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Annual Church Conference is Jan. 18
Make plans to attend our Annual Church Conference in Community Hall after 11 a.m. worship on Sunday, Jan. 18. In our only scheduled church conference of the year, we’ll adopt a budget, elect deacons and committees and hear updates about the church from Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples and others. Lunch will be provided free of charge.
• Childcare is available (infant–grade 5).
• Visit wilshirebc.org/events/church-conference for a packet of conference materials and Zoom information. Only in-person attendees will be able to vote.
Children’s Choir starts Jan. 18
Children’s Choir (Kindergarten through grade 5) will resume today, Jan. 18, after the 11 a.m. service. Lunch will be provided for the kids in Room 2223, and rehearsals will follow.
Family Day of Service with Rise Against Hunger
Join us Monday, Jan. 19, the MLK Day holiday, as we partner with Rise Against Hunger to pack healthy meals for those in need from 10 a.m. to noon in Community Hall. All ages are welcome. There are opportunities to serve while seated and opportunities for preschoolers and elementary age children to serve. A few volunteers are needed to help set up before and clean up after the event. All volunteers will need to register and complete a waiver at events.riseagainsthunger.org/wilshirebaptist2026.
Lunch & Learn is Jan. 21
Everyone is invited to Community Hall the first and third Wednesdays every month at 11:30 a.m. for a buffet lunch ($10) followed by Bible study. The next Lunch & Learn will be held Jan. 21.
New deacons recommended
The Deacon Nominating Committee has recommended seven Wilshire members to be ordained as new deacons: Christina Evans, Mike Korson, Patty Latham, Spencer Long, Sue McElveen, Rachel Murphy and Megan Willson. In addition, these deacons were recommended to return to active service: Andrew Burton, Diana Early, Mark Eggert, Larry Granberry, Gladys Kolenovsky, Mike McCullough, Debbie Meripolski, Monica Mullins, Dennis Smith, Hank Thompson and Trey Wilson. Recommendations will be voted on at the Annual Church Conference on Jan. 18, and new deacons will be ordained Jan. 25.
• Deacon officers for 2026 will be: Rhonda Walton, chair; Rob Roden, chair-elect; and Laurie Diffee, vice-chair. Jenny Wolff will continue serving as deacon coordinator.
Children’s Choir starts Jan. 18
Children’s Choir (Kindergarten through grade 5) will resume next Sunday, Jan. 18, after the 11 a.m. service. Lunch will be provided for the kids in Room 2223, and rehearsals will follow.
Blessing for Georgia McKee during worship Jan. 25
The 11 a.m. worship service next Sunday, Jan. 25, will include a time of blessing for Pastoral Resident Georgia McKee on her last Sunday at Wilshire. Georgia and her wife, Sophia, are headed to the Chicago area, where Georgia will become associate pastor at Glencoe Union Church. Georgia, a Wake Forest University School of Divinity graduate, will lead Glencoe’s youth and mission ministries while participating in worship leadership and preaching. Located just north of Chicago on the shore of Lake Michigan, Glencoe Union is an interdenominational church in the Protestant tradition.
Marriage Connections is Feb. 13
Marriage Connections will be held Friday, Feb. 13, 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. Registration is required for childcare by Feb. 8. Visit wilshirebc.org/events/marriage-connections.
• The same childcare is available to single, adoptive and foster parents. Register at wilshirebc.org/events/pno by Feb. 8.
Souper Bowl of Caring: Feb. 8
The annual Souper Bowl of Caring, benefiting the Phil Strickland Hunger Offering, will be held Sunday, Feb. 8, at noon in Community Hall. Join us after the 11 a.m. service for soup and all the fixings and donate an amount equal to what you would spend at a nice restaurant for lunch.
Spaghetti Lunch is March 1; auction items needed
The annual Youth Choir Spaghetti Lunch and Silent Auction will be held Sunday, March 1, in Community Hall after the 11 a.m. service. This event will help fund the group’s summer mission tour to Kansas City to sing, serve and sightsee.
• Your donated items and services are needed for the silent auction. Suggestions include restaurant gift cards, new household items, sporting equipment and event tickets. Professional services make great donation items, so if you’re a musician, tutor, photographer, baker, designer, accountant or have a service to provide, consider donating a gift certificate of your time or service. Donations are kindly requested by Sunday, Feb. 15. Visit wilshirebc.org/events/slsa for donation information and contribution forms, or email wycauction@gmail.com.
Water intrusion project
Be aware that work has begun on the north side of the Sanctuary to resolve our long-standing water intrusion issues. During the project, you will likely not be able to enter the building using the North Atrium doors. The doors from the Prayer Garden to James Gallery should not be impacted. Thank you for your patience.
Historical photos, video wanted
Planners for Wilshire’s 75th anniversary celebration are hoping church members, especially those who’ve been around a while, can help us gather Wilshire-related photos and video from bygone decades. If you have anything, even if it’s not digitized, reach out to Communications Director Mark McKenzie.
Parish nurse encourages flu shots
Have you had your flu shot yet? It’s not too late. Some people are hesitant because the vaccine doesn’t always prevent the flu entirely, but research shows that getting the flu shot significantly reduces the severity of illness. Health officials report that this is the worst flu season in 25 years, making prevention especially important. People who are vaccinated and still get the flu are far less likely to require hospitalization, while those who are unvaccinated may experience more serious complications. COVID-19 is also still circulating, and it can be difficult to tell the difference between the flu, COVID and a common cold since symptoms are often similar. If you are feeling unwell, please stay home, get plenty of rest and drink fluids. Tests are available to help determine the cause of illness. Wearing a mask can help prevent the spread of illness to others. Masks are available at all Wilshire entrances.—Linda Garner
Foundations of Faith 2026 Preview
Looking for a place to grow, ask questions and connect with others on the journey of faith? The Foundations of Faith Sunday School Class offers thoughtful, engaging studies for adults of all ages and backgrounds. Join them in Room 3303 as they explore Scripture, theology and Christian living in a welcoming, discussion‑friendly environment. Here’s a look at their curriculum for 2026 >
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Wednesday Night Live: Jan. 21
Koinonia Café
5 p.m. | Community Hall | Buffet dinner with kid-friendly options. Cash/check/credit. Prices at wilshirebc.org/events/wnl. Jan. 21: Beef enchiladas, refried beans, elote, tortilla soup, chips and salsa, tres leches, cookies, jello. Kids: Cheese quesadillas, elote, beans.
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.
Watershed
6:30 p.m. | Grades 6–12 | 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.
New Bible Study series: Ecotheology
6 p.m. | Community Hall | Genesis 1 and 2 are the only accounts of creation in the Bible, right? Well, maybe not. This winter, join Timothy and the residents for a study of creation accounts in Scripture from Genesis to John. This study will look at Scripture through the lens of ecotheology and consider what creation has to say about the Creator.
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Register for WOW retreat
Registration is open for Women of Wilshire’s 2026 retreat, set for Friday, Feb. 20, through Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Prothro Retreat Center at Lake Texoma. Get away and find community, encouragement and time with God through worship, art, learning and fun. Details and registration at wilshirebc.org/events/wow-retreat-2026.
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.
Adventurers movie on Jan. 20
The Wilshire Adventurers will enjoy an afternoon movie on Tuesday, Jan. 20, from 1 to 3 p.m. in Community Hall. This free event includes popcorn, cookies, drinks and a screening of The River of No Return, starring Marilyn Monroe and Robert Mitchum. Adventurers is a fellowship group for anyone 60 and up.
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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.
Annette Miller releases book
Wilshire member Annette Miller has published a book complied largely of blog posts she wrote for Wilshire’s Facebook page. Fireflies Dancing in the Dark, which also includes Annette’s poems and short stories, will provide encouragement and inspiration to readers in the face of life’s challenges. A copy of the book will be available in the Wilshire Library. Learn more at lifesyncleadership.com/books.
Women of Wilshire Book Clubs
• Tuesday Evening Book Club | Feb. 10 | 6:30 p.m. | Parlor | The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. Contact Debby Burton.
• Brown Bag Book Club | Thursday, Feb. 5 | Noon | 1205-L | How to Read a Book by Monica Wood. Contact Carolyn Murray.
Men’s Book Club
Jan. 20 | 7 p.m. | Parlor | Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel García Márquez. Contact: Scott Spreier or Mike Meripolski
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.