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 (Room 2224)
RISE: Change Your World! is an interactive presentation designed to help students reframe their thinking and behavior related to bullying.
For grades 4–6 (Room 2230) and 7–12 (Youth Center)
#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 (James Gallery)
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.
Grant Halliburton Foundation is a Dallas-based nonprofit working to raise awareness and understanding of adolescent mental health and suicide prevention.
Pastor Search Committee nominations due by today at 6 p.m.
Wilshire’s bylaws dictate that the process of hiring a new senior pastor will be managed by the Personnel Committee, which will form a Pastor Search Committee from names nominated by the congregation. The nomination form can be found on page 7 of the worship folder, and copies are available in the church office. Filled out forms should be taken to the office or dropped into one of the Sanctuary or Narthex offering boxes.
Nominations may also be made online. Visit wilshirebc.org/pastor-search-nominations. Nominations must be made by 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 16.
Once nominations are complete, the Personnel Committee will select nine church members to serve on the Pastor Search Committee. The proposed slate of search committee members will be presented to the church for approval at the church conference on Sunday, Jan. 23. More details and instructions can be found on the nomination form.
For content related to Senior Pastor George Mason’s retirement announcement and Wilshire’s senior pastor search process, visit wilshirebc.org/pastor-transition.
Masks required inside building
Under the guidance and direction of Wilshire’s COVID-19 Advisory Task Force, masks will now be required for all indoor gatherings and meetings at Wilshire. While this is an action we were hoping to avoid, it seems avoiding it would not offer the utmost safety for one another and respect to our community. We are extremely grateful for our community of faith and your continued encouragement and compliance to requests such as these. Our decision was guided by a list of metrics we track weekly that have grown increasingly worrisome — the very high transmissibility rate of the omicron variant, the revised policies of other like-minded congregations and of course, our desire to love our neighbor well. Please continue to follow the Tapestry and Wilshire social media for any adjustments to upcoming events.
Church conference next Sunday will be on Zoom only
Wilshire’s annual church conference on Sunday, Jan. 23, will no longer be held in person. Like last year, it will take place solely on Zoom, and the start time will now be 1 p.m. The change was made after consultations with the COVID-19 Advisory Task Force. The Zoom information will be sent in the Tapestry email on Friday, Jan. 21, and instructions for joining the conference will be printed in the Jan. 23 worship folder. Don’t miss this important event where we will adopt a budget and elect deacons, committee members and the Pastor Search Committee.
MLK Day
Casey Thomas to be interviewed in worship today
Dallas City Council Member Casey Thomas will be interviewed in worship on Sunday, Jan. 16, about his work promoting racial equity in Dallas through new housing policies. Thomas has represented District 3 on the council since 2015. He chairs the Housing and Homeless Solutions Committee and is vice-chair of the Workforce, Education and Equity Committee. Thomas, a Dallas native, is a graduate of Skyline High School and the University of North Texas.
Monday town hall goes virtual
The town hall meeting on racial equity that was to be held at Wilshire on Monday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. will now take place on Zoom. The discussion, organized by Council Member Casey Thomas and billed as a “Racial Equity Audit Report,” will focus on redressing racial inequities in Dallas housing and community development. Look for the Zoom info on Monday at wilshirebc.org/registration. Wilshire will host an in-person town hall on March 7.
Meal Packing Event postponed to Feb. 21
The Rise Against Hunger event at Wilshire originally set for Jan. 17 has been rescheduled for Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 21. Register at wilshirebc.org/registration.
2021 ended with surplus
Thanks to strong giving at year-end, Wilshire’s income for 2021 exceeded expenses by $210,336. The Finance Committee will report at the annual church conference on Jan. 23 about the allocation of the surplus funds.
Watch for contribution statement
Watch your mail or email over the coming week for your 2021 annual contribution statement and Generosity Letter. If you receive your statement via email, there will be a link to your statement to print or save for your tax records.
Giving statements are available anytime on Realm
Realm makes it easy to view, download or print your contribution statement at any time. Simply log in to your Realm account and choose Giving from the menu. You can also make a one-time contribution or set up a recurring gift. Learn more at wilshirebc.org/realm. For help getting set up on Realm, contact Susan Kimball at skimball@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3108. For info on online giving, contact Lori Gooden at lgooden@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3131.
New deacons recommended
The Deacon Nominating Committee has recommended six Wilshire members to be ordained as new deacons: Andrew Burton, Paul Latham, Candy McComb, Mike Meripolski, Tracy Sturdivant and Luke Willson. Eleven deacons were nominated to return to active service: Allan Akins, Kelly Akins, Joni Cabaniss, Kevin Cabaniss, Judy Coleman, Gladys Kolenovsky, Mark McKenzie, Tim Morgan, Gina Ortegon, Laura Smith and Jason Woodbury. Two deacons ordained elsewhere, David Nabors and Brad Russell, were nominated to serve as deacons at Wilshire for the first time. Nominations will be voted on at the church conference on Jan. 23, and new deacons will be ordained during both worship services on Jan. 30.
New deacon officers
Wilshire’s deacon body has elected new officers for 2022. Debbie Meripolski will serve as chair, Gladys Kolenovsky will be chair-elect and Britt McClung will serve as vice-chair.
Senior adult time with George
Wilshire’s senior adults are invited to a time of conversation with Senior Pastor George Mason on Tuesday, Jan. 25, at 10:30 a.m. in Community Hall.
Food service remains on hold
Since eating and drinking require the lowering of masks, we have suspended Sunday coffee service and ask that you not bring outside food or drinks. We will not offer the “Family Dinner” component of Wednesday Night Live until further notice; Koinonia Café To Go meals will be for takeout only.
Biblical overview continues
Associate Pastor Darren DeMent is teaching an overview of the Bible in a Sunday School series that started Jan. 9 and will conclude Jan. 30. The lessons will provide a refresher on the Bible’s order of events and major figures, and how they relate to a broader historical timeline. The class meets in McIver Chapel at 10 a.m.
Wilshire Welcome meets today
• The monthly Wilshire Welcome Class helps guests and new members learn what Wilshire is all about. The class will meet Sunday, Jan. 16, at 10 a.m. in the Prayer Room (1100B).
• Coffee and Conversation with Senior Pastor George Mason will be held Sunday, Jan. 23, 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.
ECLC 2022-23 registration
Starting at 7 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 24, Wilshire members can register for the 2022-23 school year at Wilshire’s Early Childhood Learning Center. The registration form will be available ahead of time, but can’t be submitted until the 24th. Registration is on a first come, first served basis. 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, call 214-452-3115 or visit wilshirebc.org/eclc.
Resident-led vespers, Jan. 26
“Be the Light” is the theme for the vespers service to be held in McIver Chapel on Wednesday, Jan. 26, at 6 p.m. Inspired by Amanda Gorman’s Inauguration Day poem, “The Hill We Climb,” we believe that the people of Wilshire can be “brave enough to be” the light in this time of difficulty, change and chaos. When all around us seems to be without hope, we are called to be the city on a hill, extending hope and light to others and even to ourselves. Join Wilshire’s pastoral residents for a time of reflection and worship together.
Monthly lunch for seniors delayed
The recently-announced monthly Wilshire Adventurers lunchtime gathering, which was tentatively set to begin on Wednesday, Feb. 2, will not start until a later date, to be determined. A date will be set when we feel confident about the resumption of buffet-style meal service. Watch for updates.
Women’s Retreat deadline extended to Jan. 24
Find community, encouragement and time with God at the 2022 Women’s Retreat. Registration has been extended to Monday, Jan. 24. Register at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Women of Wilshire book clubs
• The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club meets in the Parlor monthly at 6:30 p.m. On Feb. 8, the group will discuss Wholehearted Faith by Rachel Held Evans and Jeff Chu. Zoom available by request. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org).
• The WOW! Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L.
On Feb. 3, the group will discuss Chasing Shadows by Lynn Austin. Contact: Abbey Adcox (aadcox@wilshirebc.org).
Volunteer for Friday Friends
Looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity? Friday Friends needs volunteers to engage one-on-one with individuals living with early-stage dementia at the Friday Friends meeting the second and fourth Fridays of each month. Training is available. Previous experience working with dementia is not necessary. For more information, contact Marilyn Morgan at jakermo@gmail.com or 214-662-9451.
Souper Bowl of Caring, Feb. 6
Save the date for Wilshire’s annual Souper Bowl of Caring and make a difference for hunger relief. We will have a modified takeout event this year in light of COVID protocols. Details to come.
Valerie Kaur coming in February
Author, activist and faith leader Valerie Kaur will be in Dallas for two events presented by Faith Commons and co-sponsored by Wilshire. Kaur, the founder of the Revolutionary Love Project and author of the 2020 book See No Stranger, will speak on Wednesday, Feb. 2, at 7:30 p.m. at Moody Performance Hall. On Thursday, Feb. 3, she will lead a workshop from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Paul Quinn College. For more information and ticket-buying links for both events, visit faithcommons.org.
Homeless count postponed
The Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance count scheduled for Jan. 25 has been postponed to Feb. 24. The annual Point in Time Count helps communities understand the extent of homelessness and changing trends. Groups of volunteers will be assigned to census tracts to seek and survey those experiencing unsheltered homelessness. If you’re interested in being on or even leading a team, contact Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org.