This page is usually updated Fridays.
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For guests and new members
• Wilshire Welcome is a one-hour session to help you learn about Wilshire. Held in the Prayer Room near McIver Chapel. Upcoming date: Oct. 12.
• Time with Tim is your chance to meet and chat with Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples in an informal group session in his office. Upcoming date: Sept. 14.
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Sojourners editor here Sept. 7; Register by Aug. 31 for lunch and childcare
Betsy Shirley, editor in chief of Sojourners magazine, will be our guest on Sunday, Sept. 7. She will be interviewed in worship on the topic “The Press and the Pulpit: We’ve Both Got Trust Issues,” and all are invited to hear more from Betsy and engage in Q&A over lunch in Community Hall. A graduate of Yale Divinity School, Betsy has worked for Sojourners since 2015. She lives in Washington, D.C. Lunch is free; donations are welcome. Childcare is available for pre-K and younger. Please register for childcare and lunch at wilshirebc.org/events/betsy-shirley by Sunday, Aug. 31.
Wilshire Author Fair is Sept. 14
Come browse and buy books from a variety of church member authors at the Wilshire Author Fair on Sunday, Sept 14, from noon to 2 p.m. in Community Hall. Titles span a wide range of genres and topics: short fiction and novels; stories for children; and nonfiction including music, poetry, memoirs, culture, lifestyle, devotionals, photography, recipes, heritage, sermons, self-help and biblical commentary. Presented by the Wilshire Library. If you are an author and haven’t been contacted about participating, email Jeff Hampton.
Songwriter Vespers: Townes Van Zandt, Sept. 14
The music of Townes Van Zandt will be the focus of Wilshire’s Songwriter Vespers on Sunday, Sept. 14, at 4:30 p.m. in Choral Hall. As with the John Prine Vespers in March, the event will be a blend of a coffeehouse performance and a worship service, with readings and liturgical elements interspersed with Van Zandt songs played by Associate Pastor Darren DeMent and others. Coffee and light snacks will be served. Van Zandt (1944–1997) was a Texas-born “songwriter’s songwriter” known for his poetic lyrics and melancholic style.
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Wednesday Night Live: Sept. 3
Koinonia Café
5 p.m. | Community Hall | Buffet dinner for the whole family with kid-friendly options available. Cash/check/credit accepted at the door. Full Meal: $10 for ages 10 and up; $5 for kids 4 to 9; free for kids 3 and under; $35 household max. Soup & Salad Meal: $7. Sept. 3: Beef and broccoli, fried rice, stir-fried veggies, egg rolls, hot and sour soup, almond cookies, mochi and jello. Kids: Beef and broccoli, fried rice, stir-fried veggies.
Preschool Music & Missions
6 p.m. | Age 3–Pre-K | Preschool choir plus fun activities and lessons focused on God’s love and caring for others.
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. Each week is different! Activities include art, music, recreation, science and more. Kindergartners will have choir as part of KidConnect.
New Bible Study Series: HERstory
6 p.m. | Community Hall | What do you think of when you think of women and the Bible? Perhaps Mary, mother of Jesus, or the other Mary, who shares the news of the resurrected Christ. This series during September and October will highlight the voices of various women in the Bible, using feminist insights to show the expansive ways these women’s unique experiences reveal the work of God and witness to the gospel.
Watershed
6:30 p.m. | Grades 6–12 | Wilshire Student Ministry’s weekly time of Bible study and
music in the Youth Center.
Sanctuary Choir
7 p.m. | Choral Hall | Wilshire’s main adult choir rehearses weekly. New singers are always welcome, and there’s no audition.
Let’s Organize! launches Sept. 3
Are you interested in working with others to create positive change in our community? Join Abbey Adcox and Georgia McKee for Let’s Organize!, a new 6 p.m. option the first and third Wednesdays each month. Come strategize, connect with fellow members and take action together. All are welcome. Fall dates are Sept. 3 and 17; Oct. 1 and 15; and Nov. 5 and 19.
Lunch & Learn returns Sept. 3
Lunch & Learn, held the first and third Wednesdays every month, resumes on Sept. 3. All are invited at 11:30 a.m. for a buffet lunch followed by minister-led Bible study. On Sept. 3, Minister to Senior Adults Katie Murray will lead an introduction to the book of Acts, and you’ll have a chance to meet Wilshire’s two new pastoral residents. Lunch costs $10 each. No RSVP necessary. Pay at the door.
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Drop-In Winds: Sept. 14
Anyone who plays (or used to play) a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument is invited to play an easy piece with Wilshire Winds during worship on Sunday, Sept. 14. We’ll offer an optional rehearsal at noon on Sunday, Sept. 7, and all are welcome Monday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. for our first regular rehearsal. Youth who play in band are welcome, and we’re also looking for pianists to play melodic percussion. Don’t have a horn? We may have one to lend you. Contact Shana Gaines.
Drop-In Bells: Sept. 28
Try playing handbells with Carillon Ringers on Sunday, Sept. 28. Details coming soon.
New Song starts Sept. 10
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. 10, at 9:30 a.m. in Choral Hall. No audition or musical experience required. Directed by Sarah Stafford, New Song performs sacred and secular music regularly in the community. Rehearsal on Sept. 10 will begin with refreshments in the Parlor at 9 a.m. Learn more at newsongchoir.org.
Children’s Choirs are underway
Children’s Choirs (grades 1–5) are rehearsing weekly from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. after a quick lunch in Room 2223. Kindergarten, Pre-K and 3-year-old choirs meet Wednesdays at 6 p.m. during KidConnect and Preschool Music & Missions. Contact Children’s Choir Coordinator Candy McComb
Youth Choir and Shekinah
Wilshire’s Youth Choir for 2025–2026 launched Aug. 24 after worship and will meet weekly from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. after a quick lunch. All students in grades 6–12 are welcome, whether they are Wilshire members or not. Come experience the joy of singing together. Help us spread the word! The auditioned high school choir Shekinah rehearses at 1:30 p.m. Contact Minister of Music Ariel Merivil
• NEW: Middle School Bells (grades 6–8) starts Sunday, Oct. 19, at 1:30 p.m.
Youth Choir Outreach Saturday
The Wilshire Youth Choir will serve at White Rock Center of Hope and go bowling as part of their Outreach Saturday on Sept. 6. The youth will participate in WRCOH’s food distribution from 9 a.m. to noon, and then head to Bowlero in Garland for lunch, bowling and games, finishing at 2 p.m. Cost is $20. Contact Ariel Merivil (amerivil@wilshirebc.org) or Mary Lu Hare (maryluhare@gmail.com) for more information.
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Library help needed on Sundays
Librarian Barbara Peterson is looking for Library volunteers to work Sundays from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. a few times a year in rotation with others. Tasks include shelving and checking out books. Contact Barbara (bpeterson@wilshirebc.org) if you can serve.
Life Line Screenings here Sept. 4
Life Line Screenings will screen for stroke and cardiovascular disease risks at Wilshire on Thursday, Sept. 4. For $129, Life Line will screen for carotid artery disease, atrial fibrillation, peripheral artery disease and abdominal aortic aneurysm. To make an appointment, call 800-324-9458 and use code HABC001 or visit llsa.social/habc.
MomCo starts new year Sept. 5
Wilshire MomCo is registering for 2025–26 and will meet Friday, Sept. 5. MomCo, which offers encouragement, spiritual nourishment and fellowship to mothers of children of all ages, meets at Wilshire during the school year on designated Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon. Childcare with a curriculum is available for ages 0-5. To register, visit wilshirebc.org/connect/momco.
Firearm disposal event on Sept. 7
Wilshire is co-hosting a “Guns to Gardens” safe disposal event on Sunday, Sept. 7, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration (14115 Hillcrest). This is an opportunity for anyone with unwanted firearms in their households to safely dispose of them. Each gun will be used to create garden tools that the participant will receive at a later date. Guns to Gardens is a national movement working to reduce gun violence, and Wilshire is among several churches forming a local chapter. Find more details about the event at wilshirebc.org/events/guns-to-gardens.
• Volunteers are needed to help staff the event. Email dallascountyguns2gardens@gmail.com if you can help.
Marriage Connections on Sept. 12
The first Marriage Connections of the fall will be held Friday, Sept. 12, at 6:30 p.m. Free childcare (infant–grade 5) will be provided while parents enjoy a short program at the church and then have the rest of the night, until 9:30, to themselves. Connie and Steve McDaniel will serve as the mentor couple this year. Registration is required for childcare and closes Sunday, Sept. 7. Visit wilshirebc.org/events/marriage-connections.
Single, Adoptive, Foster Parents Night Out
Free childcare (infant–grade 5) will be provided for single, adoptive and foster parents on Friday, Sept. 12, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration is required and closes Sunday, Sept. 7. Sign up at wilshirebc.org/events/pno.
Preschool Playdate on Sept. 13
Preschoolers and their families are invited to a playdate on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the home of Rachel and Sam Murphy (6230 Berwyn Ln.). Contact Minister to Preschoolers Kelly Akins
Sign up for Sept. 17 Blood Drive
Carter BloodCare will hold a blood drive at Wilshire from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 17. There is a critical need for several blood types, including A+, A-, O+, O- and B-. Visit wilshirebc.org/events/blood-drive to make an appointment or scan the QR code.
Save the date for 75th anniversary
Wilshire will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2026, culminating with special events on Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14. Planning is underway, and more information is coming soon about how you can get involved. For now, mark your calendars for next June 13 and 14, and plan your summer vacation so you don’t miss the festivities.
Men’s Book Club
The Men’s Book Club will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16, to discuss The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt. The group will meet in the Parlor at 7 p.m. Contact: Mike Meripolski or Scott Spreier.
Women of Wilshire
• Tuesday Evening Book Club | Sept. 9 | 6:30 p.m. | Parlor | The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. Contact Debby Burton.
• Brown Bag Book Club | Sept. 4 | Noon | 1205-L | Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry. Contact Carolyn Murray.
Jeff Brummel sabbatical
Associate Minister of Music and Organist Jeff Brummel will be on sabbatical from Sept. 1 to Oct. 12. In addition to spending time with family in Oregon and California, Jeff is scheduled to visit Philadelphia for organ improvisation study with a Yale professor. He will also play organ, observe ministry and take in performances at Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon, Utah’s Salt Lake Tabernacle and churches in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oregon. Jeff said, “I would like to express my gratitude for the generosity of the church that makes sabbaticals possible as well as the musicians and church staff who will be taking on my responsibilities while I’m away to learn and rest.” While Jeff is out, Wilshire’s organ bench will be occupied by Bill Jernberg, Cindy Fuller and Ariel Merivil. Helping out on piano will be Shana Gaines, Amy Pottkotter, JoBeth Quillian and Candy McComb.
Elevator update
The replacement of the north elevator is now projected to take place in early 2026. Needed parts will not arrive until late this fall. Once the project begins, it should take four to five weeks to complete. Thanks for your continued patience as the elevator remains out of service.
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.