Columbarium service today
Wilshire will conduct a service of remembrance in the Columbarium on Sunday, Nov. 7, at 10 a.m. The brief service will be led by Senior Pastor George Mason and Pastoral Resident John Kelly. 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. In addition, the Columbarium will be open for visits Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fireside Chats
Churchwide social, Sunday, Nov. 14, 6:30 p.m.
There’s still time to sign up to attend a Fireside Chat on Sunday, 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 host 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 at an earlier time — from 5 to 6:30 p.m. — with the young kids in mind. Visit wilshirebc.org/registration to find a SignUpGenius link.
Families & Politics
Monday, Nov. 8, 6 p.m., Community Hall
Family relationships are becoming casualties of our toxic political environment. Relatives are having nasty political arguments, even cutting off lifetime relationships. If you want to preserve important family bonds while still being true to your values and political beliefs, this event will offer:
■ 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.
This free workshop is presented by Braver Angels. When you register, you will be asked if you can complete an online pre-event 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 learn what Wilshire is all about. Topics include worship philosophy, Bible study options and mission and advocacy partners. The class will meet
Nov. 14 and Dec. 12 at 10 a.m. in the Prayer Room near McIver Chapel.
■ Coffee and Conversation with Senior
Pastor George Mason will be held Sunday, Dec. 5, at 10 a.m. This informal time in George’s study gives guests and new members a chance 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 begins each Sunday at 10:45 so participants can chat before the service. Email Ashley Robinson at arobinson@wilshirebc.org for the Zoom link.
Volunteer for Lord’s Supper team
The Lord’s Supper Ministry Team is seeking new members. This team prepares the Lord’s Supper elements, sets up and cleans up on Sundays when Lord’s Supper is served (the first Sunday of every month). Volunteer for as few or as many months as you wish. If you are interested or need more information, contact Debby Burton at 214-452-3132 or dburton@wilshirebc.org or come to a brief 10 a.m. meeting on Sunday, Nov. 14, in the Sanctuary by the Lord’s Supper table.
Preschool Park Playdate
The Preschool Ministry will hold a playdate on Saturday, Nov. 20, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Ann Eisemann Inclusive Playground (1301 W. Belt Line Rd., Richardson). Sign-up is encouraged but not required. Find the SignUpGenius link at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Marriage Connections, Nov. 12
Sunday, Nov. 7, is the deadline to register for Marriage Connections, which will be held Friday, Nov. 12. In this monthly event, free childcare (infants – grade 6) is provided at the church while couples attend a presentation before heading out to dinner on their own. On Nov. 12, Wilshire member and early childhood educator Dawn Hallman will speak on the connection between brain development and behavior. Childcare is only for couples participating in the programming. Register at wilshirebc.org/registration.
■ Drop off kids in preschool area, 6:30 p.m.
■ Program in James Gallery, 6:45 – 7:15 p.m.
■ Dinner on your own, 7:30 – 9 p.m.
■ Pick up children by 9:30 p.m.
Single Parents’ Night Out, Adoption/Foster Care Ministry Night Out
Childcare is available for single parents and those involved with the Adoption/Foster Care Ministry on Friday, Nov. 12, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Register by Sunday, Nov. 7, at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Health screenings, Nov. 10
On Wednesday, Nov. 10, from 9 to 5 p.m., LifeLine Screening will be at Wilshire to offer screenings for blockage of the carotid arteries (a warning sign for strokes), poor circulation in the lower body, abdominal aortic aneurysm (weakness in the main artery to the lower body) and osteoporosis. You must pre-register by calling 1-800-690-0298. Contact Linda Garner, parish nurse, at lgarner@wilshirebc.org with questions.
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 Mondays through Nov. 29. To learn more, contact Linda Garner, parish nurse, at lgarner@wilshirebc.org.
Piano Affinity Group
Wilshire’s Piano Affinity Group will meet Sunday, Nov. 14, at 4 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Pianists are encouraged to perform a classical piece or hymn arrangement. For more information, contact Max Tucker at 214-215-3766.
Dallas Symphony outing, Dec. 12
Join your Wilshire friends for an outing to the Dallas Symphony Christmas Pops concert on Sunday, Dec. 12, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $40 each and include bus transportation to the Meyerson Symphony Center and back. A registration link will be available soon. Please register by Nov. 19.
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 featured during “Speak Up! Stories for a New Day” will equip us to face the challenges before us, inspire hope for healing and new life, and galvanize our work to transform our communities and churches. Register by Nov. 8 at smu.edu/perkins.
PEP event postponed
The Broken Crayons event with Prison Entrepreneurship Program, originally set for Nov. 6, has been postponed to a date to be determined in early 2022. We will still need volunteers, particularly men and their kids, to be table hosts. Watch for the new date and contact Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org with questions.
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. Learn more at wilshirebc.org/learn/eclc.
WOW! dinner at Manny’s, Nov. 18
Women of Wilshire will meet for dinner at Manny’s Tex-Mex (Mockingbird & Abrams) on Thursday, Nov. 18, at 6:30 p.m. Spots are limited. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Women’s Retreat: Feb. 11–13, 2022
Get away and find community, encouragement and time with God at the 2022 Women’s Retreat, themed “While I Breathe.” 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 is $225 per person, with a $100 deposit due by Nov. 15. Full payment is due by Jan. 23. Learn more and register at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW! Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On Dec. 2 the group will have a brunch and discuss Fredrik Backman’s Anxious People. 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).
Wednesday Night Live
Nov. 10
Family Dinner
5 – 6 p.m. • Community Hall
Family Dinner has moved inside but otherwise will stay the same. Bring your own food or, better yet, pick up Koinonia Café To Go. Drinks and dessert are 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.
Resident-Led Study: Celebrating Beloved Community
6 – 6:45 p.m. • Nov. 10 & 17 • James Gallery
Join Wilshire’s pastoral residents as we celebrate and embrace the beauty of koinonia. On Nov. 10, we will explore the power of the written word through letter writing. We will revisit some of Paul’s letters, and then we will engage in writing our own letters to church members and those in the wider Dallas community. On Nov. 17, we will gather for a fun evening of getting to know the residents and each other better as we explore what it means to know and be known.
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. 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.
■ About White Rock Center of Hope: White Rock Center of Hope is a nonprofit, 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.
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.
■ About the Wilkinson Center: Breaking the poverty cycle requires more than meeting basic needs. As one of the largest poverty prevention agencies in Dallas, the Wilkinson Center utilizes a holistic approach designed to empower individuals and families.
Is God calling you to Stephen Ministry?
Stephen Ministers provide high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to congregants and community members experiencing life difficulties. Caring for one another is a hallmark of the Christian faith. As a Stephen Minister, you will play a crucial role in helping our congregation carry out that mission so that even if we can’t take away their pain, those who are suffering know our church truly cares.
Serving as a Stephen Minister gives people an opportunity to put their spiritual gifts into action — gifts such as faith, mercy, compassion and encouragement. Ministry that draws on your gifts is personally fulfilling and touches people’s lives in powerful ways.
Providing care while trusting in God is at the core of Stephen Ministry. Stephen Ministers regularly say how their faith deepens as they experience training, learn to use distinctively Christian caring tools and witness God at work in the lives of their care receivers.
Training for Stephen Ministry involves 50 hours of discussion on topics such as distinctively Christian caring, boundaries, listening, confidentiality and crisis management. Training is held Tuesdays from 6 to 8:30 p.m. from the first Tuesday in January through the first Tuesday in May. Sessions will be held in person or via Zoom, depending on the needs of the group. After training, you will be commissioned as a Stephen Minister. Supervision groups are peer supervised and meet on the first and third Tuesdays each month to support Stephen Ministers in their work.
If you are interested, contact Parish Nurse Linda Garner at lgarner@wilshirebc.org for more information. An application can be found at wilshirebc.org/care/stephen-ministry.
Blood Drive Nov. 17
The Carter BloodCare bus will be at Wilshire for a blood drive on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Photo ID required. Make an appointment at this link. Contact Parish Nurse Linda Garner with questions.