Annual Church Conference
Sunday, Jan. 23 • 1 p.m. • Zoom
Don’t miss this important event where we will adopt the 2022 budget and elect deacons, committee members and the Pastor Search Committee. Members also will have an opportunity to raise any new business. The conference will be held solely on Zoom; there will be no in-person meeting. The Zoom link was included in Friday’s Tapestry email and in a separate email sent on Saturday. You can also find it, plus a PDF of conference materials, at wilshirebc.org/conference. For technical assistance, contact Susan Kimball at skimball@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3108.
Souper Bowl of Caring set for Sunday, Feb. 6
Souper Bowl of Caring, our annual event benefiting the Phil Strickland Hunger Offering, will be held Sunday, Feb. 6. Instead of our usual sit-down meal, this year’s event will be offered to go. (Yes, the big game is on Feb. 13; our event is Feb 6 due to scheduling issues.) Proceeds will go to Delta Hands for Hope to assist in their food distribution efforts in four rural Mississippi Delta communities. Delta Hands for Hope is supported by Together for Hope, a rural development coalition run by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Led by former Wilshire missions minister Jason Coker, Together for Hope services 301 American counties of persistent rural poverty. On Feb. 6, Jason will be at Wilshire and will offer a presentation in McIver Chapel at 10 a.m.
Souper Bowl of Caring will work like this:
- Place soup orders online by Thursday, Feb. 3, via a link at wilshirebc.org/registration.
- Pick up orders in James Gallery from 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 6. Walk-up orders will be taken, but choices will be limited.
- Each order of soup is 1 quart, or 3 to 4 servings. Choose from four varieties.
- Your donation of $20 for one soup, $35 for two, $50 for three or $65 for four will provide much needed support to Delta Hands for Hope.
- If you’d like to simply donate and forgo the soup, do so through the Souper Bowl of Caring registration or note “Souper Bowl of Caring” with your online gift or on your check.
Senior Pastor transition
For content related to Senior Pastor George Mason’s retirement announcement and Wilshire’s senior pastor search process, visit wilshirebc.org/pastor-transition.
2022 budget presented today
The Finance Committee will present its recommendation for the church’s 2022 Unified Budget at today’s Annual Church Conference. The proposed total is $3,950,000. While we did not increase the overall budget from 2021, we have carefully considered every expense and made adjustments in order to provide an increase in rate of pay for our hourly staff. A copy of the budget can be found on page 13.
Women’s Retreat deadline
Find community, encouragement and time with God at the 2022 Women’s Retreat. Registration ends Monday, Jan. 24. Learn more and register at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Coffee and Conversation today
- 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.
- The monthly Wilshire Welcome Class helps guests and new members learn what Wilshire is all about. The class will meet Sunday, Feb. 20, at 10 a.m. in the Prayer Room (1100B).
- Questions about these events? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.
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. Ten deacons were nominated to return to active service: Allan Akins, Kelly Akins, Joni Cabaniss, Kevin Cabaniss, 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 for the first time. Nominations will be voted on at the church conference on Jan. 23; new deacons will be ordained during worship on Jan. 30.
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.
Monthly lunch for seniors delayed
The monthly Adventurers lunchtime gathering, which was tentatively set to begin 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.
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.
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, at https://form.jotform.com/63494583343968, is available to preview but can’t be submitted until Monday morning. You can also contact ECLC at eclc@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3115. 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.
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.
Postponed events
- The events scheduled for Feb. 2 and 3 with author Valerie Kaur have been postponed due to COVID concerns. Faith Commons is working on finding a new date. Watch faithcommons.org and the Tapestry for updates.
- The Meal Packing Event at Wilshire originally set for Jan. 17 has been rescheduled for Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 21. Register at wilshirebc.org/registration.
- The Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance count scheduled for Jan. 25 will now take place Feb. 24. The annual count helps communities understand the extent of homelessness and changing trends. Contact Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org to learn more.
Wednesday Night Live
Jan. 26
Music, Missions and More
6 – 7 p.m. Fun, age-based activities and lessons for 3-year-olds through sixth graders, including music and missions-related topics.
Resident-led Vespers
6 – 7 p.m. • McIver Chapel. Join Wilshire’s pastoral residents for a time of reflection and worship themed “Be the Light.” Inspired by Amanda Gorman’s Inauguration Day poem, we believe 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.
Family Dinner on hold
Until further notice we will not offer Community Hall for on-site dining on Wednesday evenings. Please eat dinner, including Koinonia Café To Go orders, before coming to the church building.
Coming Feb. 2
First Wednesday: Called to Care
6 – 7 p.m. • Community Hall. All ages will join together for a mission or service project. Details to come.
Childcare for infants to 2-year-olds whose parents are involved in church activities is offered, 6 – 7 p.m.