems with race and want to see progress. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Families in Politics
Monday, Nov. 8, 6 – 9 p.m., Community Hall. If you want to preserve important family bonds while still being true to your values and political beliefs, this Braver Angels workshop is for you! Although the focus is on family relationships, you can use strategies in this workshop with any loved one. You’ll laugh and have fun in this workshop — it won’t be all serious. After all, we all come from quirky families. Registration will be available closer to the date.
Want to sing Christmas carols with Sanctuary Choir this year?
Rehearsals resume Wednesday, August 25. 7 p.m. in Choral Hall.