Wilshire Baptist Church: Recent Episodes

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Dallas, Texas

By Jordann McMahan

August is a weird month. As many families round out their summer routines, college students head back to school, and the attention turns away from vacationing to the hustle and bustle of schedules, it can be difficult to be present. Our attention is focused on what will be.

Try not to let today slip past you. The conversations we will have, the songs we will sing, the Scripture we will read can be helpful along the journey. Our minds are often centered on the future. On the other hand, as we age, we start to orient our lives toward the past. We hold dear the memories of people, places and moments that meant so much to us.

It takes intentional courage to sit in the present. Our lives are lived in the ordinary. God works in ordinary people: lowly shepherds, imperfect families and those who worship, work and witness in plain ways on regular days.

During trips with Wilshire’s youth group, Darren talks about how there will never again be this exact group gathered in this place in the same way ever again. The same can be said about a summer Sunday. Our gathering may look different this week from next week, and there is beauty in the mundane — in regularity and consistency — in recognizing the need for community on significant days and on normal ones.

The ancient Greek word kairos points to this concept. It translates to “time,” but a kind of fleeting, opportune, appointed moment. What could change about our perspective if we viewed this “regular” Sunday as an appointed moment along the journey of our lives?

The anthem this morning, “The Impossible Dream,” carries this idea within its message. It takes countless normal days to reach impossible dreams. Faithfully choosing to be present in the moment allows us the space to rest, grow, learn and seek after God with our very lives. What a truly glorious quest it is to pursue calm and peace. It takes courage and can often feel impossible, but God promises to be with us as we go.

So, as you prepare for worship today, take a deep breath. Feel your lungs expand and contract. Smile at a neighbor. Check in with yourself and those around you. These routine practices matter. God is with us. Let us be present with ourselves and with one another.

The post Preparing for Worship: Aug. 9, 2026 appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Promotion Sunday on Aug. 16 marks an exciting milestone for Wilshire’s kindergarten families as children begin attending worship with their parents for the first time.

To help make that transition a positive one, Minister to Children Julie Girards will host Parenting in the Pew, a special Sunday School conversation for parents on Aug. 16. While designed with kindergarten families in mind, the session is open to anyone who wants to think more intentionally about worshiping with children. The session will be held in the Preschool Multipurpose Room (1350) at 9:45 a.m.

The discussion will explore realistic expectations for having children in worship, practical ways to help kids engage in the service and ideas for making worship more meaningful for the whole family. An experienced parent panel will share what they’ve learned, offer encouragement and answer questions.

Parent partners sought

Julie is also looking for experienced parents, grandparents and others who would be willing to partner with a new kindergarten family during worship over the weeks and months ahead. Simply sitting together can provide a welcoming face, encouragement and support as families settle into this new rhythm of worship. This ministry is about more than easing a transition. It is an opportunity to build meaningful intergenerational relationships. Research consistently shows that children who develop connections with caring adults beyond their own parents at church are more likely to develop a lasting, mature faith.

If you’re interested in partnering with a family, contact Julie at jgirards@wilshirebc.org.

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What brought you to Wilshire and when?After completing a stint in the Army and graduate school at Ole Miss in 1972, we moved to Dallas in August that year. I had taken a job teaching math at Eastfield College. We began trying to find a church to attend. Mike Moorhead’s office was next to mine, and we started a friendship that continues today. He and Shaeron invited us to Wilshire, and here we are.

What ministries or staff members have impacted your life?Bruce McIver was the pastor when we joined. Over the years there have been many ministries that made an impact. Our Sunday School class, Compass Class, started in 1973 under different names, one of which was Alternate Young Adult. We hardly fit that name now, but the class is still alive and well. The music at Wilshire has remained an important part of our lives here. Bill James was a wonderful example for all of us, not only with his musical talents but as a person of quality as well. George Mason has certainly shaped Wilshire into a church committed to doing the work of Christ in our time. Now Timothy leads us into the future with his unique gifts and talents. There are so many staff members to thank for the many ways they lovingly guide us. In our later years the Adventurers group has provided opportunities for enrichment and travel. As George once said, “Wilshire means something to people.”

What are some favorite memories?Fellowship Hall (now Community Hall) was a place we had meals on Wednesday nights. Our two boys would play on the stage at the back of the space while we ate and visited. I remember also a Sunday morning in worship when one of the large chandeliers dropped a bit. There was fear it would fall, so we left the Sanctuary. People and groups who came included Grady Nutt, Cynthia Clawson, the CenturyMen and Ken Medema. All these were things that made Wilshire such a unique place to belong.

Why have you stayed so long?Our car knows the way here and refuses to go to any other church. Wilshire is home, a place where we worship, learn, minister and play. The people are a part of our family. I can’t imagine our lives without them. It has been a glorious five decades in this special church. Amen.

The post I Am Wilshire 75th Anniversary Special: Sam Tinsley appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Geri McKenzie is leaving her role as Wilshire’s executive director of administration to pursue other opportunities. Her departure will be effective Aug. 31.

Geri joined the staff in June 2005 and worked for 18 years in Wilshire’s Pathways to Ministry program, first as a part-time coordinator and eventually as associate director.

Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples said, “For 20 years, Geri has been an invaluable member of our team — bringing not only exceptional skill and dedication to her work but also warmth, kindness and a spirit of collaboration that has touched all of us. Whether leading us through StrengthsFinder, introducing new residents to the system or simply the way she showed up every day with an open door, being there for all of us, Geri made a lasting impact.”

Geri said, “It has been a joy and privilege to do this work for 20 years, first helping in the important work of the residency program and these last two years caring for our staff. It’s been special getting to work with Timothy as both a resident and as senior pastor.”

Geri was hired by then-Senior Pastor George Mason in the early years of the pastoral residency program, and she played a major role in shaping and formalizing its curriculum and operations. She worked closely with over 40 residents, providing logistical and moral support as they navigated their two-year terms and beyond.

Jakob Topper, a residency alum and pastor of North Haven Church in Norman, Oklahoma, said, “Geri’s work with the residents will outlive all of us. She may not have taught me how to preach, but she taught me something even more essential: how to truly see each person who makes up a congregation. She taught me to see others, and myself, as human beings: lovely, fallible, and deserving of grace, every one of us.”

In her Pathways role, Geri managed interns and acted as landlord to Resident Row, the four resident parsonages on Springside Drive. She served on the board of visitors of the Baptist House of Studies at SMU’s Perkins School of Theology.

Geri became executive director of administration in 2023. “With the pastor transition and the pause of the residency program for evaluation, it was the right time for me to take on a new challenge. I appreciate the church trusting me in this role,” she said. Geri manages building operations, facilities, hospitality, food services, human resources and oversees most administrative staff.

“I feel like we’ve accomplished a lot recently,” Geri says, citing key hires, a reimagining of Wilshire’s kitchen staffing and policies and launching major projects like the long-delayed water intrusion repairs.

Helping people understand their gifts and calling has been a staple of Geri’s tenure on staff. It was her engagement with this work as a lay person that led to her working at Wilshire. “I was leading a class at Wilshire called Serving by God’s Design, which led to me getting trained by Gallup as a StrengthsFinder coach,” she recalled. “I did sessions with staff, including George. That’s when he mentioned that the residency program could use some admin help, which led to me coming on board.”

Geri still conducts StrengthsFinder sessions with new staff, residents and interns and has also led Enneagram classes for staff. Amid the transitions of the last few years, she has worked with the staff on team development and identifying values.

Geri and her husband, Mark, joined Wilshire in 1992 and raised their daughter, Harper, here. Geri taught elementary school for two years before earning a master’s degree in counseling from Texas A&M University–Commerce. She served as an academic advisor at SMU before coming to work at Wilshire.

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By Abbey Adcox

This past week, our Youth Choir traveled to Chicago to serve, learn, sing and be present. What we didn’t fully expect was how deeply we would be met.

We met Dilla, a self-proclaimed B-list Chicago celebrity, YouTube-famous and brutally honest. He asked how many of us had been told we’d be shot in Chicago. Then he told the truth. He shared the history of the South Side and Emmett Till and the danger of flattening people and neighborhoods into stereotypes. He challenged us to be truth-tellers — to reject single stories and see the full humanity of others.

We met Pastor Joe and Kadie at Roseland Christian Ministries, whose mission is to serve Jesus by caring for whoever is right in front of them. Their faith is authentic, and they minister with dignity, tenderness and relentless hope.

We met the neighbors of Roseland — those who gathered each day for a warm meal and community. Our youth served, sang and shared smiles and stories. In that space, the Spirit knit us together. We weren’t just volunteers and recipients. We were companions. The line between guest and host blurred, and in its place, communion.

And just as meaningfully — we met each other. Some of us were already close. Others connected for the first time. But something holy took root over meals, bus rides, tired mornings and silly moments. We saw each other with new eyes. We noticed. We listened.

In his poem “At the End of the Day: A Mirror of Questions,” John O’Donohue asks, “Where did your eyes linger today?” This is a question for reflection but also worship. Where our eyes linger — on a neighbor, a story, a sacred moment — often tells us where our hearts are being drawn.

So come to worship with open hearts.

Come remembering what you’ve heard.

Come ready to meet God again.

The post Preparing for Worship: June 22, 2025 appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

By Mike Capps

The Swedish theologian Krister Stendahl suggests that we should leave room in our religious understanding for “Holy Envy” in how we understand and engage with religious traditions different from our own. By this he means that it is proper to feel a sense of admiration when we recognize attractive characteristics in other traditions that emphasize a certain practice or theological meaning, or that they may do so with a distinctive beauty or sacramental depth that may not be a feature of our own tradition.

One of the aspects of Orthodox Christian worship I have always found moving is their belief that as we begin our communal worship, we are joining in with unending heavenly worship. For the Orthodox, worship is therefore a “Divine Liturgy” that mystically unites us in praise with the angels and saints before the throne of God. As the great saint of the Eastern church St. John Chrysostom declared, “Now the powers of heaven do serve invisibly with us.”

Because of this understanding of worship as both communal and cosmic, the start of an Orthodox service offers a sense of a mystical parting of the veil that divides heaven and earth, as the eternal and the here-and-now are mysteriously joined together in worship.

Today is Trinity Sunday, and in the spirit of Stendahl’s Holy Envy, we will start our worship with the ringing of bells and a cantor exclaiming “Glory to Thee, O Holy Trinity,” one of the acclamations used to initiate the Divine Liturgy. Nova will answer with an “Amen” and then follow with the response, “O Come Let Us Worship.”

As worship begins, may you get a sense that we too are entering into the great cosmic drama of worship. May this remind us that worship is the work of the whole Church, including those who are beyond our apprehension, who are celebrating with us on behalf of all and for all.

The post Preparing for Worship: June 15, 2025 appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Hometown: My dad was in the service, and we moved around until he retired. We settled in Arlington, where I graduated high school.
Present City: Plano
Profession: Administrative assistant

Tell us about your family.
I met David Burton at my home church in Arlington in 1981. We married and moved to Garland in 1982. Our two adult sons, Andrew (Doo) and Josh, grew up at Wilshire.

How about your work or volunteer life?I began working at First Baptist Church in Garland in 1982. In 1997 I came to Wilshire as education and missions assistant. I became George Mason’s assistant in 1999 (don’t ya know). In 2024 I went part-time and became the administrative assistant for Pathways to Ministry.

Any favorite hobbies?Reading, baseball, jigsaw puzzles and games. Last year David and I moved to a 55+ community, and we’re both active there, playing pickleball and participating in social and exercise activities. I am the game coordinator for the Friday and Sunday afternoon game times.

What are your favorite places to travel?My favorite trip so far is an Alaskan cruise. God knew what he was up to when he made Alaska! On my bucket list were to travel by train and to visit the Grand Canyon. We checked both of those off in 2023. Now, how do I get to Hawaii?

Where are you engaged at Wilshire?I attend Foundations of Faith Class and lead the WOW Tuesday Evening Book Club.

What has surprised you most about Wilshire?I had an amazing mentor at First Baptist Garland who taught me about church work. I brought those skills to Wilshire. Evidently my skills and love for the work has served me well. Wilshire has kept me on staff for 28 years!

Tell us about your faith journey.
I was baptized by Daniel Vestal at age 12 and was active in church from then on. I grew up Southern Baptist, married a Southern Baptist preacher’s kid and work in a Baptist church. All I know is church. Along the way I found my spiritual gift: prayer. I love praying for people, and at the same time my own faith is strengthened. Call on me if you need a prayer warrior.

What is something interesting most people would not know about you?My dad was a security guard at Rangers Stadium in the ’70s. I would go with him to watch batting practice and stay late to wave goodbye to the players. I still have a special place in my heart for baseball and the Rangers.

What adjectives best describe you?Dedicated and caring. As an Enneagram 2, I love everyone else but myself. Ironically, my star word this year is “self-love.” Right now, I love myself enough to share this bio!

The post I Am Wilshire: Debby Burton appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

A note from Librarian Barbara Peterson and the Library Committee:
I know many of you are wondering how the work in the Library is going. As you know, we are a very busy church, and there have been lots of events that have prohibited us from doing work in the Library, but I think we are back on a schedule. This past Friday and Monday, the Library was painted, and on Tuesday carpet was installed. We will be mapping out the arrangement of the shelves, and then can install them. We will need some volunteers to help with the shelving installation on Saturday, Nov. 23. After that we will need more help moving the boxes of books out of storage and shelving them. When all the books are on the shelves, we will be ready to open. The Library is celebrating its 70th birthday this year, and the new look will indeed make for a Happy Birthday!

The post Library Update appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

By Heather Mustain

This past weekend I helped the kids put up small Christmas trees in their bedrooms, betraying my own rule of no Christmas decor pre-Thanksgiving. The last couple of weeks have left me searching for joy wherever I can find it. And it’s amazing how a pre-lit, 5-foot silver tinsel Christmas tree can transform a little girl’s bedroom and make it, in her words, “magical” with joy beaming in her eyes.

As you sit in the pew today, I want to challenge us in thinking about where we can find joy. Maybe it’s in a dear friend sitting near you or the special memory of a baptism or family dedication, or perhaps you were married in this very room. Today I find joy as I look at the chancel steps. They are lined with brown bags packed with food to help restock White Rock Center of Hope’s food pantry as they prepare Thanksgiving food baskets for their neighbors. And those signs sticking out of the bags? Those represent turkey baskets that will be distributed to families who utilize the services of the Wilkinson Center. Pure joy given out of generous hearts; pure joy in those who will receive.

As I draw my eyes upward, I see our very own Wilshire Student Ministry prepared and empowered to lead us in worship — from singing and praying to preaching. Former student Emma Roden recently shared the impact this church has had in her life as a young person, and now we as a congregation have the same opportunity to allow the Spirit to impact us through our students. Pure joy in the giving and pure joy in the receiving, Wilshire.

And while I know pre-lit, 5-foot silver tinsel Christmas trees, Thanksgiving bags and one worship service cannot alleviate the grief so many of us are carrying, we also cannot let it steal the joys that often exist right under our noses. So, take a moment. Breathe deep. Settle in. And give thanks. Because as I was reminded by a dear friend this week, joy is meant to be shared, and rejoicing is a group activity.

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Hometown: Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Present City: Garland
Education: B.A., Ouachita Baptist University
Profession: Retired high school business education teacher

Tell us about your family.
Sam and I have been married 58 years. We met at Ouachita and married following my graduation. We have two sons. Steve, who lost his wife, Shannon, three years ago, has two children, Abigail and Ryan. Price and his wife, Sara, are active members of Wilshire, and their two girls are Gillian and Anabelle.

Any favorite hobbies?
I have been knitting, needlepointing and sewing since I was 16. I am a reader of both nonfiction, which gives me a chance to learn something, and fiction. I usually have two books going at the same time.

What are your favorite places to travel?
Sam and I have had the opportunity to travel extensively, and two of our favorite trips have been to Africa and to Cambodia and Vietnam.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
During the five years we lived in Oxford, Mississippi, we were active members of First Baptist Church. In fact, there has been no time in my life where I was not active in church. While in Oxford, Sam was assigned to be one of the front-door greeters. The University of Mississippi had a large population of international students, and on one Sunday, a young African couple walked up the wide front steps to the doors leading into the sanctuary. Sam greeted them warmly and guided them in. Another greeter observed this and told Sam to never invite anyone of color in again. That was our last Sunday at First Baptist. The next Sunday, we walked across the street to the Episcopal church and attended there for the remainder of our time in Oxford. Soon, we moved to Dallas and were guided to Wilshire by Shaeron and Mike Moorhead. Wilshire was beginning to change, first by our newly formed Compass Class, which chose to not follow standard Sunday School curriculum. It took a few decades, but at last Wilshire has become what we were looking for all along — a church which values and accepts all people. I currently serve on Wilshire’s
Funeral Ministry Team.

What is something interesting most people would not know about you?
When I was in high school, I taught myself to dive in a local pool. When my grandchildren were old enough to learn to dive, I began working to teach them. Granddaughter Gillian was the only one who truly mastered diving. I have a precious video of her and me performing a synchronized dive.

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By Charlie Fuller

When I was executive pastor at First Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., we had a set of flags representing the nations of the world. We would place them in hangers above our heads all the way around our sanctuary and leave them up from Pentecost until World Communion Sunday. The many colors and designs were stunning as a contrast to the massive expanse of the high stone walls of the church. They were a sign of welcome to people coming to our nation’s capital to visit as well as to our international neighbors who lived nearby and worked at the embassies that dotted the neighborhood.

Today is World Communion Sunday for us here in Texas as well, and as I ponder what that means, I think of those flags. While each one was distinctive, the flags also had much in common. They were made from similar, if not identical, fabric. They were all the same size. They were hung at the exact same angle. While each one was unique, they were more alike than they were different.

World Communion Day is an opportunity for us to view each other across the many ways of being Christian as more alike than different. Some celebrate Communion with plates passed down the row, some by intinction, some are served by a minister or priest. Some call it Communion, some the Lord’s Supper, some the Eucharist. We have different colors, designs and ways of living out the gospel, but the goal of gospel living is the same. We share the spiritual DNA of Jesus.

As the Apostle Paul said in his letter to the church in Ephesus, “I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:1-6 NRSVue).

As Paul says, today we celebrate ONE communion. Christ’s table is not your normal table. As we eat at Christ’s table today, we share a table not only with those who surround us in this room, but with others who gather around this same table all around the world.

The post Preparing for Worship: Oct. 6, 2024 appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Hometown: McAlester, Oklahoma
Present city: Richardson
Education: Baylor University
Profession: Retired foreign missionary,  childbirth educator, birth and postpartum doula

Tell us about your family.
I was born in Tulsa but grew up in McAlester with a sister and brother. I have five children and 10 grandchildren. My son, Paul Sacco, daughter,  Annika Sacco, and their families go to Wilshire.

Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
I’m a MomCo mentor mom, a New Song member and I help in Friday Friends. I led small groups in DivorceCare at my previous church.

What are your favorite hobbies?
I enjoy knitting while watching TV or listening to podcasts.

Where is your favorite place to travel?
As a missionary I lived in Beirut, Lebanon, Cyprus and Poland. I also spent a year in Paris. I’d love to revisit these places, but now I’m enjoying my sons and daughter as well as a son-in-law and daughter-in-law and six grandkids here, my daughter and her husband and three grandkids in Waco, and my youngest son and wife with one four-year-old in Austin.

What brought you to Wilshire?
I wanted to find a church with unconditional love for everyone. I found that here and feel like I have a church home now.

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
Teaching me new ways to love and be involved as a witness to God’s love and guidance in my life.

Tell us about your faith journey.
I grew up with parents very active in church, and at our family reunions we sang hymns and shared what God was doing in our lives. I have a memory at 8 years old of hearing that God was the light in darkness that would lead me out of darkness throughout my life. I put my life in God’s hands then. I knew God had planned something special for me, but never thought it would be in foreign missions. In spite of many hard circumstances, God has come through for me at every step. I realized while living overseas that Jesus only gave us one command: to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbor the same. That helped me stop listening to rules and judgments and accept every person, loving them for who they are now and not for who I think they should be.

What’s something interesting most people wouldn’t know about you?
I lived in Beirut during the war there and was evacuated to Cyprus several times by car, by ship and with the Marines by helicopter and ship.

What adjectives best describe you?
Calm, caring, a good listener.

The post I Am Wilshire: Linda Sacco appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Hometown: Houston
Present City: Dallas
Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Baylor University. I start my Master of Science in Nursing Education in February 2025!
Profession: Bone Marrow Transplant Registered Nurse

Tell us about your work or volunteer life.
I am currently working my dream job with T. Boone Pickens Cancer Hospital, a part of Baylor University Medical Center. Aside from my regular shifts, I am also completing a hospital-wide project to decrease infection occurrences with oncology patients, and I teach introductory material to new or onboarding nurses regarding oncology. I also volunteer with Baylor Scott & White’s outpatient cancer services, East Lake Pet Orphanage and Baylor University.

What are your favorite hobbies?
I love playing the oboe! I also love going to the gym, riding my bike, volunteering, reading in coffee shops and spending quality time with my friends.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
I accidentally stumbled upon Wilshire during one of the worst periods in my life. I’d been desperately looking for a new place to connect with others, and I was having a difficult time finding a place that offered services not just strictly on Sundays, since I work primarily weekends. I saw the sign “Come on a Sunday. Come on a Wednesday. But above all, come as you are” outside, and I randomly showed up one Wednesday Night Live. I knew God wanted me here when I saw Monica Mullins, my former advisor at Baylor University, and I instantly burst into tears.

Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
I am an active member with Wilshire Winds and Ithaka Class, but I’m always looking for new ways to get involved.

What has surprised you most about Wilshire?
The fact that everyone here is just genuinely that nice. Everyone here really cares about one another, and the kindness never feels like it’s forced or disingenuous. People can love me exactly as I am, regardless of my past.

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
I’m not sure, but God’s got a great sense of humor …

What is something interesting most people would not know about you?
I used to be really shy! Being a nurse has forced me to learn how to talk to anyone and everyone. Now I can hold a conversation with a brick wall.

What adjectives best describe you?
Brave, fiercely loyal, genuine, overprotective.

The post I Am Wilshire: Claire Flores appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

By Scott Spreier

God:

A burning question, given the current wars and rumors of wars. A desperate query, considering the political and cultural strife rending our democracy, not to mention the sacred fabric of our once shared faith. A plea of sorts, if you’re listening:

Are you really on our side as the Psalms say, willing to go to bat for us? Or are you a “talking general,” waiting for us to take matters into our own hands, like Queen Esther in today’s Scripture?

Some of us, perhaps many, are sitting here today wondering. In our hearts we’re praying for the former, the easy way out. You know, just leave it to the “Big Guy.” But miracles are scarce nowadays, and our minds are filled with despair and doubt.

We could, of course, take responsibility for the mess we’re in and deal with it ourselves. But that would take an enormous amount of time and energy, not to mention patience and understanding and the ability to listen and not just shake our heads, speak our minds, wave our fists.

A suggestion, God, if I may? One you’ve no doubt pitched before, often to deaf ears: What if we worked this thing together? How about you coach us, and we handle the heavy lifting. Like the hymn we’re singing this morning: “He Leadeth Me.” (I’m sure you’ve heard it once or twice — it’s been sung for 160 years.)

What if you give us the vision, insight and strategy, and we execute?

Come to think of it, isn’t that what the Bible is trying to tell us? We should have picked up on that by now. But we’re just human. And, like the movies we watch on Netflix, we go straight for the drama and special effects, ignoring the storyline — a more believable narrative of your vision and guidance and our struggle as your sons and daughters to bring your plan to life.

God, as we sit here today, we ask you, we beg you, to lead us forward in this difficult time. We pray that you hear our cries, sense our anguish, understand our fear and frustration, and give us not only the understanding and compassion to see clearly the challenges our nation faces, but also the will and the power to ensure we stay on course and safely navigate this treacherous journey.

Amen.

The post Preparing for Worship: Sept. 29, 2024 appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Hometown: Fort Worth, born 1953
Present City: Garland, for the last 52 years
Education: B.A. in history and English from Bob Jones University, Greenville, South Carolina; graduate coursework in counseling at East Texas State University.
Profession: Qualified Mental Health Professional

Tell us about your family.
My parents were missionaries in Congo, Africa, so I grew up there and am the eldest of four. We are all five-and-a-half years apart in age. I have one brother, Franklin, and two sisters, Susan and Brenda. I have five nephews, three nieces and two great nieces. I met my husband, Neil, in 1980. We married in 1981, giving us 43 years together. I have lived at my current address in Garland since December 1978. We have been blessed with many canine babies. We have Gidget (a Teacup Chihuahua), Beauregard (a Jack Russell), and Fiona (a Pom Italia) at the present time.

How about your work or volunteer life?
I have been a jack of all trades, but was happiest when I worked as a Qualified Mental Health Professional from 2001 to 2008 for Dallas Metrocare Services on the ACT Teams. I retired from all paying jobs in 2015. Growing up in Africa, I would carry containers of hot sweet tea to people recovering from surgery at our hospital. Later in life I volunteered as a Big Sister and with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for several children. I really enjoyed my work with kids!

What are your favorite places to travel?
Congo, Africa; Texas; Austria; Jerusalem; and Athens, Greece. The Parthenon and the Acropolis in Greece are so beautiful!

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
Neil and I loved the beautiful steeple and the pillars on Wilshire’s building. I told Neil that I had to find out what it looked like inside. The pastor and the people were what kept us here. We joined in 1995 and have loved it ever since. What I am most thankful for at Wilshire are the loving people and the open acceptance of all folks. We don’t pretend to accept all; we do it with open hearts.

Tell us about your faith journey.
I accepted Christ as my Savior at the age of 21 after a prior confession of faith at a revival meeting preached by my paternal grandfather at the age of 6.

What is something interesting most people would not know about you?
I had monkeys, parrots, owls and village weaver birds as pets in Africa.

What adjectives describe you?
Determined and grateful. I love helping people and have a lot of love to share with the folks in my life!

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By Abbey Adcox

Did you know there is a saint of small things? I didn’t and recently learned of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as “Little Flower.” Born in 1873 in France, she joined a group of contemplative Carmelite nuns and died at just 24. An unlikely saint, she had a pure childlike faith and devotion to God. She spoke to God and prayed simply and directly, with a strong dislike for lengthy prayers — such a dislike that she was known to fall asleep during community prayer. Relatable, right?

I imagine few would find the title “Saint of Small Things” appealing. We often rely on productivity to measure our worth, piling on labels and obligations that drown out God’s voice. We would rather be the “Saint of All the Things.” It’s challenging to be open hearted when we refuse to lay our burdens down. Yet, amidst this struggle lies an invitation to practice spiritual minimalism. By releasing our self-imposed expectations, we create space for God to move within us and guide us toward St. Thérèse’s “little way” of limitless acts of love. In this way, we can bloom like her beloved wildflowers — vibrant and unassuming.

We have a choice in how we live our days. In intentionally seeking moments of divine silence, we discover the profound simplicity of St. Thérèse’s approach, where small gestures of kindness become vessels of grace. It’s in this openness that we are transformed, allowing God’s love to flow through us in ways that often go unnoticed but are deeply significant.

Our music this morning beautifully calls us to live out God’s love and invites us to reflect on how we can embody that love daily. As St. Thérèse said, “To live in love is to sail forever, spreading seeds of joy and peace in hearts.” May we love in the little ways — offering a smile to a stranger, lending a hand to someone in need or simply being present for those we love. These small acts may seem insignificant, but they powerfully demonstrate God’s love in the world, nurturing belonging and reminding us that even the tiniest gestures can have great significance.

May our living and loving bring glory to God.

Amen.

The post Preparing for Worship: Sept. 22, 2024 appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Pastoral Care Assistant Barbara Clayton celebrated her 20-year anniversary as a Wilshire staff member on Sept. 20.

Associate Pastor Heather Mustain said, “Barbara has been a staple on our staff. She is a team player, more organized than anyone I know and coordinates our pastoral care efforts with such grace and intention. I’m beyond thankful to get to work beside someone so dedicated and loyal to both the church and its people.”

Barbara had already been a Wilshire member for 13 years when she joined the staff in 2004 as office manager. A couple of years later she moved to the music office, where she worked for 14 years before assuming her current role in 2020.

Barbara’s work in pastoral care includes compiling and sending Wilshire’s Care Notes, a list of prayer concerns emailed each weekday to over 200 church members. “If there’s anybody in the hospital,” Barbara says, “I call the hospital every morning to check on their room number, because sometimes they get discharged or moved.”

Barbara coordinates hospital visits by ministers, creates programs for funerals and memorial services and works with the Hospitality Ministry Team to make sure ushers, greeters and Welcome Desk volunteers are in place each Sunday and for special events as needed.

She also assists Minister to Senior Adults Katie Murray with Wilshire Adventurers and other senior adult programming. Katie said, “The honest truth is I would be completely lost without Barbara. Her organizational skills are unmatched and have come to my rescue on more occasions than I can count. More importantly though, she loves and cares for this congregation with abundant grace. Doing ministry alongside Barbara is truly a blessing.”

Barbara’s two decades on staff at Wilshire represent only about half of her overall career working mostly in churches or ministry-related jobs. “We’re all called to be something somewhere, and I always felt called to work in the church,” Barbara said. Upon learning of one church job opening early in her career, she recalled, “I got heart palpitations, I was so excited. That’s just how passionate I am about it.”

Before working at Wilshire, Barbara served on staff at Lake Highlands Baptist Church, First Baptist Church in Waxahachie and Park Cities Baptist Church. She also worked at the Southern Baptist Annuity Board (now known as GuideStone) and Word, Inc., a Christian publisher.

Barbara grew up in Dallas and graduated from Lake Highlands High School. She has four adult children and four grandchildren.

Barbara sang in choir in high school and has been deeply involved in church music ministry not only as a staffer, but as a church member. At Wilshire, she sang in Sanctuary Choir for 25 years, played in Carillon Ringers for 32 years and taught preschool choir for 14 years. A longtime Youth Choir sponsor, Barbara traveled on 19 straight summer Youth Choir tours — a streak that began in 2001, long before she joined the music staff.

“My favorite part of all my jobs was working with children and youth,” Barbara said. “To see them grow into wonderful humans knowing that music played a big part. I’m still in contact with people from my youth group and youth choir. It produces lifelong friendships.”

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By Heather Mustain

Around here we’ve always called the start of our fall year “Promotion Sunday” — that being today. It means very little, honestly, particularly for adults — because well, we don’t actually “promote.” However, we never stop aging, despite our best attempts. Promotion Sunday is insider lingo that simply indicates that our preschoolers, children and youth will now attend their new age-graded Sunday School classes. So let me take this opportunity to tell you what we hope this Sunday can mean instead.

Welcome. We want you to know that you are welcome here. In fact, today you might want to check out our Welcome Y’all BBQ lunch after the service down in Community Hall, where you can enjoy a BBQ lunch and a performance by some of our own staff. There are so many incredible stories that live within these pews; don’t miss out on catching up with an old friend or meeting someone new today.

We also welcome the littlest among us into the Sanctuary, with all their wiggles and giggles. At Wilshire we value the opportunity to worship as an intergenerational community of faith, and we are grateful for that reminder every time we hear a shift or crumple in the pew behind us or every time we see a little one escaping for a quick bathroom break. A simple touch on the shoulder coupled with an “I see you” or a “You’re doing a great job” could mean everything to a parent.

Community. You’re not just welcome here; you belong here. And what we hope is that you’ll find a meaningful way to participate that meets you right where you are. This Wednesday begins our weekly family dinner, Koinonia Café, and Bible Study as well as our weekly programming for kids and students. We have a variety of Sunday School classes you can try, mahjong and book clubs, service groups and ministry teams. We want you to know that when you’re here we value what you come needing as well as what you have to give. Life together is just that — receiving and giving.

All in all, we’re glad you’re here. We always are. And we’re taking new name recommendations for Promotion Sunday.

The post Preparing for Worship: Aug. 18, 2024 appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Name: Elle Sheaffer
Hometown: Dallas
Present City: Dallas
Education: Woodrow Wilson High School (2022–present)

Tell us about your family.
My family consists of me, my mom, Dawn, my dad, Michael, and my dog, Walter.

Tell us about your volunteer life.
I volunteer mostly wherever the Wilshire youth group is. I try to make it to wherever Tuesday Missions are hosted and volunteer for the camps Wilshire hosts, when I’m in town. Other than that, I mostly volunteer at school-hosted opportunities.

What are your aspirations for the future?
In the future, I want to go to college and major in film development. The behind-the-scenes of movies has always piqued my interest, and I would love to help translate movies from script to the big screen.

What are your favorite hobbies?
In school, I participate in Woodrow’s theater productions, and I’m in Variations, Woodrow’s show choir. Outside of school, I participate in the Greater Dallas Choral Society, hang out with friends and read all the time.

Where are you engaged in Wilshire?
I’m involved in Wilshire Student Ministries, and I sing in Youth Choir and Shekinah.

What has surprised you most about Wilshire?
I’ve been at Wilshire since I was about one year old, so I can’t say that much has surprised me. However, the love that Wilshire never fails to show to people within the church and outside of it always amazes me. As I’ve grown more involved in the life of our church, I’ve had the privilege to be a part of a loving community like our youth group. WSM is a place I know I can always rely on, no matter what is going on in my life, good or bad.

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
I think God is giving me good people who remind me daily that I am good just as I am. In the youth group, we have a saying: “You are uniquely created in the image of God and worthy of love.” I have felt that recently more than ever because of the people I’m surrounding myself with.

Who are the greatest influences in your life shaping who you are today?
The friends I surround myself with shape how I present myself and interact with others. My parents and teachers have taught me things that continue to change how I think and react. So many people throughout my life have brought different perspectives to think about that continue to shape me as a person.

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Maggie Morey (left) and Georgia McKee began work Aug. 1 as pastoral residents at Wilshire.Pastoral residents Maggie Morey and Georgia McKee began work at Wilshire on Thursday, Aug. 1. Their start marks a reboot for the church’s pastoral residency program, which has been paused for a period of evaluation.

Maggie grew up in High Point, North Carolina, and comes to Wilshire from Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina. She is married to Jonathan.

Georgia, originally from Frisco, graduated this spring from Wake Forest University School of Divinity in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She and her wife, Sophia, were married in June.

When Wednesday night activities resume on Aug. 21, the 6 p.m. Bible study time will be devoted to getting to know the new residents. They will also be introduced at the first Lunch & Learn on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

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Name: Rev. James K. Varner, D.Min.
Hometown: Houston
Present City: Georgetown, Texas
Education: Baylor, 1959; Seminary, 1967; SMU Perkins Doctor of Ministry, 2010 in a study of the worship offering from the beginning of human history to the 21st century.
Profession: 60 years in Christian ministry, including 20 years as Baptist pastor; 20 years as capital campaign consultant in U.S. and Canada; 10 years as VP of stewardship services, Texas Methodist Foundation, Austin; 10 years as pastor at Conservatory Church, Austin.

Tell us about your family.
Married 63 years to my teen sweetheart, Shirley Gates Varner. One daughter, Noelle; we treasure her memory following her 2017 death. She gifted us with two adult granddaughters living in Texas.

Any favorite hobbies?
Former runner; now regular 2- to 3-mile walker. I enjoy devotional studies and casual reading. I loved to preach and miss it, often writing sermons in my head. Enjoy fun rides in a ’95 Miata ragtop.

What are your favorite places to travel?
For years, Shirley and I enjoyed travel in Europe, the U.S. and Canada. We made mission trips to Mexico, Russia, Ukraine and Kenya. Now we enjoy car trips to Rockport, Texas; Ruidoso, New Mexico; and the Colorado Rockies.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
I’ve read George Mason’s sermons for many years and followed Wilshire’s dynamic ministry history. During Covid, unable to lead worship at the church I served, we began watching Wilshire worship regularly. After my 2022 retirement, we joined Wilshire in February 2023 because of its inclusive openness, traditional worship with powerful music and engaging preachers. We worship online with occasional trips to Dallas.

Tell us about your faith journey.
When I was 9, a Sunday School teacher told me, “Jesus loves you and wants to live in your heart!” My faith today is still both simple and profound. Raised in a fundamentalist tradition, my faith journey has been a challenge: “What do I hold on to? What do I let go? What are richer expressions for a faith-filled Christ follower?” As a church consultant, I served a wide spectrum of Christian traditions, engaging with each faith community with a commitment to respect their traditions. These relationships enriched my own ever-growing faith. In 1979, with the SBC fundamentalist takeover, I left the Southern Baptist denomination. Now, joyfully, we are at Wilshire still discovering the meaning of a growing faith in a changing world.

What’s something interesting most people would not know about you?
I love Gaither gospel music. I swam in the frigid, polluted Volga River with Russian friends and walked in a “patriotic” parade with a Russian cosmonaut — no convertibles. What adjectives best describe you? Tenacious, inquisitive, faithful, happy!

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By Katie Murray

We started a family practice a couple of years ago where we take a few days to get out of town and visit the Texas Hill Country before school starts. Our kids have caught on to this rhythm, and our few days of swimming, eating s’mores every night and spending time together are something they look forward to all summer.

I also anticipate this time away every year and have found that it helps to serve as a reset for me mentally and emotionally. I can mark the final days of summer while preparing myself for the transition to fall. Soon we will trade early morning cartoons on the couch for early morning walks to school. Unscheduled days will be saved for Saturdays as we fall into our weekday routine. Late nights at the pool will become late nights watching high school football. It will still be hot, so I guess we can take solace in the fact that some things will stay the same.

These moments of reset aren’t just important for seasonal shifts, but also for the transitions we experience day in and day out. A morning cup of coffee, a daily walk and even our commutes to work can serve as intentional times to mark the transitions within our day, refocusing our attention so we can attend to our next set of tasks.

Sunday worship also serves as a moment to reset our focus. Even the most spiritually disciplined among us is not immune to the realities of life that draw our attention away from God. Our time here this morning is a reminder that we do not go about our days alone, but in communion with God and in community with our family of faith.

Today’s service will have several moments that can serve as resets for us today. Perhaps during Hattie’s baptism you can take time to focus on your own commitments you have made to God. When we come to the table for the Lord’s Supper, try refocusing your attention on noticing where God shows up in your life in the most ordinary of places. When we say the Lord’s Prayer, remember the interconnectedness that we share with people praying this exact prayer all over the world.

May our recentering this morning prepare us to focus on what truly matters in the week ahead.

The post Preparing for Worship: Aug. 4, 2024 appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

By Ava McClung

This past week has been a busy one for me, and I doubt I’m the only one. Between travel, errands, work, camps, visiting family and friends, shopping for school supplies and trying to maintain some semblance of a routine, summer can be exhausting.

I find that the busier I get, the less time I spend on spiritual practices that help me feel connected to God. Prayer, journaling, meditation and reading Scripture seem easy to cut out of my schedule in order to fit more classes, jobs, trips and time with friends. But, ironically, the times we feel too busy to take time to connect with God are often the times we need God’s sustaining power the most.

One reason coming to church each Sunday remains important to me is because physically showing up is one way I can reach out and allow God to dwell in me. I know that worship helps me feel connected to my community, to God and even to myself, so I make a point to block out an hour in my schedule and scurry to get all of my ducks in a row on Sunday mornings. Sometimes I have to sneak in a few minutes late. But once I’m here, I can stop. Be still. Breathe.

The pew gives me the space I need to rest — my body, my mind and my soul. There’s a reason we call it the “Sanctuary” — the busyness of the world seems to pause as I sit in this space. Some days I connect deeply with the elements of worship and the people around me. Other days I just sit and let everything wash over me. But either way, I leave worship with fresh strength for today and hope for tomorrow.

We do not worship together in this space each week for the sole purpose of sending our praises and prayers up to God. We also come together to feel the movement of the Holy Spirit in the worship experience itself. Reading Scripture, singing well-loved hymns and simply being aware of the presence of God in this space are ways that God can provide us with strength, peace and comfort. Worship is not just us offering something to God; it’s an opportunity for God to offer us something, too.

May we be open to receiving God’s sustaining power through our worship together this morning.

The post Preparing for Worship: July 28, 2024 appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Hometown: Dallas
Present City: Houston
University/College: Rice University
Major: Religious Studies

Tell us about your family.
I live with my parents, Britt and Carole, and my younger sisters, Miriam and Ruby. My paternal grandfather and great-grandfather were Southern Baptist pastors, and most of my extended family are Southern Baptist or Church of Christ.

What is your favorite place to travel?
My family tends to take really long road trips around the country, and I’ve come to enjoy exploring all the different hidden corners of America. I really love the mountains, though!

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
I did Pre-K at Wilshire’s Early Childhood Learning Center. My family joined Wilshire in 2011 (when I was a first grader), and I’ve been here ever since.

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
I have long felt a call to ministry, and right now the details of what that will look like are beginning to take shape. I am considering divinity schools and ordination paths while also thinking critically about my faith and what being a Christian means to me.

Tell us about your faith journey.
I have always been a person with big philosophical and theological questions. There was a period of time while I was in elementary school where I would throw weekly tantrums accusing my parents of brainwashing me by taking me to church. I was very troubled by the idea that if I had been born into a family of another faith, I would probably have adopted that faith without thinking much about it. I was very resistant to the idea of being Christian until I felt like it was by intentional conviction. I didn’t get baptized until I was an eighth grader, and I continued to be somewhat troubled by big questions and gaps in my knowledge about Christianity. I decided that I should study religion academically to gain the factual knowledge to make informed decisions about my faith. Ironically, the facts have made me more confused than ever, but getting to learn about Christianity, as well as lots of other religions, from a secular perspective has really opened my mind to all of the beautiful possibility in the mystery of God. I have found my way to the Episcopal Church while at Rice, and I am really enjoying worshiping in that tradition, but I’m still discerning what denomination feels right to me.

What’s something interesting most people wouldn’t know about you?
I write crossword puzzles for the Rice newspaper, and I’m going to be the crossword editor starting in the fall.

The post I Am Wilshire: Ava McClung appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

New pastoral residents Georgia McKee and Maggie Morey have moved into their homes on Resident Row and will begin their two-year terms at Wilshire on Thursday, Aug. 1.

Georgia McKee

Georgia, originally from Frisco, graduated this spring from Wake Forest University School of Divinity in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She holds a B.A. in faith and social justice from Nashville’s Belmont University. For the last two years, Georgia has worked in communications for the Baptist Joint Committee. She and her wife, Sophia, were married in June and have two dogs, Dolly and Goose.

Maggie Morey

Maggie grew up in High Point, North Carolina, and comes to Wilshire from Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina. At Duke, she pursued certificates in Baptist studies and food, faith and environmental justice. Maggie earned a B.A. in English and religion from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. Maggie is married to Jonathan, and they have a cat named Maple.

Charlie Fuller, director of Pathways to Ministry, said, “We couldn’t be more pleased about the arrival of Georgia and Maggie! They soon will hit the ground running — teaching, preaching and working in their new roles as ministers. Thanks for your prayers for them and encouragement to them in the days to come.”

Georgia and Maggie’s start marks the relaunch of Wilshire’s residency program after an intentional pause for evaluation. The program began in 2002 and counts 40 alumni serving around the U.S. and beyond.

Pathways renovations

A new Pathways suite has been established on the north end of the second floor. The area includes the residents’ shared office space (“The Shire”), a conference room, a shared intern office and offices for Charlie and Pathways Assistant Debby Burton. In addition, the first two houses on Resident Row have undergone extensive renovations this summer.

Charlie said, “Special thanks to Geri McKenzie, Lori Gooden, Gina Ortegon and multiple committees for their leadership with the renovations — and a special thank you to the Compass Class painting crew for their work on the second floor.”

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Kelly Akins has been hired as Wilshire’s new minister to preschoolers and will begin in the part-time role on Aug. 1.

Kelly will be leaving her job as assistant director and curriculum specialist at Wilshire’s Early Childhood Learning Center, a position she has held since 2021. She previously served ECLC as a pre-K teacher. Before that, she worked 32 years as a public school kindergarten teacher, first in Garland ISD and later Richardson ISD.

Kelly holds a master’s degree in education from the University of North Texas and a bachelor’s degree in education with a music minor from Oklahoma Baptist University. She holds endorsements in kindergarten and gifted and talented education from Texas Wesleyan University and UNT, respectively.

A Wilshire member since 1990, Kelly is married to Allan Akins, and they are parents to two adult children, Brian and Emily. Kelly is a deacon and has served Wilshire in many volunteer roles related to music and education. Among other things, she has been a preschool Sunday School teacher, Cooking Camp chef, children’s choir leader and chair of the Weekday Education Committee.

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By Juliana Moore

We are in the middle of summer, aren’t we? The heat has arrived, and some of us are scattered hither and yon, as my grandmother would say. I find that these “lazy days of summer” are anything but lazy. My past month has been filled with travel and trauma and literally planes, trains and automobiles. Maybe yours has too. Or maybe it’s been the opposite and filled with static loneliness and boredom.

No matter what your past week, month or year looks like, today we gather to worship. We gather for a Sabbath day of holy rest. Some of us gather in this sacred space and some of us gather virtually. Some of us gather in spirit while we are away with friends and family. Regardless, we gather to worship and to hear the voice of Jesus.

What does Jesus want to tell you today? What do you need to hear from God right now?
Listen. From the chiming of the hour until the last organ chord. From each prayer to each hymn. In every spoken word. In the rustle of children to the high, quiet whistle of hearing devices. God is here. In this place. If you only look and listen, you will find them.

And isn’t that true of the holy in the world as well? If I only pay attention. If I open my eyes and ears to the tiny sacred moments that happen all around me. If I just stop and breathe, God is all around me, and I can rest in her presence.

May this service of worship be a moment to rest and breathe. May it be a life-giving stream so that, when you leave this place, your soul is refreshed and revived. May your faith and resolve in our Lord and Savior be strengthened and leave you rested and glad.

The post Preparing for Worship: July 21, 2024 appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Hometown: Walters, Oklahoma
Present City: Garland
Education: B.A., Oklahoma Baptist University; M.S.W., Washington University, St. Louis
Profession: Longtime social worker, working mostly in private practice and hospice work.

Tell us about your family.
My family consists of my two dear sons, Matthew and Russell, and me. John, my husband, died in Abilene in 2009.

How about your work or volunteer life?
Since moving to the Metroplex, I have been involved at Wilshire working to lead grief support groups through the Grief and Loss Center of North Texas. Early on I worked with children’s grief support groups alongside Laurie Taylor.

Any favorite hobbies?
I like to walk in my neighborhood, but that has gotten difficult since I began to experience balance problems. I read almost all the time! I am always reading at least one serious book and one fiction book. I’m working on Tim Alberta’s book, The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory as well as my most recent edition of Christian Ethics.

What are your favorite places to travel?
I love to travel to Europe, especially England and Scotland. I also love to travel every summer. Several of my friends and I drive to South Fork, Colorado, where we stay with Carolyn Strickland, who I call “the hostess with the most-est!” She has a new itinerary for us each day and it’s always new places or adventures we’ve not had before.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
I knew I wanted to join Wilshire by the time I had moved here from Abilene because John and I had visited Wilshire with Wesley Coffman, John’s colleague in the music school at Hardin-Simmons University. After coming to Wilshire, I immediately joined New Song Senior Adult Community Choir.

What has surprised you most about Wilshire?
Not much has surprised me, but I’m very proud of serving on the study group that recommended we become a welcoming and affirming church.

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
I think God is preparing me for continuing to be God’s representative with the folks I work with, both in the Grief and Loss Center and in New Song. I think I am to show how to live life with disabilities.

What’s something interesting most people would not know about you?
When I was young, I was a tomboy who played softball (with a hardball) and no glove. I then played on a church softball team in Abilene with a glove that I still have!

The post I Am Wilshire: Lillie Campbell appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Yusuph Emmanuel, founder and CEO of Twelve21 Global, provided this update about work supported by Wilshire in Tanzania.

This photo captures 230 parents and pastors of our students on Kome Island who were provided a five-day training on Community Transformation (CT). Ms. Paulina, one of the parents, said, “The training has instilled in me a sense of empowerment and determination to strive for a better life for my family. I am confident we can bring about positive change in our community.” Thanks to your support, our CT program continues to empower vulnerable families to identify and address their most pressing health and economic needs using their resources for sustainable development. Your support is instrumental in making this possible.

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By R.G. Huff

I have to admit that I did not choose to write this preparation for worship based on the Gospel reading from which Timothy is preaching today. While the Richard Strauss ballet Salome is based on it, the beheading of Jesus’ cousin is not one of those stories that necessarily calls us to worship.

However, Ariel’s anthem choice for today is more appropriate! The interpretation of Psalm 8 in the lyrics by Linda Lee Johnson definitely calls us to worship … calls us to praise.

I’ve conducted this anthem on innumerable occasions, and each time I’ve rehearsed it or taught it to a choir, the phrase that has caught my attention and affected me profoundly is “Little children praise you perfectly, and so would we.”

Small children are great artists because they express themselves so honestly and without boundaries. They dance with abandon until some adult tells them they need to be still. They splatter watercolors all over the place with some of it landing on the paper until someone tells them to stay on the sheet and make their drawings look like something we might recognize … a feat Jackson Pollock never learned!

When the young grandkids start ad-libbing at our piano — you might call it “banging” — I never stop them. I notice that in the haphazard arrangement of notes and clusters, patterns begin to appear. My music composition professors would not likely call them songs, but maybe they are … because “little children praise you perfectly.”

I think maybe this is why Jesus said that if we are truly going to find the kingdom, we need to come like children: wide-eyed, excited, hopeful, accepting, open-armed … simply.

Today, could we let down our adult-i-ness a bit and return to a childlike faith … and a childlike expression of our faith? Come on, let’s give it a try, shall we?

“Little children praise you perfectly, and so would we. Alleluia. Alleluia.”

The post Preparing for Worship: July 14, 2024 appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

By Timothy Peoples

It was 14 years ago this week when a church much like Wilshire allowed me to preach as their pastoral intern. I was a junior in college, afraid as all get-out and not fully ready to preach at the 8:30 and 11 o’clock worship services. The only thing I felt confident about was the slim-fit Banana Republic suit I was wearing; it was dyn-o-mite! So even if the sermon fell through, I at least looked good delivering it.

I got up to the podium and began “After a huge storm we pretty much played in the mud …” I don’t remember a lot of the middle, but I surely do remember the end: “Well, will you pray with me?” That is not to say that the middle did not matter, but those last words of prayer were what I felt the entire congregation did for me and with me leading up to the preaching, throughout the sermon, and I know still to this day. That first sermon was all about the making of community and the strength of community to carry on in togetherness.

We, like the congregation above, are an equipping congregation. We bring in interns and residents to allow them to discover their voice and calling among and with us. As they come, they learn from us how the church operates, and this allows them to hit the ground running, different from the day to day of universities and seminaries. But we also learn from them; it is a symbiotic relationship. We are enriched by their knowledge and passion. The church gets the opportunity to see the world through another generation’s eyes and better grasp how the world works differently than how we may individually envision.

I was recently speaking with a congregant, and they mentioned, “I believe the beauty of interns and residents is that together they keep the congregation young. There are so many churches struggling today because they are not welcoming new insight, ideas and perspectives. Through our Pathways program this naturally happens for Wilshire and helps us grow as a congregation.”

Today, one of our own preaches from the Wilshire pulpit. And I ask of you the same thing I asked of that church 14 years ago, and what I will ask of you every time any intern or resident steps onto the chancel: “Well, will you pray with and for them?” Not just for the moments they are sharing the gospel or their gifts, but for their whole life as they are courageous beings stepping out on a call of faith and saying “yes” to God. Pray that we can be a community to love, support and embolden them for the journey ahead.
Amen — may it be so.

The post Preparing for Worship: July 7, 2024 appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Hometown: PlanoPresent City: PlanoEducation: Plano High School; B.S., Baylor  University; Ph.D., chemistry, U.T.–AustinProfession: Research chemistTell us about your family.

I am an only child and never married.How about your work or volunteer life?

I’ve done industrial research in Texas, North Carolina and Massachusetts and am a life member of the Sierra Club. While in North Carolina, I often spent weekends in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A favorite trail, five miles each way, climbs 3,000 feet to the top of Mount Le Conte, where a rustic lodge offers meals and a room for the night.My first research employment was with Exxon. At that time, the Baytown refinery, as a new and separate venture, was making polypropylene (PP) and striving to produce the best quality product, as determined by structural regularity. Regular alignment is characteristic of a superior product and has a higher melting temperature. I devised an apparatus to separate the product into fractions, each having a different and distinct melting temperature. To complicate matters, we were producing a “copolymer,” a molecule combining segments of polypropylene with segments of polyethylene (PE). One of our competitors was marketing such a copolymer, and I was keen to examine it with my device. Huge surprise: one of the fractions was essentially pure polyethylene, as you’d get from a simple mixture of PE and PP. This was potentially embarrassing for Exxon. I was ordered to stop using my apparatus, and someone from Exxon in New Jersey announced there was nothing new about my device. Meanwhile, I had presented my work at a company meeting and gained wide approval. Just days before my departure (they dismembered the Baytown research department) they assigned a coworker to spend a day with me. His assignment was to learn how to use my apparatus!

Any favorite hobbies?

Physical fitness. I also read serious public affairs media bearing on the health of our democracy, convert the articles to Word docs and email them weekly to an interested group.What brought you to Wilshire and when?

I found Wilshire in 1991 after a move from Austin.Where are you engaged at Wilshire?

Compass Class.What’s something interesting most people would not know about you?

I hold a pilot’s license. At age 72 I was part of a U.S. Masters Swimming team and won second place! I quietly celebrated all the way home from San Antonio.The post I Am Wilshire: Larry Harrington appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

By Abbey Adcox

Each year on the Youth Choir mission tour, we are asked to experience the week through a specific lens. This year, Darren asked us to consider how we might learn, love and be courageous throughout the week. In our evening gatherings he read the following poem by Pádraig Ó Tuama:

Courage comes from the heart
and we are always welcomed by God,
the heart of all being.
We bear witness to our faith,
knowing that we are called
to live lives of courage,
love and reconciliation
in the ordinary and extraordinary
moments of each day.
We bear witness, too, to our failures
and our complicity in the fractures of our world.
May we be courageous today.
May we learn today.
May we love today.
Amen.

Over the course of our time together, we shared what courage, learning and love might look like for each of us. It’s all too easy to place lofty expectations upon ourselves for grand revelations and gestures, but I don’t believe that is Ó Tuama’s hope for us. It was no surprise to me that as we shared in our small groups, the youth were in tune with the poet’s intent. Learning came through understanding the mission and needs of the agencies we connected with in New Orleans. Love was evident through acts of service and compassion, both to our neighbors and to our friends. Courage was demonstrated by stepping out of our comfort zones, making new friends and honoring exactly who God made us to be.

As we worship, may the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the rest found in Christ and the steadfast love of the Lord equip us to learn, love and be courageous in both the ordinary and extraordinary moments of each day. Let us remember that true courage is not about grand gestures but about small, consistent acts of faith and kindness. May our hearts be open to the lessons that each day brings, and may we find strength in knowing that we are part of a loving and supportive community, bound together by our shared commitment to follow God’s call.

The post Preparing for Worship: June 30, 2024 appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Hometown: Wichita Falls
Present City: Wichita Falls
Education: Brite Divinity School, MDiv, with a concentration in pastoral and community care
Profession: VA Liaison for Visiting Angels of Wichita Falls

Tell us about your work or volunteer life.
I am an MDiv student concentrating in pastoral and community care. I like to lovingly refer to myself as a part time poet and theologian, and I love walking with people through the messy and nuanced pieces of life. I primarily work with people of faith who are walking through the process of deconstructing and pruning harmful theology and belief from their lives.

Any favorite hobbies?
Writing, reading and playing cozy video games!

What are your favorite places to travel?
Orcas Island, Washington. It’s one in a small cluster of islands off the upper left coast of Washington State. It’s beautiful and is the location of the first church I was ever a member of, Orcas Island Community Church.

What brought you to Wilshire?
I had only been to one other church that employed women in pastoral positions, and I was incredibly interested in being part of a church community that welcomed and championed people from all walks of life. Wilshire’s justice and community-oriented education is still fairly new to me and exactly how I’d like to engage any congregation or community I get to walk alongside in the future.

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
I’m still getting used to being a queer woman who has permission to follow my calling — and that comes with a lot of upending and pruning in my faith life. I’m very blessed to have a support system and friends who are committed to walking alongside me in this journey. It’s a good reminder that we, as people, are built for healing in community. I’m preaching for the very first time this summer and the Lord is really doing a big thing in my soul — reminding me that I am not built to be all things to all people, but that I can be committed to helping those around me see the image of the Divine that is in them.

What’s something interesting most  people would not know about you?
I would like to write a book either during seminary or after! About what, I’m not sure. Currently, I’m focusing on working to be published online as well as appearing on podcasts (and maybe creating one of my own)!

The post I Am Wilshire: Haley Hampton appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

By Ava McClung

As I enter adulthood, I find myself constantly unmaking and remaking my image of who I am and how I fit into the world. I’m living away from home for the first time. I’m meeting people with wildly different backgrounds from my own and opening my mind to possibilities I didn’t know existed. I’m trying identities on for size and discovering new ways to define myself. Although becoming more familiar with myself is a beautiful thing, I also find that it can be very disorienting. So many things have changed that sometimes I don’t recognize myself. Which parts are me? Is anything going to stay a part of me forever?

I think this is not unique to young adulthood. Life is one big journey of discovering who you are. We are all the most experienced we have ever been, but none of us has ever journeyed through this life before. It’s everyone’s first rodeo, if you will. People were made to exist in community, and it is important that we rely on each other, but humans are not perfect. We make mistakes, we fall short and, even at our best, we can only do so much.

But the great assurance our Scriptures give us is that we don’t have to rely on ourselves. Multiple elements of our worship this morning emphasize God’s reliability in our lives. God is a firm foundation, a refuge, a source of strength, a deliverer, a stronghold, a guide and a faithful companion. When the world is chaotic, God is steadfast. When we are weak, God is strong. No matter how confused I get, I am anchored by the knowledge that God is the unchanging element at the core of my life. It is God’s sustaining power that allows me to be who I am and participate in my community.

Generations of God’s people have relied on God as a source of strength, comfort, safety and guidance. When we turn to God as the solid, reliable core of our lives, we join with generations of our siblings in faith in doing so. God is the central point around which our community revolves and flourishes. And what a blessing it is to refocus our attention and reconnect with this cornerstone of our being through worship today.

The post Preparing for Worship: June 23, 2024 appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Hometown: Ypsilanti, Jackson and Lansing, Michigan
Present City: Dallas
Education: Waverly High School in Lansing
Profession: Window cleaning

Tell us about your family.
My kids are my pride and joy. My oldest, Samantha, is a doctor of physical therapy and lives in Virginia with her husband, Matt Stone, and two very cute grandkids, June and Emmitt. My son, Jeff, lives in Wichita, Kansas, with his wife, Paula, and two more beautiful grands, Logan and Adley. Jeff is an air traffic controller and a technical guru. Sarah teaches kindergarten at Spring Creek elementary in Richardson and was nominated as teacher of the year this year. My youngest, Jane, is the most like me: independent, stubborn and works hard in everything she does.

How about your work or volunteer life?
I do window cleaning. I really enjoy it because of the very interesting variety of clients I serve, and the physical work is kind of meditative. Helping with VBS last year was pure joy. I enjoyed working with Julie and the kids again this year. I also love volunteering in Friday Friends.

Any favorite hobbies?
I currently love to play disc golf and chess.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
The volunteers at Wilshire were the perfect ambassadors for my faith journey. Helping people who are caring for a loved one with dementia in Friday Friends is the main reason I joined Wilshire last October.

Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
I’ve found a wonderful group with Whosoever Wilshire.

What has surprised you most about Wilshire?
I’m truly amazed at the diversity and love I see and feel at this church.

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
I’ve dedicated a good portion of my life to reading and learning the Scriptures of the Bible. I still find joy reading and studying the Scriptures and related writings.

Tell us about your faith journey.
I started as a firstborn son of a Levite in October 1962. I was born into it but didn’t do much spiritually until my late teens. After learning about the Holy Spirit and believing Romans 10:9–10, I was born again and filled with the Holy Spirit.

What’s something interesting most people would not know about you?
People may have noticed me wearing a high-tech wearable defibrillator. I had a heart attack that fewer than 10% survive. I’m hoping to avoid surgery but may have to go that route. Either way, God obviously still has some things for me to do since I’m already a living miracle.

The post I Am Wilshire: David Giles appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Do you enjoy spending time with preschool-age children? Do you like to read stories, color, build with blocks and more? We could use your help in Worship Care for ages 2 through 4. You will be amazed with how these children are learning to share and interact with their friends, with how smart they are and how much they enjoy life and learning.

You will spend an hour and 15 minutes making friends with the youngest among us. We need two adults per class each Sunday during worship. You can sign up as a single or couple and select dates that fit your schedule.

If you’re interested in sharing your time and talents in this way, please contact Julie Girards, minister to children, at jgirards@wilshirebc.org. Per Wilshire policy, you will be asked to undergo a background check. Come experience the joy of children and share the love of Jesus with our preschoolers during Sunday Worship Care. Thank you.

The post Preschoolers need you appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

This past week I volunteered to work at Wilshire’s Vacation Bible School. No applause, please, because it was my first time. In fact, it’s safe to say I haven’t been near a VBS since I attended as a child. It’s not because I don’t believe in its value. I have great memories of VBS: learning songs and scriptures, making crafts and new friends. But, because I wasn’t a parent — I wasn’t a father — I sort of unplugged from what children do and what they need from their parents and teachers.

So, I surprised even myself when I volunteered for VBS, although I chose a low-contact role: to be on the playground when preschool classes came out to play. I jokingly called it “playground police,” but I was there in the background just to make sure the children were safe and nobody got hurt.

I hear some echo of that role in our reading from Psalm 20 today, where David is calling upon the Lord to be with, protect, help and support the people of Israel in their times of trouble. The big difference, of course, is the Lord is the Lord and we are not. We can’t cause the winds to blow, the seas to part and evil to be defeated. Still, Christ showed us in the Gospels how to be present for each other in times of trouble and distress.

On the playground I mostly stayed out of the way and watched the children be who they are: children. I’ve been there many times as a deacon serving in worship care, and there’s always going to be someone who will stumble and fall, skin their knee or get their feelings hurt. I know how to help in those situations, and often it is just to listen and console.

That may be our most important role in life as Christians: to be present with each other and be ready to help in whatever way we can when someone is hurting. As we worship today, consider the people who have helped you in times of need, and consider how you might do the same. And know that when you feel less than able to make a difference, God is always there with you.

The post Preparing for Worship appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Hometown: Born in Baytown, Texas, and moved to Madisonville, Texas, after 8th grade;
Present City: Plano;
Education: BA in economics, Texas A&M University;
Profession: Casualty insurance premium audit manager, retired;

Tell us about your family.
Mary and I have been married for 53 years. We have two married daughters and four wonderful grandchildren. All four grandchildren are above average, just like all the kids in Lake Wobegon.

How about your volunteer life?
I currently volunteer with Friday Friends.

Any favorite hobbies?
I have been flying model airplanes since elementary school. Currently my interest is in gas and electric radio-controlled model airplanes and electric FPV drones. FPV drones are flown using an onboard camera and transmitter which sends a live picture to a set of goggles worn by the pilot. I also grow carnivorous plants.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
We came to Wilshire in 2008. We were looking for a CBF church, and we found that and so much more. We loved the preaching, the music, singing from hymnals and the beautiful pipe organ. We joined the Compass Class, where we immediately experienced Wilshire’s welcoming spirit.

What has surprised you most about Wilshire?
At Wilshire it is OK to express your doubts and to ask and discuss hard questions.

Tell us about your faith journey.
I have been a Baptist all my life. I was born early on a Sunday morning. My grandfather had me put on the cradle roll at First Baptist Church, Baytown, Texas, by 9:45 that morning. I made my profession of faith at about age 12 at Wooster Baptist Church in Baytown. My mother and dad and my grandparents were all very active in the church. My dad was called to the ministry when I was in high school. I spent a lot of time in church during those years. My parents’ love of the church, by this I mean the people of the church, is something I will always remember and try to emulate. My faith journey has had ups and down over the years, but I am thankful we found Wilshire. We feel blessed to be here.

What’s something interesting most people would not know about you?
I have flown faster than the speed of sound. This happened when I flew a T-38 aircraft during USAF pilot training at Laredo AFB in 1967. I graduated in March 1967 in class 67F and went on to serve four years as a B-52 pilot. I flew 59 missions over Vietnam.

The post I Am Wilshire: Woody Woods appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Our offertory today is an arrangement of the hymn, “Be Still My Soul,” which was written by Katharina von Schlegel of Germany in the mid-1700s. At this time there was a movement occurring in the Lutheran church that focused on religious pietism and emphasized themes such as emotional expression, biblical faithfulness and personal experience, all of which show up in different ways in the text of the song.

This hymn evokes the verse “be still and know that I am God,” which comes near the end of Psalm 46. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” opens the familiar Psalm, which goes on to describe how God is above the shaking mountains, the roaring waters and the warring nations. How many of us would think to “be still” in the midst of such tumultuous environments?

Every time my assignment rolls around to write the Preparing for Worship column, I ask myself, what does it mean to prepare for worship? More often than I’d like to admit, I am hurried as I try to tie up loose ends from the Sunday School hour before finding my place in the Sanctuary. Perhaps you were running late this morning and your heart rate hasn’t quite settled yet. Perhaps you are holding concern and worry for a loved one struggling with health or other concerns. Perhaps you find yourself longing for some sense of the Divine in a season of spiritual drought. Perhaps you are thinking through a long to-do list for a busy week ahead. Whatever your situation, we all need some preparation to turn our hearts, minds and bodies to the act of worship.

What if we all started this morning by attempting to “be still and know?” I pray that we can be still against the things that would distract us from God in this next hour and instead lean into our collective knowing that it is God who is our refuge and strength.

The post Preparing for Worship appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Hometown: I lived in Mobile, Alabama, until 5th grade and moved to Huntsville, Alabama, as part of the growing space industry.
Present City: Arlington;
Education: Undergrad degree in family studies from Auburn University and Master of Arts from University of Houston–Clear Lake;
Profession: Retired marriage and family therapist;

Tell us about your family.
I’ve been married to my husband, Phill, for almost 51 years, and we have two married daughters, Lauren Schepp and Andrea Urquidez. Bruce Wayne (a.k.a. batman) Schepp is our one grandson, who lives about five miles from us and keeps us busy and amazed.

How about your work or volunteer life?
I retired two years ago after having a marriage and family therapy private practice in Dallas for almost 25 years. I am choosing to be very intentional about the way I spend my time now and find this a blessing and a gift.

Any favorite hobbies?
I have rediscovered a passion for reading and have fallen in love with audiobooks. You’ll often find me walking in my neighborhood with earbuds listening to a novel. I especially enjoy historical fiction and biographies about interesting people.

What are your favorite places to travel?
I enjoy traveling both in the U.S. and Europe. The Pacific Northwest is one of my favorite U.S. destinations as I am usually delighted to find a place that is cooler in the spring and summer than Dallas. I love traveling in Italy and look forward to exploring Scotland soon.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
I came to Wilshire along with Phill, who had always been on church staffs in the past. After Phill left local church ministry, we visited several denominations and soon realized that Wilshire was our family, our people.

What has surprised you most about Wilshire?
I have been so pleased with the progressive stance Wilshire continues to take in our community. I love that we are open to all.

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
Retirement is a new path for me, and God is teaching me so many wonderful lessons as I explore this part of my life journey. There is something new around every corner, and it is exciting.

What are your strengths, or what adjectives best describe you?
As an Enneagram 1, this is a difficult question to answer. I would say I have a keen interest in people and their stories. I listen deeply and find connection with compassion for life experiences.

The post I Am Wilshire: Gloria Martin appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

From Tuesday Missions to Study & Swim, Choir Tour and Camp, summer is a busy and meaningful time for Wilshire’s youth group. We asked a parent, a current student and some alumni to share their thoughts. Contact Associate Pastor Darren DeMent to get plugged in.

Summer events build faithBy Jason Woodbury

Paula and I have seen two of our kids go through the Wilshire Student Ministry and are blessed to have a third currently participating. A large part of WSM focuses on summer programming. We believe the participation of our kids in Youth Choir Tour, Youth Camp, missions projects, Study & Swim and just hanging out is such a formative part of their spiritual journey.

Not only do they strengthen bonds with other youth, but they also grow their discipleship in new and exciting ways. The stories they tell after trips or weekly events make it evident that they are having fun while learning, growing and maturing in their faith. We’re so thankful that Wilshire, and Darren especially, put so much effort and focus on summer programming.

We encourage any parent wondering about getting their kid involved to make it a priority. You won’t regret it!

■ Jason Woodbury and his wife, Paula, are parents to Kathryn, a rising sophomore at Lake Highlands High School. Jason and Paula’s other kids are Garrett, who attends Baylor University, and Sher Moo Ku, a student at Austin College.

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Camp is the heart of WSMBy Joshua Brown

It’s about that time of year where the youth mysteriously disappear for a week and return either very tan or very sunburned, and smiling in either case. It’s almost time for Youth Camp!

The thing about camp is that it is the embodiment of the heart of the youth group. It is all about finding God’s handiwork in the people you love and the world God created. There is nothing as incredible as walking out of a service to find a rainbow gracing the sunset, surrounded by your closest friends — or seeing the stars dance to the song y’all sing. Music is all around you at camp. From the songs you sing along to terribly as you walk from place to place to the songs you cry to even years later — those memories never go away. The memories of belly-flopping in the pool, making bracelets in the shade, reading heart-melting notes and building the volleyball dream team.

It’s the memories you’ll never forget. It’s the people you’ll know the rest of your life. It’s the loving support you’ll have through every beautiful and terrible moment. It all starts at camp, where even the outsider is welcomed with open arms.

■ Joshua Brown just graduated from DISD’s School for the Talented and Gifted and will head to the University of Houston after one more WSM summer.

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Youth group alums give backFrom Melinda Thompson:

WSM summer is one of the very best times of the year. While the whole year is full of great programming, summer is such a fun time because we get to see the youth come together without the stressors of school and busy schedules and make incredible memories together. Whether it is basketball in the pool, pickleball tournaments or making bracelets together, there are ways for each student to join in the fun and make stronger connections with the group.

Coming back as an adult to support the youth group over the summer is not only a whole lot of fun, but also a great opportunity for me to help give back to a space that helped shape me into the person I am today. I get to contribute to the creation of an inclusive, loving environment, which was so beneficial to me as a young adult. Youth summers were some of my favorites, and I hold so many great memories from all of the summer activities.

I’m so, so thankful for the time I got to spend as a member of the WSM and am grateful to have the opportunity to support that work for the students in WSM now!

■ Melinda Thompson, a 2017 graduate of Lake Highlands High School, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Oklahoma and now works in marketing in Dallas. This summer she will be an adult leader at Youth Camp for the second consecutive year.

From Joel Spreier:

I spent my summers at church growing up, and WSM shaped who I am as a person. I feel it’s my responsibility to show up for the current youth the same way the adults of the past youth group did for me. That’s why I’ll gladly fly from Colorado to spend a week with them at camp!

■ Joel Spreier (Lake Highlands High School, 2012; Texas A&M, 2017) will return this summer for his fourth time as a Youth Camp leader. He lives in the Denver area and works as a mechanical engineer.

The post Wilshire Student Ministry shines in summer appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

By Charlie Fuller

When I was growing up, we regularly celebrated what we called the “Lord’s Supper” every quarter. In one of the churches I served much later in life, we had the meal sometime around once a quarter, if the pastor remembered to schedule it. I’ve had the blessing and privilege of taking the meal in a multitude of forms in a multitude of states, countries and denominations. Blue collar churches. White collar churches. Country churches. Urban churches. Big steeple churches. Storefront churches. Intinction. Pass-the-plate. Served by a priest. Gluten-free and gluten-“full.”

During the Reformation, two of the most influential leaders were Martin Luther and Heinrich Zwingli. They led two seemingly parallel streams of Reformation thought, and both had large and influential followings. They decided to get together and compare notes. Maybe a merger would strengthen each of their movements.

They talked about theology and church. Who was God? How was the church to function? Baptism. Marriage. Community. Bible. They covered all the bases.

But there was only one thing about which they could not come to agreement. No matter how hard they tried. No matter how long they discussed. No matter how many different ways they tried to frame the issue.

They couldn’t agree about the meaning of Communion. Luther just couldn’t escape the idea that something happened in Communion that saves us. Zwingli said it was only a symbol. Just a symbol wasn’t enough for Luther.

We Baptists, of course, are the heirs of Zwingli (although there are other parts of Zwingli we rightfully avoid!). We say that Communion — or the Supper — is a physical symbol of something spiritual going on deep inside us.

What if they were in some inexpressible way both right? If so, then today let’s think and pray about both of those things. The meal is a symbol, and yet the meal in some way we can’t express brings salvation nearer to us. Maybe it’s the meal itself that expresses what we can’t in mere words. Thanks be to God!

The post Preparing For Worship: June 2 appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Hometown: Lubbock
Present town: Edgewood
Education: BA Texas Tech, Social Work; Southwestern Seminary, MSSW; and PhD, UTA
Profession: Social Worker, retired

Tell us about your family.
I live on “Dragonfly Farm” near Canton, with my wife, Vy, two standard poodles and two donkeys. Every morning after breakfast I read my Bible aloud to the poodles, then we walk to the road gate, feed carrots to the donkeys and welcome our neighbors’ 40 Barbados sheep through their gate to graze in our pastures. I feed the donkeys, muck out the barn, repair fences, trim trees and mow about 10 acres. Vy and I enjoy the peaceful country where we see birds and woodland animals, walk through groves of trees, listen to the bubbling creek, watch the turtles at the pond by day and listen to the frogs at the pond by night. We garden together. She imagines and plans. I make it happen. We have two children. Emily and her husband live near us. Adam was a cradle roll baby at Wilshire. He died in 1987 at age 9 in a skateboard accident, and at Wilshire there are several memorials. The RAs gave an oak tree to shade the children’s play area. Compass Class commissioned a carved bench that sits in front of McIver Chapel. In 1989 Adam’s Baskets ministry started and receives nonperishable food for Wilshire’s food pantry.

What about your volunteer life?
At Wilshire I volunteer in Friday Friends and coordinate weekly Spanish conversation classes. In 2023 and 2024, I worked with disaster relief teams in Puerto Rico and plan to return in 2025. I am a board member for Our Hanna’s House, a nonprofit aiding abused women.

What are your favorite places?
Vy and I love Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, where we lived 11 years at 8,300 feet in a remote mountain home.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
We joined Wilshire in 1973 for the sound preaching, uplifting music and the coed class now called Compass. We took our children to Sunday School, “big church” and on church-building missions in Colorado and South Dakota.

What about Wilshire are you thankful for?
I am thankful that we welcome and include everybody.

Tell us about your faith journey.
I grew up Baptist, was baptized at age 7, called to ministry as a teen and found my calling in social work during college.

What’s something interesting about you most people would not know?
I lose myself in the process of turning clay into pottery.

What adjectives describe you?
Tenacious, patient, helpful, loves talking to people.

The post I Am Wilshire: Michael Malcik appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

It’s Trinity Sunday, and for most of us the concept of the Trinity is confusing and even a daunting idea to comprehend. This one God broken into three aspects may not seem as monotheistic in the way our brain would like to comprehend. Eleventh-century theologian Maimonides held that God so far exceeds our capacity to have knowledge of the divine nature that we are severely limited in how we describe or comprehend God. What we think we understand about God cannot surely relate to or even define what is entirely true regarding Yhwh. Therefore, our dualistic mindset ceases to understand a God of three and how it is incorporated in our worship and livelihood.

To quote Richard Rohr, “The Trinity perfectly illustrates the dynamic and interactive principle of three and was made-to-order to demolish our dualistic thinking and to open us to the mystical level. The fourth-century Cappadocian Fathers tried to communicate this notion of life as mutual participation by calling the Trinitarian flow a ‘circular rotation’ (perichoresis) among the three. They were saying that whatever is going on in God is a flow that’s like a dance. And God is not just the dancer; God is the dance itself! Then the Incarnation becomes a movement outward and downward. Jesus comes forth from the Father and the Holy Spirit to take us back with him into this eternal embrace, from which we first came. The circle dance broadens; we are invited to join in and even have participatory knowledge of God through the Trinity. Trinity is the very nature of God, and this God is a centrifugal force, flowing outward and then centripetally drawing all things back into the dance.”

It is hard to fathom God as mysterious, but in some ways it is comforting to know God invites us into the mystery. As people who demand to know all and understand everything, we are invited into a dance which asks us to lay down our dualistic thinking and see the world through the circular rotation of God. Invited to dance, invited to act, invited to share a resemblance of God in the inward and outward motifs of our lives.

This Trinity Sunday, may you tell yourself it is OK to join in the unknown mystery of how God three-in-one is working in the world and choose to dance along with it.

The post Preparing for Worship appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Hometown: Complicated; from behind the Pine Curtain in deep East Texas to Wylie, Texas, by way of Louisiana. Also lived in McKinney, Texas, by way of England, Scotland, Germany, Greece, Japan, Brazil and elsewhere in the U.S. and around the world.
Present City: Dallas;
Education: C.E. Byrd High School, Shreveport, Louisiana; Baylor University; University of Houston; Leicester University; Glasgow University; Durham University; Mathematics, Physical Chemistry
Profession: Scientist

Tell us about your work.
Systems engineering and analysis: Developing physical and analytical techniques and ethical applications for computing in aerospace, medicine and environmental sustainability, based on chemistry, physics and mathematical and computer modeling.

How about your family?
Married to Cynthia Ann Gillean Tibbals, also a Wilshire member. Brother-in-law to Neal Jeffrey, former Wilshire youth minister.

Any favorite hobbies?
History, music, nature, walking, writing.

What are your favorite places to travel?
The Rocky Mountains, from New Mexico to Canada; new corners of Texas; England and Europe.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
The first time I visited was to bring my grandfather for the ordination of Neal Jeffrey. In the 1980s and ’90s I attended concerts and events such as a C.S. Lewis study series. I moved my Baptist membership from McKinney to Wilshire when I began work in Dallas for UT Southwestern in 1997.

Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
In Compass Class I’ve led Bible study, participated in community outreach and served on our Curriculum Committee. I served on Wilshire’s study on faith and science and authored a piece on climate change. I share worship, fellowship in times of joy and support in times of grief and loss. I join in prayer, study and deeds of loving kindness. I try to help my brethren in healing creation, making the Church the living embodiment of Christ in the world.

Tell us about your faith journey.
Coming from a very Baptist background of primitive faith, I was fortunate to be immersed in study of the Bible, contemplation, interpretation and disputation of religion, along with a rich music tradition and inspiration by lives of exemplary Christian teachers, pastors and missionaries (not least in my own family). With education came the need to resolve conflicts between science and much of conventional religious teaching. While pursuing a calling in science, I continually devoted energy to religious philosophy from diverse sources. I found it impossible to give up my faith in fundamental Christian truths or the truth of my rational experience. This is an unending journey, in which Wilshire is supportive.

What’s something interesting most people would not know about you?
My background is full of paradoxical contradictions. I am a Kentucky Colonel.

The post I Am Wilshire: Fred Tibbals appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

More than 200 T-shirts created by Wilshire members in honor of gun violence victims have been installed along Abrams Road adjacent to the North Parking Lot. The display, called Vidas Robadas (Stolen Lives), will be up through Sunday, June 9. Each shirt memorializes an individual lost to gun violence in Dallas County since 2018. Colored shirts represent homicide victims, and white shirts represent suicide deaths.

Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples said, “Participating in Stolen Lives is a way for our community of faith to demonstrate our commitment to helping create a safer world for our children and our community. We hope this exhibit takes the data and humanizes it. Each shirt is not just a data point, not just a shirt, but a life.”

The initiative was created in partnership with Texas Impact, an Austin-based interfaith advocacy group. Wilshire’s Christian Advocacy Committee coordinated our efforts.

On Saturday, May 18, a group of Wilshire members attended a rally at Dallas City Hall Plaza where our shirts were displayed along with those created by other local churches. Wilshire member Scott Spreier and Senior Pastor Emeritus George Mason spoke at the rally, which was timed to coincide with the National Rife Association’s annual convention being held nearby.

All are invited to wear orange to church on Sunday, June 9, in observance of National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange Weekend. Orange ribbons will be available.

On June 9, the Christian Advocacy Committee will host a letter writing campaign for common sense gun reform.

The post Wilshire’s Stolen Lives display memorializes gun violence victims appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

A few weeks ago I traveled to Skopje, Macedonia, with two other CBF clergy. The purpose was twofold: to visit and encourage CBF field personnel Jeff and Alicia Lee and their son, Ethan, and to learn more about what a new global partnership could look like. For Wilshire, Macedonia isn’t a new site — many of you visited the last CBF field personnel there, the Earls. However, the ministry has shifted over time and offers significant opportunity for us to come alongside to serve and learn.

On the trip we got a glimpse of the difficulties and joys of ministry in Macedonia. We visited the country’s only food bank and visited two homes that house, educate and offer a healing environment to adults with developmental disabilities.

The Lees are doing a tremendous and faithful job of building beloved community and engaging in transformational development. One of their newest partnerships is with the only LGBTQ youth center in the country.

In recent years Wilshire has granted the Lees funds for certain projects, and now the Missions Committee and I hope to deepen this relationship and support them more fully and faithfully, perhaps taking a team as early as this fall. If you are interested, please contact me! I look forward to sharing more as we continue to join others in God’s global and local witness.

The post Macedonia ministry explored in trip appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

By Juliana Moore.

Today is Pentecost Sunday, the day on which the worldwide Christian church remembers the gift of the Holy Spirit. To mark this occasion in the church year, our Sanctuary paraments and the choir stoles are red, symbolizing the tongues of flame described in the second chapter of Acts.

But my favorite aspect of Pentecost Sunday at Wilshire is the tintinnabulum because (a) it’s just a fun word to say, and (b) it’s got BELLS! The word derives from Latin, literally translated “to jingle.” Liturgically, tintinnabula have been employed as a means of illustrating the free-flowing work of the Holy Spirit. Wilshire’s tintinnabulum was created around 2006 by fabric artist Shirley Cunningham, who also designed the Sanctuary paraments.

So yes, today’s service is filled with the symbolism of the Holy Spirit. We start by seeing the red stoles and paraments and hearing the sounds of the marimba and tintinnabulum. Then we experience all the feelings as we witness the baptism of our beloved friend and staff member Chelsea, and we recognize, bless, and send out our graduates. Finally, we dedicate and welcome a new child of God. It is so much. It is a red-letter, spirit-filled day at Wilshire.

As I preview the order of worship, I find joy leaping off the pages. However, I must recognize that people sharing the pew with me may not be having the same reaction. You may be experiencing significant melancholy at the thought of graduation. You may struggle with baby dedications. Instead of beautiful jingling bells, your internal tintinnabulum may be barely audible, or it may sound like a tornado inside your head/heart/soul.

Nevertheless, whether it’s a calming sound of refuge or a siren song of distress, thank God, literally, for the Holy Spirit. The third person of the Trinity. The Spirit, who comes to help us in our weakness. Our comforter and intercessor. Whether the Spirit comes as tongues of fire or as a dove, as a mighty rushing wind or the gentle chiming of bells, thanks be to God.

Lord, thank you for the gift of your indwelling Spirit. Bless this service of worship that we may hear your Spirit, that we may feel your Spirit and that we may know its abiding presence in our lives.

The post Preparing for Worship appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Hometown: Mt. Calm, Texas;
Present City: Dallas;
Education: I didn’t initially go to college after high school but later earned about 45 college credits attending evening classes at Eastfield.
Profession: I retired from the Federal Government, where I was a tax computation specialist, and then worked for a couple of accounting firms in a specialty area involving taxes and interest.

Tell us about your family.
I am single with two adult children. My son lives in Rockwall with his wife, and they have an adult daughter and son. They also have a granddaughter, my great-granddaughter, who is 8. My daughter lives in Dallas and has a 14-year-old daughter.

How about your work or volunteer life?
I frequently help my daughter, who has always signed up to do far more than the average person could possibly do. Currently, I’m helping her with The Long Run, a fundraiser for J.L. Long Middle School, which she is chairing.

Any favorite hobbies?
I love to escape in a good book, and I’m in a couple of book clubs. I like walking and gardening. Also, for several years I’ve been studying Spanish both to try to learn it and as a way to keep my brain working — mixed results on both!

What are your favorite places to travel?
My daughter has a condo in Colorado, and I enjoy going there with her and my granddaughter once or twice a year. I really enjoyed trips I took with Wilshire to Ireland and Spain a few years back.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
I grew up in a Southern Baptist church, but became disillusioned and didn’t attend for a number of years. I visited Wilshire on a friend’s recommendation in 2013 and liked it right away.

Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
I participated in the recent mission trip to Puerto Rico, and I was very proud to be part of such a wonderful group. I’m in Whosoever Wilshire Sunday School Class, and I serve on the Lord’s Supper Ministry Team.

What has surprised you most about Wilshire?
Maybe not surprising, but I appreciate the intelligence and open-mindedness here and that everyone is welcome.

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
I’m trying not to be judgmental but to grow in the recognition that every person is created in God’s image and worthy of dignity and respect. Emphasis on trying.

Something interesting most people would not know about you?
I was working in downtown Dallas when President Kennedy was assassinated. We had just watched the motorcade pass by.

What adjectives best describe you?
Diligent, sincere, curious.

The post I Am Wilshire: Donna Gregory appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

By Dorrell Brown

Although I don’t do childish things anymore, my thoughts are sometimes childish, and my prayers can be, too. In my preparation for anything, prayer is usually done first, but like a child when it comes to some prayers, I’m at peace and might fall asleep, so this morning I’ll tell you a story instead.

There was an elderly lady who attended my childhood Baptist church. We all walked then, and no matter how early I left home, she was already in church singing the same lines over and over again to a children’s’ song I did not know then: “One door and only one, and yet its sides are two, inside and outside, on which side are you?” It made me wonder on which side I should be, and I would follow this lady if she went outside just to be on the same side of the door she was … but my mother noticed and wanted an explanation for my strange behavior. I had no choice but to believe my mother when she told me the lady was preparing, although I did not know for what. So l left it at that.

We sing today, Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth, and for that we are thankful. So let us all be engaged right now … it’s not difficult at all. Look around, name five things you can see and give thanks. Now four things you can hear, and also give thanks; three things you can feel — remember to be thankful for what you can feel — and two things you can smell — don’t forget to give thanks for that — and finally something you can taste, and again be thankful.

My earthly mother was correct after all. That elderly lady was preparing by praying through singing the repetitive lines mentioned above. And yes, I do know the rest of the song now. May our hearts be ready to receive and meditate on the word we will hear today, be appreciative and be thankful for our mothers or mother figures in our lives.

The post Preparing for Worship: May 12, 2024 appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Hometown: Bellmead (outside Waco)
Present City: Dallas
Education: Baylor University
Profession: Banking and Administration

Tell us about your family.
My ancestors moved from Arkansas to Texas just after the Civil War. I was born in Pursley Community outside Corsicana, Texas. I have a stepdaughter, Jeanne Poorman, of Wilmette, Illinois, and a stepson, Bill Hill Jr. of Austin. I have a niece, Carolyn Pearson, of Denver, and nephew, Louis Tobola, of Euless. My great niece, Adria Mauro, and my 5-year-old great-great niece, Nicole Mauro, live in Denver.

How about your work or volunteer life?
I worked in mortgage banking until 1992 and then went to work for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. I retired from the BGCT in 2002. I also worked at Wilshire for eight years.

Any favorite hobbies?
I enjoy genealogy research and have traced three of my family lines to the early 1800s in the U.S. I have assisted several friends at Wilshire and people from several states in their searches. I also am an avid reader. I have read over 500 books since 2020. I have a spreadsheet to keep track of the books I have read so I don’t reread one!

What are your favorite places to travel?
I love to travel in Italy and Greece. My two favorite cities I have visited are Florence, Italy, and Istanbul, Turkey. I have traveled to Europe and the UK several times and to the Holy Land with Wilshire and Temple Emanu-El.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
I have joined twice. The first time was in 1957 upon my first visit. I rejoined in 1973 when I returned to Dallas after living out of state in Oklahoma and California.

Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
Discovery Class, Prayer Team, Adventurers Committee, WOW Brown Bag Book Club and the Belong Team.

What has surprised you most about Wilshire?
I am not surprised but am pleased by our welcoming spirit and involvement in missions here in Dallas and around the world.

Tell us about your faith journey.
My mother’s family was Baptist, and my father was Church of Christ. My mother was the influencer in my decision to join the Baptist faith. I made my profession of faith at age 12 at a youth-led revival led by Bruce McIver, later to become Wilshire’s pastor, and Baylor basketball player Jack Robinson.

Something interesting most people would not know about you?
I attended LBJ’s presidential inauguration in 1965. I also was privileged to hear Martin Luther King Jr. preach at Riverside Church in New York City in August 1961.

The post I Am Wilshire: Ann Hill appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

A beautiful thread of love runs through our worship this morning. Our Young Musicians sing of spreading kindness, our Gospel reading reminds us to love one another and the choral offertory offers a prayer of restoration and peace to all. When we are gathered for worship, God’s message and commandment to love feels easy, but outside this space, in the messy, divisive world, loving the stranger, the enemy — loving all of humanity — can be quite complicated.

In her book “See No Stranger,” Sikh activist Valarie Kaur calls us to commit to “revolutionary love,” which she defines as the choice to labor for others, our opponents and ourselves. Despite our best efforts, we carry unconscious biases that cause us to be suspicious of the stranger and condemning of the enemy and prevent us from loving all of humanity. Othering is pervasive, and we become vulnerable to creating irreconcilable gaps between ourselves and those we see as the other.

Psychologist Susan Fiske has demonstrated with brain imaging that our brains process members of ‘out-groups,’ people who are different from us, as nonhuman, and the areas that activate in the brain are those activated when viewing something of disgust. Our propensity to “other” is a reflex of our neural biology.

Kaur’s response is to see others with curiosity and wonder, because once people stop wondering about others, once they no longer see others as part of themselves, they disable their instinct for empathy. In the Sikh tradition, one approaches others by acknowledging that they are a part of themselves they do not yet know. Wondering about a stranger’s favorite meal or the childhood nickname of your enemy creates familiarity and commonality, which makes love possible. It allows us to see past our differences and honor the image of God that is present in all. It is not easy, and often boundaries are important, but it is necessary. We are called to love one another as Christ loves us and to see the other as somebody, even as a part of ourselves. We are called to the work of justice and bringing the Good News into the world.

As we worship today and live in this brutal and beautiful (brutiful?) world, may we lead with curiosity and wonder as we encounter the stranger, and may we live into revolutionary love.

The post Preparing for Worship appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Hometown: Dallas;
Present City: Dallas;
Education: MS;
Profession: Teacher;

Tell us about your family.
I have two sons, Charles, 8, and William, 7. My mother lives with us. I am a widow.

How about your work or volunteer life?
I teach sixth grade at Merriman Park Elementary, and I’m a BETA Club sponsor there. This fall I’ll be teaching at the Winston School. I help in children’s ministry at Wilshire.

What are your favorite hobbies?
I love to travel, crochet, refinish furniture, read, swim, play board games, build Legos and do science experiments with my boys.

What are your favorite places to travel?
I have visited Mexico, Russia, England, Spain, Italy, Singapore, Thailand and Cambodia. There is not a place I haven’t liked. My favorite thing to do is go to a local market where I can try the native foods of an area.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
We moved back to Dallas in June 2023. I was looking for a church that had solid teaching and was also open to people in the LGBTQ+ community for when my brother-in-law visits me; I want him to feel welcomed. A dear friend recommended Wilshire, and when we came, we were welcomed with open arms.

What has surprised you most about Wilshire?
I was most pleasantly surprised by how much the church welcomes children to be involved in serving.

Tell us about your faith journey.
I was raised in a Christian family, but each part of my family went to a different church: Catholic, Methodist, Disciples of Christ and nondenominational. I learned at a young age to embrace difference in whatever form it comes. I made friends with good people and didn’t ask anything else. I became a believer at age 10 and was baptized shortly after that. I had some struggles with my faith along the way, but ultimately I came back to the church and my faith. I can’t say I’ve loved the challenges in my life, but God makes sure I can grow in the journey, and for that I am eternally grateful.

Something interesting most people would not know about you?
I went to Arts Magnet and studied theater and visual arts. On my honeymoon, I was walking the gardens of Highclere Castle and discovered some sheep. I started petting them and discovered Lord Carnarvon in his Land Rover. I was at a play where Martin Freeman played Richard III, and I was drenched in his “blood” as he “died” because of how close we were seated.

*If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire feature, contact Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)

The post I Am Wilshire: Jen Lovejoy appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Preschool & Children’s Choirs Year-End Program
Children’s and Preschool Choirs will present their year-end program, Growing in God’s Love, Sunday, May 5, at 5 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Young Musicians, Music Makers and Kindergarten, Pre-K and 3-Year-Olds Choirs will perform. Hymnals will be presented to first graders or others who completed their first year of Children’s Choir. This concert isn’t just for parents; all are invited to come and show their support.

Kids Music & Missions Fun Day
Any child (K–6) who has participated in choir or KidConnect this school year is invited for a Music & Missions Fun Day on Saturday, May 4. The group will meet at Wilshire at 9:30 a.m. and carpool with chaperones to Fair Park, returning at 2:30 p.m. Activities will include Texas Discovery Gardens, Butterfly House and Insectarium, Art in the Park, a picnic lunch and the Leonhardt Lagoon Nature Walk. Register by April 28 at wilshirebc.org/events/mmfunday.

Unified Budget Update: $135,125 short of expenses
YTD Budget: $1,321,305
YTD Income: $996,637
YTD Expenses: $1,131,762
Pathways Endowment YTD Gifts: $21,379
Pathways Endowment April Balance: $9,750,339

Sign up for May 8 Blood Drive
The Carter BloodCare bus will be at Wilshire for a blood drive on Wednesday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are recommended. Visit wilshirebc.org/events/blood-drive for the appointment link.

Up next for Stolen Lives: May 18 rally
On Saturday, May 18, Moms Demand Action is collaborating with Texas Impact and Giffords to host a rally for gun violence prevention and NRA accountability at Dallas City Hall Plaza from 9 a.m. to noon. The rally is scheduled in parallel with the National Rifle Association’s annual conference, which is being held in Dallas May 16–19. The Stolen Lives (Vidas Robadas) T-shirts we prepared will be on display at the rally along with T-shirts from other area churches. Attendees are asked to register in advance. Volunteers are needed at 7:30 a.m. to help hang T-shirts and at the end of the rally to take down the display. If you can help, contact Abbey Adcox.

Spring Valley Elementary support
Wilshire is supporting RISD’s Spring Valley Elementary during Field Day and Teacher Appreciation Week in May. Wilshire’s Shana Gaines is assistant principal at SVE, which will close due to consolidation after this school year.
■ Notes of gratitude may be written or dropped off at tables in James Gallery and near the office through Sunday, May 5. Our goal is to collect at least 130 notes.
■ On Field Day, Friday, May 10, we will provide classroom coverage from 11 a.m. to noon so staff can enjoy lunch together. Volunteers will provide supervision while students eat lunch and participate in an activity. Spanish speaking is a plus but is not required. Sign up.

Minister to preschoolers sought
Wilshire is actively seeking applicants for the position of minister to preschoolers, a part-time ministerial role. Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples said, “Last year we began a process of intentionally assessing our ministries from birth to age 18. With learnings from guest speakers, surveys and all-church listening sessions, we now feel we are in a better spot to begin searching for a minister to preschoolers. This doesn’t mean we’ve finished listening or dreaming, but it’s time to bring in someone with great expertise to help us continue planning for the future.” In accordance with Wilshire’s personnel policies, the Personnel Committee will work with Associate Pastor Darren DeMent in the hiring process. A job description and instructions for applying can be found at wilshirebc.org/employment. Applications will be accepted through June 1.

Graduate info needed by May 8
Wilshire will recognize its 2024 high school graduates during worship on May 19, and their photos will be printed in the worship folder along with those of church members who received a bachelor’s degree from June 2023 to May 2024. To be included, please submit your information by Wednesday, May 8, via a form at wilshirebc.org/graduates. Contact: Sarah Yodh

Youth Camp
“Find Your People” is the theme for this year’s Youth Camp for grades 7 to 12, to be held July 1–6 at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center in Little Rock. Pastoral residency alum Jared Jaggers will serve as camp pastor. Registration is open.

Join the summer fun!
Looking for a place of service at Wilshire? Do you enjoy working with kids? Are your kids grown, or do you not have kids? Are you retired? Do you have a flexible schedule or work from home? I’d love to have you join us for one or more of our children’s summer activities. Or on a more regular basis for Sunday School or Wednesday nights — or as a sub. It’s fun, easy, rewarding and we’ll train you! Let me know if you or someone you know is interested, and we’ll find the right spot. Our greatest need is for someone with special needs experience. Contact me at jgirards@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3104. —Julie Girards, Minister to Children

Realm Help Desk
Still not sure what Realm is all about? Need help downloading your giving statement? Wilshire staffers will be available at the times listed below to answer your Realm questions and offer hands-on training. If needed, they’ll even take your photo and help you upload it.
■ Sundays, April 14 and May 5, from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. in James Gallery.
■ Wednesdays, May 1 and May 8, from 11 to 11:30 a.m. in Community Hall.
Realm is a secure online platform connected to our member database. Wilshire members use it for giving and event registrations. It also serves as our church directory, so having your photo there is helpful to new members and staff members. You can access Realm through a web browser or the free Realm Connect mobile phone app.

WILSHIRE WEDNESDAYS

Lunch & Learn: For everyone. Every week.
Join us each Wednesday 11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. in Community Hall. All ages are welcome for a buffet lunch ($10 each) and minister-led Bible study. Pay at the door. No RSVP needed. Contact Barbara Clayton. June 5: The last Lunch & Learn before a summer break will feature New Song Community Choir’s end-of-season concert.

Wednesday Night Live: May 8
Final WNL before summer break!
■ Koinonia Café | 5–6 p.m. | Community Hall | Buffet-style dinner for the whole family. Pricing at wilshirebc.org/events/wnl. May 8: Jambalaya, succotash, cornbread, chicken and sausage gumbo, bread pudding, pecan pralines, jello. Kids: Corn dogs and fries.
■ Music, Missions & More | 6–7 p.m. | Age 3–Pre-K | Music, Missions & More will not meet on May 8. Childcare will be available, and preschoolers with older siblings are welcome at the KidConnect Open House.
■ KidConnect Open House | 6 p.m. | K–Grade 6 | Kids and their families are invited to an open house celebrating the end of the year. Each class will have a separate come-and-go event in its regular room.
■ Stump the Ministers | 6 p.m. | Community Hall | Bring your fun or serious questions and join us for a light time of Q&A with members of Wilshire’s ministerial staff.
■ Watershed | 6:30–7:30 p.m. | Grades 7–12 | Bible study and music in the Youth Center.
■ Sanctuary Choir | 7 p.m. | Choral Hall | No audition. New singers welcome.
■ Childcare for infants to 2-year-olds whose parents are involved in church activities is offered 6–7:15 p.m.

WOW: Women of Wilshire■ Tuesday Evening Book Club | May 14 | 6:30 p.m. | Parlor | Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org)
■ Brown Bag Book Club | June 6 | Noon | 1205-L | A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)
■ Let’s play mahjong! Join Women of Wilshire for mahjong the first Friday each month at 10 a.m. and the second Wednesday each month at 6 p.m. Please sign up.
■ Evening knitting group. Anyone who enjoys knitting is invited to Peggy Tinsley’s Garland home one evening each month, usually the third Thursday, to work on their projects in fellowship with others. The group is open to knitters of all skill levels. Contact Sara Tinsley for more details.

Marriage Connections is May 10
Timothy Peoples and Valerie Lott are hosting a gathering at their home for the final Marriage Connections of the school year on Friday, May 10. Free childcare (infant–grade 6) will be provided at the church from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration is required by May 5; visit wilshirebc.org/events/marriage-connections.

Single, Adoptive and Foster Care Parents Night Out, May 10
Wilshire will offer free childcare (infant–grade 6) for single, adoptive and foster parents on Friday, May 10, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration is required and closes May 5; visit wilshirebc.org/events/pno.

Wilshire in the Park: Churchwide Picnic
Sunday, May 19 | 5 to 7 p.m. | Flag Pole Hill Pavilion
8015 Doran Circle, Dallas 75201
All are invited to this family-friendly annual picnic with food, face painting and Flag Pole Hill’s unique inclusive playground. The pavilion and picnic tables are ours to use; bring your own lawn chairs. Wilshire will provide fried chicken, rolls and drinks. The rest of the meal is potluck with these assignments by last name: A–F, veggies; G–M, fruit; N–S, dessert; T–Z, salad. Please bring enough to serve at least eight. Containers and serving utensils must be disposable. Please include a card with allergen information (gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, soy) if appropriate. Volunteers are needed to welcome guests, manage the buffet table and clean up. SIGN UP.

Adventurers to Meadows Museum on May 16
The Adventurers will tour the Meadows Museum at SMU on Thursday, May 16, at 10 a.m. Parking is free, and the group will gather at the entrance at 9:50. After the docent-guided museum tour, the group will have lunch nearby. A $10 per-person cost covers museum entry. Register by May 13 at wilshirebc.org/events/meadows-museum.

Wilshire Winds concert, June 2
Wilshire Winds will present a concert of sacred, classical and popular music on Sunday, June 2, at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Shana Gaines directs the volunteer group of woodwind, brass and percussion players.

Children and Preschool Summer Camps
Find all the details on our summer offerings for children and preschoolers at wilshirebc.org/summer-camps.
■ Vacation Bible School | June 10–14 | 9 a.m.–noon | Three-year-olds through grade 6
■ Cooking Camp | July 8–12 | 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Grades 1–6 (Sold out; waitlist available)
■ Listen to Your Art Camp | July 8–12 | 12:30–5 p.m. | Grades 1–6
■ Full day Cooking/Art option available for grades 2–6, July 8–12 (Sold out; waitlist available)
■ Passport Kids Camp | July 27–30 | Overnight camp in Brownwood | Grades 3–6
■ Kindergarten and Preschool Camp | July 22–25 | 9 a.m.–noon

ECLC enrolling for fallWilshire’s Early Childhood Learning Center is enrolling for the 2024–2025 school year. ECLC is a licensed early care program offering a comprehensive approach to education for infants to Pre-K. Learn more at wilshirebc.org/eclc.

Subscribe to sermon podcast
Sermons from Timothy Peoples and other Wilshire preachers are available as a weekly audio podcast on all major podcast platforms. Search for “Wilshire Baptist Church” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or iHeartRadio.

Chronic illness support group
Wilshire’s support group for those experiencing a chronic or undiagnosed illness meets on Zoom the second and fourth Tuesdays every month at 7:30 p.m. To learn more, contact group leader Annette Miller.

The post Current News appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

As you prepare for worship today, take a moment to reflect on what brings you here. Why do we gather for worship? What are our hopes as we open our hearts and minds for this sacred time together?

Let’s explore the essence of worship. Corporate worship is a dedicated time where we collectively acknowledge the presence of the Divine in our lives. In our context, we structure our worship using sacred elements rooted in ancient traditions that have evolved over millennia. The book of Acts illustrates the early church’s commitment to fellowship, teaching, prayer, Communion and offering. This foundation encourages our gathering to listen for God’s voice, communicate with God, receive divine gifts and reciprocate by offering our gifts to God and one another.

At its essence, worship is a dynamic practice of nurturing and honoring relationship. It’s a dedicated time to foster, celebrate and deepen our bond with God and our community. It’s not a passive act of observation but of active engagement. Like any significant relationship, worship requires an open heart and mind, inviting us to be responsive to the Divine. Our weekly gathering should reflect the ongoing work of the Spirit in our lives, drawing us closer to God and each other.

You may notice subtle shifts in our service order in today’s worship. These adjustments reflect our ongoing pursuit to engage more intentionally with God’s voice through word, song and prayer. As you join in our worship, stay attuned to where you may encounter God’s presence in fresh and transformative ways.

Let our prayer resonate with the words of our hymn: “Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down. Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit into every troubled [heart]. Finish then [a] new creation; pure and spotless let us be. Let us see [your] great salvation perfectly restored in [us].”

The post Preparing for Worship appeared first on Wilshire Baptist Church.

Hometown: Dallas;
Present City: Dallas;
Education: UNT, Biology; UNT, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine; Michigan, MBA.
Profession: Physician (internist), health care executive;

Tell us about your family.
I’ve been married to Rhonda for 43 years. We raised four sons: Steven, married to Ashley with two children, Kennedy, 6, and Carter, 3; Daniel, married to Ami; Benjamin, married to Taylor; and Andrew.

How about your work or volunteer life?
I retired in 2023 and now consult for clients working to improve healthcare for Medicaid and the medically underserved. I volunteer on a federal advisory committee focused on Medicare and Medicaid reform. I’m a hospice volunteer for VNA Texas and a visiting professor in Healthcare Disparities and Strategic Management for UTD and Rutgers.

Favorite hobbies?
Gardening, hiking, scuba diving and reading.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
We moved from Waxahachie in 2013 after our last son left for college. We found Wilshire because of its mature leadership and application of Christian theology around social justice and egalitarianism.

Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
Epiphany Class and the Missions Committee.

What’s surprised you most about Wilshire?
Wilshire’s maturity and openness to being an early adopter for how Christian institutions can recognize and respond to the urgent need for diversity, inclusion and equity in leadership, membership and practice in society.

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
God is teaching me to slow down and recognize the power of developing new relationships with strangers — reducing the distance between myself and others with different backgrounds and lived experiences and better connecting with what God is up to in the world.

Tell us about your faith journey.
Raised as a Methodist, I was influenced by Young Life leaders and became a Christian in 1984. I struggled to express my faith as a husband, father and physician, but in the last decade I’ve experienced a renewal of faith, coming to a deeper understanding of God’s love for both me and the world.

Something interesting most people would not know about you?
In Waxahachie, I transitioned from private practice to making “house calls” for impoverished survivors of complex neurotrauma living without health insurance in Dallas. This gave me opportunities to participate on medical teams responding to the healthcare needs created by natural disasters and the long-term consequences of poverty and social injustice.

What adjectives best describe you?
Curious.

*If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire feature, contact Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)

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Wilshire has launched a new rental and utility assistance program that will help meet immediate needs in our community. The initiative will be funded by about $81,000 in Missions Plus funds drawn from surplus giving to Wilshire’s 2023 Unified Budget.

The program was born out of learnings from last year’s housing advocacy cohort and represents what that group felt we had to offer to Dallas County’s housing crisis. Some of the cohort’s learnings were:

For the first time in three years, money from the pandemic-related federal CARES Act is no longer available to many nonprofit agencies, leaving • large gap in the community for this service.
Dallas County residents are being evicted at higher rates now than before the pandemic, and 70% of evictees are single moms.
According to research, when families and individuals remain housed, all other social determinants of health stabilize and lead to greater security.

While the problem is big, expensive and complex, we also feel doing nothing isn’t an option. So while we may not be able to contribute to the need for more affordable housing, we do have this to offer: grace in the form of a gift given without expectation; a listening, empathetic ear; a heart to love; and the hope of restoring dignity and worth to those who often go unseen.

The program will serve any neighbor living in Dallas County by helping pay one overdue monthly rent payment or one month’s overdue utility payment per calendar year while expecting nothing in return from the neighbor. Since January, we have helped 14 individuals. Stop by the church office and check out our new cards to learn more. If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Abbey Adcox at aadcox@wilshirebc.org.

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It’s fascinating how the book of Romans, which is used to discriminate between groups of people, shares this Scripture with us today: “Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” That’s surely not the assumption many Christians make when taking Romans out of context. […]

Hometown: North Little Rock, Arkansas; Present City: Woodway, Texas; Education: First life (musician): Baylor, West Texas State, Arizona State. Second life (minister): Baylor, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. Profession: Executive coach and consultant; Professor Emeritus of Music, Ouachita Baptist University Tell us about your family. My wife, Cindy, and I met at Baylor in the […]

By Vy Malcik Four couples who started a new Sunday School class at Wilshire are celebrating with the more than 70 other people who are now members of what was the first class for men and women to meet together to study the Bible and the many ways it informs our lives. Compass Class was […]

Grandparents Day lunch: Sept. 10 after worship in Community Hall Our Grandparents Day luncheon is designed for: Wilshire families with older preschoolers through elementary-aged children (ages 3 to 12) and their grandparents, Wilshire members or not; Wilshire grandparents and their children and grandchildren, Wilshire members or not; families who need a local “grandfriend” and older […]

Wilshire Prayer Notes – September 2 – 8. Condolences to: Jeff Brummel on the death of his brother, Justin Brummel, September 7, in Creswell Oregon. Mary Lynne Bright and John Paul Bright on the death of her husband and his father, Preston Bright, September 6. Service is Saturday, September 16, 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. […]

By: Charlie Fuller. In my first life I was a music professor. I conducted choirs and taught private voice lessons. There’s something unique about teaching voice that you might not know if you’ve never taught voice, taken voice lessons or sung in a choir. That unique thing is that human beings don’t have direct control […]

Hometown: Amarillo; Present City: Dallas; Education: BA in Sociology, Oklahoma Baptist University; Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Brite Divinity School (TCU); Occupation: Minister Tell us about your family. I am married to Charles, and we have four children. Jennifer, her husband and four children are in Kigali, Rwanda, Africa. Elizabeth, her husband […]

Grandparents Day luncheon is next Sunday, Sept. 10 Wilshire will celebrate Grandparents Day with a celebratory luncheon after worship next Sunday, Sept. 10, in Community Hall. The event is designed for: • Wilshire families with older preschoolers through elementary-aged children (ages 3 to 12) and their grandparents, Wilshire members or not. • Wilshire grandparents and […]

Wilshire’s Faith in 3D initiative will celebrate its 10th anniversary in February 2024 with a production of The Christians, a dramatic play by Lucas Hnath. Director Nancy Poynter will hold auditions in late September. The Christians, which explores the aftermath of a controversial sermon delivered by a megachurch pastor, has been described as “a gripping […]

Preparing for Worship – Jeff Hampton. On this Father’s Day, who do you thank God for? It may very well be your father, but it also might be a mother, teacher, friend, neighbor, colleague, pastor or someone who was there just at the right time. My list gets pretty long when I think about it, and I’ve added two more…

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I Am Wilshire – Pam Stiles. Hometown: Garland; Present City: Dallas; Education: Bachelor of Arts, Hardin-Simmons University; Masters of Divinity, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Profession: Waiting on a Chaplain position Tell us about your family? I have one adult daughter who lives in the Toronto, Canada, area. I am divorced. My father is deceased, and my mother is in a…

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Youth Choir in San Francisco this week; home concert June 25 Wilshire’s Youth Choir is in San Francisco June 17 – 24 for its annual mission tour. The choir will sing at First Presbyterian Church in Berkeley, Shell Ridge Community Church in Walnut Creek and Laguna Honda Hospital. The traveling group of 48, which includes students, leaders and chaperones, will…

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Preparing for worship – Katie Murray. The calendar may say we have a few more weeks of spring, but all other signs are pointing to summer being well underway. School is out, VBS starts on Monday, and more days than not my children smell like a mix of sunscreen, bug spray and chlorine. I am a person who loves the…

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I Am Wilshire – Cindy Estee. Hometown: Spur, Texas; Present City: Dallas; Education: BA, Baylor University; JD, University of Texas School of Law Profession: Attorney (retired) Tell us about your family. Charlie and I met in law school and have been married 44 years. I lucked out and got to marry the best person I know. We have two grown…

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VBS week is here! June 12–16, 9 a.m. – noon Operation Restoration is the theme for this year’s Vacation Bible School, for preschoolers through sixth graders. Kids will learn to be menders of the universe as they explore daily themes of Feed, Heal, Forgive, Pray and Rest. VBS is free, but class sizes are limited. Preregistration for VBS is closed,…

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Preparing for Worship – Dorrell Brown.

Have you ever gone to church, glanced at the order of worship and noticed you knew none of the hymns? Sometimes you get lucky when the organ starts to play and you find out you actually know a song or — is it being played to a familiar tune of a hymn you already knew? Then there are times when you hit the jackpot and know them all, sometimes including one on your top 10 list.

Today as we get ready, my educated guess is that “Holy, Holy, Holy” is an all-time, well- known and popular hymn for most, so let us in this particular act of worship perform for the Holy Trinity with all our hearts and minds and voices.

Our Scripture reading today from 2 Corinthians tells us to live in peace with each other. Amen. So breathe in, breathe out and keep that rhythm going while the God of love and peace helps us keep still, read Scriptures, pray silently, pray aloud, break bread and eat together, listen and sing some more, and may we be actively reminded of our sisters and brothers near and far who don’t have the freedom to worship, who are not welcomed at any table, who are excluded, who do not have a voice and who are mourning because loved ones are killed by guns or in senseless wars.

My friends, when I quickly scanned today’s order of worship, I clenched my right fist and said … jackpot! You see, although it is a relatively new hymn, “Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ” is one of my favorites. One, for the Jamaican folk music rhythm and two, for the lyrics. Here are some quotes and some I’ve inserted because the rhythm made me do it: Christ sets the tone at the table. He calls us in, comforts us, feeds us, then sends us out not to sit comfortably in our homes but to comfort those who are comfortless. Let us reach out to our sisters and brothers with shouts of joy as the song suggests. He gives us love to tell, bread to share, music to sing and for the brave or me, music to dance.

This we do again and again, but before we start the process all over, let us remember to … EXHALE.

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I Am Wilshire – Jenny Wolff.

Hometown & Present City: Dallas;
Education: BS child development, University of Arkansas; BS nursing, UTMB; MS nursing administration, Texas Tech
Profession: Lead triage nurse at Pediatric Associates of Dallas

Tell us about your family.
My parents, Jim and Katie, live in Old Lake Highlands. I’m an only child but have a few fur siblings. My fur children are Ruby, Charlie and Goldie, all rescues from Dallas Pets Alive.

How about your work or volunteer life?
Professionally, I’m a nurse. My passion is animal welfare, and in my spare time I’m the medical director for Dallas Pets Alive, overseeing care for animals in their foster program — about 150 at any given time.

Favorite hobbies?
I enjoy pottery and have taken classes for four years.

Favorite place to travel?
My favorite trips thus far have been an Alaskan cruise and a trip with friends to Italy.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
I visited with the Pumphreys when I was in elementary school. I started coming regularly in 5th grade and left only briefly while in college.

Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
I co-direct Ithaka Class, chair Committee on Committees, serve as a deacon and chaperone Youth Choir trips. I go on mission trips whenever I can.

What has surprised you about Wilshire?
Seeing young adults in leadership. When I was a youth I don’t remember seeing many young faces in the deacon body or in leadership roles. I’m thankful we have a seat at the table.

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
As an Enneagram 2, I’m usually volunteering for something. I think God is telling me it’s OK to slow down and enjoy the still moments.

Tell us about your faith journey.
I didn’t realize how wonderful Wilshire truly is until I lived elsewhere for college. Once I returned, I wanted to make sure it was a place young adults felt welcome to come home to. Ithaka started with three people and we’ve grown to about 28, only about a third of whom grew up here. I’m proud of the hard work it took to build our group. Being part of a community that loves and supports each other is a beautiful living example of Christ’s love.

Something interesting most people would not know about you?
I’ve fostered 27 dogs, most of them seniors or with complex medical needs, with Dallas Pets Alive since April 2020. Fun fact: the Meripolskis adopted my very first foster! You can follow my pack’s rescue journey: @wolffpack20 on social media.

What adjectives describe you?
Passionate, loyal, creative.

*If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire feature, contact Carolyn Murray(cmurray@wilshirebc.org)

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Mason book signing June 4
Senior Pastor Emeritus George Mason will sign copies of his new book, a collection of sermons from his 33-year Wilshire ministry, on Sunday, June 4, from 9 to 11 a.m. and from noon to 2 p.m. in James Gallery. One free copy of the book, titled “The Word Made Fresh: Preaching God’s Love for Every Body,” will be available at the event for each Wilshire member household. Members who can’t attend the event can pick up their copy in the church office after June 4. The book project was announced as a surprise for George on his final Sunday as senior pastor last August. The finished product has been developed with George’s input by a team including Wilshire member Gail Brookshire and pastoral residency alums Ann Bell Worley, Jake Hall and Julie Merritt Lee. “The Word Made Fresh” will be officially released on June 27 by Read the Spirit Books, an imprint of Front Edge Publishing. Additional copies can be preordered through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and independent booksellers everywhere.

Wear orange on June 4
Wilshire members are encouraged to wear orange on Sunday, June 4, in observance of National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange Weekend. Orange ribbons will be available at all Sanctuary entrances, the North Atrium, South Lobby, north building entrance and near the main office. Reflection boards are set up near the office and in the North Atrium, and all are encouraged to share on a sticky note why gun violence awareness is important to them. Wear Orange began on June 2, 2015, in honor of what would have been Hadiya Pendleton’s 18th birthday. Hadiya was shot and killed on a Chicago playground in January 2013. Wear Orange is now an annual observation encompassing National Gun Violence Awareness Day, the first Friday in June, and Wear Orange Weekend, the accompanying weekend. Learn more at wearorange.org.

Wilshire Winds concert June 4
Pops & Popsicles, a Wilshire Winds concert in the Sanctuary followed by a popsicle reception in James Gallery, will be held Sunday, June 4, at 6:30 p.m. Familiar tunes on the program include George Gershwin’s “Strike Up the Band,” a brass ensemble version of “Londonderry Air” (a.k.a. “Danny Boy”), “Saint Louis Blues March” and a fanfare based on “All Creatures of Our God and King.” A section of the concert themed The British Invasion will include a Phantom of the Opera medley, two marches by Kenneth Alford (the British March King) and Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing.” To end the concert, Jeff Brummel will join the Winds to play the Finale from the Saint-Saëns “Organ” Symphony No. 3.

Music search focus groups
The Minister of Music Search Committee is holding focus group sessions to gather congregational input. All are welcome. An online survey will also be utilized, and each music group will have a dedicated time to visit with search committee members.
Sunday, June 4
9:45 – 10:45 a.m. | Community Hall | Breakfast treats provided
Sunday, June 11
After Worship | Community Hall | Lunch provided

Applicants sought for minister roles
Minister of music
The Minister of Music Search Committee will accept applications through June 25 for the minister of music role. Applicants can visit wilshirebc.org/music-search to view the job description and apply using an online form.
■ You can recommend someone for the role by filling out a form at wilshirebc.org/music-rec. The form will be available through Sunday, June 11. Submissions will only be visible to the search committee.
Minister to senior adults
Wilshire is actively seeking applicants to fill the minister to senior adults role. The job description and instructions for applying can be found at wilshirebc.org/employment. Applications will be accepted through June 25.

Vacation Bible School
June 12–16, 9 a.m.–Noon
Operation Restoration is the theme for this year’s Vacation Bible School, for preschoolers through sixth graders. Kids will learn to be menders of the universe as they explore daily themes of Feed, Heal, Forgive, Pray and Rest. VBS is free, but class sizes are limited. Register by June 5 at wilshirebc.org/summer-camps.
VBS Volunteers needed
We need leaders and helpers for missions, crafts, recreation, snacks, worship, audiovisual work and grade-level groups. It’s fun and easy, with a great curriculum to guide us. If you can help, even if not every day, contact Minister to Children Julie Girards at jgirards@wilshirebc.org or Minister to Preschoolers Joan Hammons at jhammons@wilshirebc.org.

Donate items for VBS missions
Children at Wilshire’s Vacation Bible School next week will experience the joy of serving others as they make a difference outside the walls of the church. But your donations are needed. Drop off items for both drives in a bin outside the main office through Monday, June 12. Students may bring donations to their VBS classrooms on Monday, June 12.
■ Sixth graders will visit a different nonprofit each day to learn about the agency’s mission and assist with a project. In advance of their visit to HHM Health (formerly Healing Hands Ministries), the sixth graders ask for donations of new school supplies, including:
Two-Pocket Organizer Folders
Pencil Cases

2 Pencils

Crayons
Highlighters
12-Inch Rulers
Easy Twist-Up Glue Stick (Washable)
Pink Erasers
■ Kids in kindergarten through grade 5 will assemble care packages for families being served by the Parkland NICU.
Requested items are:
Lip balm
Snacks
Magazines
Puzzle books
Water bottles
Sleep masks/ear plugs
Adult coloring books
Colored pencils

New around here?
■ The Wilshire Welcome class helps guests and new members learn what the church is all about. Wilshire Welcome will meet this summer on June 18 and Aug. 20 at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room (1100-B) near McIver Chapel.
■ Time with Tim is an informal chance for guests and new members to meet and visit with Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples. The next session will be held Sunday, July 16, at 9:45 a.m. in Timothy’s office (Room 2203, second floor).
■ Questions about the above events? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.

New Song at June 7 Lunch & Learn
New Song Community Choir will sing at Lunch & Learn on June 7 at 11:30 a.m. in Community Hall. Directed by Sarah Stafford, New Song provides a supportive environment for senior adults to share their love of music, build relationships and serve the community. Lunch & Learn, held the first Wednesday of the month, includes a meal ($10 each), fellowship and a program. No RSVP needed. Lunch & Learn will take a break in July and August. Contact: Barbara Clayton (bclayton@wilshirebc.org)

Camcorder donation sought
Got a camcorder you no longer use because your phone takes great video? Wilshire’s Video Ministry Team is seeking a used camcorder to replace one that recently bit the dust. Any model with an HDMI output will do. Contact David Hammons at davidhvideo@gmail.com.

Let’s play Pickleball!
Join Wilshire friends from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 10, to play the fast-growing sport of Pickleball. Equipment and two courts will be provided at Northridge Presbyterian Church (6920 Bob O Link Dr.). All skill levels are welcome; experienced players will be on hand for simple lessons and tips. Questions? Contact Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org) or Colman Vigil (co.vigil@yahoo.com).

Adventurers outing to McKinney
On Tuesday, June 20, the Wilshire Adventurers will visit historic downtown McKinney to view the Silos Mural Project and enjoy lunch, shopping and strolling around the town square. The group will meet at Wilshire at 9 a.m., depart by bus at 9:30 and return at 2:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per person. Lunch is on your own. Reservations are required by June 18; visit wilshirebc.org/registration or contact Barbara Clayton (214-452-3125 or bclayton@wilshirebc.org).

Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW Tuesday Evening Book Club will have dinner on June 13 at Jason’s Deli (Park Lane and 75), then will meet July 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor to discuss Leila Meacham’s Dragonfly. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org)
■ The WOW Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On July 6, the group will discuss Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)

Youth Camp 2023: “All Around You”
July 3 – 8 / Ferncliff Camp
It’s not hard to see all that is wrong with the world today. It seems like everywhere we look we are faced with examples of greed, hatred, intolerance, violence and brokenness. It’s enough to get us pretty depressed if we aren’t careful. However, Christian hope calls us to not only see the world as it currently is, but to see how it can be. Our faith allows us to not only see all that is wrong, but to see all that is still good and right. The truth is: beauty, acceptance, grace, generosity and wholeness are also very present in our world today, and we have a part to play in bringing those things to bear. It might mean we have to look at the world through fresh eyes. It might mean we need to rethink some things we thought we knew. It might take some creativity. It will likely take some courage. It will definitely take all of us working together. Join us at camp as we explore how we might increase our awareness of how God is at work in the world and the ways we can join in.
■ Camp pastors are pastoral resident alum Leigh Curl-Dove and her husband, Keith. Registration is open to Wilshire members and guests alike. Visit wilshirebc.org/registration.

Summer camps for children and preschoolers
Visit wilshirebc.org/summer-camps for full details and registration.
Vacation Bible School
June 12 – 16, 9 a.m. – noon,
Older preschool – Grade 6
Full Day: Cooking Camp & Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Grades 2 – 6
Cooking Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Listen to Your Art! Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 1 – 5:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Passport Kids! Preteen Camp
July 22 – 25, Grades 3 – 6
Preschool Friends Camp
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon
New for completed kindergartners: Creation Station
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon

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Preparing for Worship – Timothy Peoples, senior pastor. It is said that during the march in Selma, the people chanted “We shall overcome” as they walked the rough streets. The Jews in the group chanted the same, but in Hebrew. As I read that part of the story, it made me think, “Maybe it is time for us to hear,…

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I Am Wilshire – Kim Mason. Hometown: Miami; Present City: Dallas; Education: BS, Loyola University New Orleans; Profession: Dental hygienist Tell us about your family. George and I have three grown children — all with wonderful spouses — and six (almost seven) grandkids. How about your work or volunteer life? I’m retired from cleaning teeth. I volunteer at the Holocaust…

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I Am Wilshire – Chelsea Hopkins. Name: Chelsea Hopkins; Education: Bachelor of Music Education, Texas Tech University; Profession: Band Director Present city: Mesquite Tell us about your family. My parents and younger brother live a few minutes away from me in Mesquite. I’m godparent to my best friend’s 4-year-old son, James, and I try to spend time with them and…

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Minister of Music Search Committee sets focus groups. Before the busy summer season begins, the Minister of Music Search Committee needs your assistance. Your thoughts and ideas are very important to us as we search for the right person to serve as our next minister of music. Through a series of focus group sessions, we hope to hear from you…

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I Am Wilshire: Karen Keen. Hometown: Santa Cruz, California; Present City: Rowlett; Education: M.S. education (counseling); M.A. exegetical theology; Th.M. biblical studies; Ph.D. dropout (ABD; Old Testament emphasis); Profession: Biblical scholar and spiritual care provider at The Redwood Center for Spiritual Care and Education Tell us about your work or volunteer life. Since I was a kid, I always wanted…

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Preparing for Worship – John Kelly.

For the past few weeks, a group has been meeting in the chapel during Sunday School to take a closer look at the practice of prayer. Not unlike worship, at times, prayer appears hopelessly abstract. Even more so, in the face of real struggles, unfair dynamics and painful experiences, prayer seems impractical and nebulous — even as unhelpful self-medication.

I mean, we know that prayer’s a thing. It exists and is probably something Christians should do. But backed into a corner and asked to explain or unpack it, most of us would probably struggle to offer anything more than stuttered uhhhs and uhmms. And considering all the odd ways prayer’s been characterized — as presenting a divine honey-do list or bidding on the contract for God’s latest, greatest intervening work — uhhh would be a more than fair response. But as our group has discovered, prayer might more appropriately be understood simply as the living of one’s life intentionally in God’s direction.

Or if we wanted to sound fancy and add a few syllables: prayer is the practice by which we cultivate an awareness of God’s loving presence at work in, around and through our lives. This awareness gently snowballs and comes to transform the way we think, feel and relate to others. If you find it helpful to process things verbally in cultivation of such an awareness, that’s totally fine! The way we pray is unique to each of us.

But we’d do well to remember that prayer involves much more than crafted dialogue. Ultimately, prayer flourishes in calm awareness. Silent, honest contemplation of God’s character and action allows the full breadth of our lives — all we say, do or think — to become a sort of prayer. As Thomas Merton suggested, “Nothing that anyone says [in prayer] will be that important. The great thing is prayer itself. If you want a life of prayer, the way to get to it is by praying. Talking is not the principal thing. In prayer we discover what we already have. You start where you are and you deepen what you already have, and you realize that you are already there.” While we often think of prayer as our best shot at changing God’s mind, I wonder if we might start to see it instead as the means by which God beckons us to unentitled gratitude and wholeness.

From this perspective, prayer and worship don’t seem too dissimilar. As much as prayer allows us to engage and be transformed by God’s presence, so too does worship allow us to appreciate such divine presence as good and faithful and on humanity’s side — as storied by Scripture, proclaimed through song and increasingly embodied in our day-to-day lives.

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I Am Wilshire: Mike Korson.

Hometown: West Salem, Wisconsin;
Education: Bachelor of Electrical Engineering;
Profession: Retired Engineering Manager
Present city: Plano

Tell us about your family.
My wife, Teri, and I met and married in Dallas in the Catholic Church. We both grew up in Wisconsin and have been married almost 36 years. We have three grown children. Tressa teaches in a private Montessori school in Boston, Mike teaches and plays saxophone in the Dallas area, and Tori is a physical therapist in Mystic, Connecticut, and is married to Luke Wingfield.

How about your work or volunteer life?
After working as an engineering manager at Texas Instruments for 38 years, I retired and immersed myself in multiple organizations, including the Samaritan Inn, City House Plano, Bedstart.org, CASA of Collin County, e-NABLE and Prison Entrepreneurship Program. I’m the Dallas-area leader for LasagnaLove.org.

What are your favorite hobbies?
Cooking, music, woodworking, 3D printing, restoring tube radios, hiking and fishing.

What are your favorite places to travel?
Anywhere there are mountains, bodies of water, hiking trails and fish to catch. Maui, Germany, Austria, Italy and Nice, France, are favorites.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
We came in 2017. We had been seeking a much more inclusive community for a few years and tested some other churches before landing at Wilshire.

Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
I sing in Sanctuary Choir, attend and teach in Epiphany class, served on the Missions and Building and Grounds Committees and performed in a play for Faith in 3D.

What has surprised you most about Wilshire?
The efforts done to get everyone engaged and contributing in decisions. The humble and courageous leadership that embraces the spirit of challenge, growth and love of all humanity.

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
Right now, I feel called to a servant lifestyle and making a difference in individual lives in the community wherever I can. I especially want to connect with the less fortunate and homeless.

Tell us about your faith journey.
I was raised Catholic and participated in music ministry groups from age 13. Music has always anchored me and drawn me closer to church. Teri and I met in a Catholic singles group, and having connections to a church community has always been important for us. Learning and recognizing our deep connection to all human beings and other faith traditions is important to me.

What’s something interesting most people wouldn’t know about you?
I used to sing and compete in a barbershop quartet and chorus.

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New role on staff for Geri McKenzie.

Geri McKenzie, a Wilshire staff member since 2005, has begun a new role as Wilshire’s Executive Director of Administration. She will be transitioning away from her position as associate director of Pathways to Ministry.

Geri will have supervisory responsibilities in finance, operations and IT — areas overseen by Doug Haney since 2020. Geri will also oversee hospitality, the library and serve as staff liaison to Wilshire’s Early Childhood Learning Center. She will continue serving as human resources specialist, work she began in 2022.

Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples said, “Geri not only has the skill set and background, but she has a deep love for Wilshire. This move will not only allow our associate pastors to focus more on their areas, but will also allow more dedicated attention to the business and administration side of the church.”

Timothy continued, “The Personnel Committee and I have been in deep thought about the best ways of organizing and structuring the Wilshire team, especially in the midst of much transition.” Personnel Committee chair Pat Cullum added, “Geri will bring continuity and professionalism to this vital role.”

Geri will continue to supervise Pastoral Resident John Kelly until he completes his time at Wilshire, and she will manage interns this summer. In March Wilshire announced that new residents will not be called in 2023 as the Pathways program undergoes a process of evaluation. This process will include determination of future staffing needs.

Pathways Director George Mason says, “What a fitting thing to celebrate Geri’s promotion to this new role! In our Pathways work, which she so ably managed with our residents and interns, we took joy in every step up and forward they took. And now Geri herself is being recognized for her gifts and faithfulness with new and greater responsibilities. Pathways is indebted to her careful stewardship, and we know she will be cheering us on as we take our next steps in this journey of training the next generation of pastors. On a personal note, I have been blessed to have had Geri as a close partner in this work for so long. I am forever grateful to her and for her.”

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George Mason sermon book due in June.

The book project announced on George Mason’s final Sunday as Wilshire’s senior pastor now has an official title, cover design and release date. Pastoral residency alum Ann Bell Worley provided this update on behalf of the team that has been working to bring the book to fruition:

“There have been several exciting developments in the months since we announced George’s surprise retirement gift, a book of his sermons curated from 33 years of ministry at Wilshire. As was our intention, George joined the process, and we began working with Front Edge Publishing to help shape the book into ﬁnal form.

“While it began as a celebration of George’s time at Wilshire, what has emerged in this collection of sermons is a significant contribution to Christian theology and preaching and a compelling model for the church in the world today. We are thrilled to give you a sneak peek of the cover. The new title of the book, The Word Made Fresh: Preaching God’s Love for Every Body, better captures its signiﬁcance for Wilshire and beyond. As promised, there is a book on reserve for every Wilshire member household.”

The book’s official release date is June 27, but George will be holding book signing events at Wilshire earlier in June. “Wilshire, you have played an important role in the formation of this work,” Ann says. “Thank you for being who you are and for sharing the Wilshire way with the world.”

Others on the book project team are Wilshire member Gail Brookshire and residency alums Jake Hall and Julie Merritt Lee.

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Preschool and Children’s Choirs program May 7
Hymns of a Child is the theme for the Preschool and Children’s Choirs year-end program on Sunday, May 7, at 5 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Each choir will sing songs they have prepared, and there will be congregational singing of a few of the hymns the children have sung throughout the year. The program will be rounded out with hymnal presentations and volunteer recognition.

Hannah Service:
For those who grieve around Mother’s Day
As much as we celebrate the gift of mothers in our lives, Mother’s Day can bring feelings of grief to those who have experienced infertility, miscarriage, death of an infant or child, adoption loss, abortion, family estrangement or the death of a mother. With this in mind, Wilshire will offer a Hannah Service on Wednesday, May 10, at 6:30 p.m. in McIver Chapel. For those who grieve and the loved ones who support them, the service will give space to lament and speak honestly about our grief and offer hope and comfort to one another. Our guest preacher will be Rev. Erin Robinson Hall. For information about childcare, contact Joan Hammons at jhammons@wilshirebc.org.

Wilshire in the Park: Churchwide Picnic
Sunday, May 21, 5–7 p.m.
Flag Pole Hill Pavilion (8015 Doran Circle)
All are invited to this family-friendly annual event with music, face painting and a unique inclusive playground. The pavilion and picnic tables are ours to use, and you can bring lawn chairs to sit by the playground. Wilshire will provide fried chicken, rolls and drinks. The rest of the meal is potluck with these assignments by last name: A–F, dessert; G–M, salads; N–S, veggies; T–Z, fruit. Please bring enough to serve at least eight. Containers and serving utensils must be disposable. Please include a card with allergen information (gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, soy) if appropriate. Volunteers are needed. Sign up via a link at wilshirebc.org/registration.

A note from the Minister of Music Search Committee
Your Minister of Music Search Committee has started regular meetings and is dedicated to finding the right person to serve as Wilshire’s next Minister of Music. We are grateful for our rich heritage and look forward to the bright future God has for our church. Many of you have shared your thoughts and ideas with us informally, and we are working on ways we can formally gather your input. Please watch the Tapestry for more information in the coming weeks. We ask for your continued prayers as we seek God’s guidance during this time. — Kevin Cabaniss, Lynette DeBose, David Duncan, Anne Foster, LeAnn Hampton, Mary Morgan, Timothy Peoples, Kristi Reavis, James Michael Sobolik-Williams, Laura Summers, Melinda Thompson

Charlie Fuller starts May 8 as interim music minister
Monday, May 8, will be the first day in the office for Interim Minister of Music Charlie Fuller, and his first Sunday to lead in worship will be May 14. Charlie is an experienced choral conductor, church musician, university administrator and pastor who most recently served as transition pastor at Waco’s Lake Shore Baptist Church. He and his wife, Cindy, live in Waco, but Charlie will spend part of each week in Dallas.

Wilshire Welcome meets May 14
The monthly Wilshire Welcome class helps guests and new members learn what the church is all about. The next meeting will be held Sunday, May 14, at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room (1100-B) near McIver Chapel. For more information, contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.

Wednesday Night Live on break
Remember that Wednesday Night Live activities ended last week and will take a break for the summer. On Wednesday, May 10, we will offer the Hannah Service at 6:30 p.m., but there will be no dinner. Wilshire Student Ministry’s Watershed continues through May 17, and Sanctuary Choir rehearsals will continue until a break later in the summer.

Sign up for advocacy updates
Did you know there are just a few weeks left of the Texas legislative session? Many bills will begin to make it to the floor, and it’s important for all of us to remain alert. If you’re wondering how you can stay alert to certain priorities (public education, LGBTQ+ equality, gun sense reform, local preemption and more), scan the QR code and fill out a quick online form. This will allow the Christian Advocacy Committee to know who to mobilize when needed.

Computer classes start soon
Wilshire’s free Computer Education Program will begin its spring term with registration events on Tuesday, May 9, in Room 3103. Choose 10 a.m. to noon or 6 to 8 p.m., whichever is more convenient for you. Classes begin the following Tuesday, May 16, and will run for six weeks. Topics include Windows, iPad, iPhone, Android devices and how to avoid scams and viruses. To learn more, contact Max Post at mpost77@yahoo.com.

Graduate info sought by May 10
Ministry Assistant Carol Cabaniss is gathering information on Wilshire’s high school seniors and Wilshire members who have received or will receive a bachelor’s degree from June 2022 through May 2023. Wilshire will recognize high school seniors on Sunday, May 21, during the 11 a.m. service. The deadline for inclusion in graduate recognition is Wednesday, May 10. Contact Carol at ccabaniss@wilshirebc.org.

Make or break deadline for Adventurers trip is May 15
From Nov. 6 to 11, the Wilshire Adventurers will spend five nights and six days touring in Charleston, South Carolina. Led by Rob and Pam Banta, the group will experience antebellum homes, local cuisine, culture and architecture, a nighttime harbor cruise with dinner, Fort Sumter, Old City Market and more, all accompanied by private guides. See full details at wilshirebc.org/registration or in a brochure available in the church office. Registration is first come, first served. If the required minimum of 35 registrants is not met by May 15, the trip will be canceled. Later registrations will be accepted, up to 50, if the trip makes.

Adventurers lunch on May 16 to feature DixieSwing Band
The Wilshire Adventurers will enjoy lunch and a performance from the DixieSwing Band on Tuesday, May 16, at 11:30 a.m. in Community Hall. The eight-member band plays New Orleans jazz with influences including spirituals, early blues, hymns and World War II-era swing. Lunch costs $10 per person. No reservation necessary. Adventurers events are open to anyone 60 and above. Contact: Barbara Clayton (214-452-3125 or bclayton@wilshirebc.org).

Ushers and greeters needed
With the return of the offering to our worship, the Hospitality Ministry Team is seeking new ushers and greeters to serve on a rotational basis. Contact Barbara Clayton at bclayton@wilshirebc.org for more information.

Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW Tuesday Evening Book Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor. On May 9, the group will discuss Nina Totenberg’s Dinners with Ruth. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org)
■ The WOW Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On June 1, the group will discuss Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)

May 12 Marriage Connections
The final Marriage Connections this spring will be held Friday, May 12, at 6:30 p.m. in James Gallery. The group will play the “Not So Newlywed Game” and enjoy a catered meal together in James Gallery instead of eating out. Free childcare (infant – grade 6) will be provided. Registration is required for childcare and closes Sunday, May 7; visit wilshirebc.org/registration. Contact: Abbey Adcox (aadcox@wilshirebc.org)

Single, Adoptive and Foster Care Parents Night Out, May 12
Wilshire will offer free childcare (infant – grade 6) for single, adoptive and foster parents on Friday, May 12, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration is required and closes Sunday, May 7; visit wilshirebc.org/registration.

Summer events for children and preschoolers
Registration is open at wilshirebc.org/summer-camps.
Vacation Bible School
June 12 – 16, 9 a.m. – noon,
Older preschool – Grade 6
Full Day: Cooking Camp & Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Grades 2 – 6
Cooking Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Listen to Your Art! Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 1 – 5:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Passport Kids! Preteen Camp
July 22 – 25, Grades 3 – 6
Preschool Friends Camp
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon
New for completed kindergartners: Creation Station
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon

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Preparing for Worship – Doug Haney, associate pastor.

There was a period of several years at Wilshire when the heading at the top of every worship order read: “The Worship of God.” That’s what we say we are doing when we gather in the Wilshire Sanctuary. But what does it mean to state that God is the object of our worship?

God is our audience. For worship geeks like me, somewhere in our study we came across a worship analogy offered by the Danish philosopher Kierkegaard. Kierkegaard wrote that worship is like going to a play at a theater where the people in the pew are the actors, the worship leaders are prompters whispering lines from the wings of the stage, and God is the audience. Consider how radical this picture is to our worship-as-a-commodity culture. We may think those on the chancel are the center of action and the worshipers are an audience. But let us resist an entertainment mindset and choose the countercultural position: the object of worship is God.
God deserves our best. When I was a child, my family attended the First Baptist Church of Alpharetta, Georgia. In the 1960s the Sunday School lesson materials for children often included poster-sized pictures of Bible stories. One picture etched in my memory illustrates the moment when the people of Israel wandering in the wilderness hear God’s call to build a tabernacle, a portable worship center. As the story is told in the Bible, all the families are asked to bring their very best to contribute to the making of the tabernacle: gold and silver and jewels. I can still see the girls and boys and adults in the colorful picture bringing their most treasured items and placing them on an exquisite Persian rug. (Isn’t it interesting how such a lesson was absorbed by a child? It just underscores that teaching children matters.) For me, the message is still compelling: whatever we do in worship, God deserves our very best.

My prayer for Wilshire is that we continue to make the worship of God a priority. We will always have conversations about what this means for our time. God is in the details, no doubt. Soli Deo gloria.

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Harmonious MinistryA polyphonic history of Doug Haney’s 19 years at Wilshire.Associate Pastor and longtime Minister of Music Doug Haney retires April 30 after nearly two decades at Wilshire. Tapestry spoke with Doug and solicited thoughts from some current and former Wilshire members for this story told through quotes.

PreviousNextCall and ResponseDoug Haney: Mary Ann Hill was the search committee chair, and of all the search committees I’ve dealt with, Wilshire did it best. Communication. Clarity. I remember it being a very positive process. Even though George Mason and I had worked together before, I only heard from him one time during the process … he trusted the committee to do the work.

Mary Ann Hill: As our search committee completed our study of a large number of very qualified candidates, we unanimously felt Doug was the person God intended for Wilshire. The work he had done at his previous church was superlative and seemed to fit Wilshire perfectly. Doug is an extremely fine musician who knows how to do it with both spiritual tenderness and dramatic flair. Most important, he is a sensitive, caring and nurturing minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Doug: During the call weekend they did a town hall meeting with the choir. Don Simons asked, “Why do you want to move to Wilshire?” I didn’t even have to think about the answer. I told Don, and I still believe it, the thing that’s so attractive about Wilshire is: Wilshire has this clear identity. And that identity infuses what you do and who you are, and especially how you choose to do worship. There’s no ambiguity. There’s no chasing after this or that. You’ve made this commitment to traditional worship. That, I think, is very attractive for a person who wants to come and make a contribution and do good work. I have not spent a day worrying that the worship style was going to change or there was going to be a radical philosophical shift. To be able to do the best work you can do in a good place is such a gift.

Memorable MomentsDoug: One thing we did in the early years was a little-performed work by the American composer Randall Thompson called “The Nativity According to St. Luke.” It’s not really meant to be staged, but Mary Ann helped me stage it. And that was a really fine moment. It was quintessential Wilshire — a tip of the hat to the classical, but bringing it up to date a little bit by staging it, and telling the Christmas story one more time in a fresh way that was accessible to everyone. There was that wonderful concert that Cynthia Clawson came and did with our adult choir. That was fun because Cynthia and George Gagliardi and I built that concert at the church she and [husband] Regan Courtney were serving in Austin. We went down, sat around a piano and mapped out that whole concert. That was a cool thing for George because he had known Cynthia so long, and because Cynthia had been here at Wilshire.

George Mason: We have been blessed to share life and worship with a consummate musician and minister. Doug has led us to explore every dimension of our life with God through music. Every hymn and anthem, whether gospel or spiritual or classical, has deepened our prayers and raised our praises.

Doug: The commissioned anthem (“The Spring of the Water of Life”) for George Mason’s 30th anniversary was a high-water mark. Getting to work with composer Howard Goodall and keeping it as a surprise — that whole creative process of working with a composer and then revealing it to the choir. And they worked so hard to get it right. Not an easy piece of music! That whole project, even though it only resulted in a seven-minute anthem, was such a privilege and a lot of fun.

Creative CollaborationDoug: We’ve got our own wonderful composers like Mike Capps and George Gagliardi, and we’ve done things by them. We did a David Featherstone anthem just this winter. One thing I’ve been privileged to do is to try to find ways to collaborate with others, with people in the pew who have considerable gifts. I don’t think music ministry should be all about the professionals. Part of our calling is to figure out how we can work with and beside people, and how we can give them an opportunity to use their best gifts for the benefit of the whole. That process is the kind of thing that has made me continue to have enthusiasm and energy for the work.

Mike Capps: We all know Doug is a highly skilled, collaborative and creative musician as well as a true minister. I have personally benefited from both of these qualities, so thoroughly intertwined are the ways he encourages us to be better musicians while encouraging and offering an ear or timely conversation whenever he saw the need. Whenever he and I worked on a project, he always gifted me with his thorough understanding of the score and thoughtful and pragmatic advice. I will miss our collaborations and his encouragement, but more directly, I will simply miss Doug.

Mark Wingfield: Our family’s gratitude for Doug exists not only because of a longstanding relationship as staff colleagues but because he has invested in our children — a testimony many others could give as well. Doug was one of the influencers who encouraged our boys in their musical gifts, just as he encouraged so many others to explore their God-given talents in the arts, in education, in ministry, in lay leadership. The true measure of an outstanding minister is not found only in the things required for the job but in relationships nourished and lives enriched for service.

Sanctuary ChoirDoug: I’ll definitely miss rehearsals and worship with Sanctuary Choir. The choir and I have developed a relationship of trust. I said to them recently, I just want to thank you for trusting me over the years, because sometimes I brought you things that you didn’t just read through the first time and the notes flew off the page. But you’ve said, “we’ve done this before, let’s see where this goes.”

Bill Jernberg: As a member of Sanctuary Choir during Doug’s entire Wilshire ministry, I have experienced joy week by week as he inspires us to prepare for worship by honoring our commitment to excellence in musicianship with a sincere dedication to spiritual preparation. I have been blessed by his friendship and his dedication to Wilshire and its members in all matters of ministry.

Doug: They know I’m not going to cause them to embarrass themselves musically. We’re going to learn this, we’re going to let this kind of grow organically. I’ll miss that process of collaboration, watching the music blossom over time, that moment when the musicians go, “Oh,” like they know where it’s going.

Monica Mullins: Doug holds in one hand tremendous skill and discipline as a musician and conductor while in the other extending such grace, compassion and empathy as a minister. The balance of his heart and mind result in the worship and music that defines Wilshire worship for me. What the congregation doesn’t get to experience is the intimacy of our rehearsals with Doug. Every moment of rehearsal is well used and infused with community due to Doug’s leadership. I have learned more about music, worship, faith, and ministry from Doug than I ever imagined possible. And all along, we laugh, cry and make beautiful music together.

Doug: I’m so proud of the way our church and choir have come back from COVID. This Easter, for example, was absolutely a glorious sight and sound. We didn’t get there overnight, but I see the church thriving. I guess that’s part of what makes it a little easier to step away. I think it’s going to flourish going forward. I’m so happy Timothy is here.

Youth ChoirDoug: Wilshire’s Youth Choir was a good group when I got here, but we got bigger and better pretty quickly. We went on a lot of great choir tours: Boston, New Orleans, Chicago. The Dominican Republic was an adventure. It was no luxury trip. The kids worked hard.

Molly Shepard: When I think about Doug, I will always picture his knowing smile: the one he pulls out when he is trying to engage you. To bring you along for the musical, theological or metaphorical ride. Or simply to see if you got his “dad joke.” There is not a single rehearsal, concert or worship experience I have spent with Doug that did not heal my soul or lift my spirit. From age 13 to 30, I am incredibly grateful for the impact he has had on my life and on this congregation.

Doug: It’s wonderful to think that former Youth Choir singers would still want to sing with me in Sanctuary Choir. They were such good singers when they were students, and as young adults they really bring something to the table. The fact that they would want to come back and sing in the adult choir of their childhood is really a beautiful thing.

Drama, Dialogue, Dessert & DougDoug: Mary Ann Hill and I were on a Vision 2020 team, and we had this assignment to create a space for theological dialogue. And I don’t know whose idea it was … maybe it was just one of those moments where sparks fly: “What about something with drama? What could we add to it? Could we add a dialogue component? If we’re going to do that we might as well add dessert.” And I sort of lured Nancy Poynter out of retirement, having really no idea what a treasure she was. When she came on board, I realized, oh my, this person has this wealth of expertise, knows the literature and is so incredibly intelligent that she’s able to connect the dots to significant questions of life and faith. And it’s been such a privilege.

Nancy Poynter: Since the inception of Faith in 3D, Doug Haney has been the driving force behind this unique project to utilize theatre to spark conversations about topics that should matter to the faith community. In addition to being our staff liaison, he has lent his influence, wisdom, and creativity to the success of each project. Usually he worked behind the scenes, but he was musical director for “Working” and a cast member of “The Living.” On stage or in the wings, Doug has provided inspiration and guidance for this truly unique endeavor.

Doug: I don’t know of any other church who does exactly what we’ve done. Who says nothing of any value ever came out of a strategic planning process?

Pathways to WorshipDoug: I’ve tried to encourage our pastoral residents to think about how, whatever your theology of worship is, you’ll have to put it into practice. It’s great to have a theory of ideas, but what do you actually do? What choices do you make every Sunday? I hope we’ve been able to create some frameworks for equipping residents, putting some tools in their toolbox. It’s just part of the bread and butter of being a pastor: you have to be a worship leader.

Scott Dickison (pastoral resident 2010–2012): “All worship is local,” Doug would often tell us as residents, borrowing from the famous Tip O’Neill line. He intended this to ground us in the immediate culture and concerns of congregational life. But there is another element to this wisdom I didn’t appreciate fully at the time but have witnessed in Doug, which is that worship — and ministry, and church, and life — is finally about relationships. We find all we need to worship in each other and the space we create together. Generations of the church will remember Doug for the way he crafted and led beautiful worship. But we all know that beauty has come from the life we have been able to share with him.

A Living TraditionDoug: I think of traditional worship in the sense of a living tradition instead of “traditionalism.” We’re always aware of our history, but we’re also always adding to that history. So it’s a living tradition in the sense that it is hopefully generative and creative. I love the structure of traditional worship. But I think there’s a tremendous amount of freedom for those who will explore that freedom fully. So you could occasionally have jazz musicians, you can have roots music. Those wonderful traditions can sort of flow into this greater stream of worship and choral music.

Darren DeMent: Doug and I occupy different lanes musically, but he has worked to make room for both. In fact, he was the driving force behind our Wilshire Roots album even though he doesn’t appear on it. He recognizes when someone can bring something different to the table and gives them a platform.

Doug: One of the fundamental strengths of traditional church music is that it’s not just left to the experts, but it engages a wide swath of people, and everyone has the potential to do that in every age group. That’s what our music ministry looks like, and has at Wilshire for a long time. We have musical experiences for everyone from preschool to senior adults, for instrumentalists, for singers. The art of people singing together — unless you do it in high school, or maybe a community chorus, church is a great place to do that, to have that experience. And it allows more people to participate.

LeAnn Hampton: Doug’s ministry through music has encouraged people of all ages and musical abilities to use their talents to lead in worship. Because of his leadership, we have expressed our love and faith in God through incredibly beautiful music.

Carlita Huff: R.G. and I drive from Waxahachie on Sundays and Wednesdays. It can be quite a drive, but every time we attend worship or rehearsal, we get in the car and say, “It is so worth it!” What a wonderful musical and spiritual time we have had under Doug’s exceptional leadership.

Colleagues in MinistryDoug: We have an incredible music staff team, and I’m so grateful. If they were not so capable and competent, there’s no way I could have juggled music and worship and the other things I was asked to do as associate pastor. It’s been a privilege working with them all.

Ralph Manuel: It has been an honor to work with Doug as part of the music team at Wilshire. Doug’s leadership style is collaborative rather than authoritarian; we are treated as valued colleagues. He is an inspiring example of faithful dependability as he uses his talent in God’s service.

Jeff Brummel: I’ve always appreciated that Doug had an open door. I could share any concern I had, and he was gracious in listening and helping me find a way through any problem.

Doug: Working so long with George Mason and Mark Wingfield was such a privilege. When you share a philosophy or theology and you have common purpose, it clears away a lot of other stuff. I had the unusual experience of having worked with George before, so I knew what I was getting into. George and I worked, when it was said and done, for 20 years in two places together, which is a pretty cool thing.

Mark Wingfield: It will be hard to imagine worship at Wilshire without Doug’s steady influence. For two decades, we have known without question that music and worship would be done with excellence and sensitivity. What we take for granted, many other churches long to have. I testify from personal experience that Doug’s influence extends far beyond what most people see on Sunday mornings or even at Wednesday rehearsals. Doug is a consummate minister who also is an excellent musician.

Final NotesDoug: I find myself at the end of this chapter just so profoundly grateful for these people in this place. We’ve heard the quip that great churches make great pastors. Well, I would add that great churches make great ministers of music. I am a better minister of music than when I walked in the door 18 years ago, and I’m better because of this place, because of these people, because they’ve drawn out the very best. I made a few mistakes, maybe a lot, along the way, but there’s always such a sense of encouragement and support. The people were not hypercritical or reactive. And the longer I stayed, the better we got. I feel like we did our best work at the end here together. That’s such a rare thing these days in churches, in church music. I hear so many stories of unhappy endings. And I’m just so grateful to this place and these people.

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I Am Wilshire – Pat Spikes.

Hometown: Eudora, Arkansas;
Education: BS, Louisiana Tech University; MA, University of Houston – Clear Lake;
Profession: Physics and chemistry teacher for 33 years
Present city: Garland

Tell us about your family.
I’m married to Duane Spikes, a retired Texas prison chaplain. We have two sons: Dr. Christopher Spikes, who lives in Dallas and has one child, Margot, 13; and Patrick, who lives in Arvada, Colorado, and has a son, Sean, 11.

How about your work or volunteer life?
After working in several Texas school districts, I retired in 1996 from Mesquite ISD and again in 2011 from Dallas ISD. I volunteer for the Trails Neighborhood and have worked with refugees from Afghanistan. I work with the Mesquite Garden Club helping children learn about gardening.

What are your favorite hobbies?
My backyard flower garden is my happy place. I’m hoping to learn how to make my plants thrive through the Mesquite Garden Club.

What are your favorite places to travel?
I love Europe, especially Rome and Norway. I have cruised the Mediterranean in both directions and have visited all the countries that border it, as well as Greece, Ephesus and Africa.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
While looking for a new church in 2013, I drove by Wilshire one day and decided to visit the next Sunday. I liked the saying I saw on a poster that read, “Jesus died to take away our sins, not our mind,” and I joined.

Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
I was a member of Compass Class and now attend Discovery Class. I’ve served on the Hospitality Ministry Team, helped with One Starry Night, and I sing in New Song Community Choir.

What has surprised you about Wilshire?
The education level of the members and the traditional worship service, even though it has progressive viewpoints.

Tell us about your faith journey.
I accepted Christ at an early age. My family went to church each Sunday, and I was active in youth activities. At college I was active in a local church. My faith has steadily grown from a childlike understanding to a more meaningful and personal faith as a senior adult.

What’s something interesting most people wouldn’t know about you?
I was a cheerleader and majorette in high school. I have traveled to all 50 states. As a science teacher, I fell in love with physics, my teaching field for many years. It is the science that explains the why and how of everything.

What adjectives describe you?
Conscientious, dependable and caring.

If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire article, contact Carolyn Murray(cmurray@wilshirebc.org)

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Doug Haney to be honored April 30
Make plans to be in worship on Sunday, April 30, as we celebrate Associate Pastor Doug Haney on his last day at Wilshire. In January, Doug announced his plans to retire from full-time ministry. He and his wife, Lori, will soon be moving to the Charlotte, North Carolina, area. In retirement, Doug will focus on his work as executive director of Polyphony Music Resources, a nonprofit ministry network for church musicians. Wilshire’s morning worship on April 30 will include a time of recognition and gifts for Doug, who came to Wilshire as minister of music in 2004. An informal reception will be held after worship in James Gallery. [Read our April 30 Tapestry feature on Doug]

Concert benefits Grief and Loss Center
Join us in the Sanctuary Sunday, April 30, at 6:30 p.m. for a concert featuring Sanctuary Choir and guest artist Ken Medema. The concert will be a benefit for the Grief and Loss Center of North Texas, a Wilshire-housed nonprofit organization providing free grief support and education for four-year-olds through senior adults. Music will include excerpts from Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem and Howard Goodall’s requiem, Eternal Light. Admission is free, and an offering will be received. The concert will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel but will not be available to view after the event. Childcare for infants through pre-K is available. To sign up, email Joan Hammons at jhammons@wilshirebc.org

Wednesday Night Live:
May 3 is the final Wednesday Night Live of this school year.
Koinonia Café | 5 – 6 p.m. | Community Hall | Buffet-style dinner for the whole family. Pricing at wilshirebc.org/wednesdays.
Music, Missions & More | 6 – 7 p.m. | Age 3 – Pre-K | Fun activities and lessons focused on God’s love.
KidConnect Open House | 6 – 7 p.m. | K – Grade 6 | All are invited to Room 2224 as we share about the fun things we did and learned about this year, including missionaries, cultures, puppets, food, games, creativity and more.
One night only! Shoot the Breeze with John and Bri
6 – 7 p.m. | Room 1205-L | Even with all the -isms, phobias and clownery fighting for our attention, we have so much for which we can be grateful — the faithfulness of God, the ever-unfolding potential of Christ’s body and the beauty of friendships discovered along the way. Join the residents as we spend time discussing life-sustaining practices of gratitude, unpack the deep value of friendship and prepare to say “see you later” to Pastoral Resident Brianna Childs as she prepares for her next step.
Also on Wednesdays
■ Watershed | Grades 7 – 12 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Youth Center | Watershed runs through May 17 before breaking for summer.
■ Sanctuary Choir | 7 – 8:30 p.m. | Choral Hall | No audition.
■ Childcare for infants to 2-year-olds whose parents are involved in church activities is offered Wednesdays 6 – 7:15 p.m.

Time with Tim April 30
■ Time with Tim is an informal chance for guests and new members to meet and visit with Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples. The next session will be held Sunday, April 30, at 9:45 a.m. in Timothy’s office (Room 2203, second floor).
■ The monthly Wilshire Welcome class helps guests and new members learn what Wilshire is all about. The next meeting will be held Sunday, May 14, at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room (1100-B) near McIver Chapel.
■ Questions about these events? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.

Library Adopt-a-Book April 30
Help the Wilshire Library grow its collection and say thank you to a teacher, minister or staff member by adopting a book in their honor or memory. Stop by the South Atrium, select a book and let us know the name you’d like printed on a book plate inside the cover. It’s a great way to honor someone special and give the gift of reading to countless others. Hours: 9 to 10:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sunday School series on prayer
Pastoral Resident John Kelly’s limited Sunday School series on prayer continues this week and will conclude May 7. The class meets in McIver Chapel at 9:45 a.m. John writes, “Prayer is as nebulous as it is transformative. For as many answers as it seems to provide, it offers us just as many new questions to ponder. Join us as we discuss prayer — what it is(n’t), how it works and its practical value for all people of faith.”

Get out and vote this week
Early voting ends Tuesday evening, May 2, and Election Day is Saturday, May 6. All elections matter, so please make sure to vote in your local elections where city council and school boards are formed.

Sign up for advocacy updates
Did you know there are just five weeks left of the Texas legislative session? Many bills will begin to make it to the floor, and it’s important for all of us to remain alert. If you’re wondering how you can stay alert to certain priorities (public education, LGBTQ+ equality, gun sense reform, local preemption and more), fill out this quick online form. This will allow the Christian Advocacy Committee to know who to mobilize when needed.

Lunch & Learn features brain expert
A university researcher will speak on brain health at the next Lunch & Learn on May 3 at 11:30 a.m. Marci Skotnicki recently earned a PhD in psychological science from UT Dallas and now works for UTD’s Center for Vital Longevity. An expert on the aging brain, she will help us be more cognizant of our own brain health and the memory impairments we all experience as we get older. Held in Community Hall the first Wednesday each month and open to all, Lunch & Learn includes a meal, fellowship and a program. Lunch costs $10 per person. No reservation needed. Contact: Barbara Clayton (bclayton@wilshirebc.org)

Blood Drive on Wednesday, May 3
Carter BloodCare will be at Wilshire for a blood drive on Wednesday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Carter is still feeling the effects of a decrease in donations during the pandemic. Walk-ups are welcome, but for an appointment, look for the link at wilshirebc.org/registration. Contact: Linda Garner (lgarner@wilshirebc.org)

Realm workshop on May 4
Director of Finance Lori Gooden will lead a workshop about Realm, Wilshire’s online giving and database platform, on Thursday, May 4, at 10 a.m. in the Computer Lab (Room 2305). The session will explain and demonstrate how to sign up for Realm, manage your giving, access and print contribution statements and more. If you’re already on Realm, sign up for the class via the link at wilshirebc.org/registration. Or you can sign up by contacting Lori (lgooden@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3131) or Receptionist Glenda Williams (214-452-3165).

Children’s and Preschool Choirs to end year with May 7 program
Hymns of a Child is the theme for the Preschool and Children’s Choirs year-end program on Sunday, May 7, at 5 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Each choir will sing songs they have prepared, and there will be congregational singing of a few of the hymns the children have sung throughout the year. The program will be rounded out with hymnal presentations and volunteer recognition.

Hannah Service on May 10
As much as we celebrate the gift of mothers in our lives, Mother’s Day can bring feelings of grief to those who have experienced infertility, miscarriage, death of an infant or child, adoption loss, abortion, family estrangement or the death of a mother. With this in mind, Wilshire will offer a Hannah Service on Wednesday, May 10, at 6:30 p.m. in McIver Chapel. For those who grieve and the loved ones who support them, the service will give space to lament and speak honestly about our grief and offer hope and comfort to one another. Our guest preacher will be Rev. Erin Robinson Hall. Childcare will be available by reservation; sign up by May 4 at wilshirebc.org/registration.

Deadline for Adventurers trip
From Nov. 6 to 11, the Wilshire Adventurers will spend five nights and six days touring in Charleston, South Carolina. Led by Rob and Pam Banta, the group will experience antebellum homes, local cuisine, culture and architecture, a nighttime harbor cruise with dinner, a fine arts museum, Fort Sumter, Old City Market and more, all accompanied by private guides. See full details at wilshirebc.org/registration or in a brochure available in the church office. Registration is first come, first served. The deadline to achieve the required minimum of 35 registrants is May 15. If the minimum is not met by that date, the trip will be canceled. Later registrations will be accepted, up to 50, if the trip makes.

Adventurers lunch on May 16 to feature DixieSwing Band
The Wilshire Adventurers will enjoy lunch and a performance from the DixieSwing Band on Tuesday, May 16, at 11:30 a.m. in Community Hall. The eight-member DixieSwing plays New Orleans jazz with influences including spirituals, early blues, hymns and World War II-era swing. Lunch costs $10 per person. No reservation necessary. Adventurers events are open to anyone 60 and above. Contact: Barbara Clayton (214-452-3125 or bclayton@wilshirebc.org).

Ushers and greeters needed
With the return of the offering to our worship, the Hospitality Ministry Team is seeking new ushers and greeters to serve on a rotational basis. Contact Barbara Clayton at bclayton@wilshirebc.org for more information.

Graduate info sought
Ministry Assistant Carol Cabaniss is gathering information on Wilshire’s high school seniors and Wilshire members who have received or will receive a bachelor’s degree from June 2022 through May 2023. Wilshire will recognize high school seniors on Sunday, May 21, during the 11 a.m. service. The deadline for inclusion in graduate recognition is Wednesday, May 10. Contact Carol at ccabaniss@wilshirebc.org.

Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW Tuesday Evening Book Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor. On May 9, the group will discuss Nina Totenberg’s Dinners with Ruth. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org)
■ The WOW Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On May 4, the group will discuss This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)

Wilshire in the Park: Churchwide Picnic
Sunday, May 21, 5–7 p.m.
Flag Pole Hill Pavilion (8015 Doran Circle)
All are invited to this family-friendly annual event with music, face painting and a unique inclusive playground. The pavilion and picnic tables are ours to use, and you can bring lawn chairs to sit by the playground. Wilshire will provide fried chicken, rolls and drinks. The rest of the meal is potluck with these assignments by last name: A–F, dessert; G–M, salads; N–S, veggies; T–Z, fruit. Please bring enough to serve at least eight. Containers and serving utensils must be disposable. Please include a card with allergen information (gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, soy) if appropriate.

Summer events for children and preschoolers
Registration is open at wilshirebc.org/summer-camps.
Vacation Bible School
June 12 – 16, 9 a.m. – noon,
Older preschool – Grade 6
Full Day: Cooking Camp & Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Grades 2 – 6
Cooking Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Listen to Your Art! Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 1 – 5:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Passport Kids! Preteen Camp
July 22 – 25, Grades 3 – 6
Preschool Friends Camp
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon
New for completed kindergartners: Creation Station
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon

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Preparing for Worship – Terry Wade.

Sunday, April 23, Wilshire will engage in an act of affirmation. We will “bless” Pastoral Resident Brianna Childs as she moves into a new phase of ministry. In blessing Brianna, we will receive blessing. That is the beauty of blessing. In affirming her, we affirm each other as members of this congregation and Wilshire’s mission to be an uplifting church for individuals and for the larger community. Today is easy because we have been engaged in Brianna’s journey. But giving and receiving affirmation doesn’t always come so easily.

One of my favorite poster images has lingered in my mind’s eye for over 40 years. A bedraggled, limp, wrung-out rag doll is lying on an old-fashioned scrub board. The caption reads “The truth will set you free, but first it makes you miserable.” Truth is like that. While truth can be cleansing, it is not always easy to accept until we experience the transformative blessings that come from trying to live truth.

The Bible is full of examples of rag doll events. The prophets were mostly about rag doll moments. The disciples, the women and other followers struggled to comprehend life after Jesus, and blessings seemed an unlikely outcome. Like them, we can get caught up in our own legitimate angsts and brokenness, which can cloud our understanding of how God calls us to affirm and bless one another. Like them, we can stay open to “the stranger’s” voice when on our own Emmaus roads.

Jesus tells his listeners that if they follow his teachings, they will know the truth, and the truth will set them free. Getting to Jesus’ truth can feel like a scrub board on which we try to wash away the stains of our self-serving cultural, religious and political ideologies. Hopefully, our miserable rag doll moments humble us and lead us back to Jesus’ truth. Then, we are set free to give and receive the blessings of living The Way — of being kingdom people in the here and now who seek to make loving God and loving others available to all and to lift up the humanity of all in the here and now.

For now, we can experience the joy of affirming Brianna in her call and also feel blessed as individuals and as a church that she chose to share her faith journey with Wilshire.

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I Am Wilshire – Carol Valentine.

Hometown: Born in Dallas, moved to Nashville when I was 5;
Education: B.A. from Auburn University
Profession: Retired teacher
Present city: Dallas

Tell us about your family.
I have two grown children who live in Dallas. John is a people operations executive with Anthology Senior Living. Laura is a speech therapist, and she and her husband have three children: Caroline, 15, Matthew, 12, and Charlotte, 8. My older sister Jean is a retired licensed counselor, and Susan, my younger sister, was an attorney in Dallas until she and her husband moved to Mobile, Alabama, where they have lived for 30+ years.

How about your work or volunteer life?
I taught Senior English, British Literature, for 18 years at Lake Highlands High School until I retired recently.

What are your favorite places to travel?
I have been fortunate to visit a variety of interesting places: Lake Louise in Banff, Canada; London; Switzerland; Scandinavian countries; Hawaii; Jamaica and Costa Rica. One pretty place I have been visiting since age 3 is our tiny log cabin in Red River, New Mexico, that my dad helped build with two builders in 1958.

Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
I enjoy serving lunch monthly at the Stewpot with other Wilshire and community members. I am also on the Baptism Committee.

Tell us about your faith journey.
I grew up with Christian church-going parents, and my dad, a minister, baptized me at age 12. My faith matured while in college. After college, I went to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for a year to pursue my MRE/MSW. That’s where I met my husband.

What’s something interesting most people wouldn’t know about you?
When I was 6, my dad decided he, my older sister and I ought to climb Wheeler Peak, the highest mountain in New Mexico (13,167 feet). I’m sure he thought it would be a grand adventure but obviously had no clue as to the difficulty. By the time we reached the summit we were starving, only to be disappointed with the meager lunch my mother had packed. On the way down while we were still above timberline, a thunderstorm enveloped us with lightning striking all around. We ran down the mountain as fast as we could, me bouncing on my dad’s back. As a result of that rigorous hike, my dad’s red blood cells were temporarily depleted, and I cried for days from aching legs. Neither my dad nor I ever climbed Wheeler again.

■ If you’d like to be featured in “I Am Wilshire,” contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.

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Pathways to Ministry Committee Update – Meredith Mosley, Chair, Pathways to Ministry Committee.

Having made the decision not to call new pastoral residents this year, the Pathways to Ministry Committee has begun visioning work in order to relaunch the pastoral residency program in 2024. This summer the committee will break into sub-committees for in-depth analysis of various aspects of the program. The larger group will reconvene this fall to outline initiatives and begin recruitment of two residents to join us next year. We ask for your prayers as we plan for the future of our pastoral residency program.

As for our current residents, Brianna Childs, whom we will bless during worship on April 23, is completing her residency this month and will move to Houston after her wedding to Blake Davenport in May. John Kelly will complete his residency in August and will remain at Wilshire as a McIver Fellow for the remainder of 2023.

Another area of Pathways is our summer internship program which begins next month. We hope you will welcome and encourage our four summer interns who will be working in the areas of preschool, children, youth and music. Their names will be announced in the coming weeks.

We thank you all for your continued support and encouragement.

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Adopt a Book for the Wilshire Library
Help the Wilshire Library grow its collection and say thank you to a teacher, minister or staff member by adopting a book in their honor or memory. Stop by the South Atrium on Sunday, April 23 or 30, select a book (available at discounted prices) and let us know the name you’d like printed on a book plate inside the cover. Adopt-a-Book is a great way to honor someone special and give the gift of reading to countless others. Hours: 9 – 10:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Doug Haney to be honored April 30
Make plans to be in worship on Sunday, April 30, as we celebrate Associate Pastor Doug Haney on his last day at Wilshire.
In January, Doug announced his plans to retire from full-time ministry. He and his wife, Lori, will soon be moving to the Charlotte, North Carolina, area. In retirement, Doug will focus on his work as executive director of Polyphony Music Resources, a nonprofit ministry network for church musicians. Wilshire’s morning worship on April 30 will include a time of recognition and gifts for Doug, who came to Wilshire as minister of music in 2004. An informal reception will be held after worship in James Gallery. That evening at 6:30, Doug will conduct Sanctuary Choir and orchestra in a concert that will also feature songwriter and recording artist Ken Medema. Themed Wrap Me in Song, the event will be a benefit for the Grief and Loss Center of North Texas. Music will include excerpts from Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, Howard Goodall’s requiem, Eternal Light. Admission is free. An offering will be received. Childcare for infants through pre-K will be available. To sign up for childcare, visit wilshirebc.org/registration.

New to Wilshire?
■ Time with Tim is an informal chance for guests and new members to meet and visit with Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples. The next session will be held Sunday, April 30, at 9:45 a.m. in Timothy’s office (Room 2203, second floor).
■ The monthly Wilshire Welcome class helps guests and new members learn what Wilshire is all about. Sessions are held Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room (1100-B) near McIver Chapel. Dates: April 23, May 14.
■ Questions about these events? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.

Cooper Clinic dietitian to speak on aging Tuesday night
Dietitian and nutritionist Meridan Zerner of the Cooper Clinic will speak on “Aging with Better Health” on Tuesday, April 25, at 7 p.m. in Community Hall. Zerner, a certified health and wellness coach, uses behavioral change skills to help support long-term lifestyle changes. This free event is geared to those 55 and older, but all are welcome. No registration needed.

Graduate info sought
Ministry Assistant Carol Cabaniss is gathering information on Wilshire’s high school seniors and Wilshire members who have received or will receive a bachelor’s degree from June 2022 through May 2023. Wilshire will recognize high school seniors on Sunday, May 21, during the 11 a.m. service. The deadline for inclusion in graduate recognition is Wednesday, May 10. Contact Carol at ccabaniss@wilshirebc.org.

Sunday School series on prayer
Prayer will be the topic of a three-week Sunday School series led by Pastoral Resident John Kelly from April 23 to May 7. The class, which will meet in McIver Chapel at 9:45 a.m., will be a good option for those not connected to a class or new to Sunday School. John writes, “Prayer is as nebulous as it is transformative. For as many answers as it seems to provide, it offers us just as many new questions to ponder. Too, as often as our faith changes and grows, so does our understanding of what it means to have a ‘prayer life.’ Join us as we discuss prayer — what it is(n’t), how it works and its practical value for all people of faith.”

Hannah Service on May 10
As much as we celebrate the gift of mothers in our lives, Mother’s Day can bring feelings of grief to those who have experienced infertility, miscarriage, death of an infant or child, adoption loss, abortion, family estrangement or the death of a mother. With this in mind, Wilshire will offer a Hannah Service on Wednesday, May 10, at 6:30 p.m. in McIver Chapel. For those who grieve and the loved ones who support them, the service will give space to lament and speak honestly about our grief and offer hope and comfort to one another. Our guest preacher will be Rev. Erin Robinson Hall. Childcare will be available by reservation; sign up by May 4 at wilshirebc.org/registration.

Deadline for Adventurers trip
From Nov. 6 to 11, the Wilshire Adventurers will spend five nights and six days touring in Charleston, South Carolina. Led by Rob and Pam Banta, the group will experience antebellum homes, local cuisine, culture and architecture, a nighttime harbor cruise with dinner, a fine arts museum, Fort Sumter, Old City Market and more, all accompanied by private guides. See full details at wilshirebc.org/registration or in a brochure available in the church office. Registration is first come, first served. The deadline to achieve the required minimum of 35 registrants is May 15. If the minimum is not met by that date, the trip will be canceled. Later registrations will be accepted, up to 50, if the trip makes. We have 26 signed up now.

Wednesday Night Live: April 26
Koinonia Café
5 – 6 p.m. | Community Hall |
Buffet-style dinner for the whole family. Pricing at wilshirebc.org/wednesdays.
Music, Missions & More
6 – 7 p.m. | Age 3 – Pre-K | Fun activities and lessons focused on God’s love.
KidConnect
6 – 7 p.m. | K – Grade 6 | This new children’s experience features a rotation of activities to help kids learn how to love God and others with every part of themselves. Each week is different. Activities include art, music, science, puppets and cooking.
Also on Wednesdays
■ Watershed | Grades 7 – 12 |
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Youth Center
■ Sanctuary Choir | 7 – 8:30 p.m. |
Choral Hall | No audition
Upcoming
■ May 3: Final night of Koinonia Café, KidConnect, Preschool Music, Missions & More and resident-led studies before a summer break.
■ May 10: Hannah Service. See p. 12.
■ May 17: Final WSM Watershed.
Aurelia Dávila Pratt will join by Zoom on April 26 for the residents’ final session on her book, A Brown Girl’s Epiphany: Reclaim Your Intuition and Step into Your Power. In the book, Pratt draws on the concept of imago Dei to suggest that we already have the inner authority we need to heal from trauma and navigate life’s realities. All are welcome, even if you haven’t read the book. Pratt is a writer, podcaster and the lead pastor of Peace of Christ Church near Austin. She was a guest preacher here last summer.

Childcare for infants to 2-year-olds whose parents are involved in church activities is offered 6 – 7:15 p.m.

Ushers and greeters needed
With the return of the offering to our worship, the Hospitality Ministry Team is seeking new ushers and greeters to serve on a rotational basis. Contact Barbara Clayton at bclayton@wilshirebc.org for more information.

Chronic illness support group
Wilshire’s support group for those experiencing a chronic or undiagnosed illness meets on Zoom the second and fourth Tuesdays every month at 7:30 p.m. To learn more, contact group leader Annette Miller at annette.a.miller@gmail.com.

Blood Drive on Wednesday, May 3
Carter BloodCare will be at Wilshire for a blood drive on Wednesday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Carter is still feeling the effects of a decrease in donations during the pandemic. Walk-ups are welcome, but for an appointment, look for the link at wilshirebc.org/registration. Contact: Linda Garner (lgarner@wilshirebc.org)

May 3 Lunch & Learn features brain expert
A university researcher will speak on brain health at the next Lunch & Learn on May 3 at 11:30 a.m. Marci Skotnicki recently earned a PhD in psychological science from UT Dallas and now works for UTD’s Center for Vital Longevity. An expert on the aging brain, she will help us be more cognizant of our own brain health and the memory impairments we all experience as we get older. Held in Community Hall the first Wednesday each month and open to all, Lunch & Learn includes a meal, fellowship and a program. Lunch costs $10 per person. No reservation needed. Contact: Barbara Clayton (bclayton@wilshirebc.org)

Children’s and Preschool Choirs end year with May 7 program
Hymns of a Child is the theme for the Preschool and Children’s Choirs year-end program on Sunday, May 7, at 5 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Each choir will sing songs they have prepared, and there will be congregational singing of a few of the hymns the children have sung throughout the year. The program will be rounded out with hymnal presentations and volunteer recognition.

Realm workshop on May 4
Director of Finance Lori Gooden will lead a workshop about Realm, Wilshire’s online giving and database platform, on Thursday, May 4, at 10 a.m. in the Computer Lab (Room 2305). The session will explain and demonstrate how to sign up for Realm, manage your giving, access and print contribution statements and more. If you’re already on Realm, sign up for the class via the link at wilshirebc.org/registration. Or you can sign up by contacting Lori (lgooden@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3131) or Receptionist Glenda Williams (214-452-3165).

Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW Tuesday Evening Book Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor. On May 9, the group will discuss Nina Totenberg’s Dinners with Ruth. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org)
■ The WOW Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On May 4, the group will discuss This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)

Summer events for children and preschoolers
Registration is open at wilshirebc.org/summer-camps.
Vacation Bible School
June 12 – 16, 9 a.m. – noon,
Older preschool – Grade 6
Full Day: Cooking Camp & Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Grades 2 – 6
Cooking Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Listen to Your Art! Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 1 – 5:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Passport Kids! Preteen Camp
July 22 – 25, Grades 3 – 6
Preschool Friends Camp
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon
New for completed kindergartners: Creation Station
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon

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Preparing For Worship – Brianna Childs, pastoral resident.

You may not have been aware of it, but April is National Volunteer Month. The litany we’ll read together this morning, “A Commitment to Care,” celebrates the occasion and reminds us all of the importance of service.

So many Wilshire members volunteer across Dallas, faithfully investing their time and energy into city-transforming work. And the majority do so anonymously, without any desire for recognition or reward (apart from relationships built and meaningful change realized). But oh, what sweet acts of worship this kind of service represents!

Annette Miller, one of Wilshire’s most passionate volunteers, came up with the idea to recognize this morning in worship all who volunteer or serve. Inspired since coming to Wilshire by the community’s “love for everybody and its efforts toward social justice,” Annette hopes the litany of recognition “will help [everyone] see the many ways love can be expressed.” Whether we’re unemployed, work raising families or find our schedules full of all sorts of responsibilities, we can all uniquely offer service to others in worship of God.

That’s the beautiful thing about a life of service: it’s unique to the person living it. The service we uniquely offer others can’t help but be shaped by our own interests, talents, and personalities. If I had to guess, I’d bet the majority of our volunteers would agree that the acts of service they offer impact them as much as those same acts impact those they serve. Volunteering always underlines the mutuality that characterizes our own lives. As we serve, we realize how others have also served us along the way.

This truth drives much of what we do together as the Wilshire family. During the reading of our special litany this morning, we hope you find your commitment to serve — even if it’s in your own home — reinvigorated and renewed. May our time worshiping together this morning inspire you to go out into the world, to serve as Jesus taught us and to practice resurrection all year long.

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I Am Wilshire – Teri Korson.

Hometown: Lodi, Wisconsin;
Education: Bachelor of Business Administration;
Profession: Director of Administration for Distribution Contractors Association (DCA)
Present city: Plano

Tell us about your family.
My husband, Mike Korson, and I met in a young singles group at St. Rita Catholic Church in Dallas. We both grew up in small Wisconsin towns about two hours apart. We have been married for almost 36 years and have three adult children: Tressa, a Montessori teacher in Boston; Mike, a saxophone private lesson teacher and musician in McKinney; and Tori Korson Wingfield, a canine physical therapist in Mystic, Connecticut. Tori is married to Luke Wingfield.

How about your work or volunteer life?
I have worked for DCA for almost 30 years. The best description of my job is that I organize meetings and events for a small business trade association. I have taken my organizational strengths into my volunteer activities as social chair for Wilshire’s Sanctuary Choir and the Genesis Women’s shelter liaison for the Epiphany Sunday School class. I also deliver meals two or three times per week for Meals on Wheels in Collin County.

What are your favorite hobbies?
My favorite hobbies are reading, walking/hiking and playing games.

What are your favorite places to travel?
Any place that will have the opportunity to do a lot of walking and hiking without a lot of people around. Through my career and vacations, Mike and I have visited many interesting and different areas of the U.S. and Europe.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
Mike and I first visited Wilshire in January 2016 after learning a lot about the church from Mark Wingfield. We attended a few services and visited the Discovery Class, enjoying the welcoming and inclusiveness of everyone. We made the decision to join shortly afterwards.

Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
I am a member of the Epiphany Sunday School class and Sanctuary Choir. I served on the Missions Committee for three years.

What has surprised you most about Wilshire?
The efforts by the personnel and the Pastor Search Committee to try to include everyone’s opinion on the new church leadership. Having been brought up in the Catholic Church, this was something I had never experienced before.

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
God is constantly pushing me out of my comfort zone. As an introvert, it is too easy for me to step back and do nothing. God and Wilshire are always reminding me to think of others before myself and put myself out there.

If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire article, contact Carolyn Murray(cmurray@wilshirebc.org)

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10 years on staff for Abbey Adcox.

Sunday, April 16, marks 10 years of working at Wilshire for Abbey Adcox. As a ministry assistant, Abbey supports Wilshire’s missions and advocacy efforts, including planning and implementing mission projects and activities, helping with logistics for trips and matching volunteers to opportunities. “I love learning about what our mission partners are doing in the community,” Abbey says. “I love seeing those needs met.”

Associate Pastor Heather Mustain says, “I don’t consider Abbey an assistant, but rather a competent colleague in ministry. She has a clear passion for the ministries she provides support and leadership to, so much so that this is not just a job for her, but a ministry and calling. I have been so proud of the way she has challenged herself to lead in ways she may not have considered in the past. God surely has gifted her and we are so lucky to have her as such an integral part of our staff. She is fun, vibrant and caring. Her heart runs deep.”

Abbey helps give logistical support to the annual Youth Choir tour, lining up mission projects in the destination city. She also serves as co-coordinator, with Carolyn Murray, of the Women of Wilshire ministry.

Her role at the church has evolved over the years. She began by covering children’s ministry while Minister to Children Julie Girards was on sabbatical, then worked as a “floater,” covering for various staffers taking time off and helping in the workroom. Eventually she settled into a part-time admin position supporting women’s ministry under Tiffany Wright, advocacy under Katie Murray and missions under Heather. When the staff was reorganized in 2020, Abbey assumed her current full-time role.

Abbey grew up at nearby Skillman Church of Christ and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in child and family studies from Baylor and the University of North Texas, respectively. After college she worked 6.5 years as child development coordinator for Bryan’s House, a nonprofit serving children and families impacted by HIV and AIDS. Abbey says, “Missions and advocacy is a good match for my family systems and social work coursework and my previous work with nonprofit agencies.”

She and her husband, Chris, met at Baylor and began attending Wilshire during their engagement, joining in 1999. Abbey says, “I grew up Church of Christ. Chris grew up Southern Baptist. We were trying to find a place where we would both be comfortable. Chris’s mom and [Wilshire member] Janice Jernberg have been friends since their time at Baylor, and that connection drew us to Wilshire as well.” For Abbey, Wilshire’s MOPS group served as another entry point to the church. Abbey and Chris have raised three kids at Wilshire — Carter, 21, Camryn, 19, and Collin, 17 — and Abbey’s mother, Melissa Conway, joined Wilshire’s staff in 2021 as a part-time finance assistant.

“Serving on staff gives me the opportunity to develop relationships with Wilshire members, and I’ve greatly appreciated the opportunity to grow with changing responsibilities,” Abbey says. “I love the people. Wilshire is home, and I’m excited about our future together.”

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Homelessness, Housing & Me
Panel discussion Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Wilshire will host an important panel discussion on affordable housing and homelessness on Tuesday, April 18, at 6:30 p.m. in Community Hall. Associate Pastor Heather Mustain will moderate the event, themed Homelessness, Housing & Me. About the panelists:
■ Joli Robinson is president and CEO of Housing Forward, which serves as a collective voice for homelessness in Dallas and Collin counties by leading system-wide, data-driven strategies to make homelessness rare, brief and non-reoccurring.
■ Mark Melton is co-founder of the Dallas Eviction Advocacy Clinic, which provides pro bono legal help to tenants facing housing insecurity.
■ Ashley Flores is senior director of Child Poverty Action Lab, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting and ending childhood poverty in Dallas.

Pray Away film screening April 16
On Sunday, April 16, Wilshire will co-host a free screening of Pray Away, a documentary about the harmful practice of “conversion therapy.” The 3:45 p.m. screening at Life in Deep Ellum will be followed by a panel discussion with survivors, faith leaders, LGBTQ+ advocates and mental health experts, including Wilshire member Kathryn Keller. Register and learn more at tinyurl.com/padallas.

Minister of Music Search Committee is set
Eleven Wilshire members have agreed to serve on the committee to find the church’s next minister of music. The group will begin work soon.
■ Committee members are: Kevin Cabaniss, Lynette DeBose, David Duncan, Anne Foster, LeAnn Hampton (chair), Mary Morgan, Timothy Peoples, Kristi Reavis, James Michael Sobolik-Williams, Laura Summers and Melinda Thompson.
■ Associate Pastor Doug Haney’s last day at Wilshire will be Sunday, April 30. See p. 13.
■ Charlie Fuller will begin as Wilshire’s interim minister of music the week of May 8.

Doug Haney to be honored April 30
Make plans to be in worship on Sunday, April 30, as we celebrate Associate Pastor Doug Haney on his last day at Wilshire. In January, Doug announced his plans to retire from full-time ministry. He and his wife, Lori, will soon be moving to the Charlotte, North Carolina, area. In retirement, Doug will focus on his work as executive director of Polyphony Music Resources, a nonprofit ministry network for church musicians. Wilshire’s morning worship on April 30 will include a time of recognition and gifts for Doug, who came to Wilshire as minister of music in 2004. An informal reception will be held after worship in James Gallery. That evening at 6:30, Doug will conduct Sanctuary Choir and orchestra in a concert that will also feature songwriter and recording artist Ken Medema. Themed Wrap Me in Song, the event will be a benefit for the Grief and Loss Center of North Texas. Music will include excerpts from Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, Howard Goodall’s requiem, Eternal Light. Admission is free. An offering will be received.

Ushers and greeters needed
With the return of the offering to our worship, the Hospitality Ministry Team is seeking new ushers and greeters to serve on a rotational basis. Contact Barbara Clayton at bclayton@wilshirebc.org for more information.

Order Pride shirts by April 17
In celebration of Pride Month (June), Wilshire has created a special rainbow version of the familiar “We Are Wilshire” T-shirt. These limited edition shirts will be sold for $20 each, and proceeds will go to Color Splash, an inclusive summer camp for LGBTQ+ youth operated by the United Church of Christ. Visit wilshirebc.org/registration for the ordering link. The order deadline is April 17. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)

Blessing for Brianna Childs
Worship on April 23 will include a time of blessing for Pastoral Resident Brianna Childs as she prepares to complete the residency program. Brianna will be married to Blake Davenport on May 20, and the couple will live in Houston. As noted in a March 21 email to the congregation, Wilshire is pausing to evaluate and retool the Pathways program and will not call new residents this year. After completing his two-year residency term this summer, John Kelly will remain as a McIver Fellow through 2023.

Realm workshop to be held May 4
Director of Finance Lori Gooden will lead a workshop about Realm, Wilshire’s online giving and database platform, on Thursday, May 4, at 10 a.m. in the Computer Lab (Room 2305). The session will explain and demonstrate how to sign up for Realm, manage your giving, access and print contribution statements and more. If you’re already on Realm, sign up for the class via the link at wilshirebc.org/registration. Or you can sign up by contacting Lori (lgooden@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3131) or Receptionist Glenda Williams (214-452-3165).

Hannah Service set for May 10
As much as we celebrate the gift of mothers in our lives, Mother’s Day can bring feelings of grief to those who have experienced infertility, miscarriage, death of an infant or child, adoption loss, abortion, family estrangement or the death of a mother. With this in mind, Wilshire will offer a Hannah Service on Wednesday, May 10, at 6:30 p.m. in McIver Chapel. For those who grieve and the loved ones who support them, the service will give space to lament and speak honestly about our grief and offer hope and comfort to one another. Our guest preacher will be Rev. Erin Robinson Hall. Childcare will be available by reservation; sign up by May 4 at wilshirebc.org/registration.

New to Wilshire?
■ The monthly Wilshire Welcome class helps guests and new members learn what Wilshire is all about. Sessions are held Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room (1100-B) near McIver Chapel. Dates: April 23, May 14.
■ Time with Tim is an informal chance for guests and new members to meet and visit with Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples. The next session will be held Sunday, April 30, at 9:45 a.m. in Timothy’s office (Room 2203, second floor).
■ Questions about these events? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.

Adventurers lunch will feature expert on aging faithfully
The Wilshire Adventurers will enjoy lunch and a presentation from author and speaker Missy Buchanan on Tuesday, April 18, at 11:30 a.m. in Community Hall. Buchanan writes and speaks on the subject of aging faithfully, and her books include Living with Purpose in a Worn-Out Body and Dry Bones to Living Hope. Lunch costs $10 per person. No reservation necessary. Adventurers events are open to those 60 and above. Contact: Barbara Clayton (214-452-3125 or bclayton@wilshirebc.org).

Adventurers Charleston trip
From Nov. 6 to 11, the Wilshire Adventurers will spend five nights and six days touring in Charleston, South Carolina. Led by Rob and Pam Banta, the group will experience antebellum homes, local cuisine, culture and architecture, a nighttime harbor cruise with dinner, a fine arts museum, Fort Sumter, Old City Market and more, all accompanied by private guides. See full details at wilshirebc.org/registration or in a brochure available in the church office. Registration is first come, first served.

Wednesday Night Live: April 19
Koinonia Café
5 – 6 p.m. | Community Hall |
Buffet-style dinner for the whole family. Pricing at wilshirebc.org/wednesdays.
Music, Missions & More
6 – 7 p.m. | Age 3 – Pre-K | Fun activities and lessons focused on God’s love.
KidConnect
6 – 7 p.m. | K – Grade 6 | This new children’s experience features a rotation of activities to help kids learn how to love God and others with every part of themselves. Each week is different. Activities include art, music, science, puppets and cooking.
Resident-Led Wednesday Series: A Brown Girl’s Epiphany
April 12, 19 & 26 | 6 p.m. | Room 1205-L | Join the pastoral residents for a series on Aurelia Dávila Pratt’s book, A Brown Girl’s Epiphany: Reclaim Your Intuition and Step into Your Power. In the book, Pratt draws on the concept of imago Dei to suggest that we already have the inner authority we need to heal from trauma and navigate life’s realities. All are welcome, even if you haven’t read the book. Pratt is a writer, podcaster and the lead pastor of Peace of Christ Church near Austin. She was a guest preacher here last summer and will join us by Zoom for our final session on April 26.
Also on Wednesdays
■ Watershed | Grades 7 – 12 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Youth Center
■ Sanctuary Choir | 7 – 8:30 p.m. | Choral Hall | No audition
Upcoming
■ May 3: Final night of Koinonia Café, KidConnect, Preschool Music, Missions & More and resident-led studies before a summer break.
■ May 10: Hannah Service at 6:30 p.m. in McIver Chapel
■ May 17: Final WSM Watershed.

Art exhibit ends this week
Who Is My Neighbor? is the theme of an art exhibit that will be on display through April 19 in Wilshire’s South Lobby. The show is a collection of etchings, lithographs, woodcuts and paintings that give visual insight into Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan. It includes the work of 22 artists from the last four centuries, including Rembrandt, Ernst Barlach, Tanja Butler, Ed Knippers and John August Swanson, plus political cartoons and illustrations that demonstrate the parable’s continued societal relevance.

Children’s Earth Day outing
Wilshire’s Children’s Choir singers and KidConnect kids will sing and serve on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22. The group will meet at Wilshire at 9 a.m. to travel by bus to Richardson ISD’s Spring Valley Elementary, where they will help plant a garden and work in the school’s food pantry before sharing lunch and a program with the Spring Valley Choir. After lunch the kids will head to Adventure Landing for mini-golf, laser tag and games before arriving back at Wilshire at 4:30 p.m. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration.

Adopt-a-Book for Wilshire Library
Help the Wilshire Library grow its collection and say thank you to a teacher, minister or staff member by adopting a book in their honor or memory. Stop by the display in the South Atrium on Sunday, April 23 or 30, select a book (available at discounted prices) and let us know the name you’d like printed on a book plate inside the cover. Adopt-a-Book is a great way to honor someone special and give the gift of reading to countless others. Hours: 9 – 10:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Sunday School series on prayer
Prayer will be the topic of a three-week Sunday School series led by Pastoral Resident John Kelly from April 23 to May 7. The class, which will meet in McIver Chapel at 9:45 a.m., will be a good option for those not connected to a class or new to Sunday School. John writes, “Prayer is as nebulous as it is transformative. For as many answers as it seems to provide, it offers us just as many new questions to ponder. Too, as often as our faith changes and grows, so does our understanding of what it means to have a ‘prayer life.’ Join us as we discuss prayer — what it is(n’t), how it works and its practical value for all people of faith.”

Dietitian to speak April 25
Dietitian and nutritionist Meridan Zerner of the Cooper Clinic will speak on “Aging with Better Health” on Tuesday, April 25, at 7 p.m. in Community Hall. Zerner, a certified health and wellness coach, uses behavioral change skills to help support long-term lifestyle changes. This free event is geared to those 55 and older, but all are welcome. No registration needed.

Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW Tuesday Evening Book Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor. On May 9, the group will discuss Nina Totenberg’s Dinners with Ruth. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org)
■ The WOW Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On May 4, the group will discuss This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)

Summer events for children and preschoolers
Registration is open at wilshirebc.org/summer-camps.
Vacation Bible School
June 12 – 16, 9 a.m. – noon,
Older preschool – Grade 6
Full Day: Cooking Camp & Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Grades 2 – 6
Cooking Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Listen to Your Art! Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 1 – 5:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Passport Kids! Preteen Camp
July 22 – 25, Grades 3 – 6
Preschool Friends Camp
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon
New for completed kindergartners: Creation Station
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon

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Preparing for Worship – Heather Mustain, associate pastor.

This past Monday evening we hosted an iftar dinner with our Turkish Muslim friends from the Dialogue Institute to learn more about the holy month of Ramadan.

Yusuf began the program by discussing four portals of connection that when opened help the believer to connect with the divine. He talked about fasting, prayer, reading the Koran and engaging more deeply with community through iftar dinners and charitable work.

As I listened to him explain these windows of connection, I couldn’t help but connect it to our own Christian season of Lent — the liturgical season we just concluded. As we sat around the tables, the commonalities of our traditions became more apparent than our differences, and I could not have imagined a more holy experience than the breaking of bread together to begin this Holy Week.

Our Lenten theme, Seen. Known. Loved., has flowed from Kate Bowler’s work, Bless the Lent We Actually Have. Every week we have read aloud a specific blessing for our gathering of worship time, today being no different. Her blessings always seem to strike at the core of our human frailty and induce an emotional connection to the truth of our lived experiences. It’s true that this is Resurrection Sunday, a day that offers us immense hope that even though death has come, it does not have the final word. And even still, as Bowler writes, our earnest and faithful prayers may yet be realized.

It has occurred to me during this season that to truly be seen, known and loved requires a great vulnerability from within. To quote Brené Brown, “Vulnerability isn’t about winning or losing. It’s having the courage to show up even when you can’t control the outcome.” To be Easter people is to choose, even in our doubt, fear and grief, the realized hope of the Resurrected One. And for some of us, choosing hope on this Resurrection Sunday will require great courage and great vulnerability.

No matter where you find yourself this morning, remember that all new life starts in the dark, and there is no alleluia, great or small, that will not reach the ears of our Savior. Happy Easter, Wilshire.

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I Am Wilshire – Kay Moore.

Hometown: Garland;
Education: Baylor University, B.A., Journalism;
Profession: Retired journalist
Present city: Garland

Tell us about your family.
My husband, Louis, is also a retired journalist, and we’ve been married 53 years. We met as staffers at the Baylor Lariat and have worked in the same profession all of our careers. Our children are Dr. Catharine Welch, married to Casey, and Matthew Moore, married to Marcie. Our grandchildren range in age from 9 to 17 — three boys and a girl.

How about your work or volunteer life?
My career revolved around the printed word, as a wire-service and newspaper reporter and editor and a book author, editor and publisher. In retirement, Louis and I spearhead a nonprofit that has led to the reclamation of our 110-year-old neighborhood, promoting historical preservation and recognizing under-recognized individuals and sites that are part of Garland’s history.

What are your favorite hobbies?
Quilting, needlepoint, cooking, piano and composing music.

What are your favorite places to travel?
Athens, Rome, Maui, Colorado. Still on the bucket list: the Pacific Northwest, where a branch of my family moved early last century.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
We watched Wilshire via livestream during the pandemic and were impressed with the great care that Wilshire took to protect its people. When in-person church resumed, several Garland friends (Staffords, Hamptons, Hallmans) kindly encouraged us to affiliate. We joined in April 2022.

Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
Compass Class.

What has surprised you most about Wilshire?
Non-cliquishness.

What do you think God is up to in your life?
God is impressing on me that God knows me, hears me and loves me, even when certain persistent prayers seem to be unanswered.

Tell us about your faith journey.
Reared in a traditional Baptist church, I was baptized at an early age and grew up in a strong childhood and youth program and under solid preaching that grounded me. We’ve been members of some outstanding churches: Crescent Hill (Louisville), South Main (Houston), and First Baptist Nashville, to name a few. We can trace God’s faithful hand through each twist and turn of life. Now we feel blessed to experience the richness that is Wilshire.

What’s something interesting most people wouldn’t know about you?
I was the first female journalist admitted to the press box at Churchill Downs, covering the 1970 Kentucky Derby for UPI.

What adjectives describe you?
Detail-oriented, tenacious, multi-plate spinner, over the moon about my grandkids.

If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire article, contact Carolyn Murray(cmurray@wilshirebc.org)

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Doug Haney to be honored April 30.

Make plans to be in worship on Sunday, April 30, as we celebrate Associate Pastor Doug Haney on his last day at Wilshire.

In January, Doug announced his plans to retire from full-time ministry. He and his wife, Lori, will soon be moving to the Charlotte, North Carolina, area. In retirement, Doug will focus on his work as executive director of Polyphony Music Resources, a nonprofit ministry network for church musicians.

Wilshire’s morning worship on April 30 will include a time of recognition and gifts for Doug, who came to Wilshire as minister of music in 2004. An informal reception will be held after worship in James Gallery.

That evening at 6:30, Doug will conduct Sanctuary Choir and orchestra in a concert that will also feature songwriter and recording artist Ken Medema. Themed Wrap Me in Song, the event will be a benefit for the Grief and Loss Center of North Texas. Music will include excerpts from Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, Howard Goodall’s requiem, Eternal Light. Admission is free. An offering will be received.

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The offering returns
Starting April 9, Wilshire will once again pass the offering plates during worship as it always did before the pandemic.
The offering was cut from the service as a time-saving measure in 2021 when we resumed in-person worship after a period of online services. Back then, we felt it best to shorten our gatherings to limit the time spent in the same enclosed space, and we were still wary of handling communal items. The pandemic accelerated our shift to online giving, and passing the plates no longer seemed as crucial as it once was.
Now, nearly two years later, the ministerial staff, in consultation with the Finance Committee, has had time to fully consider the benefits of collecting an offering during worship:
■ Passing the plates is a visible reminder of stewardship and models giving for our children.
■ It provides an opportunity for reflection and meditation during the service.
■ It creates an additional opportunity for musical groups or individuals to lead in worship.
In short, the theological, intangible benefits of passing the plate outweigh any reasons we may have had for discontinuing the practice. The offering is returning to the service today because it makes our worship richer and more complete.

Easter Sunday, April 9
■ Sunrise Service: 6:30 a.m. at White Rock Lake’s T.P. Hill.
■ Columbarium Service of Remembrance: 9:30 a.m. This brief service is geared toward those with a loved one inurned or memorialized in the Columbarium, which will be open on Easter from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
■ Worship in the Sanctuary: Join us at 11 a.m. as the shutters are opened and we celebrate the risen Christ. Wilshire Winds will play the prelude, and Sanctuary Choir will sing a new anthem with a text by poet Malcolm Guite. Handel’s “Hallelujah” chorus will serve as the choral benediction, and Organist Jeff Brummel will close with the Widor Toccata.
■ Flowering Cross: Stop by Easter morning to place a flower into the mesh-wrapped wooden cross outside the Sanctuary. Bring your own fresh-cut flowers or take one from a limited supply provided by the church.

Friday Friends receives grant
For the fourth consecutive year, Wilshire’s Friday Friends program has received a $2,500 grant from the AWARE Fund at The Dallas Foundation. The AWARE Fund (awaredallas.org) supports programs, projects and research by nonprofit organizations that actively help individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Friday Friends, which meets the second and fourth Fridays each month, provides four hours of respite for caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s or a similar form of dementia. If you are a caregiver of a loved one with dementia seeking a few hours of respite for yourself and socialization for your loved one, please contact Marilyn Morgan at jakermo@gmail.com or Heather Mustain at hmustain@wilshirebc.org.

Limited edition shirts for sale
In celebration of Pride Month (June), Wilshire has created a special rainbow version of the familiar “We Are Wilshire” T-shirt. These limited edition shirts will be sold for $20 each, and proceeds will go to Color Splash, an inclusive summer camp for LGBTQ+ youth operated by the United Church of Christ. Visit wilshirebc.org/registration to find the ordering link. The order deadline is April 17.

New around here?
■ The monthly Wilshire Welcome class helps guests and new members learn what Wilshire is all about. Sessions are held Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room (1100-B) near McIver Chapel. Dates: April 23, May 14.
■ Time with Tim is an informal chance for guests and new members to meet and visit with Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples. The next session will be held Sunday, April 30, at 9:45 a.m. in Community Hall.
■ Questions about these events? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.

Wednesday Night Live: April 12
Koinonia Café
5 – 6 p.m. | James Gallery this week | Buffet-style dinner for the whole family. Pricing at wilshirebc.org/wednesdays.
Music, Missions & More
6 – 7 p.m. | Age 3 – Pre-K | Fun activities and lessons focused on God’s love.
KidConnect
6 – 7 p.m. | K – Grade 6 | This new children’s experience features a rotation of activities to help kids learn how to love God and others with every part of themselves. Each week is different. Activities include art, music, science, puppets and cooking.
New three-week resident-led series
6 – 7 p.m. | April 12, 19 and 26 | Room 1205-L | Join the pastoral residents for a series on Aurelia Dávila Pratt’s book, A Brown Girl’s Epiphany: Reclaim Your Intuition and Step into Your Power. In the book, Pratt draws on the concept of imago Dei to suggest that we already have the inner authority we need to heal from trauma and navigate life’s realities. All are welcome, even if you haven’t read the book. Pratt is a writer, podcaster and the lead pastor of Peace of Christ Church near Austin. She was a guest preacher here last summer and will join us by Zoom for our final session on April 26.
Also on Wednesdays
■ Watershed | Grades 7 – 12 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Youth Center
■ Sanctuary Choir | 7 – 8:30 p.m. | Choral Hall | No audition

Childcare for infants to 2-year-olds whose parents are involved in church activities is offered 6 – 7:15 p.m.

April 14 Marriage Connections
The “Not So Newlywed Game” will be the focus of Marriage Connections on Friday, April 14, at 6:30 p.m. In this monthly event, free childcare (infant – grade 6) is provided while parents enjoy a program in James Gallery and then have the rest of the night, until 9:30, to themselves. Registration is required for childcare and closes Sunday, April 9; visit wilshirebc.org/registration. Contact: Abbey Adcox (aadcox@wilshirebc.org)

Single, Adoptive and Foster Care Parents Night Out, April 14
Wilshire will offer free childcare (infant – grade 6) for single, adoptive and foster parents on Friday, April 14, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration is required and closes Sunday, April 9; visit wilshirebc.org/registration.

Pray Away film screening
On Sunday, April 16, Wilshire will co-host a free screening of Pray Away, a documentary film about the harmful practice of “conversion therapy.” The 3:45 p.m. screening at Life in Deep Ellum (where former pastoral resident Jenna Sullivan is pastor) will be followed by a panel discussion with survivors, faith leaders, LGBTQ advocates and mental health experts. The film aims to elevate the conversation on conversion therapy and inform the public — particularly religious communities, where the practice is most prevalent — about its lasting harm and devastating persistence. Register and learn more at tinyurl.com/padallas.

Adventurers lunch will feature expert on aging faithfully
The Wilshire Adventurers will enjoy lunch and a presentation from author and speaker Missy Buchanan on Tuesday, April 18, at 11:30 a.m. in Community Hall. Buchanan writes and speaks on the subject of aging faithfully, and her books include Living with Purpose in a Worn-Out Body and Dry Bones to Living Hope. Lunch costs $10 per person. No reservation necessary. Adventurers events are open to anyone 60 and above. Contact: Barbara Clayton (214-452-3125 or bclayton@wilshirebc.org).

Adventurers Charleston trip
From Nov. 6 to 11, the Wilshire Adventurers will spend five nights and six days touring in Charleston, South Carolina. Led by Rob and Pam Banta, the group will see and experience antebellum homes and estates, local cuisine, culture and architecture, a nighttime harbor cruise with dinner, a fine arts museum, Fort Sumter, Old City Market and more, all accompanied by private guides. See full details at wilshirebc.org/registration or in a brochure available in the church office. The trip will accommodate a maximum of 50 participants and will require a minimum of 35. Registration is first come, first served.

Homelessness panel, April 18
Wilshire will host a panel discussion on affordable housing and homelessness on Tuesday, April 18, at 6:30 p.m. in Community Hall. Associate Pastor Heather Mustain will moderate the event, themed Homelessness, Housing & Me. Panelists are Joli Robinson, president of Housing Forward; Mark Melton, founder of Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center; and Ashley Flores, senior director of Child Poverty Action Lab.

Children’s Earth Day outing
Wilshire’s Children’s Choir singers and KidConnect kids will sing and serve on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22. The group will meet at Wilshire at 9 a.m. to travel by bus to Richardson ISD’s Spring Valley Elementary, where they will help plant a garden and work in the school’s food pantry before sharing lunch and a program with the Spring Valley Choir. After lunch the kids will head to Adventure Landing for mini-golf, laser tag and games before arriving back at Wilshire at 4:30 p.m. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration.

Adopt-a-Book for Wilshire Library
Help the Wilshire Library grow its collection and say thank you to a teacher, minister or staff member by adopting a book in their honor or memory. Stop by the display in the South Atrium on Sunday, April 23 or 30, select a book (available at discounted prices) and let us know the name you wish to have printed on a book plate inside the cover. Adopt-a-Book is a great way to honor someone special and give the gift of reading to countless others. Hours: 9 – 10:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Sunday School series on prayer
Prayer will be the topic of a three-week Sunday School series led by Pastoral Resident John Kelly from April 23 to May 7. The class, which will meet in McIver Chapel at 9:45 a.m., will be a good option for anyone not connected to a class or those new to Sunday School. Existing classes may attend to give their regular teachers a break. John writes, “Prayer is as nebulous as it is transformative. For as many answers as it seems to provide, it offers us just as many new questions to ponder. Too, as often as our faith changes and grows, so does our understanding of what it means to have a ‘prayer life.’ As quickly as our understandings of Scripture, community and God grow, though, we often forget to consider how practices that have nurtured our faith might evolve as well. Join us as we discuss prayer together — what it is(n’t), how it works and its practical value for all people of faith.”

Dietitian to speak April 25
Award-winning dietitian and nutritionist Meridan Zerner of the Cooper Clinic will speak on the topic of “Aging with Better Health” on Tuesday, April 25, at 7 p.m. in Community Hall. Zerner is a certified health and wellness coach and uses behavioral change skills to help support long-term lifestyle changes. This free event is geared to those 55 and older, but all are welcome. No registration needed.

Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW Tuesday Evening Book Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor. On April 11, the group will discuss Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org)
■ The WOW Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On May 4, the group will discuss This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)

Print statements with Realm
With Realm, you can view, download or print your contribution statement at any time by following these instructions:
1. Sign in to your Realm account on a computer.
2. Choose Giving from the menu.
3. Click the (funnel) icon to filter the gifts that display or to change the date range.
4. Click the (printer) icon to generate the statement.
5. Click Print. A preview of your statement will display.
6. Click the printer icon to print or click Download for a PDF file.
For help getting set up on Realm, contact
Susan Kimball at skimball@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3108. For help with online giving,
contact Lori Gooden at lgooden@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3131.

Art exhibit through April 19
Who Is My Neighbor? is the theme of an art exhibit that will be on display through April 19 in Wilshire’s South Lobby. The show is a collection of etchings, lithographs, woodcuts and paintings that give visual insight into Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan. It includes the work of 22 artists from the last four centuries, including Rembrandt, Ernst Barlach, Tanja Butler, Ed Knippers and John August Swanson, plus political cartoons and illustrations that demonstrate the parable’s continued societal relevance.

Summer events for children and preschoolers
Registration is open at wilshirebc.org/summer-camps.
Vacation Bible School
June 12 – 16, 9 a.m. – noon,
Older preschool – Grade 6
Full Day: Cooking Camp & Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Grades 2 – 6
Cooking Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Listen to Your Art! Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 1 – 5:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Passport Kids! Preteen Camp
July 22 – 25, Grades 3 – 6
Preschool Friends Camp
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon
New for completed kindergartners: Creation Station
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon

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Preparing For Worship – Timothy Peoples, senior pastor.

There is an ancient myth regarding the origin of red roses. The Greek goddess Aphrodite fell in love with Adonis, a passionate hunter and the son of Myrrha and Theia. One day, Adonis went into the forest in search of animals, but he forgot a piece of advice Aphrodite had given him — to be very careful with animals that seemed not to be afraid. Adonis ignored this advice when he came upon a wild boar, and this turned out to be the end of his life.

The legend tells that Aphrodite was running to the body of her lover when suddenly she cut herself and her blood turned a white rose into a red one. When she got to Adonis, he said in his last few breaths, “Aphrodite, tell me: if love is meant to heal, then why does it destroy those who choose it?”

Today, we enter this Sanctuary with two scenes at play. The waving of palms and celebration of the man named Jesus, riding on a donkey into town. Many historians suggest some people were at the wrong parade because Pilate was also riding on a horse in a parade across town. We enter this space hopefully knowing which parade we are attending, but also aware celebration is not how this story ends — at least until we get to next Sunday.

We know there will be many roses changing colors from the piercing in the side and the thorns upon his head. And still to this day we ask a similar question as Adonis, “If love is meant to heal, then why does it destroy those who choose it?”

We are often in such a rush to Easter morn that we forget to sit with Good Friday. Not just the Good Friday of way back on Calvary’s hill, but the Good Fridays in our everyday lives. How our love for other things — guns, money, pride, greed, power, lust, etc. — has changed healing into destroying. As we gather into this Sanctuary today, my friends, I hope we choose a love that heals. I hope we realize a love so long ago manifested in this world, a love that did not just change the chemical balance of a rose, but a love so strong that it eternally changed the entire balance of the world. Oh, what love he has for us.

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Interim minister of music named.

Charlie Fuller, an experienced choral conductor, university administrator, church musician and pastor, will serve as Wilshire’s interim minister of music after the April 30 retirement of Associate Pastor Doug Haney.

Charlie will begin at Wilshire in mid-May, leading music in worship and directing Sanctuary Choir. Charlie and his wife, Cindy, who is also a church musician, live in Waco, but he will spend part of each week in Dallas.

A native of North Little Rock, Arkansas, Charlie earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Baylor University, a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from West Texas State University and a Doctor of Music Arts from Arizona State University. Charlie taught at East Texas Baptist University and Ouachita Baptist University, where he served as professor and dean of the School of Fine Arts.

In 2007 Charlie returned to school, earning a Master of Divinity from Baylor’s Truett Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond.

Since 2010 he has served in church positions including minister for congregational life at Little Rock’s Second Baptist Church, executive pastor at First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, DC, and most recently transition pastor at Lake Shore Baptist Church in Waco.

Charlie served as the final music director and conductor of the CenturyMen, a men’s chorus of professional church music leaders that disbanded last year.

Now retired from full-time ministry, Charlie works as a personal coach and consultant and is credentialed through the International Coaching Foundation.

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I Am Wilshire – Lydia Perry.

Hometown: Athens, Georgia, and Mandeville, Louisiana;
Education: Baylor University, undergrad and law school
Present city: Dallas

Tell us about your family.
I am married to James Perry, and we have two kids, Emily, a first-year student at Colorado School of Mines, and Drew, a sophomore in high school at Lakehill.

How about your work or volunteer life?
I worked as an attorney in education law for 15 years before shifting to focus on family and volunteer work. Now, I volunteer with Light of Hope, an immigration law center that helps people along the path to citizenship. In addition, I volunteer at school and play piano for the children’s choir at Wilshire.

What are your favorite hobbies?
I have a horse and ride whenever I can squeeze in a trip to the barn during the week. Riding began as childhood interest and has continued to be a passion in my life.

What is your favorite place to travel?
San Diego is our family’s happy place. There’s something about the combination of desert, hills and ocean that lifts me up every time I’m there.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
We joined Wilshire shortly after Drew, our younger child, was born, as we knew it was the place where we wanted to raise our kids.

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
I am definitely in a season of change. I turned 50 last year and was faced with several major life transitions. Some were expected, some were not, and all have required growth from me. This year has changed my understanding of faith, which I previously thought of as belief in specific things. Now I think of faith more as something that guides and sustains when the limits of human knowledge and abilities have been reached. I am also learning the power and value of community. People have showed up and supported me in such amazing ways during the past year. I am trying to see how I can do the same for others.

Tell us about your faith journey.
I feel like Wilshire has been on a faith journey similar to mine. I was raised in the Southern Baptist tradition, and I have had to look hard at various pieces of my theology, more or less at the same time Wilshire grappled with the same issues. I appreciate being at a church that is willing to engage with the same big questions that have come up for me.

If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire article, contact Carolyn Murray(cmurray@wilshirebc.org)

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Road to Resurrection:
Family Lenten experience.
Sunday, April 2 | Noon – 2 p.m. | Community Hall
If you enjoyed One Starry Night or find it challenging to talk with the children in your life about Jesus’ death and resurrection, you’ll love Road to Resurrection!
This Lenten experience for families will provide a way to discuss this difficult but important subject on their level. It will be relevant, informative and fun for all ages, even adults, so invite your family and friends. This hour-long event traces the journey Jesus took during the last week of his earthly life, and it is filled with Bible-time experiences to engage the senses — creating and waving palm branches, tasting the Passover meal, visiting the Garden of Gethsemane and more. A kid-friendly lunch will be available for $5 per person ($20 family max) in Community Hall after worship. Registered groups of 8 to 12 will be led to the first of six stations starting at noon and rotating every 15 minutes, with the last group starting at 1:30.

Holy Week
Order lilies by April 2
April 2 is the deadline to order Easter lilies for the Sanctuary. Dedications in honor or in memory of loved ones will be listed in the worship folder on Easter Sunday. Each plant costs $15; order in the church office or at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Lenten series: final session
Wednesday, April 5 | 6 p.m. | Room 1205-L. Join the pastoral residents for the final session of their Wednesday Lenten series, Say My Name: Names We Are Called By God.
Maundy Thursday service
April 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Sanctuary. Always one of the year’s most moving services, this service commemorates the Last Supper and carries through to the crucifixion, ending in darkened silence. In addition to Scripture readings and celebration of the Lord’s Supper, this year’s service will feature music from Nova, Shekinah, Carillon Ringers and a string quartet.
Easter Sunday, April 9
■ Sunrise Service: 6:30 a.m. at White Rock Lake’s T.P. Hill.
■ Columbarium Service of Remembrance: 9:30 a.m. This brief service is geared toward those with a loved one inurned or memorialized in the Columbarium, which will be open on Easter from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
■ Worship in the Sanctuary: Join us at 11 a.m. as the shutters are opened and we celebrate the risen Christ. Wilshire Winds will play the prelude, and Sanctuary Choir will sing a new anthem with a text by poet Malcolm Guite. Handel’s “Hallelujah” chorus will serve as the choral benediction, and Organist Jeff Brummel will close with the Widor Toccata.
■ Flowering Cross: Stop by Easter morning to place a flower into the mesh-wrapped wooden cross outside the Sanctuary. Bring your own fresh-cut flowers or take one from a limited supply provided by the church.

Visit wilshirebc.org/lent for links to our Lenten playlist and devotional guide.

Security update
For the past year the Risk Management and Building and Grounds committees, along with Director of Operations Merik Gillett, have continued to implement new strategic measures to increase the safety and well-being of our congregation. As promised, we wanted to provide updates to the congregation as new measures take effect.
Beginning today, all exterior doors except four will be locked at 11:15 a.m., following the start of worship. The doors that will remain unlocked are the two side entry doors into the Narthex, the door near the main church office and the door entering the North Atrium (between James Gallery and the Sanctuary). Folks arriving after 11:15 will only be able to enter the building through one of these entrances. All doors will still be available for exiting.
In addition, to supplement our security, emergency alarms have been strategically placed around the church campus. The location of these alarms, which are active 24/7, are known to staff and will be shared as appropriate with deacons and certain committee members and volunteers.
As a reminder, it is the policy of Wilshire Baptist Church that but for licensed peace officers, Wilshire is a gun-free campus.

Offering of letters Sunday
The Christian Advocacy Committee invites you to participate in an offering of letters April 2 in James Gallery. Letters will be focused on several of our advocacy priorities, and information on current bills in the Texas legislature will be provided. Stop by before Sunday School (starting at 9:30 a.m.), after Sunday School, or after worship. Volunteers will be on hand to assist you with identifying your state representatives and verifying your voter registration status. The voter registration deadline for the May 6 election is April 6. Confirm your voter registration status at texasimpact.org/take-action-2.

Ramadan dinner is Monday
Wilshire will host Dialogue Institute Dallas for an interfaith Ramadan dinner on Monday, April 3, at 7 p.m. in Community Hall. The event will help us learn from our Muslim neighbors as we break bread together in the holy month of Ramadan. The evening will begin with conversation and a presentation on Ramadan, and our friends will share a home-cooked meal with us at 7:45 p.m., when they break their fast. The dinner is free, but registration is required and space is limited. To sign up, visit dialoguedallas.org/events and look for the April 3 Wilshire event. When registering, you can make a small donation toward earthquake relief efforts in Turkey, or you can enter “0.00” for the donation to reserve your spot at the dinner.

Darren DeMent brings music, stories to Lunch & Learn
Associate Pastor Darren DeMent will sing songs and tell stories as the featured guest at Lunch & Learn on April 5 at 11:30 a.m. Held in Community Hall the first Wednesday each month and open to all, Lunch & Learn includes a meal, fellowship and a program. Lunch costs $10 per person. No reservation needed. Contact: Barbara Clayton (bclayton@wilshirebc.org)

Baked goods still needed
Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration to provide baked goods for mission partner Gateway of Grace’s cake walk, to be held in conjunction with their Easter egg hunt. Items should be packaged in clear wrapping or clear containers. Recommended items include one dozen cookies, brownies, bars or cupcakes. No recipes containing gelatin or marshmallow, please. Items should be dropped off on Wednesday, April 5, on tables outside the church office.

Wednesday Night Live: April 5
Koinonia Café
5 – 6 p.m. | James Gallery this week | Buffet-style dinner for the whole family. Pricing at wilshirebc.org/wednesdays.
Music, Missions & More
6 – 7 p.m. | Age 3 – Pre-K | Fun activities and lessons focused on God’s love.
KidConnect
6 – 7 p.m. | K – Grade 6 | This new children’s experience features a rotation of activities to help kids learn how to love God and others with every part of themselves. Each week is different. Activities include art, music, science, puppets and cooking.
Lenten series: final session
6 p.m. | Room 1205-L | When the world shouts with a million voices around us, we can count on the voice of God to call us by our true names. Join our pastoral residents as we discuss how to tune into that voice.
Coming soon: A Brown Girl’s Epiphany
April 12, 19, & 26 | 6 p.m. | Join the pastoral residents for a series on Aurelia Dávila Pratt’s book, A Brown Girl’s Epiphany: Reclaim Your Intuition and Step into Your Power. All are welcome, even if you haven’t read the book. Aurelia, who preached here last summer, will join us by Zoom on April 26.
Also on Wednesdays
■ Watershed | Grades 7 – 12 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Youth Center
■ Sanctuary Choir | 7 – 8:30 p.m. | Choral Hall | No audition

Childcare for infants to 2-year-olds whose parents are involved in church activities is offered 6 – 7:15 p.m.

Limited edition shirts for sale
In celebration of Pride Month (June), Wilshire has created a special rainbow version of the familiar “We Are Wilshire” T-shirt. These limited edition shirts will be sold for $20 each, and proceeds will go to Color Splash, an inclusive summer camp for LGBTQ+ youth operated by the United Church of Christ. Visit wilshirebc.org/registration to find the ordering link. The order deadline is April 17.

New to Wilshire?
■ The monthly Wilshire Welcome class helps guests and new members learn what Wilshire is all about. Sessions are held Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room (1100-B) near McIver Chapel. Dates: April 23, May 14.
■ Time with Tim is an informal chance for guests and new members to meet and visit with Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples. The next session will be held Sunday, April 30, at 9:45 a.m. in Community Hall.
■ Questions about these events? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.

Marriage Connections, April 14
The “Not So Newlywed Game” will be the focus of the next Marriage Connections on Friday, April 14, at 6:30 p.m. In this monthly event, free childcare (infant – grade 6) is provided while parents enjoy a short program in James Gallery and then have the rest of the night, until 9:30, to themselves. Registration is required for childcare and closes Sunday, April 9; visit wilshirebc.org/registration. Contact: Abbey Adcox (aadcox@wilshirebc.org)

Single, Adoptive and Foster Care Parents Night Out, April 14
Wilshire will offer free childcare (infant – grade 6) for single, adoptive and foster parents on Friday, April 14, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration is required and closes Sunday, April 9; visit wilshirebc.org/registration.

Pray Away film screening
On Sunday, April 16, Wilshire will co-host a free screening of Pray Away, a documentary film about the harmful practice of “conversion therapy.” The 3:45 p.m. screening at Life in Deep Ellum (where former pastoral resident Jenna Sullivan is pastor) will be followed by a panel discussion with survivors, faith leaders, LGBTQ advocates and mental health experts. The film aims to elevate the conversation on conversion therapy and inform the public — particularly religious communities, where the practice is most prevalent — about its lasting harm and devastating persistence. Register and learn more at tinyurl.com/padallas.

Adventurers lunch will feature expert on aging faithfully
The Wilshire Adventurers will enjoy lunch and a presentation from author and speaker Missy Buchanan on Tuesday, April 18, at 11:30 a.m. in Community Hall. Buchanan writes and speaks on the subject of aging faithfully, and her books include Living with Purpose in a Worn-Out Body and Dry Bones to Living Hope. Lunch costs $10 per person. No reservation necessary. Adventurers events are open to anyone 60 and above. Contact: Barbara Clayton (214-452-3125 or bclayton@wilshirebc.org).

Adventurers Charleston trip
From Nov. 6 to 11, the Wilshire Adventurers will spend five nights and six days touring in Charleston, South Carolina. Led by Rob and Pam Banta, the group will see and experience antebellum homes and estates, local cuisine, culture and architecture, a nighttime harbor cruise with dinner, a fine arts museum, Fort Sumter, Old City Market, Charleston Tea Garden and more, all accompanied by private guides. See full details at wilshirebc.org/registration or in a brochure available in the church office. The trip will accommodate a maximum of 50 participants and will require a minimum of 35. Registration is first come, first served.

Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On April 6, the group will discuss Ann May’s Jacqueline in Paris. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)
■ The WOW Tuesday Evening Book Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor. On April 11, the group will discuss Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org)

Homelessness panel, April 18
Wilshire will host a panel discussion on affordable housing and homelessness on Tuesday, April 18, at 6:30 p.m. in Community Hall. Associate Pastor Heather Mustain will moderate the event, themed Homelessness, Housing & Me. Panelists are Joli Robinson, president of Housing Forward; Mark Melton, founder of Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center; and Ashley Flores, senior director of Child Poverty Action Lab.

Sunday School series on prayer
Prayer will be the topic of a three-week Sunday School series led by Pastoral Resident John Kelly from April 23 to May 7. The class, which will meet in McIver Chapel at 9:45 a.m., will be a good option for anyone not connected to a class or those new to Sunday School. Existing classes may attend to give their regular teachers a break. John writes, “Prayer is as nebulous as it is transformative. For as many answers as it seems to provide, it offers us just as many new questions to ponder. Too, as often as our faith changes and grows, so does our understanding of what it means to have a ‘prayer life.’ As quickly as our understandings of Scripture, community and God grow, though, we often forget to consider how practices that have nurtured our faith might evolve as well. Join us as we discuss prayer together — what it is(n’t), how it works and its practical value for all people of faith.”

Dietitian to speak April 25
Award-winning dietitian and nutritionist Meridan Zerner of the Cooper Clinic will speak on the topic of “Aging with Better Health” on Tuesday, April 25, at 7 p.m. in Community Hall. Zerner is a certified health and wellness coach and uses behavioral change skills to help support long-term lifestyle changes. This free event is geared to those 55 and older, but all are welcome. No registration needed.

Art exhibit through April 19
Who Is My Neighbor? is the theme of an art exhibit that will be on display through April 19 in Wilshire’s South Lobby. The show is a collection of etchings, lithographs, woodcuts and paintings that give visual insight into Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan. It includes the work of 22 artists from the last four centuries, including Rembrandt, Ernst Barlach, Tanja Butler, Ed Knippers and John August Swanson, plus political cartoons and illustrations that demonstrate the parable’s continued societal relevance.

Concert on Doug’s last day will benefit Grief and Loss Center
Sanctuary Choir and guest artist Ken Medema will be featured in a 6:30 p.m. concert on Sunday, April 30, Associate Pastor Doug Haney’s last day at Wilshire. The concert, themed “Wrap Me in Song,” will benefit the Grief and Loss Center of North Texas, a nonprofit organization based at Wilshire. Selections will include excerpts from Gabriel Faure’s Requiem and Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light. Ken Medema is a singer, songwriter and pianist who has released over 40 albums since the 1970s. Blind from birth, Medema is known for his ability to improvise songs in concert. Admission is free; an offering will be received.

Summer events for children and preschoolers
Registration is open at wilshirebc.org/summer-camps.
Vacation Bible School
June 12 – 16, 9 a.m. – noon,
Older preschool – Grade 6
Full Day: Cooking Camp & Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Grades 2 – 6
Cooking Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Listen to Your Art! Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 1 – 5:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Passport Kids! Preteen Camp
July 22 – 25, Grades 3 – 6
Preschool Friends Camp
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon
New for completed kindergartners: Creation Station
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon

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Preparing For Worship – Gina Biddle.

As we prepare for worship this day, let us be reminded of many things. This is the Lord’s Day. Moreover we rise, and may we give thanks for the privilege to be awake in our right minds.

Today’s Scripture from Ezekiel inspired the spiritual song “Dem Bones” (also called “Dry Bones” and “Dem Dry Bones”), written by brothers James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson and first recorded in 1928 by the Famous Myers Jubilee Singers.

The lyrics are inspired by the prophet Ezekiel’s visit to the Valley of Dry Bones, where he prophesied that the dead will one day be resurrected at God’s command. The bones of my body are the same as all human beings; we are not different. We all come from a place of brokenness and then realize that Christ loves each and every one of us and wants more life for us than we can imagine. In the depiction of the bones piled up together, the word of God comes and gives the bones life, and they are resurrected.

This passage from Ezekiel resonates with me and my journey in many ways. Growing up in inner-city Detroit during the 60’s, segregation and riots were rampant. I didn’t understand that the color of my skin was a basis for some to not like me or treat me as an equal. I’ve seen many artists’ renditions of dry bones. They remind me of the days before Christ in my life. I felt brittle, broken and not loved. When I gave my life to Christ, upon rising up from the baptism waters, I felt I was whole and no longer broken and unloved. God loved me and gave his only Son for me to have life “more abundantly,” even though my skin is a different color.

Daily may we give thanks for the new life given to our dry bones by God’s only Son, Jesus.

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I Am Wilshire – Matt Cook.

Hometown: Nashville;
Education: B.A. from Samford, M.Div. and Ph.D. from Baylor;
Profession: Director of the Center for Healthy Churches (consultant)
Present city: Dallas

Tell us about your family.
I’ve been married to Allyson for 24 years. We’ve got two great kids, Nathaniel, our golfer, who’s about to graduate from Lake Highlands, and Caroline, our singer, who’s a sophomore at Lake Highlands.

How about your work or volunteer life?
I served in congregational ministry for 30 years. Now I’ve gone from working in “a” church to working in “THE” Church. I’m currently working on a huge new project designed to help congregations respond to political polarization. It’s challenging but meaningful work.

What are your favorite hobbies?
I’m a huge college football fan who roots for OU and I’m also a (mostly) devoted cyclist.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
We joined Wilshire in 2019 when we moved to Dallas. All our family is in Texas, and so when my work put me into travel mode, we decided to come live close to them. As a former pastor, I’ve known and had relationships with people at Wilshire for my entire adult life. Joining Wilshire was an easy choice and a gift to us, as we felt immediately at home. Just in the last couple of weeks we’ve broken bread with five different couples who have become good friends in the three years we’ve been here. That gift is especially wonderful for me, given the fact that most Sundays I’m out serving in other churches across the country.

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
For my personality type, when I’m learning, I’m in the best position to grow spiritually. Right now, I’m doing lots of learning around the idea of how to foster unity amidst diversity. One challenge of the cultural moment, it seems to me, is finding ways to advocate for the world we think God intends without developing disdain or hatred for our neighbors who don’t share our convictions. If I’m honest, trying to do that on my own can be exhausting. What’s been life-giving for me, though, is the growing realization that the dynamics of “us vs. them” are so very different when we include God in that relational dynamic. Somewhat to my surprise, contemplating the reality of our toxic political context has pushed me back toward the grace of God. Hopefully that’s not just an idea in my brain but something that is actually helping me be more humble and hospitable.

If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire article, contact Carolyn Murray(cmurray@wilshirebc.org)

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Road to Resurrection: Family Lenten Experience
Sunday, April 2 | Noon – 2 p.m. | Community Hall
Reserve a time at wilshirebc.org/registration.
If you enjoyed One Starry Night or find it challenging to talk with the children in your life about Jesus’ death and resurrection, you’ll love Road to Resurrection! This Lenten experience for families will provide a way to discuss this difficult but important subject on their level. It will be relevant, informative and fun for all ages, even adults, so invite your family and friends. This hour-long event traces the journey Jesus took during the last week of his earthly life, and it is filled with Bible-time experiences to engage the senses — creating and waving palm branches, tasting the Passover meal, visiting the Garden of Gethsemane and more. A kid-friendly lunch will be available for $5 per person ($20 family max) in Community Hall after worship. Registered groups of 8 to 12 will be led to the first of six stations starting at noon, rotating every 15 minutes, with the last group starting at 1:30. Walk-ups are welcome, space permitting. Reserve your entry time at wilshirebc.org/registration.
• Volunteers are needed as greeters, travel guides, costumed characters, assistants or to help with decorating. Contact Julie Girards (jgirards@wilshirebc.org) or visit wilshirebc.org/registration for a SignUpGenius link.

Food service changes
Due to staffing transitions in our food service department, we have found it necessary to make some adjustments to our practices and policies. From now until at least the end of the summer, we will not be able to accommodate those with food allergies or dietary restrictions. The staff feels that we do not currently have the capacity to do so safely. Moving forward, many if not all meals will be “chef’s choice.” This will allow for the flexibility and adaptability our kitchen staff needs. We apologize for this inconvenience and thank you for your continued grace and patience. We also believe it essential to implement a new policy that requires two weeks notice when an event at the church — with the exception of funerals — requires food or beverage service. This will allow us to adequately staff events while maximizing resources and minimizing waste. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me or Holly Irvin, Director of Hospitality. — Heather Mustain, Associate Pastor

Meeting Sunday, March 26, about Adventurers Charleston trip
Anyone interested in learning more about the Wilshire Adventurers’ planned November trip to Charleston, South Carolina, is invited to a meeting on Sunday, March 26, after worship in McIver Chapel. From Nov. 6 to 11, the Adventurers will spend five nights and six days touring in the “Holy City.” Led by Rob and Pam Banta, the group will see and experience antebellum homes and estates, Charleston cuisine, culture and architecture, a nighttime harbor cruise with dinner, a fine arts museum, Fort Sumter, Old City Market, Charleston Tea Garden and more, all accompanied by private guides. See full details at wilshirebc.org/registration or in a brochure available in the church office. The trip will accommodate a maximum of 50 participants and will require a minimum of 35. Registration is first come, first served.

Eggs, candy for Gateway due March 29
We have two opportunities to support mission partner Gateway of Grace and their annual Easter egg hunt for the refugee families they serve.
■ Plastic eggs and supplies. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration to provide fillable Easter eggs or wrapped fun-size candy. No marshmallows or candy containing gelatin, please. Items may be dropped off in containers located outside the church office, north entrance, and second-floor education office suite by Wednesday, March 29. All ages are welcome as we fill the eggs and assemble weekend meal bags for Lipscomb Elementary at Called to Care on Wednesday, March 29, at 6 p.m. in James Gallery.
■ Baked goods. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration to provide baked goods for Gateway’s cake walk. Items should
be packaged in clear wrapping or clear containers. Recommended items include one dozen cookies, brownies, bars or cupcakes. No recipes containing gelatin or marshmallow, please. Items should be dropped off on Wednesday, April 5, on tables outside the church office.

Wednesday Night Live: March 29
Called to Care: All ages together at 6 p.m.
When a month has a fifth Wednesday, adults and children join together for a fun, hands-on service project. This week, we’ll meet in James Gallery to prepare eggs for mission partner Gateway of Grace’s Easter Egg Hunt and fill weekend food bags for students of DISD’s Lipscomb Elementary School.
Koinonia Café
5 – 6 p.m. | Community Hall | Buffet-style dinner for the whole family. Pricing at wilshirebc.org/wednesdays.
The Lenten study, KidConnect and Preschool Music, Missions & More will return April 5.
Also on Wednesdays
■ Watershed | Grades 7 – 12 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Youth Center
■ Sanctuary Choir | 7 – 8:30 p.m. | Choral Hall | No audition

Childcare for infants to 2-year-olds whose parents are involved in church activities is offered 6 – 7:15 p.m.

Seen. Known. Loved.
Lent 2023
Devotional guide
Join Wilshire as we journey toward Easter using Kate Bowler’s Bless the Lent We Actually Have, a devotional guide designed to go with Bowler’s book, The Lives We Actually Have. Download the guide at wilshirebc.org/lent or pick up a printed copy in the church office.
Lenten playlist
Wilshire has created an eclectic Lenten playlist on the streaming music service Spotify. The basic version of Spotify is free. Search for “seen. known. loved – Lent 2023” or find a link to the playlist at wilshirebc.org/lent.
Wednesdays: Say My Name: Names We Are Called By God
6 p.m. | Room 1205-L. When the world shouts with a million voices around us, we can count on the voice of God to call us by our true names. Join our pastoral residents as we discuss how to tune into that voice. The last session will be held on April 5.
Maundy Thursday Service
April 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Sanctuary. One of the year’s most moving services, Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with the Apostles. In addition to Scripture readings and the Lord’s Supper, this year’s service will feature music from Nova, Shekinah, Carillon Ringers and a string quartet.
Easter Sunday, April 9
■ Sunrise Service: 6:30 a.m. at White Rock Lake’s T.P. Hill.
■ Worship in the Sanctuary: 11 a.m.
■ Columbarium Service of Remembrance: 9:30 a.m. This brief service is geared toward those with a loved one inurned or memorialized in the Columbarium, which will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
■ Flowering Cross: Stop by Easter morning to place a flower into the mesh-wrapped wooden cross outside the Sanctuary. Bring your own fresh-cut flowers or take one from a limited supply provided by the church.

Find more details at wilshirebc.org/lent

New to Wilshire?
■ The monthly Wilshire Welcome class helps guests and new members learn what Wilshire is all about. Sessions are held Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room (1100-B) near McIver Chapel. Dates: April 23, May 14.
■ Time with Tim is an informal chance for guests and new members to meet and visit with Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples. The next session will be held Sunday, April 30, at 9:45 a.m. in Community Hall.
■ Questions about these events? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.

Sign up for Ramadan dinner
Wilshire will host Dialogue Institute Dallas for an interfaith Ramadan dinner on Monday, April 3, at 7 p.m. in Community Hall. The event will help us learn from our Muslim neighbors as we break bread together in the holy month of Ramadan. The evening will begin with conversation and a presentation on Ramadan, and our friends will share a home-cooked meal with us at 7:45 p.m., when they break their fast. The dinner is free, but registration is required and space is limited. To sign up, visit dialoguedallas.org/events and look for the April 3 Wilshire event. When registering, you can make a small donation toward earthquake relief efforts in Turkey, or you can enter “0.00” for the donation to reserve your spot at the dinner.

Order Easter lilies by April 2
It’s time to order Easter lilies to adorn the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday. Congregants are invited to provide the flowers in honor or in memory of beloved family members, friends or teachers. Dedications will be listed in the worship folder on Easter, April 9. Each plant costs $15. Order at wilshirebc.org/registration or in the church office. The deadline for inclusion in the listing is Palm Sunday, April 2.

Darren DeMent is guest for April 5 Lunch & Learn
Associate Pastor Darren DeMent will be the featured guest at Lunch & Learn on April 5 at 11:30 a.m. Held in Community Hall the first Wednesday each month and open to all, Lunch & Learn includes a meal, fellowship and a program. Lunch costs $10 per person. No reservation needed. Contact: Barbara Clayton (bclayton@wilshirebc.org)

Adventurers lunch will feature author presentation
The Wilshire Adventurers will enjoy lunch and a presentation from author and speaker Missy Buchanan on Tuesday, April 18, at 11:30 a.m. in Community Hall. Buchanan writes and speaks on the subject of aging faithfully, and her books include Living with Purpose in a Worn-Out Body and Dry Bones to Living Hope. Lunch costs $10 per person. No reservation necessary. Adventurers events are open to anyone 60 and above. Contact: Barbara Clayton (214-452-3125 or bclayton@wilshirebc.org).

Marriage Connections, April 14
The “Not So Newlywed Game” will be the focus of the next Marriage Connections on Friday, April 14, at 6:30 p.m. In this monthly event, free childcare (infant – grade 6) is provided while parents enjoy a short program in James Gallery and then have the rest of the night, until 9:30, to themselves. Registration is required for childcare and closes Sunday, April 9; visit wilshirebc.org/registration. Contact: Abbey Adcox (aadcox@wilshirebc.org)

Single, Adoptive and Foster Care Parents Night Out, April 14
Wilshire will offer free childcare (infant – grade 6) for single, adoptive and foster parents on Friday, April 14, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration is required and closes Sunday, April 9; visit wilshirebc.org/registration.

Pray Away film screening
On Sunday, April 16, Wilshire will co-host a free screening of Pray Away, a documentary film about the harmful practice of “conversion therapy.” The 3:45 p.m. screening at Life in Deep Ellum (where former pastoral resident Jenna Sullivan is pastor) will be followed by a panel discussion with survivors, faith leaders, LGBTQ advocates and mental health experts. The film aims to elevate the conversation on conversion therapy and inform the public — particularly religious communities, where the practice is most prevalent — about its lasting harm and devastating persistence. Register and learn more at tinyurl.com/padallas.

Homelessness panel, April 18
Wilshire will host a panel discussion on affordable housing and homelessness on Tuesday, April 18, at 6:30 p.m. in Community Hall. Associate Pastor Heather Mustain will moderate the event, themed Homelessness, Housing & Me. Panelists are Joli Robinson, president of Housing Forward; Mark Melton, founder of Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center; and Ashley Flores, senior director of Child Poverty Action Lab.

Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On April 6, the group will discuss Ann May’s Jacqueline in Paris. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)
■ The WOW Tuesday Evening Book Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor. On April 11, the group will discuss Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org)

Art exhibit through April 19
Who Is My Neighbor? is the theme of an art exhibit that will be on display through April 19 in Wilshire’s South Lobby. The show is a collection of etchings, lithographs, woodcuts and paintings that give visual insight into Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan. It includes the work of 22 artists from the last four centuries, including Rembrandt, Ernst Barlach, Tanja Butler, Ed Knippers and John August Swanson, plus political cartoons and illustrations that demonstrate the parable’s continued societal relevance.

Concert on Doug’s last day will benefit Grief and Loss Center
Sanctuary Choir and guest artist Ken Medema will be featured in a 6:30 p.m. concert on Sunday, April 30, Associate Pastor Doug Haney’s last day at Wilshire. The concert, themed “Wrap Me in Song,” will benefit the Grief and Loss Center of North Texas, a nonprofit organization based at Wilshire. Selections will include excerpts from Gabriel Faure’s Requiem and Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light. Ken Medema is a singer, songwriter and pianist who has released over 40 albums since the 1970s. Blind from birth, Medema is known for his ability to improvise songs in concert. Admission is free; an offering will be received.

Summer events for children and preschoolers
Registration is open at wilshirebc.org/summer-camps.
Vacation Bible School
June 12 – 16, 9 a.m. – noon,
Older preschool – Grade 6
Full Day: Cooking Camp & Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Grades 2 – 6
Cooking Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Listen to Your Art! Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 1 – 5:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Passport Kids! Preteen Camp
July 22 – 25, Grades 3 – 6
Preschool Friends Camp
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon
New for completed kindergartners: Creation Station
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon

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Preparing for Worship – LeAnn Hampton.

Seen. Known. Loved. The theme for our journey through Lent has been beautifully represented through our times of worship each Sunday. Today the concept of seeing and being seen is woven through the Scripture reading in John 9, and in the background of our hymn, O Love That Will Not Let Me Go.

In the Scripture, we find Jesus walking around bringing the good news of God’s healing, love and grace to everyone. When he sees the man born blind and heals him, we are suddenly given a front row seat to intriguing conversations as Jesus helps those near him understand who can see and who can’t or won’t use the God-given gift of sight.

The hymn, O Love That Will Not Let Me Go, is not only a moving reminder of how much we are known and loved but has an interesting connection to blindness and vision. George Matheson, who wrote the text of the hymn, was a brilliant pastor and writer who throughout his life suffered from failing vision. He was nearly blind by age 18 but excelled as a student at Glasgow University studying theology. His sister helped him with his studies, and after he became a pastor, she provided invaluable assistance with his pastoral responsibilities.

On the eve of his sister’s wedding, June 6, 1882, Matheson composed the text of the hymn, and described the experience in this way. “Something happened to me, which was known only to myself, and which caused me the most severe mental suffering. The hymn was the fruit of that suffering. It was the quickest bit of work I ever did in my life. I had the impression rather of having it dictated to me by some inward voice than of working it out myself. I am quite sure that the whole work was completed in five minutes, and equally sure it never received at my hands any retouching or correction. I have no natural gift of rhythm. All the other verses I have ever written are manufactured articles; this came like a dayspring from on high. I have never been able to gain once more the same fervor in verse.” Although Reverend Matheson’s eyes failed to see, he understood being seen, known and loved by God.

As we worship together, may God open our eyes and allow us to respond to the great love made known to us through Jesus Christ.

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I Am Wilshire: Annette Miller.

Hometown: Alba, Texas, but born in Oklahoma;
Education: MBA, Univ. of Central Oklahoma; BS in Medical Technology, Oklahoma Baptist Univ.
Profession: President, LifeSync Leadership
Present city: Flower Mound

Tell us about your family.
I live with my husband, Rich, and schnoodle, Pixie Dust. Our twin sons are nearby; both are married and have children. We have five grandchildren.

How about your work or volunteer life?
Through my own company, I provide operations and leadership development consulting to small nonprofits and businesses and also churches. On the side, I am the chief of staff for the Mental Wellness Interfaith Alliance of North Texas which is made up of a group of congregations including Wilshire. I am a Birkman Advanced Certified Consultant and Mental Health First Aider.

What are your favorite places to travel?
We enjoyed a dream vacation in Paris a few years ago. I’d love to visit Italy and find my roots in Scotland.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
I joined Wilshire in 2018, over a year after the big vote to accept everybody. I was serving on the Texas Baptist executive board of directors but missed the meeting when they voted Wilshire out of the conference. When I heard about it, I was appalled. I later left my church in Lewisville, resigned serving on the executive board and joined Wilshire. My husband is still serving in the music ministry at my former church.

Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
Belong Team, New Member Committee, Stephen Ministry, Chronic and Undiagnosed Illness Community Support Group and Knit Unto Others.

What has surprised you most about Wilshire?
Wilshire is truly a healthy church, and members exhibit unconditional acceptance.

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
I’ve been working on courage in the past year and have made significant progress.

Tell us about your faith journey.
A few years ago, I had an identity crisis that included a mental, physical and spiritual crisis. A Wilshire Stephen Minister helped me accept that it’s normal to have spiritual questions. My healing from this led me to publish a book on using critical thinking to work through spiritual questions.

What’s something interesting most people wouldn’t know about you?
My favorite series is Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia on Netflix.

What adjectives describe you?
Warm, curious, fast-paced, entrepreneurial, emotional.

If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire article, contact Carolyn Murray(cmurray@wilshirebc.org)

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Faith in 3D returns to live theatre with classic drama.

A cast of Wilshire actors ranging in age from 11 to 83 will present this year’s Faith in 3D production, a staged reading of scenes from Arthur Miller’s classic drama The Crucible, on Friday, March 24, and Saturday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m. in Community Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

Wilshire member Nancy Poynter, who taught drama and led productions at Lake Highlands High School from 1980 to 2000, is the show’s director.

The Crucible debuted on Broadway in 1953 and won that year’s Tony Award for Best Play. The work is a dramatized and partially fictionalized account of the 17th-century Salem witch trials that occurred in the rigidly theocratic Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Miller wrote the play as an allegory to the anti-communist “witch hunts” propagated by U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy during the Red Scare of the late 1940s and early 1950s. Nancy Poynter says, “Miller wrote the play with the 1950s House Un-American Activities Committee in mind, but like good literature, it has taken on a new application in modern times. I see it as an exploration of lying.”

The word “crucible,” which doesn’t appear in the play, is defined as “a severe test” or “a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact.”

In the introduction to a published edition of the play, scholar Christopher Bigley writes, “Miller is concerned with the breaking of the social contract that binds a community together, as love and mutual respect bind individuals together… The Crucible reminds us how fragile is our grasp on those shared values that are the foundation of any society.”

Along with many Faith in 3D regulars, the cast includes seven first-time participants. Lynette DeBose and Bob Coleman are reprising roles they played in college and high school, respectively.

This is not the first Arthur Miller play for Faith in 3D, which began in 2015 with a staging of Miller’s All My Sons. Other past shows — some with religious themes but all relevant to contemporary society — include adaptations of Amadeus, Inherit the Wind, Working and Pompeii, a vaudeville-style musical about climate change.

This year’s show marks a return to live theatre for Faith in 3D. In 2021 and 2022, Poynter and company adapted to COVID-19 concerns with video productions of Anthony Clarvoe’s plague-themed The Living (produced entirely over Zoom) and Carol Hall’s musical, To Whom It May Concern.

The “3D” stands for drama, dessert and dialogue, and after the show attendees will enjoy a tasty treat from the Wilshire kitchen and a discussion of the play’s themes moderated by Mark Wingfield. Mark is a journalist and Wilshire member who explores truth-telling and lying in his newest book, Honestly: Telling the Truth about the Bible and Ourselves.

Childcare for infants through sixth graders will be offered for Faith in 3D on Friday night, March 24, if there is sufficient demand. Reserve childcare by Tuesday, March 21, at wilshirebc.org/registration.

CAST:
Rev. Parris — Brad Russell
Betty Parris — Eve Vachon
Tituba — Lynette DeBose
Abigail Williams — Katherine Pottkotter
Susanna Walcott — Kathryn Woodbury
Ann Putnam — Paula Woodbury
Thomas Putnam — Kevin Cabaniss
Mercy Lewis — Miriam McClung
Mary Warren — Cate Tabor
John Proctor — Andy Brookshire
Rebecca Nurse — Mary Kay Jackman
Giles Corey — George Gagliardi
Rev. John Hale — James Michael Sobolik-Williams
Elizabeth Proctor — Meredith Vachon
Ezekiel Cheever — Kevin Cabaniss
Deputy Gov. Danforth — Bob Coleman
Judge Hathorne — Pat Spikes
Narrator — Monica Mullins

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New to Wilshire?

The monthly Wilshire Welcome class helps guests and new members learn what Wilshire is all about. Sessions are held Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room (1100-B) near McIver Chapel. Dates: March 19, April 23, May 14.
Time with Tim is an informal chance for guests and new members to meet and visit with Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples. The next session will be held Sunday, April 30, at 9:45 a.m. in Community Hall.
Questions about these events? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.

Order Easter lilies by April 2
It’s time to order Easter lilies to adorn the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday. Congregants are invited to provide the flowers in honor or in memory of beloved family members, friends or teachers. Dedications will be listed in the worship folder on Easter, April 9. Each plant costs $15. Order at wilshirebc.org/registration or in the church office. The deadline for inclusion in the listing is Palm Sunday, April 2.

Wilshire authors sought
The Library Committee is compiling a list of Wilshire folks who have written books. If you’re an author, self-published or otherwise, email Librarian Barbara Peterson with “Author” in the subject line at bpeterson@wilshirebc.org. The committee is exploring the idea of a Wilshire Author Fair where writers could sell and sign their books.

CPR and AED classes
Parish Nurse Linda Garner is offering a class on CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automated external defibrillation). Visit wilshirebc.org/registration to sign up for Thursday, March 23, or Saturday, March 25, from 9 a.m. to noon. A $25 per person charge covers supplies. Questions? Contact Linda at lgarner@wilshirebc.org.

Ramadan dinner set for April 3
Wilshire will host Dialogue Institute Dallas for an interfaith Ramadan dinner on Monday, April 3, at 7 p.m. in Community Hall. The event will help us learn from our Muslim neighbors as we break bread together in the holy month of Ramadan. The evening will begin with conversation and a presentation on Ramadan, and our friends will share a home-cooked meal with us at 7:45 p.m., when they break their fast. The dinner is free, but registration is required and space is limited. To sign up, visit dialoguedallas.org/events and look for the April 3 Wilshire event. When registering, you can make a small donation towards earthquake relief efforts in Turkey, or you can enter “0.00” for the donation to reserve your spot at the dinner.

Lunch & Learn to feature DeMent
Associate Pastor Darren DeMent will be the featured guest at Lunch & Learn on April 5 at 11:30 a.m. Held in Community Hall the first Wednesday each month and open to all, Lunch & Learn includes a meal, fellowship and a program. Lunch costs $10 per person. No reservation needed. Contact: Barbara Clayton (bclayton@wilshirebc.org)

Info session March 26 for Adventurers Charleston trip
From Nov. 6 to 11, the Wilshire Adventurers will travel to Charleston, South Carolina, for five nights and six days of touring in the “Holy City” led by Rob and Pam Banta. The group will see and experience antebellum homes and estates, Charleston cuisine, culture and architecture, a nighttime harbor cruise with dinner, a fine arts museum, Fort Sumter, Old City Market, Charleston Tea Garden and more, all accompanied by private guides. See full details at wilshirebc.org/registration or in a brochure available in the church office. The trip will accommodate a maximum of 50 participants and will require a minimum of 35. Registration is first-come, first-served. All are invited to hear about the trip in a meeting in McIver Chapel after worship on Sunday, March 26.

Adventurers lunch features author
The Wilshire Adventurers will enjoy lunch and a presentation from author and speaker Missy Buchanan on Tuesday, April 18, at 11:30 a.m. in Community Hall. Buchanan writes and speaks on the subject of aging faithfully, and her books include Living with Purpose in a Worn-Out Body and Dry Bones to Living Hope. Lunch costs $10 per person. No reservation necessary. Adventurers events are open to anyone 60 and above. Contact: Barbara Clayton (214-452-3125 or bclayton@wilshirebc.org).

Marriage Connections, April 14
The “Not So Newlywed Game” will be the focus of the next Marriage Connections on Friday, April 14, at 6:30 p.m. In this monthly event, free childcare (infant – grade 6) is provided while parents enjoy a short program in James Gallery and then have the rest of the night, until 9:30, to themselves. Registration is required for childcare and closes Sunday, April 9; visit wilshirebc.org/registration. Contact: Abbey Adcox (aadcox@wilshirebc.org)

Single, Adoptive and Foster Care Parents Night Out, April 14
Wilshire will offer free childcare (infant – grade 6) for single, adoptive and foster parents on Friday, April 14, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration is required and closes Sunday, April 9; visit wilshirebc.org/registration.

Print statements with Realm
With Realm, you can view, download or print your contribution statement at any time by following these instructions:
1. Sign in to your Realm account on a computer.
2. Choose Giving from the menu.
3. Click the (funnel) icon to filter the gifts that display or to change the date range.
4. Click the (printer) icon to generate the statement.
5. Click Print. A preview of your statement will display.
6. Click the printer icon to print or click Download for a PDF file.
For help getting set up on Realm, contact Susan Kimball at skimball@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3108. For help with online giving, contact Lori Gooden at lgooden@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3131.

Chronic illness support group
Wilshire’s support group for those experiencing a chronic or undiagnosed illness meets on Zoom the second and fourth Tuesdays every month at 7:30 p.m. To learn more, contact group leader Annette Miller at annette.a.miller@gmail.com.

Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On April 6, the group will discuss Ann May’s Jacqueline in Paris. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)
■ The WOW Tuesday Evening Book Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor. On April 11, the group will discuss Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org)

Wednesday Night Live: March 22
Koinonia Café
5 – 6 p.m. | James Gallery on March 22 | Buffet-style dinner for the whole family. Pricing at wilshirebc.org/wednesdays. March 22: Chicken Parmesan, Pasta Alfredo, Zucchini and Carrots, Potato Leek Soup, Salad, Desserts. Kids: Hot Dogs, Potato Chips.
Music, Missions & More
6 – 7 p.m. | Age 3 – Pre-K | Fun activities and lessons focused on God’s love.
KidConnect
6 – 7 p.m. | K – Grade 6 | This new children’s experience features a rotation of activities to help kids learn how to love God and others with every part of themselves. Each week is different. Activities include art, music, science, puppets and cooking.
Say My Name: Names We Are Called By God
6 p.m. | Room 1205-L. When the world shouts with a million voices around us, we can count on the voice of God to call us by our true names. Join our pastoral residents as we discuss how to tune into that voice. Remaining dates are March 22 and April 5.
Also on Wednesdays
■ Watershed | Grades 7 – 12 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Youth Center
■ Sanctuary Choir | 7 – 8:30 p.m. | Choral Hall | No audition

Items needed for Gateway of Grace Easter egg hunt
We have two opportunities to support mission partner Gateway of Grace and their annual Easter egg hunt for the refugee families they serve.
■ Plastic eggs and supplies. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration to provide fillable Easter eggs or wrapped fun-size candy. No marshmallows or candy containing gelatin, please. Items may be dropped off in containers located outside the church office, north entrance, and second-floor education office suite by Wednesday, March 29. All ages are welcome as we fill the eggs and assemble weekend meal bags for Lipscomb Elementary at Called to Care on Wednesday, March 29, at 6 p.m. in James Gallery.
■ Baked goods. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration to provide baked goods for Gateway’s cake walk. Items should be packaged in clear wrapping or clear containers. Recommended items include one dozen cookies, brownies, bars, or cupcakes. No recipes containing gelatin or marshmallow, please. Items should be dropped off on Wednesday, April 5, on tables outside the church office.

If you loved One Starry Night, don’t miss Road to Resurrection
Sunday, April 2 | Noon – 2 p.m. | Community Hall
If you enjoyed One Starry Night or find it challenging to talk with the children in your life about Jesus’ death and resurrection, you’ll love Road to Resurrection! This Lenten experience for families will provide a way to discuss this difficult but important subject on their level. It will be relevant, informative and fun for all ages, even adults, so invite your family and friends. This hour-long event traces the journey Jesus took during the last week of his earthly life, and it is filled with Bible-time experiences to engage the senses — creating and waving palm branches, tasting the Passover meal, visiting the Garden of Gethsemane and more. A kid-friendly lunch will be available for $5 per person ($20 family max) in Community Hall after worship. Registered groups of 8 to 12 will be led to the first of six stations starting at noon, rotating every 15 minutes, with the last group starting at 1:30. Walk-ups are welcome, space permitting. Reserve your entry time at wilshirebc.org/registration. Volunteers are needed as greeters, travel guides, costumed characters, assistants or to help with decorating. Contact Julie Girards (jgirards@wilshirebc.org) or visit wilshirebc.org/registration for a SignUpGenius link.

Seen. Known. Loved.
Lent 2023
Devotional guide
Join Wilshire as we journey toward Easter using Kate Bowler’s Bless the Lent we Actually Have, a devotional guide designed to go with Bowler’s book, The Lives We Actually Have. Download the guide at wilshirebc.org/lent or pick up a printed copy in the church office.
Lenten playlist
Wilshire has created an eclectic Lenten playlist on the streaming music service Spotify. The basic version of Spotify is free. Search for “seen. known. loved – Lent 2023” or find a link to the playlist at wilshirebc.org/lent.
Wednesdays: Say My Name: Names We Are Called By God
6 p.m. | Room 1205-L. When the world shouts with a million voices around us, we can count on the voice of God to call us by our true names. Join our pastoral residents as we discuss how to tune into that voice. Remaining dates are March 22 and April 5.
Maundy Thursday Service
April 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Sanctuary. One of the year’s most moving services, Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with the Apostles. In addition to Scripture readings and the Lord’s Supper, this year’s service will feature music from Nova, Shekinah, Carillon Ringers and string quartet.
Easter Sunday, April 9
■ Sunrise Service: 6:30 a.m. at
White Rock Lake’s T.P. Hill.
■ Worship in the Sanctuary: 11 a.m.
■ Columbarium Service of Remembrance: 9:30 a.m. This brief service is geared toward those with a loved one inurned or memorialized in the Columbarium, which will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
■ Flowering Cross: Stop by Easter morning to place a flower into the mesh-wrapped wooden cross outside the Sanctuary. Bring your own fresh-cut flowers or take one from a limited supply provided by the church.

Concert on Doug’s last day will benefit Grief and Loss Center
Sanctuary Choir and guest artist Ken Medema will be featured in a 6:30 p.m. concert on Sunday, April 30, Associate Pastor Doug Haney’s last day at Wilshire. The concert, themed “Wrap Me in Song,” will benefit the Grief and Loss Center of North Texas, a nonprofit organization based at Wilshire. Selections will include excerpts from Gabriel Faure’s Requiem and Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light. Ken Medema is a singer, songwriter and pianist who has released over 40 albums since the 1970s. Blind from birth, Medema is known for his ability to improvise songs in concert. Admission is free; an offering will be received.

Art exhibit through April 19
Who Is My Neighbor? is the theme of an art exhibit that will be on display through April 19 in Wilshire’s South Lobby. The show is a collection of etchings, lithographs, woodcuts and paintings that give visual insight into Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan. It includes the work of 22 artists from the last four centuries, including Rembrandt, Ernst Barlach, Tanja Butler, Ed Knippers and John August Swanson, plus political cartoons and illustrations that demonstrate the parable’s continued societal relevance.

Summer events for children and preschoolers
Registration is open at wilshirebc.org/summer-camps.
Vacation Bible School
June 12 – 16, 9 a.m. – noon,
Older preschool – Grade 6
Full Day: Cooking Camp & Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Grades 2 – 6
Cooking Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Listen to Your Art! Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 1 – 5:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Passport Kids! Preteen Camp
July 22 – 25, Grades 3 – 6
Preschool Friends Camp
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon
New for completed kindergartners: Creation Station
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon

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Preparing For Worship – Scott Spreier.

If you’re like me, you may be a bit cranky, a bit out of sorts, a bit tired on this Lenten Sabbath morning. Having given up an hour of sleep last night, thanks to daylight saving time, you may not be in the mood for pondering the gifts of God. (Never mind that those precious 60 minutes we lost may be the only thing many of us sacrifice for Lent.)

Face it, we can be a bit lazy. We whine at the smallest inconvenience, spoiled as we are by a sense of entitlement. Daily we dither about how culture has gone off the rails, how our country is going to the dogs and how the world may be ending.

Today’s Scripture reading reminds us how much we have been given and how much is expected of us. God created us and showed us the best route forward. But we’re expected to take it from there. Although God assures the Israelites that she will “make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert,” God also implies that they have a role to play in where they’re being led: “Do not withhold; bring … everyone who is called by my name.”

God goes on to tell them to forget the past and face the future, that God is about to do a “new thing.” Good advice for those of us who worry about how things are but shy away from the heavy lifting required to change them.

As we worship today, tired though we may be, let us thank God for what she has given us, and also remind ourselves to unselfishly pay it forward. Let us turn from our divisiveness and bickering, let go of our angst about climate change, artificial intelligence and national strife, and instead lean in and do our part to make the world better.

Let’s turn our attention to helping those who still find themselves in the wilderness, be it the desolation of poverty, the wasteland of addiction or those literally crossing the desert just beyond our southern border on their dangerous journey to a better life.

Tired though we may be, it’s time we not only smelled our roses but tended them as well. As the words of our anthem today proclaim: “Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”

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I Am Wilshire – Paula Woodbury.

Name: Paula Woodbury;
Hometown: Tyler;
Education: BA and MA, Baylor;
Profession: Director of Camps, SMU Women’s Soccer;
Present city: Dallas

Tell us about your family.
I’m married to Jason Woodbury — we recently celebrated 25 years. We have three children who never sit still (unless they are asleep), are full of sass and keep me laughing, rolling my eyes and on my toes 24/7. The chaos is real. Despite all evidence to the contrary, I’m the baby of my nuclear family and am so lucky to now have my mom living in town and attending Wilshire. It’s a dream come true, even if it didn’t turn out exactly the way I’d imagined it.

How about your work or volunteer life.
After a lengthy career pause, I received an incredible opportunity last year to join one of my dearest friends and training partners when she was hired on as head coach of women’s soccer at SMU. I love the job and the team, and it scratches an itch I had honestly forgotten about.

What are your favorite hobbies?
Hands down, the answer is reading. If given the opportunity, I could easily waste a full day curled up with a book (just ask my family). Reading is the one activity I do where the busy-beaver portion of my brain can finally shut down and I disappear into another world.

What is your favorite place to travel?
Anywhere with mountains and rivers. The longer I live in the city, the more I realize I wasn’t made for city living. Give me wide open spaces, please.

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
Goodness, it seems God is always full of shenanigans in my life. At the moment, I think she’s teaching me the gift of receiving. Which, for a control junkie and do-er, this is … challenging. In addition, the past year has been incredibly difficult — full of all kinds of grief and letting go. As a result, I feel very called into understanding the liminal spaces in both my life and my faith. As a 1 on the Enneagram, I’ve lived a very black and white existence thus far. Apparently, God thinks it’s high time for me to spend some time in the gray. Instead of jumping to a finite answer, I try to look at every situation and say “and also.” It’s hard, and, honestly, I don’t always love it, but I follow nonetheless. And who knows what is next? She’s a wily one, my Creator.

What’s something interesting most people wouldn’t know about you?
Nothing. I’m an embarrassingly open book, much to my family’s chagrin.

If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire article, contact Carolyn Murray

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Faith in 3D: March 24 & 25
Wilshire actors ranging in age from 11 to 83 will present this year’s Faith in 3D show, a staged reading of selected scenes from Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, Friday, March 24, and Saturday, March 25. The drama will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Community Hall, and afterward we’ll enjoy dessert and a discussion of the play’s themes moderated by Mark Wingfield. The Crucible is an account of the 17th-century Salem witch trials and was written in 1953 as an allegory to McCarthyism.

New to Wilshire?
■ The monthly Wilshire Welcome class helps guests and new members learn what Wilshire is all about. The next session will be held Sunday, March 19, at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room (1100-B) near McIver Chapel.
■ Time with Tim is an informal chance for guests and new members to meet and visit with Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples. The next session is Sunday, April 30, at 9:45 a.m. in Community Hall.
■ Questions about these events? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.

Time to order Easter lilies
It’s time to order Easter lilies to adorn the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday. Congregants are invited to provide the flowers in honor or in memory of beloved family members, friends or teachers. Dedications will be listed in the worship folder on Easter, April 9. Each plant costs $15, and orders can be made at wilshirebc.org/registration or in the church office. The deadline for inclusion in the listing is Palm Sunday, April 2.

Wilshire authors sought
The Library Committee is compiling a list of Wilshire folks who have written books. If you’re an author, self-published or otherwise, email Librarian Barbara Peterson with “Author” in the subject line at bpeterson@wilshirebc.org. The committee is exploring the idea of a Wilshire Author Fair where writers could sell and sign their books.

CPR and AED classes
On Jan. 2, the NFL’s Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during a game and was given CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automated external defibrillation). You may know these terms, and you may know that there are 10 AEDs at Wilshire, but do you really know what to do in an emergency? Parish Nurse Linda Garner is offering a class at three different times: Friday, March 17, Thursday, March 23, and Saturday, March 25, all from 9 a.m. to noon. A $25 per person charge covers supplies. Sign up for the date of your choosing at wilshirebc.org/registration; contact Linda at lgarner@wilshirebc.org.
■ Infant CPR class. On Saturday morning, March 18, Linda will offer a class geared toward parents, covering CPR and AED use on infants, children and adults. A $27 per person charge covers supplies. Register and pay at wilshirebc.org/registration.

Ramadan dinner set for April 3
Wilshire will host Dialogue Institute Dallas for an interfaith Ramadan dinner on Monday, April 3, at 7 p.m. in Community Hall. The event will help us learn from our Muslim neighbors as we break bread together in the holy month of Ramadan. The evening will begin with conversation and a presentation on Ramadan. Our friends will share a home-cooked meal with us at 7:45 p.m., when they break their fast. Please note that space is limited, and RSVP is required by March 16. The dinner is free. Wilshire will donate to Dialogue Institute for the event. When registering, you can make a small donation towards earthquake relief efforts in Turkey, or you can enter “0.00” for the donation to reserve your spot. To register, visit dialoguedallas.org/events and look for the April 3 Wilshire event.

Darren DeMent to be featured at April 5 Lunch & Learn
Associate Pastor Darren DeMent will be the featured guest at Lunch & Learn on April 5 at 11:30 a.m. Held in Community Hall the first Wednesday each month and open to all, Lunch & Learn features a meal, fellowship and a program. Lunch costs $10 per person. No reservation needed. Contact: Barbara Clayton (bclayton@wilshirebc.org)

Adventurers Charleston trip
From Nov. 6 to 11, the Wilshire Adventurers will travel to Charleston, South Carolina, for five nights and six days of touring in the “Holy City” led by Rob and Pam Banta. The group will see and experience antebellum homes and estates, Charleston cuisine, culture and architecture, a nighttime harbor cruise with dinner, a fine arts museum, Fort Sumter, Old City Market, Charleston Tea Garden and more, all accompanied by private guides. See full details at wilshirebc.org/registration or in a brochure available in the church office. The trip will accommodate a maximum of 50 participants and will require a minimum of 35. Registration is first-come, first-served. All are invited to hear about the trip in a meeting in McIver Chapel after worship on Sunday, March 26.

Chronic illness support group
Wilshire’s support group for those experiencing a chronic or undiagnosed illness meets on Zoom the second and fourth Tuesdays every month at 7:30 p.m. To learn more, contact group leader Annette Miller at annette.a.miller@gmail.com.

Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor. On March 14, the group will discuss Somewhere Sisters by Erika Hayasaki. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org)
■ The WOW! Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On April 6, the group will discuss Ann May’s Jacqueline in Paris. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)

Items needed for Gateway of Grace Easter egg hunt
We have two opportunities to support mission partner Gateway of Grace and their annual Easter egg hunt for the refugee families they serve.
■ Plastic eggs and supplies. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration to provide fillable Easter eggs or wrapped fun-size candy. No marshmallows or candy containing gelatin, please. Items may be dropped off in containers located outside the church office, north entrance, and second-floor education office suite by Wednesday, March 29. All ages are welcome as we fill the eggs and assemble weekend meal bags for Lipscomb Elementary at Called to Care on Wednesday, March 29, at 6 p.m. in James Gallery.
■ Baked goods. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration to provide baked goods for Gateway’s cake walk. Items should be packaged in clear wrapping or clear containers. Recommended items include one dozen cookies, brownies, bars, or cupcakes. No recipes containing gelatin or marshmallow, please. Items should be dropped off on Wednesday, April 5, on tables outside the church office.

If you loved One Starry Night, don’t miss Road to Resurrection
Sunday, April 2 | Noon – 2 p.m. | Community Hall
If you enjoyed One Starry Night or find it challenging to talk with the children in your life about Jesus’ death and resurrection, you’ll love Road to Resurrection! This Lenten experience for families will provide a way to discuss this difficult but important subject on their level. It will be relevant, informative and fun for all ages, even adults, so invite your family and friends. This hour-long event traces the journey Jesus took during the last week of his earthly life, and it is filled with Bible-time experiences to engage the senses — creating and waving palm branches, tasting the Passover meal, visiting the Garden of Gethsemane and more. A kid-friendly lunch will be available for $5 per person ($20 family max) in Community Hall after worship. Registered groups of 8 to 12 will be led to the first of six stations starting at noon, rotating every 15 minutes, with the last group starting at 1:30. Walk-ups are welcome, space permitting. Reserve your entry time at wilshirebc.org/registration.
■ Volunteers are needed as greeters, travel guides, costumed characters, assistants or to help with decorating. Contact Julie Girards (jgirards@wilshirebc.org) or visit wilshirebc.org/registration for a SignUpGenius link.

Seen. Known. Loved.
Lent 2023
Lenten Devotional guide
Join Wilshire as we journey toward Easter using Kate Bowler’s Bless the Lent we Actually Have, a devotional guide designed to go with Bowler’s book, The Lives We Actually Have. Download the guide at wilshirebc.org/lent or pick up a printed copy in the church office.
Lenten playlist
Wilshire has created an eclectic Lenten playlist on the streaming music service Spotify. The basic version of Spotify is free. Search for “seen. known. loved – Lent 2023” or find a link to the playlist at wilshirebc.org/lent.
Wednesdays: Say My Name: Names We Are Called By God
6 p.m. | Room 1205-L. When the world shouts with a million voices around us, we can count on the voice of God to call us by our true names. Join our pastoral residents as we discuss how to tune into that voice. Remaining dates are March 22 and April 5.
Maundy Thursday Service
April 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Sanctuary. One of the year’s most moving services, Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with the Apostles. In addition to Scripture readings and the Lord’s Supper, this year’s service will feature music from Nova, Shekinah, Carillon Ringers and string quartet.
Easter Sunday, April 9
■ Sunrise Service: 6:30 a.m. at White Rock Lake’s T.P. Hill.
■ Worship in the Sanctuary: 11 a.m.
■ Columbarium Service of Remembrance: 9:30 a.m. This brief service is geared toward those with a loved one inurned or memorialized in the Columbarium, which will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
■ Flowering Cross: Stop by Easter morning to place a flower into the mesh-wrapped wooden cross outside the Sanctuary. Bring your own fresh-cut flowers or take one from a limited supply provided by the church.

Art exhibit through April 19
Who Is My Neighbor? is the theme of a new art exhibit that will be on display through April 19 in Wilshire’s South Lobby. The show is a collection of etchings, lithographs, woodcuts and paintings that give visual insight into Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan. It includes the work of 22 artists from the last four centuries, including Rembrandt, Ernst Barlach, Tanja Butler, Ed Knippers and John August Swanson, plus political cartoons and illustrations that demonstrate the parable’s continued societal relevance.

Summer events for children and preschoolers
Registration is open at wilshirebc.org/summer-camps.
Vacation Bible School
June 12 – 16, 9 a.m. – noon,
Older preschool – Grade 6
Full Day: Cooking Camp & Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Grades 2 – 6
Cooking Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Listen to Your Art! Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 1 – 5:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Passport Kids! Preteen Camp
July 22 – 25, Grades 3 – 6
Preschool Friends Camp
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon
New for completed kindergartners: Creation Station
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon

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Preparing For Worship – R.G. Huff.

Has anyone asked you what you are giving up for Lent? It’s not a question many Baptists are asked, I guess, but it happens!

You may notice this morning that for this Lenten season, we at Wilshire are giving up the way our worship order is arranged. We’re going to begin with the Chiming of the Hour and conclude with the Benediction and Postlude, but in between, things may seem out of order.

The church where I ministered in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, had a tradition of “taking on” something for Lent instead of “giving up” something. We were encouraged during these 40 days to step outside our routine and do the kingdom some good as we accompany Christ to Jerusalem’s cross. Perhaps work in a soup kitchen or a food bank for the first time, help build a house with Habitat for Humanity, tutor someone for whom English is not their first language, volunteer at the local hospital — these kinds of Christ-like adventures.

These remaining Sundays of Lent, I’m going to think of this alteration of the worship order not as giving up something familiar but as taking on something new … perhaps fresh and engaging … perhaps sharpening my senses, making me more alert to the voice of the One whose path to the table, the garden, the courtroom, the indignations and ultimately to Golgotha — the voice that might speak to us in ways we may have long overlooked in the routine.

In the same way we silence our phones during this hour, let’s also silence all those other distractors which interfere with our communion with the Most Holy One, not only as we approach the communion table (albeit earlier than usual today!), but throughout the service when in perfect submission, we can find rest, as in our Savior we are assuredly blessed.

We are not giving up order for chaos. We are taking on refreshed awareness of the lessons to be learned and applied as we continue to become the church God meant us to be.

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I Am Wilshire – Joni Cabaniss.

Hometown: Hobbs, New Mexico. Grew up in Midland, Texas;
Education: B.S. in Physical Therapy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston;
Profession: Physical therapist;
Present city: Dallas since 1975;

Tell us about your family.
My sister, her adult children and two grandchildren live in Mansfield. My brother and his wife live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Their adult children are in New York, North Carolina and Iowa.

Tell us about your work or volunteer life.
I worked as a physical therapist at Baylor University Medical Center after PT school in 1975. I have always been part of the Baylor system, and I was very fortunate when the need for designated rehabilitation staff was recognized. I was part of the original rehab staff that helped develop the Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation when it opened in 1989. I was part of the team that created the original spinal cord injury service that has now expanded and improved SCI rehab care. I now work as a substitute physical therapist at Baylor Rehab on an as-needed basis. I have been a volunteer with Baptist Church Builders of Texas since 1997. In June 2023 we will build a new building for the Harvest Church of Southern Illinois. I’ve also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and as a kindergarten helper at Lakewood Elementary School.

What are your favorite hobbies?
Gardening, reading and walking in my neighborhood and at the Arboretum.

What is your favorite place to travel?
Anywhere I haven’t been lately. Most recently, Chicago and Mackinac Island with the Wilshire Adventurers and New York City with another friend. I enjoy Europe, Asia and South America.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
I grew up Methodist. I was “immersed” at Grace Baptist Church in Arlington in 1990 and attended there until the church split. I joined Wilshire in 1994 after multiple people recommended George and Wilshire.

Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
I was median adult Sunday School coordinator at Wilshire from 1998 to 2010 when Carolyn Shapard was Adult Minister. I’m an active deacon, sing in Sanctuary Choir and attend Discovery Class.

What’s something interesting most people wouldn’t know about you?
During the 1980s, I taught Tom Cruise how therapists teach individuals with paraplegia to move or transfer from one surface to the other. He and Oliver Stone were in Dallas before the filming of the movie Born on the Fourth of July, which was based on the true story of a Vietnam-era soldier’s journey through the VA healthcare system and his adjustment back to civilian life in a wheelchair. Cruise was extremely attentive and interested and asked great questions.

If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire article, contact Carolyn Murray

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Music minister search planned.

In January, Associate Pastor Doug Haney announced his plans to retire from full-time ministry and leave Wilshire at the end of April. The Personnel Committee has been working to determine a path forward and offers the following information in the form of an FAQ.

When is Doug’s retirement effective?
Doug’s last day at Wilshire will be Sunday, April 30. In May, Doug and his wife, Lori, will be moving to the Charlotte, North Carolina, area to be near their children and grandchildren.

What will be the search process be?
Although we will have a search committee, this process will be different from last year’s senior pastor search. As per Wilshire bylaws, the Personnel Committee will work closely with the senior pastor and associate pastors in the search for a minister of music. The Personnel Committee will assemble a search committee of six to seven church members, including those with ties to music ministry and representatives from the Personnel Committee. LeAnn Hampton has agreed to serve as search committee chair.

Will we have an interim minister of music?
Yes. Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples and the Personnel Committee are working to secure an interim music minister as soon as possible in hopes he or she can start on May 1.

When will we have a new minister of music?
Our hope is to be able to present someone to the congregation by October. If that doesn’t happen, we would probably not try to bring someone in until after the new year since Advent is such a busy time for music ministers.

How will we recognize Doug for his long service at Wilshire?
On Sunday, April 30, Doug will be honored with a time of recognition and gifts during morning worship, and an informal reception will be held after worship in James Gallery. That evening, make plans to attend a special concert featuring Sanctuary Choir, orchestra and guest musician Ken Medema. The concert will benefit the Grief and Loss Center of North Texas.

What about Doug’s areas of responsibility outside of music?
When Doug was named associate pastor in 2020, he took on oversight of human resources, budgeting and stewardship. The Personnel Committee plans to hire an interim business administrator to help cover Doug’s responsibilities in these areas and will continue to evaluate long-term staffing needs.

Search for senior adult minister also in planning stages
The Personnel Committee will also manage Wilshire’s search for a new minister to senior adults. As with the music minister search, the Personnel Committee will appoint and utilize a search committee, and the two searches are expected to begin accepting applications around the same time. Larry Link will continue serving as interim minister to senior adults.

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Youth Choir Spaghetti Lunch & Silent Auction:
March 5 after worship in Community Hall
Join us in Community Hall after worship on March 5 for the annual Youth Choir Spaghetti Lunch & Silent Auction, the main fundraiser for the choir’s summer trip to San Francisco to sing, serve and sightsee. It’s also one of Wilshire’s favorite yearly events. Donate any amount for lunch. There will also be a bake sale in James Gallery starting at 9:30 a.m. Cash/check/credit accepted.
Auction items include:
■ “Styling with T” includes custom Wilshire Converse sneakers, Warby Parker glasses or sunglasses and lunch with Timothy Peoples
■ Custom cornhole set painted to your liking from the Three Amigos
■ SMU football tickets in a suite; any game
■ Condo in the Cayman Islands
■ SMU Soccer Camp
■ Pet sitting, French lessons and other services
■ Handmade quilts and smocked children’s dresses

Wednesday Night Live: March 8
Koinonia Café
5 – 6 p.m. | Community Hall | Buffet-style dinner for the whole family. Pricing at wilshirebc.org/wednesdays. March 8: Salisbury Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts & Asparagus, Salad, Corn Chowder, Desserts. Kids: Pepperoni Pizza, Carrots w/ Ranch, Peaches.
Music, Missions & More
6 – 7 p.m. | Age 3 – Pre-K | Fun activities and lessons focused on God’s love.
KidConnect
6 – 7 p.m. | K – Grade 6 | This new children’s experience features a rotation of activities to help kids learn how to love God and others with every part of themselves. Each week is different. Activities include art, music, science, puppets and cooking.
Resident-led Lenten series
Say my name: Names we are called by God
6 p.m. | Room 1205-L
When the world shouts with a million voices around us, we can count on the voice of God to call us by our true names. Join our pastoral residents on four Wednesday evenings as we discuss how to tune into that voice. Remaining dates: March 8, March 22, April 5
Also on Wednesdays
■ Watershed | Grades 7 – 12 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Youth Center
■ Sanctuary Choir | 7 – 8:30 p.m. | Choral Hall | No audition

No Wednesday night activities on March 15 (Spring Break)

seen. known. loved.
Lent 2023
Devotional guide
Join Wilshire as we journey toward Easter using Kate Bowler’s Bless the Lent we Actually Have, a devotional guide designed to go with Bowler’s book, The Lives We Actually Have. Download the guide at wilshirebc.org/lent or pick up a printed copy in the church office.
Lenten playlist
Wilshire has created an eclectic Lenten playlist on the streaming music service Spotify. The basic version of Spotify is free. Search for “seen. known. loved – Lent 2023” or find a link to the playlist at wilshirebc.org/lent.
Wednesdays: Say My Name: Names We Are Called By God
6 p.m. | Room 1205-L. When the world shouts with a million voices around us, we can count on the voice of God to call us by our true names. Join our pastoral residents as we discuss how to tune into that voice. Remaining dates: March 8, March 22, April 5
Maundy Thursday Service
April 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Sanctuary. One of the year’s most moving services, Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with the Apostles. In addition to Scripture readings and the Lord’s Supper, this year’s service will feature music from Nova, Shekinah, Carillon Ringers and string quartet.
Easter Sunday, April 9
■ Sunrise Service: 6:30 a.m. at White Rock Lake’s T.P. Hill.
■ Worship in the Sanctuary: 11 a.m.
■ Columbarium Service of Remembrance: 9:30 a.m. This brief service is geared toward those with a loved one inurned or memorialized in the Columbarium, which will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
■ Flowering Cross: Stop by Easter morning to place a flower into the mesh-wrapped wooden cross outside the Sanctuary. Bring your own fresh-cut flowers or take one from a limited supply provided by the church.

Items needed for Gateway of Grace Easter egg hunt
We have two opportunities to support mission partner Gateway of Grace and their annual Easter egg hunt for the refugee families they serve.
■ Plastic eggs and supplies. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration to provide fillable Easter eggs or wrapped fun-size candy. No marshmallows or candy containing gelatin, please. Items may be dropped off in containers located outside the church office, north entrance, and second-floor education office suite by Wednesday, March 29. All ages are welcome as we fill the eggs and assemble weekend meal bags for Lipscomb Elementary at Called to Care on Wednesday, March 29, at 6 p.m. in James Gallery.
■ Baked goods. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration to provide baked goods for Gateway’s cake walk. Items should
be packaged in clear wrapping or clear containers. Recommended items include one dozen cookies, brownies, bars, or cupcakes. No recipes containing gelatin or marshmallow, please. Items should be dropped off on Wednesday, April 5, on tables outside the church office.

If you loved One Starry Night, don’t miss Road to Resurrection
Sunday, April 2 | Noon – 2 p.m. | Community Hall
If you enjoyed One Starry Night or find it challenging to talk with the children in your life about Jesus’ death and resurrection, you’ll love Road to Resurrection! This Lenten experience for families will provide a way to discuss this difficult but important subject on their level. It will be relevant, informative and fun for all ages, even adults, so invite your family and friends. This hour-long event traces the journey Jesus took during the last week of his earthly life, and it is filled with Bible-time experiences to engage the senses — creating and waving palm branches, tasting the Passover meal, visiting the Garden of Gethsemane and more. A kid-friendly lunch will be available for $5 per person ($20 family max) in Community Hall after worship. Registered groups of 8 to 12 will be led to the first of six stations starting at noon, rotating every 15 minutes, with the last group starting at 1:30. Walk-ups are welcome, space permitting. Reserve your entry time at wilshirebc.org/registration.
■ Volunteers are needed as greeters, travel guides, costumed characters, assistants or to help with decorating. Contact: Julie Girards (jgirards@wilshirebc.org).

New member
Siobhan Kelley

New around here?
■ Time with Tim is an informal chance for guests and new members to meet and visit with Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples. The next two sessions are Wednesday, March 8, at 6 p.m. in the Parlor and Sunday, April 30, at 9:45 a.m. in Community Hall.
■ The monthly Wilshire Welcome class helps guests and new members learn what Wilshire is all about. The next session will be held Sunday, March 19, at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room (1100-B) near McIver Chapel.
■ Questions about these events? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.

Time to order Easter lilies
It’s time to order Easter lilies to adorn the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday. Congregants are invited to provide the flowers in honor or in memory of beloved family members, friends or teachers. Dedications will be listed in the worship folder on Easter, April 9. Each plant costs $15, and orders can be made at wilshirebc.org/registration or in the church office. The deadline for inclusion in the listing is Palm Sunday, April 2.

Souper Bowl of Caring results
Thanks to your generosity and participation in our Feb. 5 Souper Bowl of Caring, Wilshire donated $11,627.50 to Empowering the Masses. The local nonprofit will use the funds to renovate its food pantry, which serves 350 families weekly. We also sent 70 notes to our state representatives supporting the expansion of SNAP benefits for technical and vocational students.

Faith in 3D will be March 24 and 25
This year’s Faith in 3D production, a staged reading of selected scenes from Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, will be presented Friday and Saturday, March 24 and 25, in Community Hall at 7:30 p.m. Faith in 3D is returning to live theatre after two years of video projects. “3D” stands for drama, dessert and dialogue, and after the show we’ll enjoy a tasty treat and a moderated discussion of the play’s themes.

New art exhibit is up
Who Is My Neighbor? is the theme of a new art exhibit that will be on display through April 19 in Wilshire’s South Lobby. The show is a collection of etchings, lithographs, woodcuts and paintings that give visual insight into Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan. It includes the work of 22 artists from the last four centuries, including Rembrandt, Ernst Barlach, Tanja Butler, Ed Knippers and John August Swanson, plus political cartoons and illustrations that demonstrate the parable’s continued societal relevance.

CPR and AED classes
On Jan. 2, the NFL’s Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during a game and was given CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automated external defibrillation). You may know these terms, and you may know that there are 10 AEDs at Wilshire, but do you really know what to do in an emergency? Parish Nurse Linda Garner is offering a class on Friday, March 17, and Saturday, March 25, from 9 a.m. to noon. A $25 per person charge covers supplies. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration; contact Linda at lgarner@wilshirebc.org.
■ Infant CPR class. On Saturday morning, March 18, Linda will offer a class geared toward parents, covering CPR and AED use on infants, children and adults. A $27 per person charge covers supplies. Register and pay at wilshirebc.org/registration. Childcare provided by reservation; email Joan Hammons (jhammons@wilshirebc.org) by March 10.

Ramadan dinner set for April 3
Wilshire will host Dialogue Institute Dallas for an interfaith Ramadan dinner on Monday, April 3, at 7 p.m. in Community Hall. The event will help us learn from our Muslim neighbors as we break bread together in the holy month of Ramadan. The evening will begin with conversation and a presentation on Ramadan. Our friends will share a home-cooked meal with us at 7:45 p.m., when they break their fast. Please note that space is limited, and RSVP is required by March 16. The dinner is free. Wilshire will donate to Dialogue Institute for the event. When registering, you can make a small donation towards earthquake relief efforts in Turkey, or you can enter “0.00” for the donation to reserve your spot. To register, visit dialoguedallas.org/events and look for the April 3 Wilshire event.

Adventurers Charleston trip
From Nov. 6 to 11, the Wilshire Adventurers will travel to Charleston, South Carolina, for five nights and six days of touring in the “Holy City” led by Rob and Pam Banta. The group will see and experience antebellum homes and estates, Charleston cuisine, culture and architecture, a nighttime harbor cruise with dinner, a fine arts museum, Fort Sumter, Old City Market, Charleston Tea Garden and more, all accompanied by private guides. See full details at wilshirebc.org/registration or in a brochure available in the church office. The trip will accommodate a maximum of 50 participants and will require a minimum of 35. Registration is first-come, first-served.

Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor. On March 14, the group will discuss Somewhere Sisters by Erika Hayasaki. 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 9, the group will discuss Anne
Tyler’s Digging to America. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)

Wilshire recycling report
Director of Operations Merik Gillett reports that Wilshire recently recycled 1,016 pounds of scrap metal — old light fixtures, copper, brass, tin, etc. The 1,016 pounds recycled is equivalent to saving 40,000 gallons of water by not having to mine new metal. That’s enough water saved to fill two residential pools with water (sources: mining-technology.com, texasthestateofwater.org).

Summer events for children and preschoolers
Registration is open at wilshirebc.org/summer-camps.
Vacation Bible School
June 12 – 16, 9 a.m. – noon,
Older preschool – Grade 6
Full Day: Cooking Camp & Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Grades 2 – 6
Cooking Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Listen to Your Art! Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 1 – 5:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Passport Kids! Preteen Camp
July 22 – 25, Grades 3 – 6
Preschool Friends Camp
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon
New for completed kindergartners: Creation Station
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon

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Preparing For Worship – George Mason.

When your church is nearly 72 years old, you’d think we’d have done this before. You would be wrong. Although we’ve recently begun life together with the Reverend (soon to be Doctor, too) Timothy Peoples as our fifth pastor, this is the first installation service for a new pastor we have observed together.

In generations past, we just said, “welcome aboard,” and set sail with a new captain at the helm. But installation services are becoming more common in churches, and the trend is socially and spiritually salient. It gives us a chance to pause and mark the significance of the moment. It recognizes that change is a fact of life not only to be noted but embraced.

Congregations are family systems akin to families of origin. Families live together daily but also mark time and change with one another occasionally. We gather for nodal events in the life cycle: births, baptisms, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, retirements and deaths, as well as for secular and religious holidays. How we manage those special times sets a tone for life together until the next one. Likewise, churches worship weekly and sometimes specially.

The original idea of a Baptist church included the modeling of egalitarian leadership under the authority of Christ. The pastor is one of us. But in some sense, he is the most one of us. Day by day, he represents us to the larger world; over and over, he reminds us of who we are and what our mission is.

Our installation of Rev. Peoples is a formal affirmation of our vote. It ratifies the ballot. It commits us to his success by pledging our prayers and promising our support. It reminds me in this Valentine’s Day month of something similar. Love doesn’t need a wedding ceremony, but marriage does. It enacts a covenant between beloveds and with the Beloved One who called them together and binds them thereafter.

Let’s celebrate this first installment together by saying “I do.”

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I Am Wilshire – Linda Garner.

Name: Linda F. Garner;
Hometown: Stephenville, Texas;
Education: BSN, Baylor; MS, Univ. of Minnesota; PhD, Univ. of North Texas (with nursing at TWU)
Profession: Nurse educator and faith community nurse
Present city: Dallas

Tell us about your family.
I have a brother and sister-in-law who live in Bedford. My nephew and his wife have two sons and live in Southlake.

How about your work?
I always wanted to be a nurse — my aunt said from when I was 2 ½ years old. By high school I knew I wanted to teach nursing, which I did at Baylor University School of Nursing for 40 years.

Tell us about your volunteer life.
I sponsored student mission trips to Mexico for 30 years as a part of my faculty responsibilities and have participated in trips with Wilshire. I wanted to use my talents in my church, and parish nursing is the perfect way for me to do that. This month is my 20-year anniversary of being Wilshire’s parish nurse — first as faculty practice, then full-time since my retirement. I also love volunteering for Faith Presbyterian Hospice with my therapy dog, Amani.

What are your favorite hobbies?
Reading, knitting and my therapy dog. I collect nativity sets and elephants and have many from countries I have visited on mission trips.

What is your favorite place to travel?
Anywhere. I lived in India as a missionary for two years.

What are you most passionate about?
Faith community nursing. The whole premise is the connection of body, mind and spirit. The spiritual connection is a vital part of being healthy.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
Bruce McIver and the music. I joined in 1970 and again in 1976 after my time in India.

Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
Besides parish nurse, I’m a deacon and attend Women’s Bible Class. I’m a Stephen Ministry leader and manage our Support Team Ministry.

What’s surprised you most about Wilshire?
Openness to women and acceptance of all persons regardless of life status.

Tell us about your faith journey.
My faith has been important from childhood and has enabled me to do many of the things I have been privileged to do, such as being a missionary and teaching a Bible class.

What’s something interesting most people wouldn’t know about you?
I was one of the first three women deacons at Wilshire and was the first woman deacon chair.

What adjectives describe you?
Responsible and caring.

If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire article, contact Carolyn Murray

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Garner marks 20 years as Wilshire’s parish nurse.

Linda Garner celebrated her 20-year anniversary as Wilshire’s parish nurse this month. In this volunteer role, she coordinates health and wellness ministries and serves as a resource to members and staff.

“The whole premise of parish nursing is the connection of body, mind and spirit,” Linda said. “If you’re not healthy in one, you’re probably not healthy in another.”

Linda taught for 40-plus years at Baylor University School of Nursing in Dallas, joining the faculty in 1970, the same year she joined Wilshire as a member. Linda said, “In high school I said I wanted to teach nursing. My aunt says I wanted to be a nurse from the time I was two and a half. I also wanted to use my talents in my church. Parish nursing is the perfect way for me to do that.”

Linda’s practice at Wilshire began in 2003 after a period of planning and training. At the time, it was one of only a few parish nurse programs in Dallas.

For the first several years, Linda was still teaching full-time at Baylor, and her work at Wilshire was considered “faculty practice.” Her dean at Baylor was supportive, letting Linda have Wednesdays off to be at the church.

Since retiring from Baylor in 2010, Linda has worked at Wilshire full-time. She’s in the office most weekdays and makes a point to be present when events like VBS and children’s camps are happening. Her cell phone number is kept by the reception desk, and she keeps her phone with her during worship in case of emergencies.

Linda stations herself in Community Hall on Wednesdays to provide blood pressure checks, and she is available to consult on medical issues. She said, “People will call and say ‘here’s what my doctor said. What do you think?’”

She offers first aid and CPR training, maintains Wilshire’s 10 defibrillators and keeps a supply of donated equipment — wheelchairs, crutches, shower chairs, etc. — to loan to those with a short-term need. Linda served on Wilshire’s COVID-19 Task Force and coordinates blood drives with Carter BloodCare.

One Wilshire member who benefited from Linda’s expertise is former senior pastor George Mason. As Linda says, “I can honestly say I saved my pastor’s life.” As the story goes, while leaving the building together years ago, George complained to Linda about discomfort in his chest when jogging. She insisted he talk to his doctor right away, and days later George was given a stent to relieve blockage in his “widowmaker” artery. Linda says she’s sent many people to the ER after detecting hypertension.

Linda also serves Wilshire in several areas she considers related to her official role — coordinating support teams, leading Stephen Ministry and helping with funerals.

“I’ve always been a caring type of person,” Linda said. “I look at this as ministry.”

■ You can drop Linda a note of congratulations at lgarner@wilshirebc.org.

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For information on Wilshire’s offerings for Lent and Easter, visit our Lent page.

Registration is open for Wilshire’s summer camps for children and preschoolers. Learn more and register.

Installation service for Timothy Peoples
Timothy Peoples will be installed during worship on Feb. 26 as the fifth senior pastor of Wilshire Baptist Church. He began in the role Jan. 22. The service will include a message from Rev. Dr. Almeda Wright of Yale Divinity School, where Timothy earned his Master of Divinity degree in 2015. Other worship leaders include members of Timothy’s family, a singing group from his home church in Oklahoma and friends and colleagues from different points in his personal journey, some of whom will be familiar to Wilshire members. Wilshire member Mike Capps will read a poem by Chelsea Whitton commissioned for the occasion. The cover art for Sunday’s worship folder is Timothy’s favorite painting, Prodigal Son by American artist Thomas Hart Benton. The work hangs at the Dallas Museum of Art.
Today’s guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Almeda Wright, is Associate Professor of Religious Education at Yale Divinity School. Her research focuses on African American religion and education, Womanist spirituality, adolescent spiritual development and the intersection of religion and public life. Wright previously taught at Pfeiffer University and Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. She completed her PhD at Emory and earned an MDiv at Harvard University Divinity School. Dr. Wright is an ordained American Baptist minister and a native of Virginia.

Youth Choir Spaghetti Lunch & Silent Auction
March 5 after worship in Community Hall
Join us March 5 for the annual Youth Choir Spaghetti Lunch & Silent Auction, the main fundraiser for the choir’s summer trip to San Francisco to sing, serve and sightsee. Donate any amount for lunch. There will also be a bake sale in James Gallery starting at 9:30 a.m. Cash/check/credit accepted. Items up for bid in the silent auction include pet-sitting, French lessons and SMU football tickets in a suite. Auction items are still needed; to donate items or services, contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org by March 1. Suggestions include restaurant gift cards, new household items and event tickets. If you’re a musician, tutor, photographer, baker, designer, accountant or have a service to provide, donate a gift certificate of your time or service.

New to Wilshire?
■ The monthly Wilshire Welcome class helps guests and new members learn what Wilshire is all about. The next session will be held Sunday, Feb. 26, at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room (1100-B) near McIver Chapel.
■ Time with Tim is an informal chance for guests and new members to meet and visit with Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples. The next two sessions are Wednesday, March 8, at 6 p.m. in the Parlor and Sunday, April 30, at 9:45 a.m. in Community Hall.
■ Questions about these events? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.

New art exhibit is up
Who Is My Neighbor? is the theme of a new art exhibit that will be on display through April 19 in Wilshire’s South Lobby. The show is a collection of etchings, lithographs, woodcuts and paintings that give visual insight into Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan. It includes the work of 22 artists from the last four centuries, including Rembrandt, Ernst Barlach, Tanja Butler, Ed Knippers and John August Swanson, plus political cartoons and illustrations that demonstrate the parable’s continued societal relevance.

Kids seeking hat, glove donations
Our Wednesday night KidConnect kids are collecting hats and gloves for clients of Homeward Bound, a local nonprofit organization. Donation boxes decorated by the children can be found near the church office and the north building entrance. Please bring your hat and glove donations by the end of February.

Sports Survey
Looking to get active this spring? Heard about Pickleball and want to see what the fuss is all about? Want to be part of a team with some of your favorite people? A group of Wilshire folks is looking to start some fun physical activities and is conducting an online survey to see which sports people are most interested in playing. Please fill out the survey by Sunday, Feb. 26. Scan the code or look for the survey link at wilshirebc.org/registration.

CPR and AED classes planned
On Jan. 2, NFL player Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during a game and was given CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automated external defibrillation). You may know what these terms mean, and you may even know that there are 10 AEDs at Wilshire, but do you really know what to do in an emergency? Parish Nurse Linda Garner is planning classes in March for those who would like to learn or refresh their skills. There will be a $25 per person charge to cover materials. If you’re interested, contact Linda (lgarner@wilshirebc.org) or see the dates and sign up via the link at wilshirebc.org/registration.

Haney is next Lunch & Learn guest
Lunch & Learn will be held March 1 at 11:30 a.m. in Community Hall. The program will feature Associate Pastor Doug Haney, who will reflect on his career in music ministry and discuss his work with Polyphony Music Resources. Held in Community Hall the first Wednesday each month and open to all, Lunch & Learn features a meal, fellowship and a program. Lunch costs $10 per person. No reservation needed. Contact: Barbara Clayton (bclayton@wilshirebc.org)

Adventurers to Bush Library
The Wilshire Adventurers will tour the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum on Thursday, March 2, at 11:30 a.m. The tour is $9 per person; tickets must be purchased in advance. To register and buy tickets, visit wilshirebc.org/registration. Parking costs $5 per car, paid upon arrival. The group will meet at Wilshire at 11 to carpool to the SMU campus. Lunch is on your own.

Brianna Childs wedding shower
All are invited to a wedding shower for Pastoral Resident Brianna Childs and her fiancé, Blake Davenport, on Saturday, March 4. Compass Class is hosting the event, which will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Parlor. Brianna and Blake will be married on May 20 in Waco. You can find their gift registry by searching for their names at zola.com.

Chronic illness support group
Wilshire’s support group for those experiencing a chronic or undiagnosed illness meets on Zoom the second and fourth Tuesdays every month at 6 p.m. To learn more, contact group leader Annette Miller at annette.a.miller@gmail.com.

Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor. On March 14, the group will discuss Somewhere Sisters by Erika Hayasaki. 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 9, the group will discuss Anne
Tyler’s Digging to America. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)

New Realm sign-in features
In an update this past Wednesday, Realm has increased its security and now offers additional features to keep our information safe. Each Realm user will need to sign in anew the next time you access the Realm sign-in page via a web browser or the Realm Connect mobile app. The update allows you to now use your Google account or Apple account to access Realm, or to continue using the email and password you use now. It also offers an option to enable two-factor authentication for an extra level of security. The methods for authentication verification include email, text and device security such as facial recognition. If you already have a Realm account, the email and password you currently use will continue to gain you access to Realm. It is not necessary to change your password. Find more details at wilshirebc.org/realm or contact Susan Kimball at skimball@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3108 with any issues you may have.

Faith in 3D will be March 24 and 25
This year’s Faith in 3D production, a staged reading of selected scenes from Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, will be presented Friday and Saturday, March 24 and 25, in Community Hall at 7:30 p.m. Faith in 3D is returning to live theatre after two years of video projects. “3D” stands for drama, dessert and dialogue, and after the show we’ll enjoy a tasty treat and a moderated discussion of the play’s themes.

Adventurers Charleston trip
From Nov. 6 to 11, the Wilshire Adventurers will travel to Charleston, South Carolina, for five nights and six days of touring in the “Holy City” led by Rob and Pam Banta. The group will see and experience antebellum homes and estates, Charleston cuisine, culture and architecture, a nighttime harbor cruise with dinner, a fine arts museum, Fort Sumter, Old City Market, Charleston Tea Garden and more, all accompanied by private guides. See full details at wilshirebc.org/registration or in a brochure available in the church office. The trip will accommodate a maximum of 50 participants and will require a minimum of 35. Registration is first-come, first-served.

Wednesday Night Live: March 1
Koinonia Café
5 – 6 p.m. | Community Hall | Buffet-style dinner for the whole family. Pricing at wilshirebc.org/wednesdays. March 1: Chicken Piccata w/ Lemon-Caper Sauce, Red Potatoes, Parmesan Zucchini, Italian Vegetable Soup, Salad, Bread, Desserts, Kids: Baked Chicken Leg, Cheddar Potatoes, Mandarin Oranges
Music, Missions & More
6 – 7 p.m. | Age 3 – Pre-K | Fun activities and lessons focused on God’s love.
KidConnect
6 – 7 p.m. | K – Grade 6 | This new children’s experience features a rotation of activities to help kids learn how to love God and others with every part of themselves. Each week is different. Activities include art, music, science, puppets and cooking.
Wednesday Lenten series
Say my name: Names we are called by God
6 p.m. | Room 1205-L | When the world shouts with a million voices around us, we can count on the voice of God to call us by our true names. Join our pastoral residents on four Wednesday evenings as we discuss how to tune into that voice. Dates: March 1, March 8, March 22, April 5
Also on Wednesdays
■ Watershed | Grades 7 – 12 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Youth Center
■ Sanctuary Choir | 7 – 8:30 p.m. | Choral Hall | No audition

Childcare for infants to 2-year-olds whose parents are involved in church activities is offered 6 – 7:15 p.m.

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Preparing for Worship – Timothy Peoples, senior pastor.

I have had some dance parties all by myself lately. It all started one night when my Spotify music channel played Whitney Houston’s “Step by Step.” I have no idea what came over me, but dance moves I have never attempted began to take place, and I just yelled out every word to the song.

Step by step, bit by bit,
Stone by stone, brick by brick (oh, yeah!),
Step by step, day by day, mile by mile

Today, we journey with Jesus to the top of the mountain along with the disciples — the ones who were told the secrets to the kingdom but just didn’t get it. While the text says Jesus takes three disciples on the mountain, I like to imagine Jesus opened the invitation to all 12. A couple of them had doubt, became a little suspicious and decided not to go. Others went a bit of the way until their sandals broke and they couldn’t continue the long rocky journey. Then a couple made it halfway but became parched and hungry. By the time they got to the top, Peter, James and John looked behind them and noticed it was just the three of them on the mountain with Jesus.

Fascinatingly, it seems by the time we walk back down, we have entered the season of Lent, taking time to remember that we are frail humans in relationship with God — a God who freely gives grace upon grace. I get it — culture and society can creep into our ways and our thoughts and cause us to slip. Our human flesh takes over, and our vision becomes blurry. So I must remind you that living the Christian life means living a life that says, “it’s okay to take it step by step, bit by bit, and day by day.”

I hope you’ve had days filled with dancing like this. But more than that, I hope the song lyrics resonate with you. We’re all on a journey, taking it step by step, sometimes feeling lost amid dangers, burdens and troubles. But always understanding it takes one step at a time.

As our congregation moves more into our identity, as we make changes together or even adhere to our traditions, let us realize that we are moving step by step and bit by bit. Listening to where God is calling us to move and how God is calling us to act. And that, my friends, takes time together.

No longer do I want to do dance parties alone. Here is the invitation: let us dance together, dancing into the future of our church and the future that God has for each of us.

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I Am Wilshire – Marc LaChey.

Hometown: I was born in Beria, Ohio. We moved to El Paso shortly after I was born (long story). We also lived in Hobbs and Roswell, New Mexico.
Education: Roswell High School, 1972; Baylor, BBA in accounting, 1977
Profession: Retired from a career in property and casualty insurance claims
Present city: Richardson

Tell us about your family.
My wife, Debbie, and I have been married for 32 years. I have a daughter, Adrienne, from my first marriage, and a daughter, Catherine, with Debbie. We also have a granddaughter, Savannah.

How about your work or volunteer life?
I spent 42 years in the insurance profession, starting as a claim representative and ending as a consultant providing coverage advocacy and claims management guidance to corporate clients. Phone calls often meant something bad had happened. I still recall the details of several tragic accidents, but I also recall helping clients make it through to the other side of whatever crisis had occurred.

What are your favorite hobbies?
I’m active as a model railroader, and I manage the contract with the Plano Event Center for two annual model train shows. During the summer I volunteer as a docent on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad in Chama, New Mexico.

What is your favorite place to travel?
Any national park that I’ve not visited and Chama, New Mexico.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
I came to Wilshire in 1989 from Royal Lane Baptist Church following a divorce. I met Debbie in the singles department at Wilshire, and we were married by George Mason in 1991.

Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
I’ve served on the Buildings and Grounds Committee, and I currently chair the Risk Management Committee, serve on the Hospitality Ministry Team and host the Zoom meetings for the Koinonia Class.

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
Guiding me to be a servant.

Tell us about your faith journey.
Religion was a sore subject between my parents. I met SBC missionaries Charlie and Joy Fenner when I went to Japan as an exchange student from Baylor. Their acceptance and love changed my life.

What’s something interesting most people wouldn’t know about you?
I hold a pilot’s license to fly hot air balloons.

What adjectives describe you?
Debbie and our daughters tell me I’ve learned to relax since I retired. Some might disagree.

If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire article, contact Carolyn Murray

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Timothy Peoples Installation Service is Sunday, Feb. 26.
Plan to be in attendance at morning worship next Sunday, Feb. 26, for a special Installation Service for Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples. The message will be delivered by Rev. Dr. Almeda Wright, an associate professor of religious education at Yale Divinity School, where Timothy earned his Master of Divinity degree. The service will also include participation from members of Timothy’s family, representatives from his home church in Oklahoma and other special guests.

Lent 2023: seen. known. loved.
Natural disasters. War. Disease. Change. Loss. As we enter into this season of Lent, it is not that difficult to contemplate on suffering. We can often wish to be someone else or to at least live a life that is much easier than the one we have. Even as we experience grief of all kinds, it is our deepest hope that you still know that you are seen, known and loved — by Christ and your community.

Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22• Services at noon and 6 p.m. in McIver Chapel.• A brief Ash Wednesday service for children will be led by Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples as part of KidConnect at 6 p.m. in Room 2224.Wednesday Night Live: Feb. 22Koinonia Café5 – 6 p.m. | Community Hall | Buffet-style dinner for the whole family. Pricing at wilshirebc.org/wednesdays. Feb. 22: Roasted Turkey Breast, Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans w/ Onions, Lentil Soup w/ Ham, Salad, Dessert. Kids: Chicken Nuggets, Potato Chips, Applesauce.Music, Missions & More6 – 7 p.m. | Age 3 – Pre-K | Fun activities and lessons focused on God’s love.KidConnect6 – 7 p.m. | K – Grade 6 | This new children’s experience features a rotation of activities to help kids learn how to love God and others with every part of themselves. Each week is different. Activities include art, music, science, puppets and cooking.Also on Wednesdays• Watershed | Grades 7 – 12 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Youth Center• Sanctuary Choir | 7 – 8:30 p.m. | Choral Hall | No audition necessaryAsh Wednesday• Services at noon & 6 p.m., McIver Chapel• Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples will lead a brief Ash Wednesday service for children as part of KidConnect at 6 p.m. in Room 2224.Childcare for infants to 2-year-olds whose parents are involved in church activities is offered 6 – 7:15 p.m.New membersJoan CullumCatherine and Todd Dyer with daughters Bella Dyer and Becca DyerNew to Wilshire?• The monthly Wilshire Welcome class helps guests and new members learn what Wilshire is all about. The next session will be held Sunday, Feb. 26, at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room (1100-B) near McIver Chapel.• Time with Tim is an informal chance for guests and new members to meet and visit with Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples. The next two sessions are Wednesday, March 8, at 6 p.m. in the Parlor and Sunday, April 30, at 9:45 a.m. in Community Hall.• Questions about these events? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.Kids seeking hat, glove donations
Our Wednesday night KidConnect kids are collecting hats and gloves for clients of Homeward Bound, a local nonprofit organization. Donation boxes decorated by the children can be found near the church office and the north building entrance. Please bring your donations by the end of February.

WOW! mini-retreat is Feb. 25
Wise Bodies: Coming Home to Trusting and Loving Ourselves is the theme for the Women of Wilshire mini-retreat on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Community Hall. Pastoral Resident Brianna Childs will lead. Visit wilshirebc.org/registration to sign up.

Art exhibit begins Feb. 22
Who Is My Neighbor? is the theme of a new art exhibit that will be on display from Feb. 22 to April 19 in Wilshire’s South Lobby. The show is a collection of etchings, lithographs, woodcuts and paintings that give visual insight into Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan. It includes the work of 22 artists from the last four centuries, including Rembrandt, Ernst Barlach, Tanja Butler, Ed Knippers and John August Swanson, plus political cartoons and illustrations that demonstrate the parable’s continued societal relevance.

Save the dates for Faith in 3D
This year’s Faith in 3D production, a staged reading of selected scenes from Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, will be presented Friday and Saturday, March 24 and 25, in Community Hall at 7:30 p.m. Faith in 3D is returning to live theatre after two years of video projects. “3D” stands for drama, dessert and dialogue, and after the show we’ll enjoy a tasty treat and a moderated discussion of the play’s themes.

Wilshire Sports Survey
Looking to get active this spring? Heard about Pickleball and want to see what the fuss is all about? Want to be part of a team with some of your favorite people? A group of Wilshire folks is looking to start some fun physical activities and is conducting an online survey to see which sports people are most interested in playing. Please fill out the survey by Sunday, Feb. 26. Look for the survey link at wilshirebc.org/registration.

Fill the loft for Doug’s final months
If you’ve sung in Sanctuary Choir under Doug Haney, or if you’ve considered it, consider joining as the choir prepares for Lent, Easter and a concert on Doug’s last day before retiring from full-time ministry. Music on Easter, April 9, will include Handel’s “Hallelujah” chorus and a new anthem on a text by British poet Malcolm Guite. The April 30 evening concert on Doug’s final Sunday will be a benefit for the Grief and Loss Center of North Texas. Music will include excerpts from Fauré’s Requiem, Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light. Songwriter and pianist Ken Medema will also be featured. Rehearsals are held Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in Choral Hall. No audition. Contact: Doug Haney (dhaney@wilshirebc.org)

February Sunday School option: Faithful Women
Pastoral Resident Brianna Childs is leading a Sunday School series, Faithful Women, on the four Sundays of February at 9:45 a.m. in McIver Chapel. Brianna says, “We will dive into the lives of some extraordinary women in history who changed Christianity as we know it. Though many have tried to erase their influence, their stories have persisted and are meant to be told for generations to come.” The class is a good option for anyone not connected to a class or those new to Sunday School.

Brianna Childs wedding shower
All are invited to a wedding shower for Pastoral Resident Brianna Childs and her fiancé, Blake Davenport, on Saturday, March 4. Compass Class is hosting the event, which will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Parlor. Brianna and Blake will be married on May 20 in Waco. You can find their gift registry by searching for their names at zola.com.

Silent auction items sought for March 5 Spaghetti Lunch
The annual Youth Choir Spaghetti Lunch and Silent Auction will be held Sunday, March 5, in Community Hall after worship. This event will help fund the choir’s summer trip to San Francisco to sing, serve and sightsee. If you’d like to donate items or services to the silent auction, contact Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org). Suggestions include restaurant gift cards, new household items and event tickets. Professional services make great donation items, so if you’re a musician, tutor, photographer, baker, designer, accountant or have some other service to provide, consider donating a gift certificate of your time or service.

CPR and AED classes planned
On Jan. 2, NFL player Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during a game and was given CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automated external defibrillation). You may know what these terms mean, and you may even know that there are 10 AEDs at Wilshire, but do you really know what to do in an emergency? Parish Nurse Linda Garner is planning classes in March for those who would like to learn or refresh their skills. There will be a $25 per person charge to cover materials. If you’re interested, contact Linda (lgarner@wilshirebc.org) or see the dates and sign up via the link at wilshirebc.org/registration.

Haney is next Lunch & Learn guest
Lunch & Learn will be held March 1 at 11:30 a.m. in Community Hall. The program will feature Associate Pastor Doug Haney, who will reflect on his career in music ministry and discuss his work with Polyphony Music Resources. Held in Community Hall the first Wednesday each month and open to all, Lunch & Learn features a meal, fellowship and a program. Lunch costs $10 per person. No reservation needed. Contact: Barbara Clayton (bclayton@wilshirebc.org)

Adventurers to Bush Library
The Wilshire Adventurers will tour the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum on Thursday, March 2, at 11:30 a.m. The tour is $9 per person; tickets must be purchased in advance. To register and buy tickets, visit wilshirebc.org/registration. Parking costs $5 per car, paid upon arrival. The group will meet at Wilshire at 11 to carpool to the SMU campus. Lunch is on your own.

Monthly knitting group begins
Anyone who enjoys knitting is invited to Sara Tinsley’s home one evening each month to work on their projects in fellowship with others. The first meeting of the group, open to knitters of all skill levels, will be Thursday, Feb. 23, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Contact Sara for more details at saratinsley1@yahoo.com.

Women of Wilshire book clubs• The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor. On March 14, the group will discuss Somewhere Sisters by Erika Hayasaki. 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 2, the group will discuss Anne Tyler’s Digging to America. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)Summer events for children and preschoolers
Registration opens Friday, Feb. 24, at wilshirebc.org/summer-camps.
Vacation Bible School
June 12 – 16, 9 a.m. – noon,
Older preschool – Grade 6
Full Day: Cooking Camp & Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Grades 2 – 6
Cooking Camp
July 10 – 14, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Listen to Your Art! Creative Arts Camp
July 10 – 14, 1 – 5:30 p.m., Grades 1 – 6
Passport Kids! Preteen Camp
July 22 – 25, Grades 3 – 6
Preschool Friends Camp
July 31 – Aug. 4, 9 a.m. – noon
New for completed kindergartners: Creation Station
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Preparing for Worship – Jeff Hampton.

In worship this morning the Wilshire Winds play an arrangement of “Abide With Me” that offers an unusual twist on the familiar tune. At the beginning and throughout, listen and you’ll hear the trumpet notes of “Last Call,” which is the British equivalent of what we know in the United States as “Taps.” Just like “Taps,” “Last Call” is often played at sunset at military bases and especially at funerals that include military honors. For that reason, “Last Call” pairs well with “Abide With Me” and its words alluding to the end of the day and the end of life: “Abide with me, fast falls the eventide …”

It’s mostly happenstance that this arrangement of “Abide With Me” is played in the service today. There’s nothing in the liturgical calendar that specifically calls for it. In fact, with its trumpet calls, it might fit better on a Memorial Day weekend, when we are intentionally remembering those who have sacrificed for others. However, if “Abide With Me” or “Last Call” brings to mind the end of life, perhaps it is the perfect companion this morning to the hymn “Jesus Loves Me.”

For many a child, “Jesus Loves Me” marks the very beginning of their knowledge of God and Jesus and what it means to have a holy presence that “abides” in their life. In my own memory, it is the first “church song” I learned. With the words, “Little ones to him belong, they are weak, but he is strong,” it clearly marks the beginning — the “morning” — of a lifelong walk with Christ that will endure to the “eventide” of life and into eternity.

It’s a walk that is depicted in both of our readings today. In Deuteronomy we hear about the life that can be had by “walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances.” And in Psalms, we read, “Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.” Both readings describe a place of discernment somewhere on the continuum between the childlike trust of “Jesus Loves Me” and the mature peace of “Abide With Me.”

As we worship today in music and Scripture, consider your own walk with the Lord: where you started, where you’ve been, and where you are on that walk today.

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I Am Wilshire – Richard Luttrell.

Name: Richard Luttrell;
Hometown: Norman, Oklahoma;
Education: BBA, Baylor University; MA, University of Oklahoma;
Profession: Retired;
Present city: Richardson;

Tell us about your family.
My wife, Sally, and I have lived in Richardson for over 20 years. Sally is a corporate communications trainer and enjoys attending her local church. We’re supervised at home by Chloe, our two-year-old miniature schnauzer.

How about your work or volunteer life?
My professional career focused on advertising and marketing, the last 20 years as a marketing research manager for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Outside of Wilshire, I served as chair of the Richardson Cultural Arts Commission and currently serve on the board of my neighborhood’s homeowners association.

What are your favorite hobbies?
I am a devoted — some would say obsessed — college football fan. I’ve been a season ticket holder at Baylor for 30 years, and for 10 of those years I had season tickets at OU as well.

What is your favorite place to travel?
Carmel, California, for the scenery and Washington, D.C., for the museums.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?
While I’ve known about Wilshire for nearly 40 years — thank you, LeAnn Hampton — on Easter 2014 I attended with some friends. Through George’s message and the inspiring music — the “Hallelujah” chorus as a benediction! — God told me it was time to come home. I’ve been here ever since.

Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
I recently completed active deacon service, and I’m chair of the Missions Committee. I’m a member of Epiphany Class and John Kelly’s resident advisory team. My entry point to serve at Wilshire was as an usher and greeter, which I still do.

What has surprised you most about Wilshire?
Wilshire’s abiding commitment to build bridges rather than walls.

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
I’m trying to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with my God.

Tell us about your faith journey.
My parents were both healthcare professionals, so a sense of service was instilled in me and my sister. My church life growing up was the classic Baptist youth experience of the 60s and 70s — mission trips, choir tours and special times at Falls Creek and Glorieta. My church taught me abiding Christian faith was a matter of both the head and the heart. It really prepared me for my Wilshire experience.

If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire article, contact Carolyn Murray

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Fill the choir loft for Doug’s final months at Wilshire.
If you’ve ever sung in Sanctuary Choir under Doug Haney — or if you’ve considered it — you’ll want to be at rehearsal starting Wednesday, Feb. 15, as the choir prepares for Lent, Easter and a special concert on Doug’s last day at Wilshire before retiring from full-time ministry. Music on Easter, April 9, will include “Easter Dawn,” a new anthem on a text by Cambridge, England, poet Malcolm Guite, as well as the “Hallelujah” chorus from Handel’s Messiah. The April 30 evening concert on Doug’s final Sunday will be a benefit concert for the Grief and Loss Center of North Texas. Music will include excerpts from Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, Howard Goodall’s requiem, Eternal Light, and other pieces for choir and orchestra. Songwriter and pianist Ken Medema will also be featured in the concert. Rehearsals are held Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in Choral Hall. No audition required; you can just show up. Contact Doug at dhaney@wilshirebc.org or 214-452-3123.

Timothy Peoples Installation Service in two weeks
Plan to be in attendance at morning worship on Sunday, Feb. 26, for a special Installation Service for Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples. The message will be delivered by Rev. Dr. Almeda Wright, an associate professor of religious education at Yale Divinity School, where Timothy earned his Master of Divinity degree. The service will also include participation from members of Timothy’s family, representatives from his home church in Oklahoma and other special guests.

Prayers for Puerto Rico trip
Be in prayer for 14 Wilshire folks on a mission trip to Puerto Rico from Feb. 11 to 18. The group is being hosted by San Juan’s Primera Iglesia Bautista de Río Piedras and will work on home repairs for a couple with medical conditions and without resources. The group includes Dorrell Brown, Andrew Burton, Vickie Conn, Mike Diffee, Steven Hallman, Kesha Kellogg, Pastoral Resident John Kelly, Michael Malcik, Monica Mullins, Associate Pastor Heather Mustain, Manjeet Schultz, Dennis Smith, Jenny Wolff and Jason Woodbury.

Kids seeking hat, glove donations
Our Wednesday night KidConnect kids are collecting hats and gloves for clients of Homeward Bound, a local nonprofit organization. Donation boxes decorated by the children can be found near the church office and the north building entrance. Please bring donations by the end of February.

February Sunday School option: Faithful Women
Pastoral Resident Brianna Childs is leading a Sunday School series, Faithful Women, on the four Sundays of February at 9:45 a.m. in McIver Chapel. Brianna says, “We will dive into the lives of some extraordinary women in history who changed Christianity as we know it. Though many have tried to erase their influence, their stories have persisted and are meant to be told for generations to come.” The class is a good option for anyone not connected to a class or those new to Sunday School.

Adventurers Valentine’s lunch to feature singer
Singer Toney Walsh will entertain at the Adventurers Valentine’s Luncheon on Monday, Feb. 13, starting at 11:30 a.m. in Community Hall. Lunch is $10 per person; no RSVP required. Walsh will perform Great American Songbook standards made popular by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Nat King Cole.

Wednesday Night Live: Feb 15
Koinonia Café
5 – 6 p.m. | Community Hall | Buffet-style dinner for the whole family. Pricing at wilshirebc.org/wednesdays. Feb. 15: Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas, Black Beans, Cilantro Rice, Corn w/ Zucchini, Chips & Salsa, Bean & Vegetable Chili, Salad, Desserts. Kids: Cheese Quesadilla, Buttered Rice, Peaches
Music, Missions & More
6 – 7 p.m. | Age 3 – Pre-K | Fun activities and lessons focused on God’s love.
KidConnect
6 – 7 p.m. | K – Grade 6 | This new children’s experience features a rotation of activities to help kids learn how to love God and others with every part of themselves. Each week is different. Activities include art, music, science, puppets and cooking.
Global Missions Update
6 – 7 p.m. | Parlor | Join us as the work of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is highlighted in the final installment of our series on global missions. Laura Ayala, CBF’s coordinator of global missions, will join us on Zoom along with Christine (last name withheld for safety), CBF field personnel serving on CBF’s Africa/Middle East Team.
Also on Wednesdays
■ Watershed | Grades 7 – 12 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Youth Center
■ Sanctuary Choir | 7 – 8:30 p.m. | Choral Hall | No audition necessary

Coming Feb. 22: Ash Wednesday services
Wilshire will offer Ash Wednesday services at noon and 6 p.m. in McIver Chapel. Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples will lead a brief Ash Wednesday service for children at 6 p.m. in Room 2224 as part of KidConnect.

Monthly knitting group begins
Anyone who enjoys knitting is invited to Sara Tinsley’s home one evening each month to work on their projects in fellowship with others. The first meeting of the group, open to knitters of all skill levels, will be Thursday, Feb. 23, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Contact Sara for more details at saratinsley1@yahoo.com.

Wilshire Sports Survey
Are you looking to get active this spring? Heard about Pickleball and want to see what the fuss is all about? Want to be part of a team with some of your favorite people? A group of Wilshire folks is looking to start some fun physical activities and is conducting an online survey to see which sports people are most interested in playing. Please fill out the survey by Sunday, Feb. 26. Scan the QR code or look for the survey link at wilshirebc.org/registration.

CPR and AED classes planned
On Jan. 2, NFL player Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during a game and was given CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automated external defibrillation). You may know what these terms mean, and you may even know that there are 10 AEDs at Wilshire, but do you really know what to do in an emergency? Parish Nurse Linda Garner is planning classes in March for those who would like to learn or refresh their skills. There will be a $25 per person charge to cover materials. If you’re interested, contact Linda (lgarner@wilshirebc.org) or see the dates and sign up via the link at wilshirebc.org/registration.

WOW: Women of Wilshire Mini-Retreat
Wise Bodies: Coming Home to Trusting and Loving Ourselves is the theme for the WOW mini-retreat on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Community Hall. Pastoral Resident Brianna Childs will lead. Learn more and sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration.

Brianna Childs wedding shower
All are invited to a wedding shower for Pastoral Resident Brianna Childs and her fiancé, Blake Davenport, on Saturday, March 4. Compass Class is hosting the event, which will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Parlor. Brianna and Blake will be married on May 20 in Waco. You can find their gift registry by searching for their names at zola.com.

Silent auction items sought for March 5 Spaghetti Lunch
The annual Youth Choir Spaghetti Lunch and Silent Auction will be held Sunday, March 5, in Community Hall after worship. This event will help fund the choir’s summer trip to San Francisco to sing, serve and sightsee. If you’d like to donate items or services to the silent auction, contact Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org). Suggestions include restaurant gift cards, new household items and event tickets. Professional services make great donation items, so if you’re a musician, tutor, photographer, baker, designer, accountant or have some other service to provide, consider donating a gift certificate of your time or service.

Save the date for Faith in 3D
This year’s Faith in 3D production, a staged reading of selected scenes from Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, will be presented Friday and Saturday, March 24 and 25, in Community Hall at 7:30 p.m. Faith in 3D is returning to live theatre after two years of video projects. “3D” stands for drama, dessert and dialogue, and after the show we’ll enjoy a tasty treat and a moderated discussion of the play’s themes.

Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor. On Feb. 14, the group will discuss The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri. 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 2, the group will discuss Anne
Tyler’s Digging to America. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)

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Preparing for Worship – John Kelly, pastoral resident.

“And Mary remained with [Elizabeth] about three months and then returned to her home” (Luke 1:56 NRSV).

At this point in Luke’s Gospel, not even two chapters into the action, so much has already unfolded that needs some chewing on. By the time we read of Mary’s three-month stay, we’ve encountered angelic visitations, a couple of miraculous pregnancies, an instance of embryonic exaltation and a prophetic song of overflowing praise (i.e., the Magnificat, our communal Advent focus this year). No wonder Mary took a few months! I’m sure she needed the time and space to process the divine chaos unfolding around her.

I like to imagine Mary’s conversations with Elizabeth over these few months: full of divine hope but tinged with well-warranted anxiety, focused just as much on dreams about the future as attempting to make sense of the present moment. I bet Mary was relieved to have someone like Elizabeth to support her. Also, though, I imagine Mary spent a lot of time alone in silence, pondering the millions of questions that had to have filled her mind; meditating on the hope she was quite literally gestating. I picture her praying in her room, keeping one eye open — half-expecting Gabriel to circle back with some follow-up details.

Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t exactly relate to Mary’s experience. I’ve never been a teenage girl, nor have I factored into a scenario involving any sort of immaculate conception. Still, like I bet all of us can, I undoubtedly relate to the “when it rains, it pours” pace of Mary’s story — especially, funnily enough, when the holiday season rolls around. I doubt I’m the only one who relates to wanting some clarifying information from God; to needing both the support of community and time for silent, contemplative solitude.

Saying it’s been a big year would be a multifaceted understatement. Many, if not all of us, have found ourselves living in the uncertain tension between future hopes and present reality. We all carry a mix of divine hope and well-warranted anxieties. And that’s okay. From what we know of Mary’s story, it seems like we’re in great company!

As we prepare for a time of worship together, though, maybe we could glean as much direction from Mary as we do encouragement. We could commit to pondering the ultimate source of our hope, peace, joy and love in intentional contemplation — even if that looks more like a no-radio ride home than a three-month visit to your cousin’s place. We could decide to support those close to us, regardless of if we fully comprehend the future into which God has called them. We could ultimately expect Christ to be born, as it were, in our very midst.

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I Am Wilshire – Mike Meripolski.

Hometown: Dallas

Education: BA, Stephen F. Austin State University; Law degree, Texas Tech School of Law

Profession: Attorney for Legal Aid of Northwest Texas

Present city: Dallas

Tell us about your family.

I have been married to Debbie for 33 years. Our daughter is Ann Meripolski.

How about your work or volunteer life?

I work in the family section of Legal Aid of Northwest Texas handling divorce, custody, adoption, protective orders and other family law cases for low-income people (under 200% of U.S. poverty guidelines).

What are your favorite hobbies?

Reading history and popular fiction, traveling with Debbie.

What is your favorite place to travel?

We seek new places, especially history, science or nature museums. We loved our Rhine River cruise visiting 800-year-old churches. We are currently trying to visit all 254 Texas counties, especially the courthouses.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?

Debbie’s parents brought us in 2004. We stayed after hearing George preach and seeing the other youth reach out to welcome Ann.

Where are you engaged at Wilshire?

I’m a deacon and serve on the Hospitality Team and the Building and Grounds Committee. Debbie and I attend Epiphany Class.

What has surprised you most about Wilshire?

Wilshire surprised me on my first visit and continues to do so. Our church truly lives out that truth that God loves everyone, and so should we.

Tell us about your faith journey.

I was raised in the Methodist church and was baptized in a Baptist church in 10th grade. After Debbie and I married, we attended a Methodist church until coming to Wilshire. My views on faith were strongly influenced by my Jewish father and Methodist mother. My mother (born a Baptist) and father respected each other’s faith beliefs and encouraged my siblings and me to think about — and make — our own faith decisions.

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?

God put in me in places to help the marginalized through both my job and my church.

What’s something interesting most people wouldn’t know about you?

I was born with the name Meripol and changed it back to Meripolski to honor my immigrant grandparents, who fled Tsarist Russia (near Kyiv) in the 1880s due to violent pogroms against Jews. My mother was born a Baptist, was a Methodist as an adult, and in her 80s returned to her Baptist heritage — at Wilshire.

What adjectives describe you?

Resilient, passionate about God’s justice on earth and our role in achieving it.

If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire article, contact Carolyn Murray

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Refugee support transforms lives.

When refugees move to a new country, the burdens of a traumatic past and an uncertain future can weigh heavy on an entire family. For the Noor family, a generous gift from Wilshire Baptist Church is helping them ease those burdens by providing the funds they need to house all nine members of the family together for a full year as they adjust to their new lives in Texas.

The Noors are originally from Afghanistan, and for anyone fleeing danger at home and finding new opportunities in a foreign land, the stresses of acquiring a job, learning a new language, putting food on the table and adjusting to a new culture can quickly overwhelm. Wilshire’s $12,000 gift has provided much-needed assistance for the Noor family. For father Mirza Noor and his eldest son, Zahidullah — who are the family’s sole income providers as full-time employees at Walmart — Wilshire’s financial assistance allows them to save money from their paychecks and put it toward the family’s future.

Abdul Alizai of Refugee Services of Texas, the family’s local refugee resettlement agency, says the Noor family is enrolled in RST’s Matching Grant Program, which is designed to guide refugee clients to self-sufficiency while supporting them financially for a limited time with the help of partners like Wilshire. About 87 percent of all refugees served by RST become self-sufficient within a year’s time.

“Having other people believe in our clients and support our clients alongside us encourages our clients that we are all rooting for their success in the United States,” says Abdul.

Thanks to the kindness and warmth of Wilshire Baptist Church, the Noor family is achieving that success and finding their new home in Dallas to be full of welcoming neighbors.

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Christmas Eve services at 5 and 11 p.m.

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 Associate Pastor Heather Mustain. The 11 p.m. service, with a message from Associate Pastor Darren DeMent, will be more liturgical in nature, with more extensive readings, robed ministers and celebration of the Lord’s Supper. No childcare is provided for either service, and both will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.

Youth Choir alumni invited to sing at 11 p.m.

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 Choral Hall at 10:30 for a cookie, coffee and a quick rehearsal. Please let Jeff Brummel (jbrummel@wilshirebc.org) know if you’re able to sing on Christmas Eve.

Can you Help us close the year-end gap?

With two Sundays left in 2022, we’re still facing a gap between our estimated expenses for the year and our actual income to date. As of Dec. 15, our income for the year so far is $3,102,645, while our estimated expenses for 2022 are $3,633,065. That means we need $530,420 given during the remainder of December to break even.

As we look to the bright future ahead with our new senior pastor, will you help us end the year on a positive note? We have no doubt that our church will see new growth in the coming years, but in order to plan for future growth we need to know now what kind of financial resources we can count on. Will you consider an extra gift before the end of the year or perhaps give to the Unified Budget for the first time? Here are several ways to give:

■ Write a check dated and postmarked before Saturday, Dec. 31, and mail it to Director of Finance Lori Gooden’s attention at the church.

■ Drop off a check at the church by contacting Lori at 214-452-3131 or lgooden@wilshirebc.org. Note: the church will be closed for the holidays on Dec. 26 and 27. Normal office hours are weekdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

■ Give online. Visit wilshirebc.org/give to get started.

■ Donate appreciated stock or mutual funds by contacting your broker and having the stock transferred to Wilshire’s account at: Fidelity DTC #0226; Account: Wilshire Baptist Church – X67-239003. The stock must be in Wilshire’s account before Dec. 31 to be tax deductible for 2022.

Please call Lori to let her know the details of your stock gift. Fidelity will not identify the source of stock gifts to us, and we want to have a good accounting of your generosity.

Library Decorations

Make time to stop by the Library during the holiday season to enjoy a display of nativity sets from around the world. Most are from the collection of Wilshire member Linda Garner. See the Library’s holiday hours on page 11.

Tree of Hope and Remembrance

Help decorate Wilshire’s Tree of Hope and Remembrance in the South Lobby by writing 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 it home close to Christmas for your own tree.

Preaching schedule

Dec. 18: Heather Mustain

Dec. 24, 5 p.m.: Heather Mustain

Dec. 24, 11 p.m.: Darren DeMent

Dec. 25: Brianna Childs

Jan. 1: John Kelly

Jan. 8: Darren DeMent

Jan. 15: Brianna Childs

Jan. 22: Timothy Peoples starts

Holiday schedule notes

■ Sunday, Dec. 25: Worship at 10 a.m. in McIver Chapel. No Sunday School or coffee service.

■ Sunday, Jan. 1: Worship at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary. No Sunday School. Join us for a New Year’s Celebration with coffee and treats in James Gallery starting at 9:15 a.m.

■ No Wednesday activities Dec. 21, Dec. 28 or Jan. 4. Wednesday activities resume Jan. 11.

■ The church offices will be closed for staff holidays on Monday, Dec. 26, Tuesday, Dec. 27, and Monday, Jan. 2.

Library holiday hours

■ Sunday, Dec. 18: 9–10:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

■ Monday, Dec. 19 – Thursday, Dec. 22: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

■ Friday, Dec. 23 – Monday, Jan. 2: Closed, including Sundays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

Save the date for annual church conference: Jan. 22

Make plans to attend Wilshire’s annual church conference in Community Hall after worship on Sunday, Jan. 22. We’ll adopt a budget, elect deacons and committees and hear a word from Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples on his first day. Lunch will be provided. More details to come.

Wilshire joins welcoming and affirming organization

Earlier this fall Wilshire was approved for membership in the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists. Founded in 1993, AWAB is a community of churches, organizations and individuals committed to the inclusion of all people in the full life and mission of Baptist churches, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. AWAB has 142 member congregations and ministries, including Royal Lane Baptist Church in Dallas and Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth.

MLK Day Meal Packing Event

Join us on the MLK Day holiday, Monday, Jan. 16, as we partner with Rise Against Hunger to pack healthy meals for those in need. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon in Community Hall. Our goal is to pack 15,120 meals. This project is for everyone, with opportunities to serve while seated and while standing. Children are a great help collecting completed bags with help from a parent. Volunteers are needed to help set up starting at 8:30 a.m. and clean up afterward. Rise Against Hunger’s mission is to create immediate and long-term solutions to hunger by building resilience, self-sufficiency and empowerment in communities worldwide. Register at wilshirebc.org/registration.

Heather Mustain to speak at January Lunch & Learn

The first Lunch & Learn of 2023 will be held Jan. 11 at 11:30 a.m. in Community Hall. The program will feature Associate Pastor Heather Mustain sharing her personal story. Held in Community Hall the first Wednesday each month and open to all, Lunch & Learn features a meal, fellowship and a program. Lunch costs $10 per person. No reservation needed. Contact: Barbara Clayton (bclayton@wilshirebc.org)

Do Timothy and Valerie a favor: update your photo in Realm

Let’s update our profile pictures in Realm to help new Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples and his wife, Valerie Lott, learn names and faces.

■ Open the Realm Connect app on your mobile device.

■ Tap your picture or the empty icon next to your name. (If you don’t see your profile

picture, choose More from the bottom menu to go to the next screen, then look in the top left corner.)

■ Tap the pencil icon in the bottom right of the icon circle.

■ Chose New Profile Photo and then select a photo from your phone’s camera roll. Tap Apply to set the photo.

■ If you access Realm on a computer, click your name in the upper right corner, then choose Realm under My Profile Views. Click on your photo, then the pencil icon. You can then upload a photo from your computer.

■ Need help? Contact Susan Kimball (skimball@wilshirebc.org) or Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org).

Women of Wilshire book clubs

■ The WOW! Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On Jan. 5, the group will discuss Kreis Beall’s The Great Blue Hills of God. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)

■ The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club meets in the Parlor monthly at 6:30 p.m. On Jan. 10, the group will discuss Paula McLain’s Circling the Sun. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org)

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Preparing for worship – Heather Mustain, associate pastor.

Today is the third Sunday of Advent, the day we light the pink candle in our Advent wreath. Pink, or rose, is the liturgical color that symbolizes joy, and this Sunday is more formally known as “Gaudate” Sunday — a Latin word meaning rejoice. Placing joy in the middle of a season of waiting is intentional. It’s a reminder that even in our waiting, joy waits with us. The author of Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is a season for everything, the apostle Paul commends us to rejoice always and moments before Mary’s Magnificat, the child in Elizabeth’s womb leaps for joy.

But if I’m being honest with you, it’s easier for me to list what has me not leaping for joy rather than what does. Joy, for many of us, feels elusive. It feels close, yet just out of reach. We see others all around us experiencing the joy of the season and wonder what it must feel like. Our circumstances often do not lead us to feeling abundantly joyful; in fact, our circumstances often leave us feeling abundantly resentful, grief stricken and apathetic. Yet here we are, being reminded that joy is in fact part of our waiting. God, soon, will break through it all in order to be with us in it all, and the world will rejoice with or without us.

So in this season of waiting and anticipating, what has you leaping for joy? Here are a few of my most recent moments:

Looking outside and seeing the vibrancy of fall that reminds me of my New England childhood.
Watching my children play in a snow globe outside Neiman Marcus.
Having dinner with friends and being reminded I’m not alone.
Watching hard-working women celebrated for their contributions.

Personally I’m learning that hope, peace, joy and love are postures toward the world that I need to cultivate more wholly in my life. And perhaps in my cultivating, I may experience each of them more deeply, more fully, more richly. As you prepare for worship this morning, maybe create your own joy list, take a deep breath and be thankful.

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I Am Wilshire – Mary Morgan.

Hometown: Harker Heights, Texas
Education: BS, Biology/Biochemistry, Hardin-Simmons University
Profession: Instructional Coach in Allen ISD
Present city: Plano

Tell us about your family.I am single, but surround myself with close friends from my Wilshire family.

How about your work or volunteer life?I taught high school biology for 14 years and spent three years at the Perot Museum providing teachers with professional learning. As part of my work, I enjoy studying both pedagogy and andragogy.

What are your favorite hobbies?All of the women in my family are accomplished seamstresses or quilters, so I attempt to carry on that tradition. I also enjoy growing African violets and reading.

What is your favorite place to travel?I especially love Alaska and Colorado! I grew up going to Small Sunday School Week at Glorieta every summer, so the mountains are where I feel closest to God.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?I grew up in moderate Baptist and CBF churches. When I moved to Dallas for work in 2017, I already had my mind made up that Wilshire was the church for me. I visited one Sunday and joined the next!

Where are you engaged at Wilshire?You can usually find me in the music wing, either singing in Sanctuary Choir or Nova, playing handbells in Carillon Ringers, or helping with Young Musicians. I attend Odyssey Class and serve on the Worship Guild and the Deacon Nominating Committee.

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?COVID derailed my career path, so I’m in a period of seeking, waiting and listening. I’m challenging myself to dive deeper into Scripture and work on being comfortable in walking by faith, not by sight. I am a planner and organizer, so I’m experiencing my own uncomfortable wilderness journey.

Tell us about your faith journey.I am blessed to have wonderful, loving parents who modeled living out Jesus’ teachings. Ever the good Baptist girl and preacher’s kid, I went to GA camp at Mt. Lebanon, where I made my profession of faith. I have always been interested in learning about other sects of Christianity and religions, even attending the Church of England for a year while living in England, but I remain firmly planted in my Baptist roots.

What’s something interesting most people wouldn’t know about you?I collect Disney trading pins and have over 1,000. Figment is my favorite Disney character!

If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire article, contact Carolyn Murray

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Timothy Peoples called with 99% vote

In a special business meeting after worship last Sunday, Dec. 4, Wilshire members voted to call Timothy Peoples, an alumnus of the church’s pastoral residency program, to be their next senior pastor. Deacon chair Debbie Meripolski moderated the meeting and announced the results: of the 528 members who cast ballots, 521 voted in favor of the Pastor Search Committee’s recommendation to call Timothy — a rate of 99%.

After the announcement, Timothy — now with a “We Are Wilshire” t-shirt over his dress shirt — and his wife, Valerie Lott, re-entered the Sanctuary to an enthusiastic standing ovation.

Timothy’s first Sunday as senior pastor will be Jan. 22, and he’ll start in the office the next day. Timothy and Valerie will move to Dallas from High Point, North Carolina, where Timothy has led Emerywood Baptist Church since 2017.

The Wilshire Sanctuary was full for Sunday’s worship service. “If I pass out up here, y’all keep going,” Timothy joked before delivering his sermon, “The Deepest-Rooted Dream of the Trees,” based on the day’s reading from Isaiah 11:1-10. Sunday School attendance for the day was 550, the highest number since March 1, 2020. During Sunday School, Timothy visited preschool and children’s classrooms and spent 15 to 20 minutes in a Q&A session with youth moderated by search committee member Evelyn Wilson, a high school junior.

A note from Katie Murray, Pastor Search Committee chair: “Wilshire, second only to your constant prayers, your excitement this past week is the best gift you could have given the search committee. Your thunderous applause (and hollering!) in the Sanctuary after Debbie announced the results of the vote is a memory I won’t soon forget. Thank you for your trust. It has been our great honor to serve Wilshire in this way.”

Sanctuary Choir featured in worship Dec. 11

Morning worship on Dec. 11 will feature selections from Sanctuary Choir with orchestra. The choir will sing two settings of the Magnificat, one by Antonio Vivaldi and one by American composer John Ferguson. The orchestra will play Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Greensleeves as the prelude, and Associate Pastor Doug Haney will offer brief reflections.

Winds, Ringers concert Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m.

Wilshire Winds and Carillon Ringers will present a Christmas concert on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Joyous Noel is the theme of the program, which will include music from each group and the two together. A reception will follow in James Gallery. Shana Gaines directs Wilshire Winds, made up of brass, woodwind and percussion players. Ralph Manuel directs Carillon Ringers, Wilshire’s adult handbell group. The Winds will open the concert with “Christmas Exhilaration,” a new medley of holiday tunes. Other Winds selections include “Veni Emmanuel,” “The Wexford Carol,” “On This Day Earth Shall Ring” and “Divinum Mysterium,” best known as the hymn tune used for “Of the Father’s Love Begotten.” Carillon Ringers will be joined by Tanya Benson on flute for “Aria,” an original work by Derek Hakes. The Ringers will also play “Ring, Little Bells,” a traditional German carol, and “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing.” The finale, “Joyous Noel,” will feature both groups. The concert will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.

Last chance for Giving Tree

Select a tag from Wilshire’s Giving Tree in James Gallery and fulfill a Christmas wish for a child or adult served by one of our mission partners. A few tags remain, and gifts are due back to the church Monday, Dec. 12.

■ Our Virtual Giving Tree is complete.

Preschool music program

Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 6 p.m. | McIver Chapel

Wilshire’s preschool choirs will present a program on Wednesday, Dec. 14. Titled Gloria! Jesus is Born, the program will feature the Kindergarten, Pre-K and 3 Year Old choirs. A cookies-and-cocoa reception for family and friends will follow in James Gallery.

Christmas Eve at 5 and 11 p.m.

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 Associate Pastor Heather Mustain. The 11 p.m. service, with a message from Associate Pastor Darren DeMent, 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 Choral Hall at 10:30 for a cookie, coffee and a quick rehearsal. Please let Jeff Brummel (jbrummel@wilshirebc.org) know if you’re able to sing Christmas Eve.

Christmas and New Year’s

■ Dec. 25: Worship at 10 a.m. in McIver Chapel. No Sunday School or coffee service.

■ Jan. 1: Worship at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary. No Sunday School. Join us for coffee and treats in James Gallery starting at 9:15 a.m.

Sign up kids to build nativity set

Children in grades 1 through 6 can sign up to build the Sanctuary nativity scene by carrying an element to the chancel during worship. We will build the scene week by week, finishing at the 5 p.m. Christmas Eve service. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/registration. Contact: Julie Girards (jgirards@wilshirebc.org)

Library Decorations

Stop by the Library during the holiday season to enjoy a display of nativity sets from around the world. Most are from the collection of Wilshire member Linda Garner.

Tree of Hope and Remembrance

Help decorate Wilshire’s Tree of Hope and Remembrance in the South Lobby by writing 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 it home close to Christmas for your own tree.

Wilkinson Center Toy Drive

Mission partner Wilkinson Center needs volunteers to shop with clients, wrap gifts, restock toys and act as runners at its Toy Drive and Distribution Saturday, Dec. 17 at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. Ages 16+ welcome; 12 – 15 if with an adult. Volunteers must sign up in advance; see link at wilshirebc.org/registration.

Preaching schedule

Dec. 18: Heather Mustain

Dec. 24, 5 p.m.: Heather Mustain

Dec. 24, 11 p.m.: Darren DeMent

Dec. 25: Brianna Childs

Jan. 1: John Kelly

Jan. 8: Darren DeMent

Jan. 15: Brianna Childs

Jan. 22: Timothy Peoples starts

Blood Drive is Wednesday, Dec. 14

Carter BloodCare will be at Wilshire for a blood drive on Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Carter is still feeling the effects of a decrease in donations during the pandemic. Walk-ups are welcome, but for an appointment, look for the link at wilshirebc.org/registration or scan the code on page 11. Contact: Linda Garner (lgarner@wilshirebc.org)

Dec. 15: see the play based on The Accommodation

Join Wilshire friends for an outing Thursday night, Dec. 15, to see Soul Rep Theatre Company’s production of Travisville. The play was inspired by Jim Schutze’s book The Accommodation, which was recently read citywide as part of Big D Reads. Written by William Jackson Harper, a Dallas native known for acting on TV’s The Good Place, the play presents a fictionalized account of events depicted in Schutze’s book, which explored struggles around race and gentrification in midcentury Dallas. A regional premiere, Travisville is being staged at Fair Park’s Margo Jones Theater. The play starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at a group rate of $21 each and can be purchased through Realm. Visit wilshirebc.org/registration.

Do Timothy and Valerie a favor: update your photo in Realm

Let’s update our profile pictures in Realm to help new Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples and his wife, Valerie Lott, learn names and faces.

■ Open the Realm Connect app on your mobile device.

■ Tap your picture or the empty icon next to your name. (If you don’t see your profile picture, choose More from the bottom menu to go to the next screen, then look in the top left corner.)

■ Tap the pencil icon in the bottom right of the icon circle.

■ Chose New Profile Photo and then select a photo from your phone’s camera roll. Tap Apply to set the photo.

■ If you access Realm on a computer, click your name in the upper right corner, then choose Realm under My Profile Views. Click on your photo, then the pencil icon. You can then upload a photo from your computer.

■ Don’t know what Realm is? Need help? Contact Susan Kimball (skimball@wilshirebc.org) or Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org).

Women of Wilshire book clubs

■ The WOW! Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L. On Jan. 5, the group will discuss Kreis Beall’s The Great Blue Hills of God. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)

■ The WOW! Tuesday Evening Book Club meets in the Parlor monthly at 6:30 p.m. On Jan. 10, the group will discuss Paula McLain’s Circling the Sun. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org)

Wednesday Night Live, Dec. 14: Final Wednesday night before Christmas break

Preschool concert, 6 p.m.

The final night of Wednesday activities before the Christmas break will feature a 6 p.m. preschool music program in McIver Chapel. Titled Gloria! Jesus is Born, the program will feature the Kindergarten, Pre-K and 3 Year Old choirs. A cookies-and-cocoa reception for family and friends will follow in James Gallery.

■ No Koinonia Café, KidConnect or adult study.

■ Final Watershed and Sanctuary Choir rehearsal before a Christmas break.

■ Wednesday Night Live resumes Jan. 11.

ONE STARRY NIGHT: Free event is Friday, Dec. 16

Grab the kids, gather the grandchildren — the whole family if you can! — and come to Wilshire on Friday, Dec. 16, for One Starry Night, an interactive Bethlehem experience with something for everyone.

Your first stop will be the census table, where, just like Mary and Joseph, you’ll register and receive a passport and some coins. From there you’ll enter the village, where you’ll find a tented market bustling with hands-on activities: baking, carpentry, painting, herbs and spices, pottery, weaving, music and dancing. You’ll enjoy interacting with craftspeople and vendors while roving musicians fill the air with sounds of the season.

While in the village, sample first century delicacies at Bethlehem Inn, pet the sheep at the shepherds’ pen and search the sky for the Christmas star at Stargazer Hill. But you better be on your toes when the tax collectors and beggars come around, and at Herod’s Palace, where the king and his scribe hold court.

Before you leave the village, you’ll want to visit the Memory Making area where you can dress up like the villagers for a group photo to remember the night. And of course, all roads lead to the stable, where you’ll find the Holy Family waiting quietly and reverently for your visit.

One Starry Night opens at 6:30 p.m. and closes at 8:30 p.m. It’s all free and is Wilshire’s holiday gift to the community.

Help still needed

It takes a village to create a village, and Bethlehem still has some needs:

■ Herbs for grinding.

■ Pizza stones for bakery booth.

■ Greeters and booth helpers.

■ Help setting up and cleaning up.

If you can help, contact LeAnn Hampton (kitel@tx.rr.com). There will be a brief meeting for volunteers in McIver Chapel at noon on Sunday, Dec. 11.

Yard signs available

One Starry Night is a major outreach event for Wilshire, and you can help promote it by displaying a sign at your home. Signs are available to pick up at the church office and the north entrance.

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Preparing for Worship – Brianna Childs, pastoral resident. In the Ithaka Sunday School class last week we talked about liminal spaces in our lives. As we continue in this season of Advent, there is much to reflect upon as we wait. Richard Rohr describes these liminal spaces as “where we are betwixt and between, having left one room or…

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I Am Wilshire – Kelly Akins. Name: Kelly Akins Hometown: Fort Worth Education: BA, elementary education, Oklahoma Baptist University; MEd, gifted education, University of North Texas Profession: Education Present city: Dallas Tell us about your family. I’ve been married to Allan for 25 years. Our son, Brian, graduated from Belmont University in November 2020 and works at Movement, a…

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Senior Pastor candidate preaches Dec. 4 The Pastor Search Committee’s final candidate will preach in view of a call on Dec. 4 to become senior pastor at Wilshire. See more at wilshirebc.org/pastor-transition. Hanging of the Green: tonight at 6:30 Hanging of the Green, a festive and beloved Wilshire tradition which marks the start of the Christmas season for many,…

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Preparing for Worship – LeAnn Hampton. Today (November 27) is the first Sunday of Advent, a time of preparation and waiting for the birth of Jesus. Waiting is difficult for most of us; in fact, I’ve never known anyone who lists waiting as a personality strength. We all have the shared experience of waiting, especially over the past months as…

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Name: Jerry McElveen Hometown: Independence, Louisiana Education: B.A. in English, Southeastern Louisiana Univ.; M.A. in English, Louisiana State Univ. Profession: Professor Emeritus of English Present City: Dallas Tell us about your family: I grew up in a loving family of an older brother and two older sisters. My parents made certain that all of us were in attendance at the…

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Senior Pastor Call Weekend Information The Pastor Search Committee’s final candidate for the position of senior pastor at Wilshire will participate in a Call Weekend starting Wednesday, Nov. 30, which also includes four All Church Meet & Greet sessions Dec. 2 and 3, culminating in a special church business meeting after the candidate preaches in worship on Sunday, Dec. 4.…

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Preparing for Worship – Heather Mustain, associate pastor. Today ends Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, a national campaign to draw attention to the problem and prevalence of hunger and homelessness in America. In partnership with Housing Forward and Faith Forward Dallas, we have committed to drawing our congregation’s attention once again to these two concerns that persist on a…

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I Am Wilshire – Shana Gaines. Hometown: Knoxville, Tennessee Education: B.M. Church Music, Union University; M.M. Church Music; Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; M.Ed. School Administration, Lamar University Profession: Assistant Principal Present city: Wylie Tell us about your family. I have been married to Ron since 2016. We are the parents of Abigail, who is 7. We have a pit/boxer mix…

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Debby Burton celebrates 25 years as Wilshire staffer. On Nov. 17, Ministry Assistant Debby Burton became the latest Wilshire staffer to celebrate 25 years on the job. For most of her tenure — all but the first year — Debby has served in the senior pastor’s office, working with George Mason for 24 of his 33 years at Wilshire. George…

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Pastor Search Committee: candidate will preach Dec. 4 The following message was emailed to Wilshire members on Monday, Nov. 14. Next week’s Tapestry will include details about call weekend events and the Dec. 4 special business meeting. Church, It is our great joy to announce that the Pastor Search Committee has selected a final candidate to present to the congregation…

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Preparing for Worship – Gina Biddle. “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” which we sing today in worship, initially was a poem written by Thomas O. Chisholm in 1923 about God’s faithfulness over his lifetime. The lyrics reference Lamentations 3:22-23. I witnessed the power and truth of the words in that hymn while involved in the Kairos Prison Ministry (Kairos in…

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I Am Wilshire – Max Post. Name: Max Post Hometown: Willow, Oklahoma Education: BS in Industrial Engineering and Master of Engineering, Oklahoma University Present city: Dallas Tell us about your family. My wife Candy passed away in 2012, shortly after our 40th anniversary. Over the years we were blessed with the birth of a son, Matthew, and twin daughters, Cindy…

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Fireside Chats are Nov. 13. Wilshire is hosting Fireside Chats at members’ homes Sunday, Nov. 13, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. This event with fellowship and light refreshments will deepen connections and provide an intimate setting for us to express our collective gratitude. You can still sign up and come; most homes still have room. One home is hosting from…

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Preparing for Worship – Doug Haney, associate pastor. Our Granny Haney lived in a small brick home around the corner from our house situated at the end of a dead-end street in Alpharetta, Georgia. To get to her house my siblings and I cut across the garden that adjoined the backyards of our home and hers. On Saturdays my brother…

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I Am Wilshire – Claudia Barner. Hometown: Dallas Education: Bryan Adams High School; BS, Univ. of North Texas; PhD in nutrition, Texas Woman’s Univ; Dietetic Internship at Houston VA Hospital Profession: Registered dietitian/nutritionist; assistant professor, UT Southwestern Medical Center Tell us about your family. Joe and I have been married 56 years, and we have two grown sons who grew…

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Pastor Search Committee update, Nov. 6 Dear Wilshire: Your prayers have continued to carry our committee through these busy fall months. Since our last update in mid-August, we have been hard at work engaging our candidates through Zoom interviews, watching their sermons, reading their articles and holding deeply meaningful discernment conversations as a committee. We want to let you know…

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Instructions to set up a financial gift in Realm. Wilshire members should log in to their Realm account before making a financial gift, but a Realm account is not required to give. 1. a. With a Realm login: Type onrealm.org/WilshireBaptist in a web browser. If not already signed in, click ‘Sign In’ on the screen. Make sure it says ‘Connect’…

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Preparing for worship – Heather Mustain. The late Phyllis Tickle, in her book The Great Emergence, suggests that every 500 years the church has its own rummage sale, cleaning out old forms of spirituality and embarking on the process of finding new ones. Today we celebrate Reformation Sunday — a day credited to theologian and Catholic monk Martin Luther, who…

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Preparing for worship – Heather Mustain. The late Phyllis Tickle, in her book The Great Emergence, suggests that every 500 years the church has its own rummage sale, cleaning out old forms of spirituality and embarking on the process of finding new ones. Today we celebrate Reformation Sunday — a day credited to theologian and Catholic monk Martin Luther, who…

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I Am Wilshire – Janet Stegner. Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida Education: BS in Economics, Tulane University; Master of Public Policy, George Washington University Profession: Presently SAHM (stay-at-home mom); Formerly economic analyst and SaaS solutions consultant Present city: Dallas Tell us about your family. I grew up in Florida as the youngest of three daughters. My husband, Phillip, and I have been married 13…

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I Am Wilshire – Janet Stegner. Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida Education: BS in Economics, Tulane University; Master of Public Policy, George Washington University Profession: Presently SAHM (stay-at-home mom); Formerly economic analyst and SaaS solutions consultant Present city: Dallas Tell us about your family. I grew up in Florida as the youngest of three daughters. My husband, Phillip, and I have been married 13…

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Pastoral Resident Brianna Childs preaches Oct. 30 A diverse lineup of guests is preaching during our pastoral transition. Our pastoral residents will also preach about once a month. Nov. 6: Greg Garrett is a professor of literature and culture at Baylor University, where he teaches courses on creative writing, film, literature and theology. He is the author of over two…

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Preparing for Worship – Abbey Adcox. I have a complicated relationship with rest. Don’t get me wrong, I love curling up with a good book on a lazy Saturday morning or taking a nice cozy nap on Sunday afternoons. I love choosing to rest. Unfortunately, more often than not, rest is imposed upon me by a body that is frequently…

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I Am Wilshire – Michael Moorhead. Hometown: Lubbock Education: BA in history, MA in English and doctoral work at Texas Tech University Profession: Professor of English (retired), 49 years Present city: Dallas Tell us about your family. I am married to Shaeron, and we have a daughter, Kathleen, who is deceased, and a son, Spencer. I have a younger brother,…

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I Am Wilshire – Michael Moorhead. Hometown: Lubbock Education: BA in history, MA in English and doctoral work at Texas Tech University Profession: Professor of English (retired), 49 years Present city: Dallas Tell us about your family. I am married to Shaeron, and we have a daughter, Kathleen, who is deceased, and a son, Spencer. I have a younger brother,…

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SMU’s Jaime Clark-Soles preaches Oct. 23 Rev. Dr. Jaime Clark-Soles is a professor of New Testament and director of the Baptist House of Studies at Perkins School of Theology at SMU. She earned an MDiv from Yale Divinity School and a PhD in New Testament from Yale University. Her areas of expertise include: the Johannine Literature (the Gospel of John;…

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Preparing for worship – John Kelly. No, I can’t be the only one. There have to be others — those whose shoulders also drop the moment they encounter the suggestion of inconvenience. Those whose unadulterated enthusiasm is one stubbed toe away from devolving into absolute annoyance. Those who go from cooing at their pups one minute to cussing out…

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I Am Wilshire – Shaeron Moorhead. Hometown: Brownfield, Texas Education: Bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and English from Texas Tech University Profession: Junior high school teacher, retired Present city: Dallas Tell us about your family. Mike and I have been married 55 years. Like most couples, there have been good times and some not so good times. But he is my…

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I Am Wilshire – Shaeron Moorhead. Hometown: Brownfield, Texas Education: Bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and English from Texas Tech University Profession: Junior high school teacher, retired Present city: Dallas Tell us about your family. Mike and I have been married 55 years. Like most couples, there have been good times and some not so good times. But he is my…

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Greenhill’s Marcus Ingram preaches Sunday Marcus Ingram, our guest preacher for Oct. 16, is head of equity and inclusion at Greenhill School, a co-ed independent day school for pre-K through grade 12 located in Addison. Marcus earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master of divinity degree from Wake Forest University, as well as a PhD in higher education…

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Preparing for Worship – Jeff Hampton. Today in worship we hear a very strong theme of helping others and being the hands and feet of Christ on earth. It is a foundational message of our faith. But I wonder, too, if it doesn’t beg the question: Have we been good stewards of our own needs? Speaking for myself, I…

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I Am Wilshire – Kit Sloan. Hometown: Houston Education: BS in Education: 4–8th Grade Language Arts, Hardin-Simmons University; MEd in Curriculum and Instruction: Learning, Design, and Technology, University of Houston Profession: Technology Training Specialist at Kirkland & Ellis LLP Present city: Dallas Tell us about your family. My husband, Weldon, and I have been friends for a decade, and blessed…

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I Am Wilshire – Kit Sloan. Hometown: Houston Education: BS in Education: 4–8th Grade Language Arts, Hardin-Simmons University; MEd in Curriculum and Instruction: Learning, Design, and Technology, University of Houston Profession: Technology Training Specialist at Kirkland & Ellis LLP Present city: Dallas Tell us about your family. My husband, Weldon, and I have been friends for a decade, and blessed…

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Jon Singletary preaches Oct. 9 Jon Singletary, our guest preacher for Oct. 9, was named dean of Baylor University’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work in 2016 after serving as associate dean since 2011. He has held the Diana R. Garland Endowed Chair in Child and Family Studies since 2010 and first joined the faculty in 2003. He holds…

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Preparing for Worship – Kathryn Keller. I descended from a heritage of faith. My maternal Grandma, who passed on earlier this year, and Grandpa, who has been with us in Dallas for much of the pandemic, told us for years that they prayed for all of their grandkids by name, together, nightly. For a handful of years during my…

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I Am Wilshire – Jim Hancock. Name: Jim Hancock Hometown: Lubbock Education: BA Baylor University, 1961; Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1964 Profession: Retired pastor Present City: Savannah, Texas Tell us about your family. My wife, Patsy, passed away in 2009. Our daughter, Jana, retired last summer as the director of counseling and family life for the Plano Independent School District.…

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I Am Wilshire – Jim Hancock. Name: Jim Hancock Hometown: Lubbock Education: BA Baylor University, 1961; Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1964 Profession: Retired pastor Present City: Savannah, Texas Tell us about your family. My wife, Patsy, passed away in 2009. Our daughter, Jana, retired last summer as the director of counseling and family life for the Plano Independent School District.…

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John Kelly preaches Oct. 2 Pastoral Resident John Kelly will deliver the message on Oct. 2. Residents are preaching about once a month during our pastoral transition, with guest preachers in the pulpit most weeks. Oct. 9: Jon Singletary has been dean of the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University since 2016. He has been a…

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Preparing for Worship – Brianna Childs. I’ve always been someone who can fall asleep and stay asleep just about anytime, anywhere. I just NEED good sleep or else I am deeply impacted. People vary based on a variety of factors on how much sleep they might need, but it is absolutely true that we all need it. Every area…

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I Am Wilshire – Lauran Anne Cove. Name: Lauren Anne Cove Hometown: Shrewsbury, Massachusetts Education: BA in English and Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst; Master of Education, UT-Austin; Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Human Rights and Social Justice, SMU; Doctorate of Education (in progress), University of Southern California Profession: Educational Administrator; Associate Director for the Office of Social Change…

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I Am Wilshire – Lauran Anne Cove. Name: Lauren Anne Cove Hometown: Shrewsbury, Massachusetts Education: BA in English and Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst; Master of Education, UT-Austin; Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Human Rights and Social Justice, SMU; Doctorate of Education (in progress), University of Southern California Profession: Educational Administrator; Associate Director for the Office of Social Change…

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Missions Plus funds granted. In January, the Finance Committee allocated $100,000 of surplus giving from 2021 to Wilshire’s Missions Plus Fund, allowing us to provide funds to organizations apart from those supported through the Unified Budget. The Missions and Christian Advocacy Committees solicited applicants and recently granted funding to eight local nonprofits: Abide Women’s Health Services exists to improve birth…

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Missions Plus funds granted. In January, the Finance Committee allocated $100,000 of surplus giving from 2021 to Wilshire’s Missions Plus Fund, allowing us to provide funds to organizations apart from those supported through the Unified Budget. The Missions and Christian Advocacy Committees solicited applicants and recently granted funding to eight local nonprofits: Abide Women’s Health Services exists to improve birth…

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Preparing for Worship – Mark Wingfield. This week I asked a friend a question that once upon a time saved my life. “Will you promise me that if you intend to harm yourself you will call me first and give me a chance?” Silence on the other end of the phone. “I need you to promise me,” I implored.…

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George named senior pastor emeritus; sermon book planned. George Mason was named senior pastor emeritus during worship last Sunday, Aug. 28, his final Sunday before retiring as senior pastor. Deacon chair Debbie Meripolski made the announcement, reading from a certificate declaring that the honor was bestowed “in recognition of exemplary pastoral leadership.” The service also saw the unveiling of a…

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Jessica Capps to retire. Minister to Senior Adults Jessica Capps is retiring from Wilshire’s staff after 22 years of service. She will be recognized during worship on her last official day, Sunday, Sept. 18, and a reception will be held after worship in James Gallery. Jessica says, “After long consideration and many conversations with Darren DeMent and George Mason, I…

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I Am Wilshire – Evelyn Wilson. Hometown: Dallas Education: I’m a junior at Lake Highlands High School. Tell us about your family. My parents are Trey and Megan Wilson. I have two brothers, Davis and Cameron. My grandmother is Pagett Gosslee, who is a longtime member of Wilshire as well. What are your aspirations for the future? I would like to…

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Art exhibit is open Wilshire’s first art exhibit since before COVID is open in the South Lobby and will run through Nov. 15. Fill the Earth with Music celebrates music’s role in the life of faith and features 25 works from six centuries. The show includes pieces by Marc Chagall, Romeyn de Hooghe, Barbara Zuber, Sandra Bowden, Edward Knippers and…

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Praying for the congregation. Find names of people in our congregation who would benefit from your prayers this week.

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Preparing for Worship – George Mason. For the first half of my tenure as senior pastor, I wrote a weekly column for the church newsletter titled By George. It was by me, of course, so the appellation fit. But it also gestured toward the exclamation we sometimes use when wonder strikes us unawares. Faith begins and ends in wonder.…

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I Am Wilshire – Vanessa Vaughter. Hometown: Dallas Education: Lake Highlands High School, BBA from UT Austin, MDiv from Duke Divinity School, MSW from UT Arlington Profession: Clinical social worker/therapist Present city: McKinney Tell us about your family. My husband, Woody, and I met at a United Methodist clergy event, had our first date that January and were married by…

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Wilshire hosting voter registration drive, Sept. 4. Wilshire will host a voter registration drive Sunday, Sept. 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Volunteer Deputy Registrars will be in James Gallery, the South Atrium and the third-floor coffee bar to provide assistance and information regarding voting and redistricting. Registering to vote or changing your voting address should only take five…

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Celebrating George Mason: August 28 During worship on Sunday, Aug. 28, we will honor George Mason as his retirement from Wilshire’s senior pastor role becomes official. Aug. 27 is George’s 33rd anniversary in the job, and his last day as senior pastor will be Wednesday, Aug. 31. All are invited to a come-and-go reception for George, Kim and family in…

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