This page is usually updated Fridays.
Candy McComb to retire from music staff | Read more >
Summer 2026 camps for children and preschoolers | Read more >
Timothy Peoples sabbatical | Read more >
Pathways Director Charlie Fuller to retire | Read more >
Next class of pastoral residents named | Read more >
Speaker named for 75th anniversary service | Read more >
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Wilshire Welcome meets Sunday, May 17
Wilshire Welcome, a casual one-hour session to help guests and new members learn about the church, will meet Sunday, May 17, at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room near the chapel. No RSVP needed. Contact: Carolyn Murray
Timothy on sabbatical
Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples will be on sabbatical from April 22 through May 26. If you have emergency pastoral care needs during this time, contact Katie Murray (kmurray@wilshirebc.org). Timothy’s assistant, Chelsea Hopkins (chopkins@wilshirebc.org), can help with any other matters.
Greg Garrett preaches May 17
Greg Garrett, professor of literature and culture at Baylor University, will be our 11 a.m. guest preacher on Sunday, May 17. Greg will also speak during Sunday School in McIver Chapel.
• George Mason, senior pastor emeritus at Wilshire, will preach on May 24, the final Sunday of Timothy’s sabbatical.
Preschool Playdate at Arboretum
Preschoolers and their families are invited to a playdate on Saturday, May 16, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Dallas Arboretum. Contact: Minister to Preschoolers Kelly Akins (kakins@wilshirebc.org)
Church picnic set for May 17
Wilshire in the Park, our annual churchwide picnic, will be held Sunday, May 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Flag Pole Hill. The church will provide fried chicken, rolls and drinks. The rest of the meal is potluck by last name: A–F, salad; G–M, dessert; N–S, fruit; T–Z, veggies. Volunteers are needed, and we could use a truck or two. Sign up to help at wilshirebc.org/events/picnic.
College class this summer
A summer Sunday School class for college students will kick off today, May 17, with a “welcome home” breakfast for students to reconnect and catch up. The class will meet through Aug. 9 in Room 2202 with Trey Wilson teaching. All college students are welcome, whether they’re around all summer or can only pop in a few times.
Can you help with VBS?
Vacation Bible School is just one month away, set for June 15–18 from 9 a.m. to noon (with no VBS on Friday in observance of Juneteenth). Everything is in place for a great week — engaging curriculum, enthusiastic kids, creative arts, music, recreation, missions activities, worship, comfortable indoor spaces and a well-stocked volunteer break room. What we still need are enough volunteers to make it happen. If you’ve considered helping, this is a great opportunity. (Did we mention it’s only four days this year?) No experience is needed; training will be provided. To volunteer with elementary classes, contact Julie Girards (jgirards@wilshirebc.org). To help with preschoolers, contact Kelly Akins (kakins@wilshirebc.org).
Lunch & Learn is May 20
The final Lunch & Learn before a summer break will be held Wednesday, May 20. All are invited to Community Hall at 11:30 a.m. for lunch ($10) and Bible study.
Blood Drive makes Sunday return on May 31
Carter Blood Care will hold a blood drive at Wilshire on Sunday, May 31, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Their bus will be located on Ravendale Lane. Parish Nurse Linda Garner said, “Since the pandemic, our blood drives have been on Wednesdays. I hope having it on Sunday allows for greater participation, as blood supplies are quite low.” Walk-ins welcome; appointments recommended. Visit wilshirebc.org/events/blood-drive.
WSM summer preview for parents
On Sunday, May 31, youth parents are invited to join Darren DeMent in the Youth Center for lunch and a walkthrough of the Wilshire Student Ministry summer calendar. This will be particularly helpful for families entering their first summer with WSM. Summer is the busiest and best time of year for WSM, with Youth Camp plus weekly opportunities for fellowship, service and spiritual formation. It’s a great time to strengthen established relationships and create new ones, and we want as many youth as possible to be plugged in. Darren will explain why summer is so important and discuss events like Study-n-Swim, Tuesday Missions and the Wheel of Lunch. No RSVP needed.
Meals packaged on MLK Day are headed to Philippines
Rise Against Hunger reports that meals from our Jan. 19 meal packing event are headed to the Philippines. One of the world’s most environmentally disaster prone countries, the Philippines faces near constant threats of natural disasters like earthquakes, typhoons and volcanic eruptions. These disasters cause displacement and loss of livelihoods and infrastructure and disproportionately affect poor communities in rural areas reliant on agriculture and fishing. Rise Against Hunger partners with organizations that support educational programs by providing meals to children at schools and child development centers. In some cases, the food children receive at school will be the majority of the food they eat in a day. The meals you packaged will help ensure that children have access to the consistent nourishment they need to live healthy lives and successfully pursue their education.
Wilshire meetup at Dallas Pride
Wilshire folks are invited to meet up at the Dallas Pride 2026 Main Street Festival on Saturday, June 6, at 1 p.m. Wear your Wilshire gear and join us as we explore the event’s new downtown location. Contact Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org) or Colman Vigil if you plan to attend so we can coordinate. Admission is $10; buy tickets at dallaspride.org.
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Wilshire’s 75th anniversary
Wilshire will mark its 75th anniversary this year, culminating in a festive June weekend.
History wall updated
In conjunction with Wilshire’s 75th anniversary, a panel has been added to the history display between the office and the Library. The new panel covers roughly the last 15 years and brings the display up to date.
Homecoming help needed
Many have already volunteered to help with our Homecoming event on June 13, but we could use more folks to make this meaningful day run as smoothly as possible. Scan the QR code or visit wilshirebc.org/75 to sign up for a shift. You won’t have to miss the 6 p.m. Sanctuary gathering. Please plan to attend a volunteer lunch and training on Sunday, May 31, at noon. (Makeup date: June 3, 6 p.m.)
75th anniversary weekend
• Saturday, June 13 — Homecoming Celebration
4:45–7:30 p.m. | Catch up with friends, explore the building and browse history displays at featured stops, with reflections and remembrances in the Sanctuary at 6.
7–10 p.m. | Extended fellowship at Times Ten Cellars. 6324 Prospect Ave.
• Sunday, June 14 — Worship Celebration
11 a.m. | Our 75-minute service in the Sanctuary will include a message by Rev. Kelly Brown Douglas.
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Wednesday nights on break
Wednesday Night Live dinner and faith formation programs are on summer hiatus. Wilshire Student Ministry’s Watershed will meet once more, on May 13. Sanctuary Choir rehearsals continue with some summer breaks planned.
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New Song concert is June 3
New Song Community Choir will present a concert at Wilshire on Wednesday, June 3, at 1 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Then Sings My Soul is the theme for the program, which will include sacred and secular favorites. The Wilshire Adventurers will host a reception following the program in James Gallery.
Neurodiversity speaker coming
Neurodiversity, inclusion and childhood spirituality will be the focus of a special guest at Wilshire on Aug. 8 and 9. Rev. Harrison Litzell is a children’s ministry expert at Mercer University’s Baugh Center for Baptist Leadership, where he equips churches to engage with these vital issues. Harrison will lead a parenting session on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to noon. On Sunday, Aug. 9, he will offer a teacher training from noon to 2:30 p.m. (lunch provided). Childcare will be offered both days. Register at wilshirebc.org/events/litzell.
Monthly service opportunities
• A Wilshire group serves the fourth Friday morning each month at the Vickery Meadow Youth Development Foundation’s Mobile Food Pantry. If you can help, contact Charlie Estee at cesteedallas@gmail.com.
• Cindy Estee coordinates volunteers to serve as food pantry assistants at the Wilkinson Center the third Tuesday each month from noon to 3:45 p.m. Contact Cindy at
cesteedallas@aol.com.
• A team of Wilshire volunteers serves lunch at The Stewpot on the second Thursday every month. Contact David Cossum at dc@cossum.com to join the team or learn more.
Women of Wilshire Book Clubs
• Tuesday Evening Book Club | June 9 | 6:30 p.m. | Parlor | Nothing Daunted by Dorothy Wickenden. Contact Debby Burton.
• Brown Bag Book Club | Thursday, June 4 | Noon | 1205-L | Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. Contact Carolyn Murray.
Men’s Book Club
Tuesday, May 19 | 7 p.m. | Parlor | Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation by Kristin Kobes Du Mez. Contact: Scott Spreier (swspreier@gmail.com) or Mike Meripolski (meripolski@att.net)
Baptism Team seeks larger pool of volunteers
Looking for an easy way to serve? The Baptism Ministry Team is seeking volunteers. Team members are contacted as baptisms are scheduled and may serve as a baptism host — meeting with the individual being baptized, showing them to the baptistry and lighting the candle — or by helping with robe and towel laundry afterward. These roles require minimal time but offer meaningful support to those being baptized. For more information or to sign up, contact Chelsea Hopkins.
Adam’s Baskets
Wilshire’s Adam’s Baskets ministry, created in memory of Adam Malcik upon his passing in 1987 by his parents Vy and Michael Malcik, provides members the opportunity to keep our food pantry stocked. Our small pantry meets immediate needs when a neighbor stops by for assistance. Wicker baskets are located around the church, and you can place nonperishable items into a basket at any time. Proteins, peanut butter and pop-top canned goods are most needed. Items are collected from the baskets on the second Sunday each month.