This page is usually updated Fridays.
Top Stories
• Visioning Team launches web page >
• J’Von Brown is new children’s choir coordinator >
• New pastoral residents James and Bryce are here >
• Former resident named Pathways director >
• Gifted piano finds home on chancel >
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).
Midday on Abrams starts Sept. 2
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. Join us Sept. 2 as we welcome our new pastoral residents, James Dolph and Bryce Shelton.
Songwriter Vespers: Dolly Parton set for Sept. 27
Dolly Parton, the iconic songwriter and performer who died this week at age 80, will be the focus of the next Songwriter Vespers, set for Sunday, Sept. 27, at 4:30 p.m. in Choral Hall. Wilshire’s Songwriter Vespers series blends elements of a coffeehouse performance and a worship service, with music from a full band and various singers. Songwriters featured in the past include John Prine and Townes Van Zandt. Coffee and light snacks will be served.
Youth Choir headed to D.C. in 2027
The Wilshire Youth Choir will travel to Washington, D.C., next summer for its annual tour. Singers who earn enough Frequent Singer Points through their participation during the year will be eligible to go on tour, and points are already being tracked. Open to all students in grades 6 through 12, Youth Choir rehearses Sundays at 12:30 p.m. after a quick lunch provided by the church. Contact: Ariel Merivil (amerivil@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: New adult series begins Sept. 2
• 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. Sept. 2 menu: Chicken and cheese enchiladas, street corn, Spanish rice, chips and salsa, house salad with cilantro pepita dressing, tortilla soup, tres leches cake.
• 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 — Praying With Our Feet: The Gospel and the March on Selma. | 6 p.m. | Community Hall | Sept. 2, 9 and 16 | “I felt like my feet were praying,” Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote after marching from Selma to Montgomery with other civil rights leaders in 1965. Our three-week study will explore the lives and work of those leaders, considering how the pursuit of justice is also a pursuit of the good news, the gospel. We’ll reflect on what it means to embody our faith, seek justice and allow our lives to become a prayer in action.
• 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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Friday Night Live begins Sept. 11
New this fall, Friday Night Live is an evening built around connection, fun and making time for what matters. Register for all events at wilshirebc.org/events/fnl
• Marriage Connections
6:30–9 p.m. | Marriage Connections begins in James Gallery with a brief presentation with ideas and insights couples can put to work in their relationship. Then the evening is yours. Go to dinner, grab coffee, run
errands — or find a quiet place to talk. Open to married, partnered and dating couples with or without kids. Register by Sunday, Sept. 6. Children can attend free Preschool or Kids Night Out.
• Kids Night Out
6:30–9 p.m. | All kindergartners through fifth graders are invited to the church for a fun evening with friends. Free with registration by Sunday, Sept. 6.
• Preschool Night Out
6:30–9 p.m. | Fun activities and play time for preschoolers from birth to pre-K. Free with registration by Sunday, Sept. 6.
Other Friday Night Live dates: Oct. 9, Nov. 13, Jan. 15, Feb. 12, April 9
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Preschool Playdate on Sept. 12
Preschoolers and their families are invited to a science-themed playdate on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. The event will be held in the Multipurpose Room at Wilshire. Contact: Kelly Akins (kakins@wilshirebc.org)
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)
New Song choir resumes Sept. 2
Are you passionate about singing or do you simply love making music with others? New Song Community Choir invites you to join them when weekly rehearsals resume Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 9:45 a.m. in Choral Hall. No audition or musical experience required. Directed by Sarah Stafford, New Song is a group of senior adults that performs sacred and secular music regularly in the community. Members come from Wilshire and many other churches and denominations. The first rehearsal on Sept. 2 will begin with treats in the Parlor at 9 a.m. Learn more at newsongchoir.org.
Next blood drive is Sept. 20
Carter Blood Care will hold a blood drive at Wilshire on Sunday, Sept. 20, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome; appointments are recommended. Scan the QR code or visit wilshirebc.org/events/blood-drive.
Adventurers Tech Talk on AI open to all
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
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.
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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, Sept. 15 | 7 p.m. | Parlor | Fire on the Mountain by Edward Abbey. Contact: Scott Spreier (swspreier@gmail.com) or Mike Meripolski (meripolski@att.net)
Women of Wilshire Book Clubs
• Tuesday Evening Book Club | Sept. 8 | 6:30 p.m. | 1205-G | The King of Diamonds by Rena Pederson. 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.