This page is usually updated Fridays.
Maggie Morey called to Omaha church | Read more >
Summer 2026 camps for children and preschoolers | Read more >
Timothy Peoples sabbatical, April 21–May 24 | 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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Maggie Morey blessing
The 11 a.m. service on May 10 will include a time of blessing for Pastoral Resident Maggie Morey on her last Sunday at Wilshire. She and her husband, Jonathan, will soon head to Omaha, Nebraska, where Maggie will become associate minister of care, connection and formation at Countryside Community Church in Omaha, Nebraska.
Mother’s Day reflection table
On May 10 in the Narthex, you’ll find a table of candles created as a space for reflection on Mother’s Day. While this is not a holiday in the liturgical calendar, we want to honor the mothers and mother figures in our lives while also acknowledging the variety of feelings Mother’s Day can bring. We hope this table can serve as a visual reminder that there is space for all of us at the table. Come light a candle for whatever your heart needs this morning: in honor of your mother, in memory of your mother or child, for comfort during infertility or miscarriage, for hope of healed relationships. All are welcome in this space.
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.
Meredith Stone preaches May 10
Meredith Stone, executive director of Baptist Women in Ministry, will be our 11 a.m. guest preacher on Sunday, May 10. Other guest preachers during Timothy’s sabbatical will be:
• May 17: Greg Garrett, professor of literature and culture, Baylor University
• May 24: George Mason, senior pastor emeritus at Wilshire
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.
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
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.
Kitchen hiring
The Wilshire kitchen is seeking applicants for two roles. Find the full job descriptions at wilshirebc.org/employment and send resumes to Holly Irvin at hirvin@wilshirebc.org.
• Sous Chef (full-time): Second in command in the kitchen, the sous chef monitors ingredients for cooking, monitors inventories, ensures food quality and consistency and cleans and sanitizes food prep areas.
• Prep Cook (part-time): The prep cook prepares ingredients for cooking, monitors inventories, ensures food quality and consistency and cleans and sanitizes food prep areas.
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Wilshire’s 75th anniversary
Wilshire will mark its 75th anniversary this year, culminating in a festive June weekend.
Your voice wanted!
• What’s something Wilshire has taught you to appreciate?
• Who have you known the longest at Wilshire?
• When was a time you felt loved at Wilshire?
These are a few of the questions you may get asked by Darren DeMent or others who will be roaming the building looking for congregants to share their thoughts on video. It’s all part of our 75th anniversary celebration, and the videos will be edited and shared on our social media platforms. There’s no pressure to participate, but we’d love to capture as many of your thoughts as possible.
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 shirts, caps
New Wilshire T-shirts commemorating our 75th anniversary have arrived and are available for purchase. Adult and youth sizes cost $15; toddler sizes cost $10. Baseball caps are also available for $20. Items will be for sale from 9 to 10 a.m. Sundays (no sales April 19) and on Wednesday nights. Contact Carolyn Murray.
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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Graduate info needed by May 10
Wilshire will recognize 2026 high school graduates in worship on May 17; their photos will be printed in the worship folder along with those of church members who received a bachelor’s degree from June 2025 to May 2026. To be included, email Carole McClung (cmcclung@wilshirebc.org) with the student’s name, school name, future plans and a photo by May 10. For college grads, submit a photo plus the college name and degree or major.
Sharing Sacred Spaces site visit on May 12
Wilshire is participating in a local interfaith cohort through the national organization Sharing Sacred Spaces. The mission of SSS is to overcome bias, misunderstanding and polarization through immersive education and training that makes vivid our common humanity. Participating faith communities are invited to host the cohort and other guests for a meal and a discussion of the history and architecture of their sacred space. Wilshire will host on Tuesday, May 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. Cohort member David Giles said, “Please join me in welcoming and witnessing our Baptist Christian faith. I’ve learned so much visiting other sacred spaces and can’t wait to share our space and a wonderful meal as we learn and love each other with God’s perfect love.”
• Register to attend at sharingsacredspaces.org/events.
• Associate Pastor Heather Mustain is looking for 10 volunteers to help with hospitality. Contact Heather.
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 | May 12 | 6:30 p.m. | Parlor | American Gospel by Jon Meacham. 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.