Unified Budget Update
YTD Budget: $2,639,619
YTD Income: $2,033,810 ($312,128 short of expenses)
YTD Expenses: $2,345,938
Pathways Endowment YTD gifts: $33,325
Pathways Endowment August balance: $10,249,456
Ordination service
Andrew Bowles will be ordained to the gospel ministry in a service at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15, in McIver Chapel. Andrew, who participates with Wilshire online, holds a Master of Divinity from Baylor’s Truett Seminary and is a chaplain at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Documentary screening
Faith Commons will present the documentary Bad Faith followed by a panel discussion on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 6 p.m. at SMU’s Dedman School of Law. The film explores Christian Nationalism, and the panel will include journalist Anne Nelson, Tennessee Rep. Justin Jones and Nancy Kasten of Faith Commons. The event is free. Reserve a spot at tinyurl.com/ye2h3kjj.
Friday night service open to all
Wilshire is hosting a worship service on Friday, Sept. 20, at 7:30 p.m. as part of Fellowship Southwest’s Compassion + Justice Conference. You are welcome at the service even if you don’t attend the conference, which is being held Sept. 20 and 21 at Life in Deep Ellum. Learn more at fellowshipsouthwest.org/conference-2024.
For new members and guests
Wilshire Welcome, a one-hour session to help guests and new members learn more about the church, will meet Sunday, Sept. 22, at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room near the chapel. Contact: Carolyn Murray
Deacon nominations
The Deacon Nominating Committee asks Wilshire members to submit names of persons to be considered for deacon service. Learn more and submit nominations >
Committee nominations
Committee on Committees is working to nominate members for 2025 committees. If you are not currently on a committee and are interested in volunteering yourself or suggesting someone for consideration, please complete our online form. All names received will be considered and evaluated against current committee openings and needs. The Committee on Committees’ final report will be presented at January’s Annual Church Conference for approval. Questions? Contact Carolyn Murray.
Spiritual formation coordinator sought
Wilshire is hiring for the role of spiritual formation coordinator. Learn more >
Lunch & Learn is Sept. 18
All are invited the first and third Wednesdays every month for a buffet lunch ($10 ea.) and minister-led Bible study. No RSVP necessary. On Sept. 18, Associate Pastor Darren DeMent will cover the topic “Samuel: Judge of Prophecy,” based on 1 Samuel 1–12. See schedule of teachers and topics >
Adventurers Fall Kickoff: Sept. 24
James Gallery and the Prayer Garden will be transformed into a state fair for the Wilshire Adventurers’ Fall Kickoff on Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Enjoy midway games, blue ribbon-worthy submissions from your favorite Wilshire artisans, free fair food (corn dogs!) and information about fall Adventurers events. Adventurers is a fellowship group for those 60 and up.
Adventurers travel survey
Wilshire Adventurers is committed to friendship, belonging and helping people live life fully through serving, learning and exploring together. As they begin planning for 2025, your input is needed on opportunities to travel together as a group. Please consider filling out the online survey, even if you have never been on an Adventurers trip. Your feedback will be beneficial as the group plans opportunities that align with the needs, passions and interests of our congregation.
New Song Community Choir
Are you passionate about singing? Do you love making music with others? Try New Song Community Choir. This no-audition senior adult choir welcomes everyone, regardless of musical experience. Their repertoire includes secular, gospel, spirituals and hymn arrangements, and the group performs at venues in the community. Rehearsals are held Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in Choral Hall. To learn more, contact Director Sarah Stafford at 214-232-9212 or visit newsongchoir.org.
Audition for Faith in 3D
Wilshire’s Faith in 3D initiative is creating an original vignette-styled musical for its 2025 production and will hold auditions on Tuesday, Sept. 24. In Songs and Stories will feature a compilation of songs, predominantly from Broadway musicals, that will not only entertain but also stimulate discussion. The show will be performed at Wilshire on Wednesday, March 26, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, March 29, at 2:30 p.m. The cast will consist of soloists and storytellers, with everyone as part of the chorus.
■ To register your interest in auditioning, complete the form at wilshirebc.org/faith-in-3d-auditions by Monday, Sept. 16.
Library closed, help needed
The Library’s main location on the first floor is temporarily closed for renovation (read more). The book racks on the third floor and near the Preschool Hall, both with self-checkout, are operational.
■ The Library could use volunteers to help dismantle its old shelves on Saturday, Sept. 21. Reach out to Librarian Barbara Peterson if you can help.
Wednesday Night Live — Sept. 18
■ Koinonia Café | 5 p.m. | Community Hall | Buffet dinner with kid-friendly options. Cash/check/credit accepted. Prices at wilshirebc.org/events/wnl. Sept. 18: Chili bar: Beef or vegetarian chili with onions, cheese and Fritos; cornbread; salad; desserts. Kids: Corn dogs and chips.
■ 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. Activities include art, music, recreation and more. Kindergartners will have choir as part of KidConnect.
■ Bible Study: Children’s Stories All Grown Up | 6 p.m. | Community Hall | Have you encountered a Bible story from childhood and thought, “This doesn’t sound the same as an adult”? Have you wondered what the story of Jonah and the whale really means, or why there are two Noah’s ark stories? In this series, Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples and our residents will help us confront these stories with fresh eyes and see them as the cautionary tales they were intended to be, not the tamed down happily-ever-afters we were first taught.
■ 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 | New singers are always welcome. No audition.
■ Wednesdays coming up | Sept. 25: Vespers in McIver Chapel. | Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23: As the “Children’s Stories” series continues, Associate Pastor Heather Mustain will also lead a series on navigating an election year.
WNL: Virtual Edition on Oct. 9
Those who engage with Wilshire primarily online are invited to a minister-led Zoom discussion on Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. Central. The Zoom link will be posted at wilshirebc.org/events/wnl-virtual closer to the event.
Puerto Rico trip planned
Wilshire is planning a mission trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, from Feb. 22 to 28, 2025. This will be our third straight year to serve in San Juan in partnership with First Baptist Church of Rio Piedras. If you’re interested in going or have questions, contact Abbey Adcox.
Men’s Book Club
Wilshire’s Men’s Book Club will discuss “The Guest,” an Albert Camus short story, on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. in the Parlor. The group meets the third Tuesday each month. Contact: Mike Meripolski or Scott Spreier.
Women of Wilshire
■ WOW Tuesday Evening Book Club | Oct. 8 | 6 p.m. | Parlor | Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. Contact Debby Burton.
■ WOW Brown Bag Book Club | Oct. 3 | Noon | 1205-L | Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes. Contact Carolyn Murray.
■ Let’s play mahjong! Join Women of Wilshire for mahjong the first Friday each month at 10 a.m. and the second Wednesday each month at 6 p.m. Please sign up.
■ 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.
Poetry workshop in September
Wilshire member and retired English professor Jerry McElveen will lead “Poetry: How to Read and Write This Stuff,” a two-part workshop on Wednesdays, Sept. 11 and 18, at 6 p.m. in Room 1205-G. Come prepared to have an informative and fun time as Jerry pulls back the curtain on this sometimes mysterious and magical form of human expression. “You will learn something,” Jerry says, “and there will be no tests.”
CenterPeace conference
Wilshire will host the 2024 CenterPeace Conference, a warm-hearted gathering of LGBTQ+ Christians, their churches and families, from Thursday, Oct. 24, through Saturday, Oct. 26. The conference will feature a range of speakers, worship leaders and storytellers exploring topics related to faith and sexuality. Wilshire’s George Mason will lead a pre-conference workshop for pastors and church leaders, and there will also be a post-conference workshop for parents of LGBTQ+ individuals. Wilshire member Sally Gary is executive director of Center Peace. Learn more and register.
Front desk volunteers needed
We are looking for a few volunteers to help in the main office weekly or on a rotational basis. Sunday morning volunteers are needed from 9 to 11 a.m. to greet and assist people and connect them to the appropriate staff member when needed. Volunteers are also needed on Tuesdays from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Contact Geri McKenzie to volunteer or learn more.
Register for Children and the Enneagram
Parents, grandparents, teachers and anyone else who works with children will benefit from a special seminar at Wilshire on Saturday, Nov. 2. Guest speakers Joey and Billy Schewee of the @enneagramparents Instagram account will lead us in exploring how your Enneagram type and that of children in your care inform our engagement and relationships. Prior Enneagram knowledge is not required. The seminar will be held in Community Hall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A $10 per-person cost will cover lunch and snacks. Learn more and register at wilshirebc.org/events/children-enneagram.
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.
Chronic illness support group
Wilshire’s support group for those experiencing a chronic or undiagnosed illness meets on Zoom the second and fourth Tuesdays every month at 7:30 p.m. To learn more, contact group leader Annette Miller.