Two services on Christmas Eve
Wilshire will offer Christmas Eve candlelight services at 5 and 11 p.m. The 5 p.m. service is family- friendly and suitable for all ages; it will feature carols, Scripture and a brief message from George Mason. The 11 p.m. service will be more liturgical in nature, with more extensive readings, robed ministers and celebration of the Lord’s Supper. No childcare is provided. Both services will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.
Youth Choir alumni invited to sing
All alumni of Wilshire’s Youth Choir are invited to sing together for the 11 p.m. Christmas Eve service. Anyone who has sung in Youth Choir or is currently an 11th or 12th grade singer is invited to arrive at 10:30 for a cookie, coffee and a quick rehearsal in Choral Hall.
Sanctuary Choir to be featured in worship on Dec. 19
On Sunday, Dec. 19, both morning worship services will feature Christmas choral music from Sanctuary Choir accompanied by an instrumental ensemble. Selections include “What Sweeter Music” by John Rutter and excerpts from Part I of Handel’s Messiah with soprano Amy Pottkotter as soloist.
Symphony outing today
If you signed up and bought a ticket for the Dallas Symphony Christmas Pops outing today, Dec. 12, meet in the north parking lot at 1:30 p.m. if you plan on riding the bus to the Meyerson.
Sign up kids to build nativity set
Each Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve, children are invited to participate in the 9 or 11 a.m. worship service and the 5 p.m. Christmas Eve service to build the Nativity scene by carrying an element to the chancel steps. We will build it each week until it is complete on Christmas Eve. If your child is interested in participating, you can find the sign-up link at wilshirebc.org/registration. Contact Julie Girards at jgirards@wilshirebc.org with questions.
Advent Dawnings:
Weekly Zoom Devotionals
Join Wilshire’s pastoral residents for a morning gathering each Wednesday at 8 a.m. during Advent. This brief time of study and prayer will be a great way to ponder the Advent story as we wait and watch for hope to dawn. This midweek gathering will happen over Zoom so that whether you’re on your way to work or beginning a day at home, you can be part of the community gathering. A link to the The Zoom information can be found at wilshirebc.org/advent and will be sent in the Tapestry email each Friday. You can also get it by emailing Brianna Childs at bchilds@wilshirebc.org.
Advent Devotional Book
Join with fellow Wilshire members as we read and reflect using the new book, A Surprising God: Advent Devotions for an Uncertain Time. Copies are available in the church office for $10. About the book: Mindful of the stresses of life today in a world torn apart by conflict, marked by political division, and in the midst of a global health crisis, these devotions invite readers to honest reflection on the challenges of being people of faith in this moment.
Advent playlist on Spotify
Wilshire has created an eclectic Advent and Christmas playlist on the streaming music service Spotify. The basic version of Spotify is free to use, and you can find a link to the Wilshire playlist at wilshirebc.org/advent.
Advent Reflection Videos
Each Tuesday and Thursday during Advent we are releasing a video with Scripture, prayer and music. The brief videos will be available on our YouTube channel and will be shared on Facebook, Instagram and in the weekly Monday Recap email.
Help decorate Tree of Hope
Help decorate Wilshire’s Tree of Hope and Remembrance in the South Lobby. You are invited to write the name of a loved one as a memorial, or your name as a survivor of cancer or another disease. Blank ornaments and markers are provided next to the tree, which is decorated with bracelets representing different forms of cancer. Hang your ornament on the tree anytime during Advent and feel free to take your ornament home close to Christmas and place it on your own tree.
Library Christmas decorations
Wilshire’s Library is decorated for the season. You may have noticed a beautiful nativity set and angel in the Library’s corner display window. This set is one of many in the personal collection of Wilshire member Linda Garner, and many others from around the world can be seen inside the library.
Sundays after Christmas
■ Sunday, Dec. 26: One worship service at 11 a.m., no Sunday School. Join us at 10:15 in James Gallery for coffee and pastries.
■ Sunday, Jan. 2: One worship service at 11 a.m., Sunday School at 10 a.m.
Opportunities to serve
■ Gateway of Grace needs volunteers to help with a Christmas party they are having for refugee families on Saturday, Dec. 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
■ Wilkinson Center needs volunteers to sort toys on Dec. 14 and assist with a toy distribution event on Dec. 17.
■ Contact Abbey Adcox (aadcox@wilshirebc.org) to learn more about these opportunities.
Wilshire Welcome class today
■ The monthly Wilshire Welcome Class helps guests and new members learn what Wilshire is about, from worship philosophy and Bible study options to mission and advocacy partners. The class will meet Sunday, Dec. 12, at 10 a.m. in the Prayer Room (1100B) near McIver Chapel. Jan. 16 is the next Wilshire Welcome date.
■ The next Coffee and Conversation with Senior Pastor George Mason will be held Sunday, Jan. 9, at 10 a.m. This informal time in George’s study gives guests and new members a chance to ask questions about Wilshire.
■ Questions about these events? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.
Wednesday schedule
■ Dec. 15: No Wednesday Night Live. Final youth Watershed and Sanctuary Choir rehearsal of 2021. Koinonia Café To Go will operate, but without on-site dining — takeout only.
■ Dec. 22, Dec. 29, Jan. 5: No activities or Koinonia Café To Go.
■ Jan. 12: Wednesday activities resume.
Worship together on Zoom
Unable to attend in person? View the 11 a.m. livestream with others on Zoom. The session begins each Sunday at 10:45 so participants can chat before worship. Email Ashley Robinson at arobinson@wilshirebc.org for the Zoom link.
Sing with choir for Faith in 3D
You are invited to join with Sanctuary Choir to sing choral parts for the 2022 Faith in 3D video production, “To Whom It May Concern.” Parts will be rehearsed during the choir’s normal Wednesday night practice starting Jan. 12 and continuing weekly until the Faith in 3D video shoot on Saturday, Feb. 26. Songs for the musical will be rehearsed at the beginning of the 7 p.m. rehearsals so that participants may slip out before the choir moves on to other material. The video of Faith in 3D will premiere in Community Hall on Sunday, April 24, after worship.
Women’s Retreat: Feb. 11–13, 2022
Find community, encouragement and time with God at the 2022 Women’s Retreat. Pastoral Residents Ashley Robinson and Jenna Sullivan will serve as camp pastors. The cost is $225, and full payment is due Jan. 23. Learn more and register at wilshirebc.org/registration.
January Sunday School series will give Biblical overview
Associate Pastor Darren DeMent will present an overview of the Bible in a four-week Sunday School series starting Jan. 9 and ending Jan. 30. The lessons will consider the who, what, when and where of the Bible, providing a refresher on the order of events, major figures, and how they relate to a broader historical timeline. This limited series will be a good option for anyone not connected to a class or for those new to the idea of Sunday School. Existing classes may choose to attend to give their regular teachers a four-week break. The series is also perfect for anyone looking to brush up on their Biblical literacy. The class will meet in McIver Chapel at 10 a.m.
Valerie Kaur coming in February
Author Valerie Kaur will be in Dallas for two events presented by Faith Commons and co-sponsored by Wilshire. Kaur will deliver a lecture Wednesday evening, Feb. 2, and lead a workshop Thursday morning, Feb. 3. Details to come. Kaur is an author, activist, filmmaker, lawyer, educator and faith leader. She is the founder of the Revolutionary Love Project and the author of the 2020 book See No Stranger.
Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club meets in the Parlor monthly at 6 p.m. On Dec. 14 the group will discuss Jenny Colgan’s The Christmas Bookshop and enjoy a sweet treat and cider from Wilshire’s kitchen. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org).
■ The WOW! Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L.
On Jan. 13 the group will discuss The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. Contact: Abbey Adcox (aadcox@wilshirebc.org).
Pick up Blessing Bags for unhoused neighbors
For the Dec. 1 Called to Care missions activity, Christmas gifts for our homebound members were prepared and 500 Blessing Bags were assembled for our unhoused neighbors. Participants were invited to take Blessing Bags with them to share with neighbors in need over the coming weeks. Additional Blessing Bags are available for you to pick up this Sunday at the north entrance, in the South Atrium and the large third floor coffee bar. Each bag contains a note card, socks, hand warmers, personal care items and a snack.
Last Koinonia Café To Go for 2021
Dec. 15 will be our final Wednesday to offer takeout meals before taking a holiday break. Since there are no Wednesday Night Live activities on the 15th, on-site dining will not be available — we will offer curbside pickup only. Meals will resume January 12.
ECLC 2022-23 Registration
It’s almost time to enroll for the 2022-2023 school year at Wilshire’s Early Childhood Learning Center! We are so pleased with the way this year is progressing and plan to continue building on all the good things that are happening in our rebuild year. Wilshire members will have the opportunity to register beginning at 7 am on Monday, Jan. 24. The registration form will be available to view ahead of time, but you will be unable to submit until this date. Registration is on a first come, first served basis. Please note: Your “in-line” number is guaranteed until 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 25. If your non-refundable registration fee ($400) is not received in time, your submission will be placed at the back of the line and not counted until your check is received. If you have questions, please contact the ECLC office.
■ Ramona Randle, ECLC Director rrandle@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3140
■ Kelly Akins, Curriculum Specialist kakins@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3139
■ Detra Gun, Administrative Assistant dgunn@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3115
Our mail is slow. Help us out by sending year-end checks early
If you’re planning on mailing year-end gifts to Wilshire, please consider getting your check mailed early and not waiting until the last minute. Better yet, switch to online giving. We are still experiencing slow mail service, and we will need all 2021 gifts accounted for as early as possible in order to make informed budget decisions for 2022. For help getting setup with online giving, contact Director of Finance Lori Gooden at lgooden@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3131.
Free session for K–12 students and parents on adolescent mental health
Wed., Jan. 19, 6 p.m. at Wilshire
Join us for this important presentation for all children, youth and parents. Grant Halliburton Foundation will present four concurrent age-based sessions on adolescent mental health and well-being. Participants will meet in four groups: K – grade 3; grades 4 – 6; grades 7 – 12; and parents. This event will take the place of regular Wednesday activities. For more information, contact Minister to Children Julie Girards at jgirards@wilshirebc.org.
For K–3 students
RISE: Change Your World! is an interactive presentation designed to help students reframe their thinking and behavior related to bullying.
For grades 4–6 and 7–12
#SAFE is an interactive presentation designed to educate young people about mental wellness and encourage them to speak up concerning their mental health.
For parents
You’ll learn to recognize signs of stress and depression, promote adolescent brain health and mental wellness, foster strong coping skills in youth and more. Parents, teachers and other adult influencers welcome.