This page is usually updated Fridays.
Deacon nomination deadline extended to Oct. 2
The Deacon Nominating Committee asks Wilshire members to submit names of persons to be considered for deacon service. Nominees should be individuals who have modeled consistent, faithful service and leadership and who have been Wilshire members at least one year. You may also nominate deacons in reserve to rotate into active service. Please submit nominations by Friday, Oct. 2, at wilshirebc.org/deacon-nominations. Paper forms are available in the office. If you have been ordained as a deacon in another church and have not served at Wilshire, please let Chelsea Hopkins know (chopkins@wilshirebc.org).
Committee nominations sought by Oct. 4
The Committee on Committees is beginning to nominate church members for 2027 committees. If you are not on a committee and are interested in serving or suggesting someone, visit wilshirebc.org/committee-interest-form to fill out our online form. Paper forms are available in the office. Names received will be evaluated against committee openings and needs, and all current and potential members will be contacted. Proposed committees will be presented at January’s Annual Church Conference for approval. Please make submissions by Sunday, Oct. 4. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org).
Interim director named for Carillon Ringers
Beginning Sunday, Oct. 4, Dave Schaefer will serve as interim director of Carillon Ringers, with Wilshire Winds director Shana Gaines assisting. Dave and his wife, Fiorella, recently began attending Wilshire, and Dave sings in Sanctuary Choir. He holds degrees in music education and choral conducting from the University of Nebraska’s Omaha and Lincoln campuses and served as choral director at South Garland High School and St. Stephen United Methodist Church in Mesquite. Dave has rung handbells at Presbyterian Church of the Cross in Omaha and at St. Stephen. Minister of Music Ariel Merivil said, “Dave is a gifted teacher and brings a love of handbell ringing to this role. Please welcome him as he helps lead the ringers through this interim season.”
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Adventurers Tech Talk on AI open to all on Oct. 4
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
Preschool parents brunch, Oct. 4
All parents of preschoolers are invited to a brunch at 9:45 a.m. on Oct. 4 in James Gallery. Minister to Preschoolers Kelly Akins says the event will be an informal time for preschool parents to get to know each other.
Know Your Voting Rights event
First Unitarian Church of Dallas is hosting a panel discussion themed “Know Your Voting Rights” on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 12:30 p.m. The talk will examine where things stand at the federal, state and local levels after the Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, explore paths forward and consider how we can respond as citizens and members of a faith community. Register at dallasuu.org/events.
Blessing of the Animals set for Oct. 4
Everyone is invited to bring their pets as our pastoral residents host a Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 5:30 p.m. in the south parking lot (near the office). The residents will offer a brief litany and prayer along with blessings for your family’s animals. Water for both humans and animal friends will be available. We ask that all pets be leashed or in tanks, cages or carriers. We understand it might be difficult to bring your animal, whatever the reason may be. If you’d still like to participate and receive a blessing, we invite you to bring a photo of your animal.
CenterPeace conference help needed
Wilshire is among the sponsors for the 2026 CenterPeace conference, set for Oct. 15–17 at First United Methodist Church in Dallas, and volunteers are needed to help in a variety of ways. Founded by Wilshire member Sally Gary, CenterPeace is a fully affirming, Christ-centered ministry that cultivates spiritual community for LGBTQ+ people. If you can serve during the conference, contact Heather Mustain (hmustain@wilshirebc.org).
Kaitlin Curtice coming in October
Kaitlin Curtice, an award-winning author, poet-storyteller and public speaker, will speak at Wilshire on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 6 p.m. As an enrolled citizen of the Potawatomi nation, Curtice writes on the intersections of spirituality and identity and speaks on these topics to audiences interested in truth-telling and healing. Her books include Living Resistance: An Indigenous Vision for Seeking Wholeness Every Day and Native: Identity, Belonging and Rediscovering God.
Next Midday on Abrams is October 7
The next Midday on Abrams will be held Wednesday, Oct. 7, with Robin Sullens as guest speaker. Robin, a Wilshire member and staff chaplain with the VA, brings a wealth of knowledge from her 20+ years of experience helping individuals and families navigate medical decisions. Midday on Abrams is a new event with lunch, fellowship and informative speakers on the first Wednesday every month. Lunch ($10) starts at 11:30 a.m., and the program runs from noon to 12:45.
Check your voter registration
With elections and an Oct. 5 registration deadline approaching, everyone should check their voter registration status at votetexas.gov. Texas has placed 1.2 million voters on a “suspense” list, but this does not mean their registration was suspended or removed. The list includes registered voters who election officials believe may no longer live at their registered address. Voters on this list can confirm their address by contacting their local voter registrar before Oct. 5 and completing a new voter registration form. For help, contact Associate Pastor Heather Mustain (hmustain@wilshirebc.org).
Adventurers trip to Québec City announced
The Wilshire Adventurers are planning a trip to Québec City in Canada for Sept. 20–25, 2027. To learn about the trip and express your interest in going, visit wilshirebc.org/adventurers-trip and submit an online form by Oct. 2. Official trip registration will happen later. Brochures are available in the office.
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Wednesday Night Live: Oct. 7
• Family Dinner | 5 p.m. | Community Hall | New name, same great buffet dinner. Kid-friendly options available. Cash/check/credit accepted. Pricing at wilshirebc.org/events/wnl. Oct. 7 menu: Chicken pot pie, roasted butternut squash, braised cabbage, vegetable soup, pumpkin spice cake, cookies, jello. Kids: Chicken pot pie, butternut squash.
• 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.
• Adult Spiritual Formation | 6 p.m. | Community Hall | In October and November, our 6 p.m. offering for adults will be a mix of special guests, Vespers and “Resident’s Choice,” where our pastoral residents will share a favorite theological idea or a topic they’ve always wanted to share with a church. Amanda Hines will kick off Resident’s Choice on Oct. 7, and Bryce Shelton will lead on Oct. 14.
• 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.
Childcare is offered from 6 to 7:15 p.m. for infants to 2-year-olds with parents involved in church activities.
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Library Adopt-a-Book set for Oct. 11
At the Wilshire Library’s Adopt-a-Book event on Sunday morning, Oct. 11, you can help the Library defray the cost of new books by purchasing a dedication in honor or memory of a loved one. Dedications will be printed on plaques placed inside the books, which will then be available to be checked out. Monetary donations are also welcome to help the Library build its collection. Stop by the South Atrium from 9 to 10:45 a.m. or after worship.
Oct. 9 Friday Night Live
The next Friday Night Live will be offered Oct. 9. Held about once a month, this event is actually three events that work together: Marriage Connections, open to all couples; Kids Night Out; and Preschool Night Out. All events are free. Register for each separately. Find more details at wilshirebc.org/events/fnl.
Preschool Playdate
Preschoolers and their families are invited to a playdate with Ms. Kelly at Flag Pole Hill Park (8015 Doran Cir.) on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Contact: Minister to Preschoolers Kelly Akins (kakins@wilshirebc.org)
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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, Oct. 20 | 7 p.m. | Parlor | A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness by Michael Pollan. Contact: Scott Spreier (swspreier@gmail.com) or Mike Meripolski (meripolski@att.net)
Women of Wilshire Book Clubs
• Tuesday Evening Book Club | Oct. 13 | 6:30 p.m. | 1205-G | How to Read a Book by Monica Wood. Contact Debby Burton.
• Brown Bag Book Club | Thursday, Nov. 5 | Noon | 1205-L | The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict. 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.