Tapestry Weekly newsletter of Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas Building a community of faith shaped by the Spirit of Jesus Christ Volume 64 No. 30 u July 24, 2016

Arts on Abrams new season set After a successful inaugural season, Arts on Abrams will offer an expanded repertoire for the 2016-2017 season, ranging from bluegrass to classical strings to jazz, drama and storytelling. Arts on Abrams is Wilshire’s community arts series. The season will kick off on Thursday, Sept. 15, with a free concert by Wilshire’s own Michael Prysock, who will perform his mix of bluegrass and gospel in a concert titled “Raw Soundtrack of Small-town Life.” This concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Choral Hall. Next up, on Saturday, Oct. 29, is a chamber ensemble program titled “Titans of German Romanticism” presented by Mount Vernon Music. This concert will feature the Brahms Viola Sonata in E Flat Major and the Brahms Clarinet Sonata in F Minor. Confirmed performers include Daryl Coad, clarinet; Ute Miller, viola; Evan Mitchell, piano; Mark Miller, violin. This free concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in McIver Chapel and will run two hours. On Thursday, Nov. 10, the Drew Zaremba Jazz Orchestra will present a free concert at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Drew is a recent master’s graduate of

the University of North Texas jazz program, where he played lead alto saxophone with the One O’Clock Lab Band. He is a prolific composer and arranger. The jazz orchestra is a large ensemble that crosses the boundaries between jazz band and orchestra. The annual Hanging of the Green produced by Wilshire’s music ministry will be presented on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. On Jan. 21, the Ken Davis Chorale will make a return appearance to Arts on Abrams. This is a group of alumni from Texas Tech University directed by the university’s former choral director, Ken Davis. This is the one ticketed event in the series. It will begin at 3 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Wilshire’s annual Faith in 3-D presentation will be offered two nights, March 9 and 10, at 7:30 p.m. in Community Hall. Faith in 3-D seeks to combine drama, dessert and dialogue. The title of this season’s production will be announced at a later date. On April 27, Quintin Coleman will present a solo recital in Choral Hall at 7:30 p.m. Quintin is an SMU music graduate and opera singer who has served as a Choral Continued on page 3

Season at a glance Thursday, Sept. 15 Michael Prysock “Raw Soundtrack of Small-town Life” Saturday, Oct. 29 Mount Vernon Music “Titans of German Romanticism” Thursday, Nov. 10 Drew Zaremba Jazz Orchestra Sunday, Dec. 4 Wilshire Music Ministry “Hanging of the Green” Saturday, Jan. 21 Ken Davis Chorale March 9-10 Faith in 3-D Title to be announced Thursday, April 27 Quintin Coleman Thursday, May 25 Jeff Brummel Charles Ives, Variations on “America” and more Thursday, June 15 Storyteller Jerry Young “Grace Amazing”

This Week at Wilshire Today 8:30 a.m. Worship 9:40 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship 12:00 p.m. Christian Advocacy Luncheon Comm. Hall 12:00 p.m. Vision 20/20 Legacy Gifts Room 1205-L 3:00 p.m. Youth trip to Six Flags Monday, July 25 9:45 a.m. Youth visit C.C. Young 10:00 a.m. 42 Monday Room 1205-G 11:30 a.m. Cardiac support group Room 1205-L 2:00 p.m. Rusty Caboose exercise Room 3211 6:30 p.m. Deacons’ meal and meeting Comm. Hall Tuesday, July 26 10:00 a.m. Adventurers to Ham Orchards 11:00 a.m. Youth Tuesday Missions 11:15 a.m. Chair yoga Room 3208 12:15 p.m. Yoga Room 3208 6:00 p.m. Building and Grounds Committee Room 1350 Wednesday, July 27 9:00 a.m. A Matter of Balance Room 3211 10:00 a.m. New Song hymn sing and games Choral Hall 11:00 a.m. Koinonia Café Comm. Hall 12:00 p.m. This is My Story and quarterly church conference Comm. Hall 4:00 p.m. Youth Study- n-Soccer

Continued on page 2

Another Voice

Keys

I’ve been quite busy the last several months: Wedding planning, wedding showers, getting ready to move out of my house and into Katie’s apartment after the wedding, traveling to Indianapolis, Ghana, CBF General Assembly and youth camp. With all the travel and busyness, I began thinking about all the various keys that were exchanged and given during that time. I received hotel keys, keys to peoples’ houses when they weren’t there; I gave my car keys to my sister to borrow my car when I was gone. Whether it’s a physical key or a key to breaking a code, we receive and use keys to gain access. When we use a key, we are able to enter into places we previously could not go. Not only do the keys allow us access to enter, they also allow us access to experience things. Our city, nation and our world are experiencing great grief, sadness, anger and disarray from the evil that exists and is ever present right now. Pointless shootings, bombings and other murders are plaguing the world. I’ve heard commentators on television and radio ask the question, “What is the key to overcoming this evil?” The ultimate key to a fulfilled life is to know Christ and his transforming love. Subsequently, Christ gives us the keys to his kingdom as well. Through Christ we have access to love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. When we receive

Christ, we give him the keys to our lives. Too often we continue to use our own “key,” our own desires, our own prejudices, our own privilege, for only our benefit rather than for the benefit of others. It’s time for us to put that key, ourselves, aside and quit worrying about what the world might look like if “I don’t get what I want.” Micah 6:8 offers a different key, challenging us to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God. Walking humbly is the beginning point to the first two requirements. One of the “key” ways to begin making the shift is through intentional conversations with those who we might consider “other.” After the horrendous acts of violence two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend the Together We Stand prayer service at Concord Church in South Dallas. Many pastors, including George, prayed, read Scripture and spoke. The overwhelming challenge by the pastors—black and white—was the importance of talking to one another. This seems so simple, and it’s definitely not new, but we continue to remain in our comfort zones. Until we begin to understand one another and the perspectives from which other people view the world, we’ll never have full access to the love and peace that Christ offers. The time is now. Use your key wisely. —Matthew Broyles

This Week at Wilshire Continued from page 1

Thursday, July 28 Preteen camp 1:30 p.m. Knit Unto Others, Parlor 2:00 p.m. Rusty Caboose exercise, Room 3211 Friday, July 29 Preteen camp Youth senior rafting trip 6:30 p.m. Adoption and Foster Care Ministry Saturday, July 30 Preteen camp Youth senior rafting trip

Koinonia Café on Wednesdays July 27: Smoked brisket, roasted chicken, corn on the cob, green bean casserole, pork beans, mixed vegetables, pasta salad, breadsticks, pecan cobbler. The Wednesday noon Koinonia Café and “This is My Story” program meet in Community Hall this week, July 27. This week’s speaker will be longtime Wilshire member Barry Buchanan. Upcoming speakers are Aug. 3, Jared Jaggers; Aug. 10, Tony Martin; and Aug. 17, Scott Spreier.

New members: x Selma Gibson x Ana Ortegon

Condolences to: x Family and friends on the death of Sheila Burt, a Wilshire child care staff member. x

Virgil Musick on the death of his wife, Yvonne Musick, July 15.

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Ralph Long on the death of his wife, Linda Long, July 13. Brother and sister-in-law are C.T. and Marie Cadenhead.

Congratulations to: x Peter and Robin Sefzik on the birth of their daughter, Jordan Kay Sefzik, July 11.

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.

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Briefly ...

Predatory lending facts

x Let’s go to the circus. Wilshire’s preschoolers, children and their families are invited to a group outing to the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show on Earth at the American Airlines Center Friday, Aug. 5. Reserved tickets are now on sale online at www.wilshirebc. org/registration for $13 each. Those under the age of 2 are free provided they sit in the lap of an adult. Tickets will be mailed to you when they become available. The pre-show begins at 9:30 a.m., followed immediately by the circus from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Ride DART or drive on your own, with parking available at American Airlines Center for $15 in Lot E.

In worship today, we will learn about Wilshire’s Christian advocacy work against predatory lending. Here are some reasons why payday lending and auto title lending have been deemed as predatory.

x Preaching Practicum. Wilshire’s annual Preaching Practicum will be held Oct. 3-4 with keynote speaker Christian Wiman. He has written five books of poetry, two collections of essays and previously served as editor of Poetry Magazine. At the Preaching Practicum—and at a special event for Wilshire members on Sunday evening, Oct. 3—he will speak about his book My Bright Abysss, which was written after he learned he had a rare, incurable and unpredictable form of cancer. The Preaching Practicum is offered for all clergy and those interested in the art of preaching. Registration is online at wilshirebc.org/registration.

x 75 percent of all fees generated come from the 48 percent of borrowers who take out 11 or more loans per year. 


x CPR class offered. Parish Nurse Linda Garner will offer a CPR class on Saturday, Aug, 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants may extend until 2:30 p.m. for additional training in First Aid. The class is open to anyone. There is a $20 fee for Wilshire members or $25 for non-members to cover supplies used in the class. Registration is required either online at www.wilshirebc.org/registration or by contacting Linda at [email protected]. Deadline for registration is Monday, Aug. 1. x Information on adoption and foster care. Are you or someone you know intrigued by the thought of adopting or becoming a foster parent? Would you like to volunteer to help in the children’s part of our adoption and foster care ministry one Friday night a month? If so, join Wilshire’s next adoption and foster care training event on Friday, July 29, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Participants will view the video “Children from Hard Places and the Brain,” which is presented by the TCU Institute of Child Development. A discussion time will follow. Free child care will be offered. Reservations will be accepted through Sunday, July 24, by contacting Joan Hammons at [email protected] or (214) 452-3141. x World Vision poverty simulation. This hands-on, interactive learning experience, housed in an 18-wheel truck, will be staged onsite at Wilshire Oct. 19-23. Get a glimpse into global poverty and help others from the community do the same. Heather Mustain is looking for a few volunteers to help coordinate this event; if interested, contact her at [email protected] or (214) 452-3110.   x Mission team to Peru. An interdisciplinary team will travel to Collique, Peru, along with South Main Baptist Church in Houston, Oct. 7-16. Volunteers are needed to work in these capacities: children, medical and dental care, translation, construction. Contact Heather Mustain for more information.

x 80 percent of payday loans are rolled over or reborrowed within 30 days. x 1 in 4 new loans result in a sequence of at least 10 loans.

x More than 80 percent of all auto title loans are rolled over or reborrowed on the day they are due. 
 x Only 12 percent of new auto title loans are repaid in full when due without having to reborrow. 
 x 1 out of 5 short-term auto title loan sequences results in the seizure of the borrower’s vehicle 
 x In the Dallas region, 155 cars were repossessed a week in 2014 from borrowers defaulting on auto-title lending loans. x In the Dallas area, a typical $500 payday loan has an APR of 498 percent. x Because the lender does not have to assess a borrower’s ability to repay a loan before extending one, the average borrower will end up paying $1,300 for a $500 loan. x The payday lending industry collects $1.5 billion in fees every year. x There are more payday lending stores in Texas than McDonald’s and Whataburgers combined.

Arts on Abrams season announced Continued from page 1 Scholar at Wilshire. Wilshire’s organist, Jeff Brummel, will present a solo recital in the Sanctuary on May 25 at 7:30 p.m. This recital will feature Charles

Ives’ “Variations on America” as well as other pieces. The Arts on Abrams series will conclude June 15 with storyteller Jerry Young at 7:30 p.m. in Choral Hall with a program titled “Grace Amazing.”

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MusiCamp 2016: ‘24 Sandals’

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The numbers Report for July 17

Sunday School Officers................................17 Preschool...........................86 Children............................ 79 Youth.................................. 69 Young adult...................... 74 Median adult.................. 184 Senior adult.................... 166 Total present............... 675 Total previous week....... 686 Total last year.................. 692

Generosity Unified Budget received $56,581 Unified Budget projected $78,564 Unified Budget YTD $2,188,365 Unified Budget projected $2,641,740 Pathways Endowment received YTD $41,290 Pathways Endowment current fund value $3,563,427

December 31 goal $4,910,290 December 1 goal $4,296,503 November 1 goal $3,952,783 October 1 goal $3,559,960 September 1 goal $3,216,240 August 1 goal $2,798,865 July 1 goal $2,406,042 June 1 goal $1,988,667 May 1 goal $1,546,741 April 1 goal $1,203,071 March 1 goal $810,198 February 1 goal $466,478

Unified Budget

I Am Wilshire

Rachel Gillespie “As an undergraduate and in graduate school, I jumped from church to church,” said Rachel Gillespie, “but nothing felt like the church home I’d experienced as a child until I found Wilshire. This church has allowed me to be who I am while expanding my definition of what faith and a loving community look like. “Wilshire’s impact is both personal and motivational,” she added. “My husband, Tyler, and I have developed our shared faith here and found principles that guide our relationships and future family. I’ve always felt welcomed, regardless of my background.  “What I like best is Wilshire’s thoughtful and prayerful expression of what it means to be the body of Christ,” Rachel said. “In a broken world, Wilshire opens its doors in love to all people and extends grace indiscriminately. Our community includes many types of people with varied beliefs, but we come together under the common goal of living and loving as a community founded in Christ.” Born in North Little Rock, Ark., Rachel was raised in a United Methodist church where her grandfather once served as pastor and where he baptized her as an infant. “My baptism as a baby remains significant in founding my faith journey,” she said. As a child, Rachel was active in Sunday School, children’s choir, church camps and Bible studies. “Through junior high school I went to a school run by the Church of Christ, where I felt ostracized by friends and teachers for being baptized as a baby and for following different religious tenets,” she said. “I learned to defend my faith from those who told me I was wrong. I came to realize that I didn’t want to make anyone feel they were wrong because they were experiencing faith differently.” She went to an arts and science magnet in ninth and 10th grades, then transferred to Little Rock’s Central High,

where she was a member of two service organizations, won several science fair events and was involved in the mayor’s youth council. She was named to the National Honor Society and graduated with honors in 2006. Rachel then enrolled at Hendrix College, a Methodist school in Conway, Ark., as a United Methodist Youth Fellowship Scholar. She served on the executive council for the college’s social committee, as she “loved planning and executing events, using skills I had learned from my mother, who did catering and event planning,” she said. She graduated in 2010 with a degree in psychology.  She then enrolled at SMU’s Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, where she earned a master of theology degree. “I had planned to become a Christian counselor but eventually reevaluated my calling,” she said. “While writing my thesis, I entered culinary school to hone my cooking skills and pursue a hospitality career. My thesis focused on the sacred nature of food, which linked my experience and passion for hospitality and my theological education.” In 2012 she graduated summa cum laude from Perkins and at the top of her class at Le Cordon Bleu.  After culinary school, Rachel first worked as a pastry chef for an Italian restaurant in Highland Park, then for Culinary Art Catering, which had catered her wedding. Starting as a catering coordinator, she eventually became the company’s assistant director of catering. “Last October I felt called to a more family-friendly work environment,” she said. “I now work at Topgolf ’s

headquarters on its hospitality team. I consider myself blessed to have such a wonderful job. “I have had many mentors, including my loving parents,” Rachel said. “My most significant mentor was my thesis advisor, who was also my dear friend. She taught me what it means to love like Christ and to follow the words of theologian Frederick Buechner: ‘The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.’  “My dad always told me to ‘make it a great day’ when I left for school,” she added. “One day I asked how he had become so happy and well-liked. He said it was because he always chose to be so and because we can let our blessings motivate us. This truth has changed how I see my life.” Rachel and Tyler met online in 2012. “We instantly clicked, and we were married at Wilshire in 2014,” she said. “I had a feeling of peace and joy the moment I met him. That let me know that God had intended us for each other.  “He took me to Wilshire the second week we were dating,” she said. “I loved Wilshire immediately and knew this would be a very important place for me. My first Sunday was the day Wilshire announced the recognition of baptisms from all faith traditions. Even though I didn’t have to be rebaptized, I decided to do so anyway,” she added. Rachel first attended the O Brother and Sister Where Are Thou? Sunday School class and then the youth Sunday School class where Tyler was teaching. “We have recently found our home in the Seekers class, where we felt instantly welcomed and accepted,” she said.

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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:

PERIODICALS RATE

Wilshire Baptist Church 4316 Abrams Rd Dallas TX 75214

Pastoral offices George Mason (3132) Debby Burton (3132) Mark Wingfield (3128) Kathi Lyle (3130) Pathways to Ministry Geri McKenzie (3159) Erica Whitaker (3156) Matthew Broyles (3154) Timothy Peoples (3153) Business offices David Nabors (3157) Lori Gooden (3131) Susan Kimball (3108) Dale Pride (3101) Holly Irvin (3150) Beverly Faubion (3111) Adam Scheuermann (3136) Age-graded ministries Jessica Capps (3129) Darren DeMent (3102) Julie Girards (3104) Joan Hammons (3141) Carol Cabaniss (3106) Care ministries Tiffany Wright (3107) Debby Burton (3132) Missions/advocacy offices Heather Mustain (3110) Katie Murray (3126) Abbey Adcox (3127) Music offices Doug Haney (3123) Sarah Stafford (3121) Barbara Clayton (3125) Jeff Brummel (3122) Food services Kitchen (3117) Weekday Education Mary Browder (3115) Parish nurse Linda Garner (3151) Library Barbara Peterson (3114) Reception desk (214) 452-3165

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Have you made your double play? Remember that during this summer’s baseball season, Wilshire is experiencing its own version of a double play. Between now and Sept. 20, congregants are invited to give a special offering to one of the buckets of the Unified Budget in celebration of Senior Pastor George Mason’s upcoming 60th birthday. Every dollar given to Pathways to the Ministry Operating Budget will be doubled. This is possible because of a challenge grant laid out by a group of Wilshire members who are passionate about the Unified Budget and the Pathways component of it. Together, they have pledged $125,000 in matching funds. That number is significant for another double play. This year, Wilshire has received $250,000 from the Baugh Foundation as the first installment in a multi-year $1 million gift. Those who have put up the matching pledge want to spur the congregation to

double this year’s Baugh gift. If the congregation gives $125,000 to the special birthday celebration, these Wilshire donors will match it with another $125,000. That combined $250,000 will double this year’s Baugh grant. Here’s why that is doubly significant: The Finance Committee has indicated that at year-end, any overflow from the Unified Budget’s Pathways to Ministry bucket will be given to the George A. Mason Pathways to Ministry Endowment. So once this year’s Pathways expenses are covered—anticipated to be about

$300,000—the Finance Committee hopes to have another $200,000 or more to invest in the endowment. Here’s how to participate: x In addition to your regular tithes and offerings, make a special one-time gift to the Pathways Birthday Offering. x Since we’re celebrating George’s 60th birthday, think in increments of 60: $600, $1,200, $60, $6,000. x Remember that every dollar you give will be doubled, so a gift of $600 becomes a gift of $1,200. Help us make this double play no later than Sept. 20.

Make A Double Play!