Christopher Mack of Austin preaches Aug. 6
Christopher Mack is our guest preacher for Aug. 6, subbing for Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples, who is on vacation. Mack has served since 2021 as pastor of community and teaching at Vox Veniae in Austin. He describes himself as being “on a journey of decolonizing religion, race and sexuality through a lens of love, liberation and nonviolence.” Before joining Vox Veniae, Mack was minister to young adults at Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio. He currently sits on the board of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Texas, and previously served on CBF’s Nominating Committee and Discovery Team. He graduated from Baylor University’s Truett Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree in 2008. A self-proclaimed “craft coffee connoisseur, enneagram facilitator, musical theater novice and film aficionado,” Mack was born and raised in Austin, where he received his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas with a dual major in psychology and history.
Joan Hammons to be honored Aug. 13
Minister to Preschoolers Joan Hammons will be honored during worship on Sunday, Aug. 13, as she retires from Wilshire’s staff after 16 years. Following worship, a reception will be held for Joan and her husband, David, in James Gallery. David will be leaving his longtime role as a key member of Wilshire’s video ministry team.
Promotion Sunday features BBQ lunch
Wilshire will celebrate the end of summer and kick off a new school year with Promotion Sunday on Aug. 20. Preschoolers, children and youth will move to new Sunday School classes, and it’s also a great day for adults to try a new class or try Sunday School for the first time.
Everyone is invited to stay after worship that day for a churchwide BBQ lunch in Community Hall. The western-themed event will include a special performance by the Lake Highlands High School Wildcat Wranglers country-western dance and stunt team. If you’ve never seen this group and their flying, twirling choreography, you’re in for a real Texas treat. The Wranglers will have a place in their routine for our Wilshire kids to participate, so bring the whole family! Cost for the meal is $10 per adult, $5 for kids ages 4 to 9 and free for 3 and under. No reservation required. Cash/check/credit accepted at the door. Western wear is optional.
Timothy leads Bible Study as Wednesday Night Live resumes Aug. 23
Koinonia Café
5 – 6 p.m. | Community Hall | Buffet-style dinner for the whole family, with kid-friendly options available. Cash/check/credit card 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.
Music, Missions & More
6 – 7 p.m. | Age 3 – Pre-K | Preschool choir, plus fun activities and lessons focused on God’s love and caring for others.
KidConnect
6 – 7 p.m. | K – Grade 6 | KidConnect features a rotation of activities to help kids learn how to love God and others with every part of themselves. Each week is different, with activities including art, music, recreation, science, puppets and cooking.
Bible Study
6 – 7 p.m. | McIver Chapel | Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples and other ministers will lead a time of Bible study at 6 p.m. in McIver Chapel this fall. Timothy will kick things off with a six-week series, Love in the Hebrew Bible.
Also on Wednesday nights
■ Watershed | 6:30 p.m. | Wilshire Student Ministry’s time of weekly Bible study in the Youth Center.
■ Sanctuary Choir | 7 p.m. | Wilshire’s main adult choir rehearses weekly in choral hall. New singers welcome. No audition.
Childcare for infants to 2-year-olds whose parents are involved in church activities is offered 6 – 7:15 p.m.
Lunch & Learn is now twice a month
Beginning Sept. 6, Lunch & Learn will be offered on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 11:30 a.m. in Community Hall. The first Wednesday each month will feature a speaker or entertainment, and the third Wednesday will feature Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples leading a time of Bible study. Open to everyone. Lunch costs $10 per person. No reservation needed. Contact: Barbara Clayton (bclayton@wilshirebc.org).
Blessing of the Backpacks: Sunday, Aug. 13 during worship
The annual Blessing of the Backpacks will be held during worship on Sunday, Aug. 13. Children are encouraged to bring their backpacks or school bags to church, and during the service they will be invited to the front of the Sanctuary to receive a blessing for themselves, their teachers and parents as the new school year begins.
Back to School Drive for Spring Valley Elementary
There’s one week left in our Back to School Drive for the RISD school where our own Shana Gaines is assistant principal. Needed items are listed below, and handwritten notes for faculty are also welcome. Bring items to bins near the church office and north entrance, or use an Amazon wishlist; scan code or see wilshirebc.org/registration.
Nonperishable food items
■ Peanut butter
■ Canned tuna or chicken breast
■ Canned soups
■ Rice-a-Roni
■ Microwaveable mac & cheese
Hygiene items and school supplies:
■ Deodorant
■ Toothbrushes
■ Toothpaste
■ Wet wipes
■ Bar soap
■ Post-It notes
■ Hand sanitizer
■ Expo markers
■ Glue sticks
■ Ticonderoga pencils
Uniforms
■ New underwear (esp. sizes 4-6) and socks
■ Navy or khaki pants
■ Green, navy or white polo shirts and
sweaters (Junior sizes, esp. pants and tops)
Gen Alpha Goes to Church: Fall kickoff for children’s parents, teachers and volunteers
Children’s spirituality will be explored at a special fall kickoff event for children’s and preschool parents, teachers and volunteers on Wednesday, Aug. 16, from 6 to 7:45 p.m. in Community Hall. The evening’s main speaker will be Robin Turner, director of family ministries at All Saints Church in Dallas and the co-editor of Children’s Ministry and the Spiritual Child. Cameron Mason Vickrey will also be on hand to share about the new children’s book she co-wrote with Victoria Robb Powers, My Love, God Is Everywhere. Cameron will have copies of the book to give away, sell and sign. Dinner will be served and is free for ministry leaders. Register at wilshirebc.org/registration by Aug. 9. Childcare provided by reservation.
New around here?
■ The Wilshire Welcome class, which helps guests and new members learn what the church is all about, will next meet on Aug. 20 at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Room near McIver Chapel.
■ Time with Tim is an informal chance for guests and new members to meet and visit with Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples. The next session will be held Sunday, Sept. 17, at 9:45 a.m. in Timothy’s office (Room 2203, second floor).
■ Questions about the above events? Contact Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.
Adventurers Trivia Night, Aug. 14
Show off your smarts and compete for bragging rights and prizes at the Wilshire Adventurers Dessert & Trivia Night on Monday, Aug. 14, at 6:30 p.m. in Community Hall. Sam Tinsley will serve as host, and cobbler and ice cream will be served. Cost: $5 per person. No RSVP necessary. Contact: Barbara Clayton (bclayton@wilshirebc.org).
Children’s and Youth Choirs resume Aug. 27
■ Children’s Choirs for Kindergarten through grade 6 will resume rehearsals after worship on Sunday, Aug. 27. The kids will enjoy a free snack lunch in Room 2221 before choirs meet from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m.
■ Youth Choir, for all students in grades 7–12, also resumes Aug. 27. Students will eat a free snack lunch in the Youth Center before heading to Choral Hall. Youth Choir rehearsal starts at 12:30 p.m. and ends at 1:30.
New monthly service opportunity at Wilkinson Center
Wilshire member Cindy Estee is coordinating volunteers to serve as food pantry assistants at the Wilkinson Center on the third Tuesday of each month from noon to 3:45 p.m. Wilkinson’s food pantry serves all ages in all stages: kids, single moms, fathers trying to support their families and seniors on a fixed income. Assistants greet and help clients, restock shelves and pack food boxes. Volunteers do not need to serve every month. If you are interested, contact Cindy at cesteedallas@aol.com. She will reach out monthly to confirm our team of four to six. Our first date of service is Tuesday, Aug. 15. The food pantry is located at 3402 N. Buckner Blvd.
Friday Friends seeks volunteers
Friday Friends will resume on Aug. 25 and is seeking volunteers. The ministry provides a twice-monthly time of respite for caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Friday Friends meets at Wilshire the second and fourth Fridays every month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes activities followed by lunch. No special skills or experience are needed to volunteer. To learn more about volunteering or participating in Friday Friends, contact coordinator Marilyn Morgan at 214-662-9451 or jakermo@gmail.com.
WOW Fall Study looks at Psalms
Women of Wilshire are invited to study Sandra McCracken’s Exploring the Psalms on six Monday evenings this fall. The video series provides a fresh take on the Psalms via reflections and music from McCracken, a prolific songwriter and author. Study materials will be provided. Sessions will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Joannah DeMent. Dates are Sept. 11 and 25; Oct. 9 and 23; and Nov. 6 and 27. Please register at wilshirebc.org/registration.
Let’s play mahjong!
Join other Women of Wilshire for mahjong on the first Friday of each month at 10 a.m. or the second Wednesday at 6 p.m. The next session is Wednesday, Aug. 9. All skill levels are welcome. Room 1205-L. Please sign up so we’ll know how many to prepare for. Visit wilshirebc.org/registration for a SignUpGenius link.
Women of Wilshire book clubs
■ The WOW Tuesday Evening Book Club meets monthly at 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor. On Aug. 15, the group will discuss Ernest Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast. Contact: Debby Burton (dburton@wilshirebc.org)
■ The WOW Brown Bag Book Club meets one Thursday a month at noon in Room 1205-L.
On Sept. 7, the group will discuss Horse by Geraldine Brooks. Contact: Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)
Blood drive is Aug. 30
Carter BloodCare will be at Wilshire for a blood drive on Wednesday, Aug. 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Carter is still feeling the effects of a decrease in donations during the pandemic. Walk-ups are welcome, but appointments are recommended. Make an appointment: https://ww3.greatpartners.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/137985.Contact: Linda Garner (lgarner@wilshirebc.org)
Compassion & Justice Conference
Fellowship Southwest will present a Compassion & Justice Conference on Friday, Sept. 8 and Saturday, Sept. 9 at Life in Deep Ellum. Eugene Cho, Kaitlin Curtice, Alexia Salvatierra and Jemar Tisby will speak, and topics will include hunger, indigenous rights, immigration and racial justice. The $99 fee includes all plenary sessions plus two of four workshops, lunch on Friday and a T-shirt. Learn more and register at fellowshipsouthwest.org.