Help us meet our $15K goal for Souper Bowl of Caring
While the deadline for advance soup ordering has passed, everyone can still participate in Sunday’s takeout Souper Bowl of Caring. Proceeds will be going to Delta Hands for Hope of Shaw, Mississippi, and as of Thursday morning we had raised approximately $8,300 toward our goal of $15,000. Here’s how you can help:
Walk-up soup purchase
While it lasts, soup will be available for walk-up customers in James Gallery from 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Choices and quantities will be limited. Suggested donation amounts: $20 for one soup, $35 for two, $50 for three or $65 for four.
Donate to the cause
You can forgo the soup and simply make a donation by noting “Souper Bowl” with your online gift or on your check. Or use this form.
Letter-writing campaign today
Got five minutes? You can make an impact on hunger relief by stopping by James Gallery today to participate in a letter-writing campaign hosted by the Christian Advocacy Committee. An extension of our Souper Bowl of Caring event, this will allow us to engage with our representatives and advocate for policies that can alleviate hunger in our communities. You are encouraged to write letters of support for two bills that have shown significant impact in reducing hunger for American children: the Child Tax Credit and the Universal School Meals Program Act. Information and supplies will be provided. Our letters will be added to Bread for the World’s national Offering of Letters campaign, multiplying our voice and increasing our impact.
New here?
■ 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).
■ Coffee and Conversation with Senior Pastor George Mason will be held Sunday, Feb. 27, 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.
Candidates sought for director of operations position
Wilshire is currently seeking a full-time director of operations to manage the church’s physical structure and information technology. The position is salaried, with benefits including health, vision and dental insurance, life insurance and retirement. Potential candidates can learn more and apply at wilshirebc.org/employment. The deadline for applications is Monday, Feb. 28.
Adventurers Chicago trip
The Wilshire Adventurers will travel to Chicago, Grand Rapids and Mackinac Island on Sept. 1–8. The week-long trip led by Rob and Pam Banta will begin with three nights in downtown Chicago, a river cruise, a lake cruise, history and arts tours and great food. The group will then travel to Grand Rapids to see the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum and Meijer Gardens before heading to beautiful Mackinac Island for three nights. Find details at wilshirebc.org/registration or in a brochure available in the main office. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis, with only 50 seats available.
Meal packing event, Feb. 21
All ages are welcome from 10 a.m. to noon on Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 21, for a meal packing event at Wilshire in partnership with Rise Against Hunger. Volunteers are needed to register and assist with setup before and cleanup after the event. Register or donate at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Homeless count, Feb. 24
Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance is seeking volunteers for its annual Point in Time Count on Thursday, Feb. 24, at 5 p.m. This is an opportunity to count sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness. Required by federal law, the count helps communities understand the extent of homelessness and changing trends. Small groups will be assigned to different census tracts to seek and survey those experiencing unsheltered homelessness. We would love to have a couple of teams from Wilshire serve. To volunteer or learn more, contact Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org.
Piano Affinity Group meets Feb. 27
The next gathering of Wilshire’s Piano Affinity Group is set for Sunday, Feb. 27, at 4 p.m. in McIver Chapel. Participants are invited to perform a classical piece or hymn arrangement. To learn more, contact Max Tucker at 214-215-3766.
Health screenings, March 17
New Year’s resolutions may be forgotten by now, but it’s still a good time to plan ahead for good health in 2022. Life Line Screening will be at Wilshire on Thursday, March 17, to offer five screenings: carotid artery; heart rhythm; abdominal aortic aneurysm; peripheral arterial disease (poor lower-body circulation); and osteoporosis. Flyers with more details are available in the main office. Make a reservation at http://llsa.social/HSC or call 1-888-653-6450. How often should one have this screening? If the findings are normal, every three to four years is sufficient. If there are indications of problems, more frequent screenings may be indicated. If you have questions, contact Parish Nurse Linda Garner at 214-452-3151 or lgarner@wilshirebc.org.
Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club meets in the Parlor monthly at 6:30 p.m. On March 8, the group will discuss A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle. 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 March 3, the group will discuss The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. Contact: Abbey Adcox (aadcox@wilshirebc.org).
Take up choir for Lent
All are invited to sing with Sanctuary Choir for the season of Lent. Lenten rehearsals begin Ash Wednesday, March 2, 7 p.m. Contact Doug Haney at dhaney@wilshirebc.org.
Ash Wednesday Services
March 2 • McIver Chapel
12 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Children’s Service, 7 p.m.
Wednesday Night Live – Feb. 16
Music, Missions and More has new ending time
■ Join us at 6 p.m. for fun, age-based activities and lessons for 3-year-olds through sixth graders, including music and missions-related topics.
■ Music, Missions and More has been extended by a few minutes. The start time will still be 6 p.m., but preschoolers will now finish at 7:15 p.m. and children will finish at 7:20. Minister to Children Julie Girards explains, “We’re adding more time to each component in order to provide more meaningful activities. This is a return to our pre-pandemic schedule, and it also allows our parents more time to attend other church offerings or connect with other parents.”
Resident-Led Study: Love Will Keep Us Alive
Feb. 9, 16, 23 • 6 p.m. • Parlor.
Join Pastoral Resident Jenna Sullivan for a study on the most foundational of all scriptural concepts: love. What is real Christ-like love? How does it differ from the kind that fills Valentine boxes and cards? What is God’s love language? We will study passages from 1 John and the beloved words of Paul in 1 Corinthians. We will also bring these texts into conversation with Valarie Kaur’s book See No Stranger.
■ Family Dinner remains on hold. No on-site Wednesday dining.
■ Childcare for infants to 2-year-olds whose parents are involved in church activities is offered from 6 to 7:15 p.m.