This Week at Wilshire Tapestry Weekly newsletter of Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas Building a community of faith shaped by the Spirit of Jesus Christ Volume 63 No. 11 March 15, 2015 century British and American poets: Browning, Tennyson, Hardy, Rossetti, Swinburne, Frost and Cummings. Copies of the poems discussed will be available in class, so no textbook is required. Three other Wednesday evening studies for adults remain open to anyone who wants to jump in. In Community Hall, Senior Pastor George Mason and the pastoral residents are teaching a series on the Gospel of Mark, following the Lectionary texts for the Lenten season. Julie Girards, minister to children, is leading a sixweek parenting series, using a video-based curriculum by 12:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. Find your place on Wednesdays Wilshire s regular Wednesday evening schedule resumes this week, and there s a place for diverse interests. In addition to ongoing classes for preschoolers, children and youth, special-interest classes for adults also resume Wednesday evening. All meet beginning at 6 p.m., after dinner service in Koinonia Café. Michael Moorhead, longtime Wilshire member and recently retired professor from Eastfield College, this week will begin a titled Yesterday s Poems for Today s World. This class will meet in Room 3211. Mike will introduce works by several mid-19th to early 20th Today 8:30 a.m. 9:40 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Kevin Leman titled Have a New Kid by Friday. This series helps parents learn how to change children s attitudes, behaviors and character. Bill O Brien, a veteran international missiologist, is leading a four-week study on Understanding Islam. Bill not only has worked in Muslim cultures but has been a student of other cultures and religions through his professional career as a missionary, missions administrator and seminary professor. Associate Pastor Mark Wingfield continues the Making Sense of the Bible study in McIver Chapel. Join the discussion 12:45 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. Worship Sunday School Worship Sanctuary Choir lunch Room 3211 Missions/ Christian Advocacy committees Parlor Journeying Together through Dementia Comm. Hall Finance Committee Room 3301 Sanctuary Choir Choral Hall Nova Youth Choir Carillon Ringers Paradiso Monday, March 16 9:30 a.m. The English Language class Room 3211 10:00 a.m. 42 Monday 7:00 p.m. Wilshire Winds Choral Hall Tuesday, March 17 8:00 a.m. Bright Fellow. Bible study Parlor 12:00 p.m. Yoga class Room 3208 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Building and Grounds Committee Room 1350 Vision 20/20 Coordinating Council Room 3301 Stephen Min. training Room 1205-L Wilshire Reads 2015 6:00 p.m. Already, more than 250 Wilshire members are reading Making Sense of the Bible by Adam Hamilton as part of Wilshire Reads. There are more opportunities to join the conversation and learn from this book. Wednesday, March 18 Making Sense of the Bible discussion luncheon Sunday, May 3 at noon If you ve read the book or studied it in your Sunday School class but want to join a larger discussion about it, this is for you. This isn t a lecture or presentation about the book but is instead an opportunity for guided group discussion. Facilitated by Mark Wingfield. Making Sense of the Bible in one day Rescheduled for Saturday, April 11, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lunch provided Join Mark Wingfield in working through an overview of the entire book in one day. RSVP for either event with Kathi Lyle at klyle@wilshirebc.org or (214) 452-3130. 9:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. New Song Koinonia Café Comm. Hall 11:10 a.m. Gentle Voices 12:00 p.m. Bible Study Comm. Hall 1:15 p.m. Adventurers Committee Room 1205-L 5:00 p.m. Koinonia Café Comm. Hall Continued on page 2
A few days before she died, Joyce McKee welcomed Brent Newberry and me into her hospice care room for a pastoral visit I will never forget. Although frail in body, Joyce was able to speak clearly with us and tell us about her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. One of her daughters and sons-in-law were present, having traveled from Atlanta. In her suitcase, her daughter had brought hugs from some of the grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. That s right: They brought hugs in a suitcase. The youngsters had laid down on long pieces of white butcher paper, and an adult had outlined their heads and outstretched arms with a pencil. Faces were drawn on with markers, and the arms and heads were cut out to reveal life-size representations of the children. These long pieces of paper could be rolled up and carried in a suitcase from far away. In Joyce s hospice room, the papers were unfurled and Another Voice Hugs laid across her small body, enveloping her in hugs from those she loved. Whoever thought of this was brilliant. Reflecting on this later in the week, it occurred to me that there are many ways we send our hugs of love to people even when we can t be physical- ly present with them. We symbolically hug our neighbors when we engage in community actions that benefit people other than ourselves. We symbolically hug people far away when we give our money to support the church s mission work around the world. We spiritually hug others when we pray for them. We may not be able to clone ourselves to be multiple places at one time, but we have the ability to touch people far and near when we cut out ourselves and reach out our arms to others. Mark Wingfield This Week at Wilshire Continued from page 1 Wednesday, March 18 5:00 p.m. Children s handbells 5:00 p.m. Spanish as a Second Language, Room 3202 5:45 p.m. Library Committee, Room 1205-H 6:00 p.m. Children s choirs, Choral Hall 6:00 p.m. Bible study, Community Hall 6:00 p.m. Gallery Café, James Gallery 6:00 p.m. Have a New Kid by Friday, Room 2355 6:00 p.m. Making Sense of the Bible, McIver Chapel 6:00 p.m. SAM s Place, Room 2365 6:00 p.m. Serve Team, Room 1205-L 6:00 p.m. Understanding Islam, Room 3301 6:00 p.m. Yesterday s Poems for Today s World, Room 3211 6:00 p.m. Yoga, Room 3208 6:00 p.m. MOPs Steering, Room 3203 6:30 p.m. Watershed 6:45 p.m. Children s Bible Skills 6:45 p.m. Globetrekkers 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Thursday, March 19 1:30 p.m. Knit Unto Others, Parlor This Wednesday at Wilshire Full Wednesday programming resumes this week. Come enjoy lunch from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by Bible study in Community Hall. In the evening, dinner is served in Koinonia Café from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by classes for all ages, including short-term options for adults. Koinonia Café March 18: Carved honey-glazed ham, chicken fried chicken, mashed potatoes, sautéed fresh spinach, roasted vegetables, fried okra, Southern coleslaw, cornbread, cherry pie. March 25: Beef quesadillas, taco salad, queso, borracho beans, spanish rice, grilled zuchini, assorted salads, sopapillas. Condolences x Jeff Brummel on the death of his great-aunt, Anna- Hermina Brummel Hofmann of Tillamook, Ore. x Family and friends on the death of Ruth Watkins, March 7. x B.J. McKee on the death of his wife, Joyce McKee, March 8. x Dale and Edith Conner on the death of Dale s brother, Bill Conner, March 6. x Travis and Pattie Keath on the death of Travis father March 5. x George and Valerie Mason Sr., on the death of George s brother-in-law, William C. Miller, March 4. Tapestry (USPS 022025) is published weekly except Christmas week by Wilshire Baptist Church, 4316 Abrams Rd., Dallas TX 75214. Periodicals postage paid at Dallas, TX. Telephone: (214) 452-3100. Website: www.wilshirebc.org. Editor: Mark Wingfield. Contributing writer: Sue Coffman. Postmaster: Send change of address to 4316 Abrams Rd., Dallas TX 75214. 2
Genesis offers insight on gender justice By Judy Ward Missions Committee Genesis Women s Shelter has been one of Wilshire s mission partners for a number of years. Genesis was established in 1985 as a shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence. In addition to the actual shelter, Genesis has added a transitional housing facility and a non-residential counseling facility to assist victims. Additionally, programs now exist to reach out into the community to prevent violence. The number of women and children being served annually by Genesis is impressive; the number of those yet unserved and still in the shadows is staggering: it is estimated that 1 in 4 women will be subjected to abuse at some point in life. The term domestic violence gives us as a society a way to talk about the ugly reality behind the words; what is really happening is that women and very often their children are being emotionally abused and terrorized, physically assaulted and sexually abused. The results are hospitalizations, lengthy physical recoveries, isolation and emotional scars that sometimes take years from which to recover; in far too many cases, death is the ultimate result. Genesis provides support to women and children desperately trying to find a way out of the nightmares in which they find themselves. Their programs are funded by private donations and fundraising events only; no funding comes from government or United Way sources. How can we be a people who are proactive toward addressing violence against women? How can we talk Interfaith Seder focuses on poverty The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas invites Wilshire members to an event titled Interfaith Seder: Confronting Poverty, on Monday, March 23, at Congregation Anshai Torah, 5501 West Parker Rd. in Plano. The Seder will start at 7 p.m., preceded by registration from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Dinner will be served. This program is intended to bring together members of the greater Dallas community to discuss the reality and impact of poverty in our community, while also providing about these issues in a healthy, helpful, life-giving way? What can we do to stop the abuse? How can we make this world a safer place for girls? On March 26, a local nonprofit, the Marcella Project, will sponsor its third annual Gender Justice Film Festival at Times Ten Cellars, featuring two documentary films followed by informed conversation with advocates and culture changers on local and global issues of gender injustice. Representatives from Genesis will provide specific information about domestic violence in Dallas and suggestions on ways to take action locally. Tickets are $30 for one or $50 for two. Seating is limited. For more information on the programs offered by Genesis and how to help or on the Gender Justice Film Festival, contact Heather Mustain at hmustain@wilshirebc.org or (214) 452-3110. an experience of the Jewish Passover Seder. Rabbi Stefan Weinberg of Congregation Anshai Torah will lead the Seder. This will be the third annual event of its kind. Inspired by the Passover Seder meal, this Seder draws comparisons between Passover stories and challenges faced in present times. This year, readings and discussions will be adapted to focus on the theme of poverty. All are welcome to attend, but there is a fee of $18 to cover the cost of the meal. RSVP with Talia Kushnick at (214) 615-5233 or tkush nick@jfgd.org. Give Easter lilies It s time to order Easter lilies to adorn Wilshire s Sanctuary on Easter Sunday.The flowers may be given in honor or in memory of others. A complete list of honorary designations and memorials will be published in the Easter Sunday Tapestry. Cost is $12 per plant. Place your order using forms available in the church office or online at wilshirebc.org/registration. Deadline for inclusion in the listing is Sunday, March 29. 3
Spring break mission A group of more than 30 Wilshire members traveled to Shaw, Miss., last week for a spring break mission trip. They worked alongside Jason Coker, Wilshire s former minister of missions, who grew up in the Mississippi Delta. The volunteers put on events for children and families and completed a number of hands-on projects to benefit the community. 4
New Song goes on the road New Song, Wilshire s senior adult community choir, took a trip two weeks ago to sing at a senior adult choir festival in Amarillo. They left Dallas just before a snowstorm blew in and they traveled on icy roads to make the festival. On the way home, the choir sang in morning worship at First Baptist Church of Vernon. About a third of the 100-member choir made the trip. 5
Briefly x Foundations of Faith class. Foundations of Faith is Wilshire s unique Sunday School class that systematically works through the entire Bible in a two-year cycle. The class is open to anyone who would like to attend, for as long as they want to attend. It is an ideal introduction to the Bible for those who want to learn the basic structure and content of the Bible, and it also is a good refresher for anyone who already knows the Bible. On Sunday, March 29, the class will begin the final segment in the current cycle, with an eight-month arc that covers all the New Testament beyond the Gospels, meaning Acts through Revelation. New learners are always welcome. The class meets in Room 3207 at 9:40 a.m. every Sunday. x Church Builders. This year s project for Texas Baptist Church Builders will be June 21-26 in Missoula, Mont. Volunteers will erect a new building in one week for Cross Point Community Church. Several Wilshire members participate in this project each year, and there is room for more. To learn more, contact Heather Mustain, minister of missions, at (214) 452-3110 or hmustain@wilshirebc.org. Let s do it again After the overwhelming success of last year s One Starry Night, plans are already under way to repeat this outreach event for the community in 2015. The interactive Bethlehem experience will be held on Friday, Dec. 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. Volunteers already are needed to help with many aspects of this exciting event. Volunteer opportunities include: x Empowered to Connect conference simulcast. Wilshire will host a national simulcast of a two-day conference for adoptive and foster care parents, ministry leaders and professionals designed to help them connect with children who have been adopted or are in foster care. The dates are Friday and Saturday, April 10-11. This trust-based parenting material will help parents understand why children might behave in certain ways, how a person s history affects their relationships, and how your child s brain works. Participants will get practical tools for replacing fear with trust in order to genuinely connect with children. This type of relationship can help children who have been hurt find healing. The event is free, but advance registration is required at www.wilshirebc.org/registration. To learn more, contact Joan Hammons at (214) 452-3141 or jhammons@ wilshirebc.org. x Planning Committee. If you d like to be involved in planning, the first meeting of the year will be held on March 22 at noon. Reservations are required since lunch will be provided. RSVP to Holly Irvin, hirvin@wilshirebc.org, to reserve your spot. x Sewing. Individuals are needed to sew together 500 small bags and make 150 costumes. Sewing will commence during the late spring/early summer so that all items can be completed by Oct. 31. x Donations. Bags and costumes require many yards of fabric. If you have three yards or more of cotton, cotton blends, linen or similar types of fabric in neutral solids or stripes, your donation is welcome. Donations of gift cards to JoAnn s Fabrics, Hancock Fabrics or Hobby Lobby also are appreciated. Donations or gift cards may be brought to the church office. For more information about these opportunities, contact LeAnn Hampton at KiteL@tx.rr.com or (972) 240-5103. 6 x Open house for Parkland Hospital. All Dallas citizens are invited to an open house to see the new Parkland Hospital facility before it opens. The date is Saturday, April 11, and the time is from 9 a.m. to noon. Self-guided tours will include the 154-stretcher Emergency Department, Women and Infants Specialty Hospital, 27-room Surgery Suite, and inpatient care unit. Clinical personnel will be present in each area to provide orientation and to answer questions. Wilshire member Jerry Bryant serves on the board of managers for Parkland, and Wilshire member Melissa Atkinson serves as vice president of the Parkland Foundation, which has raised money for this, the largest hospital construction project in United States history.
The numbers Report for March 8 Sunday School Officers... 14 Preschool...66 Children... 62 Youth... 41 Young adult... 56 Median adult... 187 Senior adult... 195 Total present... 621 Total previous week... 778 Total last year... 672 Generosity Unified Budget received $71,495 Unified Budget projected $91,377 Unified Budget YTD $841,256 Unified Budget projected $994,990 Pathways Endowment received YTD $41,327 Pathways Endowment current fund value $3,462,378 December 31 goal $5,076,475 December 1 goal November 1 goal October 1 goal September 1 goal August 1 goal July 1 goal June 1 goal May 1 goal April 1 goal March 1 goal $812,235 February 1 goal $456,882 Unified Budget Tony Martin, who joined Wilshire last May, felt a call to ministry in January 1960. I was sitting in the balcony one Sunday morning at First Baptist Arlington, he said. During the sermon I could see the whole congregation, and I noticed that no one was paying attention. Foolishly, I thought that if I were preaching, they d listen to me. My heart pounded, and my breathing accelerated. I was not expecting that, he noted. I didn t mention this for a year and half until I told Bob Maddox, my youth minister and one of my mentors. He was very receptive, patient and nurturing, and I m very grateful for his influence. Tony was born in San Antonio and lived there until eighth grade, when his family moved to Arlington. An indifferent student at Arlington High School, he entered Baylor University in 1963 and majored in history and religion. In my senior year at Baylor I awoke academically, he said. His amazing discovery was the cause-and-effect relationship between studying and making A s. I realized that if I were going to accomplish anything, I needed to study. I made the dean s list for the first time that year. I was inspired by Professor Robert Reid, Tony said. Without any doubt he was the finest teacher I ever had. I hung on every word he said. He gave me a better understanding of the world in his classes on western civilization, ancient Greek history and ancient Roman history. I wrote him a letter several months before he died to tell him how he had inspired me. For two-and-a-half years, Tony was a member of the Baylor Chamber of Commerce. Everybody looked up to us as probably the most prestigious organization on campus, he said. In Waco he attended Highland Baptist Church. I was intrigued with the pastor and my high school girlfriend went there. I Am Wilshire Tony Martin His next academic stop was Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he focused on Old Testament and archaeology. During his time there, he married and had a son, Nathan, who lives in Belton. From 1973 through 1977, Tony did part-time and fulltime research at the Christian Life Commission with the late Phil Strickland. He also became acquainted with Wilshire s late pastor, Bruce McIver. In 1977 I resumed fulltime work on my degree, he said. My dissertation was a study of the scribes of ancient Israel, with a focus on their possible participation in compiling the Old Testament books of Deuteronomy through 2 Kings, except for the book of Ruth. In high school I developed a profound interest in the Jewish people, he said. I was shocked beyond words to learn about the Holocaust. That led to my interest in the Hebrew Bible. Tony earned both a master s degree and a doctorate from Southwestern. Then f rom August 1980 to 1981, he did a Clinical Pastoral Education residency at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas under the supervision of Wilshire member Joe Gross. I took this step because when I graduated, I couldn t find a teaching position, he explained. However, I ve always been interested in this field, so this was a golden opportunity. Joe was a major mentor for me. He insisted that I cope with life more constructively by dealing with my worst qualities anger and impatience. For the next 33 years Tony was a professor of Christian studies at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton. He taught Old Testament, biblical studies, world religions and New Testament Greek. He met his wife, Joan, at a campus function in September 2008, and they were married the following May. An ordained Lutheran minister, she is a member of Advent Lutheran Church in Arlington. She has influenced my faith journey more than anyone else and has taught me the value of patience, he said. Moving to Dallas after I retired in 2014 wasn t my idea, Tony said. I d planned to stay in Belton. Joan changed my mind; her explanation was convincing. I had heard good things about Wilshire from Phil Strickland and Joe Gross, he said. They deposited comments in my memory bank. Joan and I live in The Village, and one morning we drove right by Wilshire. It seemed to be a providential sign, and I knew better than to argue with providence. I like the solemnity of Wilshire s worship, the formality of the liturgy and the classical quality of the music, Tony said, and I very much appreciate the depth of preaching. I also like the innovation and variety of the Sunday School system. It s so different from others I ve been associated with. Most Baptist churches I ve been in stick to the quarterly. He is a member of Discovery Class. Tony currently is editing the sermons of John Claypool, who was for many years pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth. Among Tony s long-time interests is the story of the Titanic. I see it as a parable illustrating human nature and its consequences the shallowness of the philosophy of the inevitability of human progress. 7
Wilshire contacts To e-mail any member of the Wilshire staff, use the first initial with the full last name and then add @wilshirebc.org. To phone staff, dial (214) 452- and the four-digit extension: Pastoral offices George Mason (3132) Debby Burton (3132) Mark Wingfield (3128) Kathi Lyle (3130) Pathways to Ministry Geri McKenzie (3159) Brent Newberry (3152) Britt Carlson (3153) Erica Whitaker (3156) Matthew Broyles (3154) Business offices David Nabors (3157) Teresa M. Newtown (3131) Susan Kimball (3108) Dale Pride (3101) Sandy Allen (3150; sgallen) Beverly Faubion (3111) Age-graded ministries Jessica Capps (3129) Darren DeMent (3102) Julie Girards (3103) Joan Hammons (3141) Holly Irvin (3106) Care ministries Tiffany Wright (3107) Debby Burton (3132) Wilshire Baptist Church 4316 Abrams Rd Dallas TX 75214 PERIODICALS RATE Maundy Thursday Thursday, April 2, 7:30 p.m. Missions/advocacy offices Heather Mustain (3110) Katie Murray (3126) Sandy Allen (3150) Music offices Doug Haney (3123) Sarah Stafford (3121) Barbara Clayton (3125) Jeff Brummel (3122) Plan now to attend one of Wilshire s favorite seasonal worship events on Maundy Thursday. This traditional service of darkness will feature a group of Wilshire youth in a readers theater presentation of the Holy Week Scriptures, telling of Christ s journey to the Cross. Music will be provided by Jeff Brummel on organ, Luke Wingfield on trumpet and Garrett Wingfield on saxophone. The Maundy Thursday service also includes a commeration of the Lord s Supper. Food services Chris Terry (3117) Weekday Education Mary Browder (3115) Parish nurse Linda Garner (3151) Library Jeri Baker (3114) Reception desk (214) 452-3165 Holy Week Sunday, March 29 Palm Sunday All week Interactive experience Join Wilshire s YourCall students for a hands-on exhibit following the last week of Christ s journey to the Cross Midday worship McIver Chapel Monday through Friday, March 30 through April 3 12:15 to 12:35 p.m. Box lunches available Maundy Thursday A service of darkness 7:30 p.m. in Sanctuary Easter sunrise Community worship event TP Hill at White Rock Lake 6:30 a.m. Easter Sunday Worship in the Sanctuary 8:30 and 11 a.m. Flower cross on Abrams 8