This page is usually updated Fridays.
Stories you may have missed
• Darren DeMent’s 30th anniversary >
• New pastoral residents James and Bryce are here >
• Former resident named Pathways director >
• Abbey Adcox departs Wilshire staff >
Harrison Litzell here Aug. 8 and 9
Wired for Wonder: Helping Children Grow in Faith, Connection and Wholeness will be the theme when Wilshire welcomes Harrison Litzell on Aug. 8 and 9. A children’s ministry expert, Litzell helps churches engage with issues of inclusion, childhood spirituality and neurodiversity through his work at Mercer University’s Baugh Center for Baptist Leadership. On Saturday, Aug. 8, Litzell will meet with parents from 6 to 9 p.m. at the home of Gail and Steve Brookshire. Heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks and dessert will be served. On Sunday, Aug. 9, Litzell will offer a teacher training from noon to 2:30 p.m. More info at wilshirebc.org/events/litzell.
Take action on immigration Aug. 9
Every person should be able to worship, learn, receive medical care and care for their children without fear of immigration enforcement. Yet over the past year, actions by ICE and the Trump administration have made that fear a reality for many. Wilshire and partner BJC invite you to urge Congress to pass the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, which would protect houses of worship, schools, childcare centers and healthcare facilities from immigration enforcement actions. BJC also encourages advocates to oppose legislation that would continue funding ICE in its current form. There are two ways to participate:
• Write a postcard. Stop by James Gallery or the Office to pick up postcards addressed to your members of Congress. Sample wording and help identifying your representatives will be provided.
• Send a letter online. Use this link to send BJC’s prewritten letter directly to your members of Congress: bit.ly/45DrWRw.
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Fall Kickoff: Here’s our game plan for Sunday, Aug. 16
9 a.m. Worship resumes | Our weekly contemplative service in McIver Chapel explores spiritual practices and includes music, Scripture, prayer and a message.
Promotion Sunday | Preschoolers, children and youth will move to new Sunday School classes, and it’s a great day for adults to try a new class or try Sunday School for the first time.
Blessing of the Backpacks | Children are encouraged to bring their school bags to church, and they will be invited to the front for a back-to-school blessing during the 11 a.m. service.
In 11 a.m. Worship: Defining Our Purpose | Instead of a sermon, worship at 11 will feature a discussion among Wilshire ministers on the theme “Defining Our Purpose” — why we do the things we do and why they matter.
Kickoff Lunch after church | Join us at noon for lunch in Community Hall. Adults, $10; kids 4–9, $5; free for 3 and under; household max: $35. Cash/check/credit accepted at the door.
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Wednesday Night Live kicks off Aug. 19
Wear a shirt or jersey from your favorite team or school as we get into the fall spirit!
Family Dinner | 5 p.m. | Community Hall | New name, same great buffet dinner. Kid-friendly options available. Cash/check/credit accepted.
Preschool Music & More | 6 p.m. | Age 3–Pre-K | Preschool choir plus activities and lessons focused on God’s love.
KidConnect | 6 p.m. | K– Grade 5 | A rotation of activities to help kids learn how to love God and others with every part of themselves. Includes choir for Kindergartners.
Spiritual Formation | 6 p.m. | Our lineup for adults will include a variety of opportunities to help you grow in your faith: Bible and book studies, topical series, missions, Vespers and more.
Watershed | 6:30 p.m. | Grades 6–12 | Wilshire Student Ministry’s midweek gathering.
Sanctuary Choir | 7 p.m. | Choral Hall | New singers are always welcome. No audition.
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Sunday School session Aug. 16: Parenting in the Pew
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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Wilshire Welcome meets Aug. 16
Wilshire Welcome, an informal one-hour session to help guests and new members learn about the church, will meet Sunday, Aug. 16, at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room near McIver Chapel. No RSVP needed. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)
WOW celebrates Abbey Adcox
All Women of Wilshire are invited to celebrate departing Wilshire staffer Abbey Adcox with a get-together at Cedar & Vine on Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. Come for a nibble (light bites provided) or stay longer and have dinner. Abbey has served as a WOW ministry leader and is starting a new job at FaithWorks.
Sanctuary Choir is open to all
Did you know Sanctuary Choir is open to anyone who would like to sing? There’s no audition, and we’d love to have you join. The choir will start a new year with a retreat on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 9 a.m. to noon, and its first regular rehearsal this fall will take place Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m. in Choral Hall. If you’re interested, email Ariel Merivil or Carol Cabaniss to get started.
Youth and Children’s Choirs starting up
• Youth Choir (grades 6–12) will resume rehearsals Sunday, Aug. 23, at 12:30 p.m. in Choral Hall after a provided lunch.
• Children’s Choirs (grades 1–5), will resume weekly rehearsals Sunday, Aug. 23, from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. after a provided lunch.
• Starting Aug. 19, Kindergarten Choir will meet Wednesdays at 6 p.m. during KidConnect, and Pre-K and 3-year-olds will have choir Wednesdays at 6 p.m. as part of Preschool Music & More.
• Minster of Music Ariel Merivil said, “Our search for a new children’s choir coordinator is going well, and we hope to have someone on board very soon. In the meantime, our committed volunteers are ready to lead your children starting Aug. 19. Thank you for believing in the importance of children in music and worship, and for entrusting them to us.”
Wilshire Winds starts Sept. 12
Wilshire Winds will kick off the fall with a Saturday morning workshop on Sept. 12. The group will then rehearse on select Monday nights through Dec. 7. Wilshire Winds is open to woodwind, brass and percussion players of all ages and skill levels. The church may have an instrument you can use. Contact: Shana Gaines (sgaines@wilshirebc.org)
Two Adventurers events to sign up for
• The Wilshire Adventurers will visit the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum on Thursday, Aug. 20, at 10:15 a.m. The group will see the museum’s special exhibit, “The Walt Disney Studios and World War II.” Admission is $12 each, and registration is required. Visit wilshirebc.org/events/disney to sign up.
• On Sunday, Oct. 4, Wilshire member Teri Walker will offer a Tech Talk on AI (artificial intelligence) over lunch in Community Hall. Teri will equip us to confidently navigate this quickly evolving phenomenon. This Adventurers-hosted event is open to anyone. Registration is not required, but you can make sure you get lunch by signing up at wilshirebc.org/events/ai
Midday on Abrams is coming
Starting Sept. 2, Wilshire will offer Midday on Abrams, a new monthly event with lunch, fellowship and informative guest speakers on a variety of topics. Midday on Abrams will be offered the first Wednesday every month. Lunch ($10 ea.) will start at 11:30 a.m., and the program will run from noon to about 12:45 p.m.
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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.
Men’s Book Club
Tuesday, Aug. 18 (No July meeting) | 7 p.m. | Parlor | Superbloom: How Technologies of Connection Tear Us Apart by Nicholas Carr. Contact: Scott Spreier (swspreier@gmail.com) or Mike Meripolski (meripolski@att.net)
Women of Wilshire Book Clubs
• Tuesday Evening Book Club | Aug. 11 | 6:30 p.m. | 1205-G | My Friends by Fredrik Backman. Contact Debby Burton.
• Brown Bag Book Club | Thursday, Sept. 3 | Noon | 1205-L | The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris. Contact Carolyn Murray.
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.