Invitation to Give. We’re not able to pass a physical offering plate on Sunday mornings, but the need for your generosity continues. The church has made a commitment to continue to pay its staff, including hourly workers, during the coronavirus closures. Our staff members are working daily to shift to online formats and coordinating the needs of the church in new ways. We’re also continuing to fund our missions partners who are deeply engaged in essential work. Thank you for helping Wilshire be a beacon of light in this time. Visit our online giving page at www.wilshirebc.org/give to choose from several options.
Zoom chat with Mark Wingfield. We’re launching a new Wednesday night conversation with some Wilshire ministers this week. The format will be an open question-and-answer session. First up this Wednesday at 6 p.m. is Associate Pastor Mark Wingfield. The chat will happen online through Zoom. To receive information on how to connect, email Mark no later than 3 p.m. this Wednesday, April 15. The following week, April 22, will be a dialogue with Senior Pastor George Mason.
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. Find the page 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. 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 under the About Wilshire tab on our website.
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 11:00.
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, is published on the church website, through our Facebook page and on our YouTube channel every Wednesday before noon.
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. The first line of contact is Michele Stinecipher, assistant to the associate pastor, 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.
Stephen Ministers available. If you are struggling with anxiety or fear or other spiritual issues during this time, you might benefit from a conversation with a Wilshire Stephen Minister. These trained lay leaders walk alongside others in times of distress. All conversations are confidential. To learn more, send an email Gail Brookshire.
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.