This page is generally updated on Fridays.
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Lori Gooden departing staff
Director of Finance Lori Gooden has resigned from her role at Wilshire to take a full-time position with nonprofit agency Fellowship Southwest. She will transition from Wilshire to her new position over the coming months and will help train her successor at the church. The Personnel Committee and staff leaders have already begun working on staffing plans for Wilshire’s finance office. Wilshire members should still contact Lori about all giving-related matters until further notice. Lori came to Wilshire as accounting manager in 2015 and became director of finance in 2021. “My time at Wilshire has been such a gift,” Lori said, “and I will be forever grateful to Mark Wingfield for giving me this extraordinary opportunity. I have been forever changed by the friendship of this amazing staff and the leadership I have had the privilege of working with. I will cherish the stories you shared with me, and I will miss those of you who would stop by to make my day. Thank you, Wilshire, for loving me and for the blessing of these last 10 years.” Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples said, “I am truly grateful for the ways Lori has shared her knowledge and gifts with Wilshire. We’ll miss her presence at the church, but with Fellowship Southwest being one of our strongest mission partners, we look forward to working with Lori in a new and different way.”
Team headed to Macedonia
Be in prayer for a Wilshire team traveling to Macedonia to learn and serve from May 7 to 16. Wilshire is joining with Second Baptist Church of Little Rock, Arkansas, for the trip. Our contingent includes Christina Evans, Jenny Wolff, Missions and Advocacy Committee Chair Julie Bartkoski, Pastoral Resident Georgia McKee, Associate Pastor Heather Mustain and Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples. Heather says, “We are going to encourage, support and learn more about the ministries of CBF field personnel Jeff and Alicia Lee. Wilshire has contributed to their economic and agricultural enterprises in the past. We’ll spend time at a group home for adults with developmental disabilities, pack food boxes for seniors through Macedonia’s only food bank and learn more about interfaith relations while visiting local Orthodox churches and mosques.”
Wilshire in the Park: Churchwide Picnic
Sunday, May 18 | 5–7 p.m.
Flag Pole Hill Pavilion
Don’t miss our annual picnic with food, face painting and fun at Flag Pole Hill’s inclusive playground. The pavilion and picnic tables are ours to use; bring your own lawn chairs. Wilshire will provide fried chicken, rolls and drinks. The rest of the meal is potluck with these assignments by last name: A–F, fruit; G–Q, veggies or salad; R–Z, dessert. Please use disposable containers and serving utensils and bring enough food to serve at least eight. Volunteers are needed; sign up.
Graduate info needed by May 7
Wilshire will recognize 2025 high school graduates during worship on May 18; their photos will be printed in the worship folder along with those of church members who received a bachelor’s degree from June 2024 to May 2025. To be included, submit your information and a photo by Wednesday, May 7, at wilshirebc.org/graduates.
Marriage Connections
The final Marriage Connections of the school year will be a celebration of outgoing mentor couple Patty and Paul Latham on Friday, May 9. Free childcare (infant–grade 5) will be provided at the church from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration for childcare is required by May 4. Visit wilshirebc.org/events/marriage-connections.
Single, Adoptive and Foster Parents Night Out
Wilshire will offer free childcare (infant–grade 5) for single, adoptive and foster parents on Friday, May 9, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Registration is required and closes May 4; register at wilshirebc.org/events/pno.
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Wednesday Night Live: May 7 is final WNL of the spring
Koinonia Café
5 p.m. | Community Hall | Buffet dinner. Cash/check/credit accepted. See prices. May 7: Taco bar with ground beef, beans and rice, chips and queso, toppings, caldo (soup), salad, churros, polvorones (cookies), jello. Kids: Cheese quesadilla, beans and rice.
Children’s Choirs & KidConnect Year-end Program
6 p.m. | Community Hall | The final Wednesday night this school year will feature a year-end program for Children’s Choirs, Preschool Music & Missions and KidConnect. All are invited to enjoy music from preschool and children’s choirs, missions displays and presentations and ice cream sundaes to end the evening.
Watershed
6:30 p.m. | Grades 6–12 | Wilshire Student Ministry’s weekly time of Bible study and music in the Youth Center. Watershed will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Center on both May 7 and 14.
Sanctuary Choir
7 p.m. | Choral Hall | New singers are always welcome in our main adult choir. No audition.
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Lend your voice to hymn festival
On Sunday, May 25, Sanctuary Choir will share a special all-music hymn festival, O God, Our Help!, during morning worship. We’re revisiting beloved anthems and preparing beautiful hymn arrangements to inspire our congregation. This will be perfect for those with choral experience to participate without a long-term commitment. There will be two rehearsals:
■ Sunday, May 18, 9:15–9:45 a.m.
■ Sunday, May 25, 9:15–9:45 a.m. (Final preparation before 11 a.m. worship.)
There’s no audition — just bring your love of sacred music. Your voice matters, and this special Sunday won’t be the same without you. Coffee and refreshments will be provided at rehearsals. Contact: Minister of Music Ariel Merivil (amerivil@wilshirebc.org)
Save the date for Winds concert
Wilshire Winds will present a concert of sacred and secular music on Sunday, June 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Shana Gaines directs the volunteer group of brass, woodwind and percussion players.
North elevator update
The Building, Interior and Grounds Committee has selected a vendor to replace the aging north elevator. Work should begin soon and will take approximately six months. We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your continued patience during this time.
Free yoga classes
Wilshire member Mary Lu Hare will lead free yoga class in the Youth Center on three Saturdays: March 15, April 19 and May 17. The one-hour sessions will start at 10 a.m. and are suitable for all experience levels. Bring a yoga mat, water and a friend.
Volunteer opportunity at WRCH
Wilshire is assembling a team of 20 volunteers for White Rock Center of Hope’s food distribution on Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to noon. To sign up, visit bit.ly/4ilg7n8 or contact Abbey Adcox
(aadcox@wilshirebc.org).
Sign up for May 14 Blood Drive
Carter BloodCare will be at Wilshire for a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14. There is a critical need for several blood types, including A+, A-, O+, O- and B-. Walk-ins are welcome; appointments are recommended. Make an appointment.
Adventurers to Audubon Center
The Wilshire Adventurers will visit the Trinity River Audubon Center on Thursday, May 22. Wilshire’s own Grady Hinton will serve as guide to the birds and wildflowers that can be seen from the center’s walkable trails. The group will meet at Wilshire at 8:30 a.m. to carpool. The event is free, but registration is required. Visit wilshirebc.org/events/audubon.
WSM Youth Camp
June 30–July 5 | Register at wilshirebc.org/events/youth-camp-2025
It’s time to sign up for Wilshire Student Ministry’s best week of the year. The group will again travel to Ferncliff Camp near Little Rock, Arkansas, which provides great lodging, meeting space and recreation — hiking, nature trails, a swimming pool, lake activities, disc golf, sand volleyball and more. Mix in great adult leaders and good friends and you have everything you need for a fun, meaningful week. We’re excited to welcome back Jared Jaggers as camp pastor. Jared is a former Wilshire pastoral resident and intern now serving on staff at the American International Church in London.
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Summer 2025 — Children and Preschool
Save the dates for these Children’s and Preschool summer events. Registration is open>
• Vacation Bible School | June 9–13 | 9 a.m.–noon. | Older preschool–grade 5
• Cooking Camp | July 7–11 | 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Grades 1–5
• Listen to Your Art! | July 7–11 | 12:30–5 p.m. | Grades 1–5
• Full-day Cooking and Art available for grades 2–5
• Kindergarten & Preschool Camp | July 7–11 | 9 a.m.–noon | Older preschool–Kindergarten
• Passport Kids! Preteen Camp | July 20–23 | Overnight camp in Glen Rose, Texas for grades 3–5
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Lunch & Learn
All are invited to Community Hall the first and third Wednesdays every month at 11:30 a.m. for lunch ($10 ea.) and Bible study. See the spring schedule at wilshirebc.org/events/lunch-learn.
Men’s Book Club
The Men’s Book Club will discuss Scott Spreier’s novel Resurrecting St. John the Rancher on Tuesday, April 20, at 7 p.m. in the Parlor. Contact: Mike Meripolski or Scott Spreier.
Women of Wilshire
■ Tuesday Evening Book Club | May 13 | 6:30 p.m. | Parlor | The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. Contact Debby Burton.
■ Brown Bag Book Club | June 5 | Noon | 1205-L | Lulu Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller. Contact Carolyn Murray.
■ Evening knitting group. Anyone who enjoys knitting is invited to Peggy Tinsley’s Garland home one evening each month, usually the third Thursday, to work on their projects in fellowship with others. The group is open to knitters of all skill levels. Contact Sara Tinsley for more details.
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.