Fireside Chats
Churchwide social, Sunday, Nov. 14, 6:30 p.m.
Wilshire will host Fireside Chats at members’ homes on Sunday evening, Nov. 14, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The purpose of this churchwide social event is to deepen relationships and connections among us while providing an intimate setting for us to express our collective gratitude. Enjoy an evening of fellowship and light refreshments with other Wilshire members by signing up to attend at any of the homes located throughout the Dallas area. Stay close to home or venture to a different part of town. Too late for the kiddos? We have one home hosting from 5 to 6:30 p.m. with the young kids in mind. Visit wilshirebc.org/registration to find a SignUpGenius link.
WNL 10/27
Family Dinner on the Grounds
5 – 6 p.m. • Weekly
Wednesday evenings begins with dinner together outdoors on the church back lawn. Bring your own food or, better yet, pick up Koinonia Café To Go. Drinks and dessert will be provided by the church.
Music, Missions and More
6 – 7 p.m. • Weekly except the first Wednesday of each month
Fun, age-based activities and lessons for 3-year-olds through sixth graders, including music and missions-related topics.
- Childcare for infants to 2-year-olds whose parents are involved in church activities is offered Wednesdays, 6 – 7 p.m.
Resident-led Vespers: A Love That Perseveres
6 – 6:45 p.m. • Oct. 27 • McIver Chapel
In varying degrees, we all carry with us painful experiences of loss — of friends and family members, relationships and our senses of security. In this Vespers service, we’ll explore life-giving ways of processing such deep loss together. Join us as we unpack the unexpected comfort Jesus provides: “You’re blessed when you’ve lost it all! You’re blessed when the tears flow freely. Joy comes with the morning.”
Families & Politics: A Braver Angels Workshop
Monday, Nov. 8, 6 p.m.– 9 p.m.
Community Hall
Family relationships are becoming casualties of our toxic political environment. Relatives are having nasty political arguments, avoiding each other or even cutting off lifetime relationships. If you want to preserve important family bonds while still being true to your values and political beliefs, this workshop will offer you:
- Insight into why family differences over politics are uniquely challenging.
- Recognition of common roles that family members play in political conversations (for example, the Gladiator, the Defender, and the Sniper).
- Strategies and skills for handling family political differences constructively.
The focus is on family relationships, but you can use learnings from this workshop with any loved one. You’ll laugh and have fun at this event — it won’t be all serious. After all, we all come from quirky families.
The workshop is free. When you register, you will be asked if you can complete a 40-minute online pre-workshop training. While beneficial, this is not required.
Register for the workshop at wilshirebc.org/registration. Guests are welcome.
New here?
- The monthly Wilshire Welcome Class helps guests and new members quickly learn what Wilshire is all about. Topics include our philosophy of worship, Bible study options on Sundays and during the week, mission and advocacy partners and ways Wilshire serves in the community and beyond. The class meets during Sunday School in the Prayer Room (Room 1100-B) near McIver Chapel. Remaining 2021 dates are Nov. 14 and Dec. 12.
- Coffee and Conversation with Senior Pastor George Mason will be held this fall during the Sunday School period on 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.
Worship together on Zoom
Those unable to attend worship in person are invited to view the 11 a.m. livestream with others on Zoom. The session will begin each Sunday at 10:45 so participants can chat before the service. Email Ashley Robinson at arobinson@wilshirebc.org for the Zoom link.
Fall prevention class for seniors
Physical therapy students from Texas Woman’s University invite you to join their exercise and wellness education program for older adults. Sessions are held at Wilshire (Room 3301) from 10:30 a.m. to noon every Monday until Nov. 29. Classes will include exercises and education on balance, strengthening, dancing, yoga/meditation, fall prevention and more. To learn more contact Linda Garner, parish nurse, at lgarner@wilshirebc.org.
Homebound visitors needed
Compassionate volunteers are needed to make monthly connections with our senior adults who are no longer able to attend church. Our homebound ministry focuses on a monthly in-person contact. If you are looking for a ministry that fits your busy schedule, this might be a good fit. Contact Jessica Capps at 214-452-3129 or jcapps@wilshirebc.org to learn more.
ECLC has space
Wilshire’s Early Childhood Learning Center has space available for more children. ECLC is a licensed childcare program that offers a comprehensive approach for preschoolers who turn 3 months old by Aug. 31 of the current school year through pre-kindergartners. Teachers use a structured curriculum beginning in our infant classes through our kindergarten readiness classes. Learn more at wilshirebc.org/learn/eclc.
Special event for PEP dads & kids
Wilshire will host a special event with missions partner Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP) on Saturday, Nov. 6, from 10 a.m. to noon in Community Hall. Called Broken Crayons, the event will invite graduates of the PEP program who are fathers to join with their children in using art to explore the idea that “broken crayons still color.” Participants will make memorable art pieces, take home art supplies and have the opportunity to take a family portrait. We are looking for volunteers, particularly men (and their children, if applicable), who are interested in participating alongside our guests. It promises to be an inspiring morning full of grace and color! Contact Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org if you’re interested in helping.
East Dallas volunteer opportunity Owenwood Farm & Neighbor Space is seeking volunteers on Saturday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Dec. 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., to assist with food and diaper distribution to East Dallas families. All ages are welcome. Contact Bettye Stanford for more information at 469-831-6460. The mission of Owenwood Farm & Neighbor Space is to create equitable opportunities for our neighbors to be known, empowered and inspired.
Perkins Fall Convo, Nov. 15 & 16
Imagine an amazing lineup filled to the brim with storytelling, music, dance, worship, conversation, top-notch resources and riveting speakers — Amy-Jill Levine, Lillian Daniel and Patrick Reyes. It’s all waiting for you, virtually or in-person, at the SMU Perkins School of Theology Fall Convo 2021. The in-person event will be held Nov. 15 and 16 at Highland Park United Methodist Church. Stories and storytellers featured during “Speak Up! Stories for a New Day” will equip us to face the challenges before us, inspire our hope for healing and new life, and galvanize our work to transform our communities and churches. Visit smu.edu/perkins for more information.
Women of Wilshire book clubs
- The WOW! Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On Nov. 4 the group will discuss The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult. Contact: Abbey Adcox (aadcox@wilshirebc.org).
- The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club meets in the Parlor monthly at 6 p.m. On Nov. 9 the group will discuss Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting by Lisa Genova. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org).
Summit for Religious Freedom
George Mason will be a panelist at the Summit for Religious Freedom, which will be held Friday, Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hughes-Trigg Student Center at SMU. The in-person and virtual event is presented by the DFW Alliance for Religious Freedom. George will take part in a session called “Human Dignity and Religious Freedom in Your Neighborhood” at 2:45 p.m. Find more information and register at dfwreligiousfreedom.org.
Piano Affinity Group meeting
The next meeting of Wilshire’s Piano Affinity Group is set for Sunday, Nov. 14, at 4 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Participants are encouraged to perform a classical piece or hymn arrangement. For more information, contact Max Tucker at 214-215-3766.
WOW! Fall Socials
The Women of Wilshire ministry is excited to offer some small, outdoor gatherings this fall. Since space is limited, please sign up for only one event. Sign-ups will be monitored and spots added if needed. As the events get closer we will communicate if there are open spots. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration.
- Dallas Arboretum outing, Sunday, Oct. 24. Buy your own ticket and parking. Meet at the gift shop at 3 p.m.
- Brunch at Dream Cafe, Saturday, Nov. 6, 10:30 a.m. Mockingbird & Abrams
- Dinner at Manny’s Tex-Mex, Thursday, Nov. 18, 6:30 p.m. Mockingbird & Abrams
Women’s Retreat, Feb. 11–13, 2022
Come get away with us and find community, encouragement and time with God. We will worship, create art, learn, relax, laugh and have fun in nature. Pastoral Residents Ashley Robinson and Jenna Sullivan will serve as camp pastors. Cost for the retreat is $225 per person, with a $100 deposit due by Nov. 15. Full payment is due by Jan. 23, 2022. Find more information and register at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Thanksgiving 2021 food drives
Food bags for White Rock Center of Hope
Wilshire will continue its longstanding Thanksgiving tradition of providing canned goods for families in need. Donations will benefit families served by White Rock Center of Hope in East Dallas. Beginning this Sunday, Oct. 24, pick up the designated brown paper bags and accompanying shopping list, then fill the bags with canned goods and return them. If you bring donations prior to Nov. 14, deliver them to the church office. Donations brought on Sunday, Nov. 14, should be brought to the Sanctuary and placed on the chancel steps. You may also purchase canned goods through an Amazon wish list and have them delivered directly to WRCOH; find the link at wilshirebc.org/registration.
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 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 Thursday, Nov. 18, between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. in the south parking lot. Contact Abbey Adcox for more info at aadcox@wilshirebc.org.
Eviction clinic volunteers needed
In collaboration with the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Wilshire will lend its energy to support the efforts many of our nonprofits are undergoing to keep people housed.
Dallas has seen a drastic increase in eviction filings since the federal moratorium ended, making many in our community susceptible to housing instability. This issue is large and complex, but we have found a way in which we can lend a hand in order to make a meaningful impact. Many of you have given your resources for this purpose; we now need your time and abilities.
The Dallas Rental Assistance Collaborative provides rental and/or utility assistance for up to 15 total months. This can be used for direct financial assistance, including rent, rental arrears, utilities and home energy costs, utilities and home energy costs arrears and other expenses related to housing.
For the remainder of the year, this collaborative will host pop-up eviction clinics in areas of high eviction filings in order to get resources to the most vulnerable. We have the opportunity to volunteer at these clinics, helping neighbors apply for assistance and entering data into a system to fast-track applications. There are a variety of ways to serve, and a 30-minute training will be available in the next few weeks.
If you are interested, please contact Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org.
Adventurers present Jill Rumbley Beam: “Growing Up Rumbley”
If you’ve laughed at the tales of Rosemary Rumbley, you are in for a treat because her accomplished, talented daughter has her own hilarious sense of humor. Be prepared to be entertained.
Monday, Oct. 25
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Reservations Required
The program will begin in Community Hall followed by a boxed lunch picnic on the back lawn of the church. Masks are required. RSVP at wilshirebc.org/registration or by contacting Barbara Clayton at 214-452-3125 or bclayton@wilshirebc.org.