This page is usually updated Fridays.
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For guests and new members
Wilshire Welcome is a one-hour session during Sunday School to help you learn about the church. No RSVP necessary. The next Wilshire Welcome will be held Jan. 11 at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room near McIver Chapel.
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Try our weekly 9 a.m. contemplative service. | Read more >
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Author Meredith Miller here Jan. 11
Mark your calendars for Jan. 11, when Wilshire will host author, speaker and pastor Meredith Miller. Miller is the author of Woven: Nurturing a Faith Your Kid Doesn’t Have to Heal From, and she has over 20 years of experience in children’s ministry and curriculum. On Jan. 11, Miller will lead a Sunday School session geared toward parents and participate in 11 a.m. worship. After worship all are welcome to hear more from Meredith, including a time of Q&A, over a free lunch in Community Hall. (Lunch priority will be given to those who registered; registration is closed.)
Preschool Playdate on Jan. 10
Preschoolers and their families are invited to a playdate on Saturday, Jan. 10, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Cheeky Monkeys indoor playground (1152 N. Buckner Blvd.). $16.99 per child.
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 to register by Wednesday, Jan. 14.
• Conference materials and Zoom information will be available at the URL above closer to Jan. 18. Only in-person attendees will be able to vote.
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.
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.
Sign up for Jan. 14 Blood Drive
Carter BloodCare will hold a blood drive at Wilshire from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 14. There is a critical need for several blood types, including A+, A-, O+, O- and B-. To make an appointment, visit wilshirebc.org/events/blood-drive.
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. 14
Koinonia Café
5 p.m. | Community Hall | Buffet dinner with kid-friendly options. Cash/check/credit. Prices at wilshirebc.org/events/wnl. Jan. 14: Chicken teriyaki, stir-fry noodles, vegetables, egg rolls, salad, egg drop soup, cheesecake, cookies, jello.
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.
Rental Assistance Program
Wilshire’s Rental and Utility Assistance Program will open for 2026 in late January. If you are interested in serving as an intake volunteer — whether you are new or returning — please let us know by completing our online form. Plan to join us for orientation on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 6 p.m. in Room 1205-L.
Jan. 10 Advocacy event
Immigration, religious freedom and reproductive justice are some of the topics to be covered at Advocacy for Action: Responding to the Texas Legislature, a workshop presented by Texas Impact on Saturday, Jan. 10. The event at Northaven United Methodist Church will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn more and register by Jan. 2 at northaven.org/events.
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 | Jan. 13 | 6:30 p.m. | Parlor | The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. 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.