Strategic Service Teams: SST’s are volunteers gathered together to serve within and outside the church. Volunteers are vital to Vail Christian and we look to them to facilitate environments and potentially lead people in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Contact tim@vailchristian.com or ben@vailchristian.com for more information. You can also visit the Strategic Service Team page on our website at www.vailchristian.com.

Super Sign-Up Sunday: May 6
This is the first Sunday that summer event registrations will be accepted. Be sure to get your child registered for all of our summer fun ­ Sign up on May 6 at our summer camp table. We will have prizes for any child or student that registers on this Sunday. For more information about Super Sign-Up Sunday or any of the events listed below please contact julie@vailchristian.com.

Promotion Sunday is May 27! All children and students will transition to their new class this Sunday based on the grade they will enter in the fall. More information to come!

Pre-School:

Day Camp – Adventure into Egypt  
May 30 – June 1 · 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Empire High School · Ages: 3-5 yrs old
Cost: $20 · Register by May 27

Elementary:

Day Trip – Divin’ In (Breakers Water Park)
Tuesday, May 29 · 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Ages: Kinder – 5th grade students
Cost: $15 · Register by May 27

UCYC - Kids Camp
June 3 - 6 · Ages: Incoming 3rd and 4th grade students · Cost: $159 · Register by May 27

UCYC - Junior Camp
June 10 - 15 · Ages: Incoming 4th and 5th grade students · Cost: $259 · Register by May 27

Day Camp - Cross Crusaders
July 2 - 6 · 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Cost: $55 · Register by June 17

Middle School

Day Trip - The Plunge
Castles 'n Coasters in Phoenix
June 1 · 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. · Cost: $15
Register by May 27

UCYC - June 17 - 22
Cost: $259 · Register by May 27

Day Camp - The Roster
July 9 - 13 · 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Cost: $55 · Register by June 17

High School

BBQ – Freshmen Welcome Party
Friday, May 25 · 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Night Camp - Enigmata
June 7 - 9 · 5:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Cost: $35 · Register by May 27

CIY Summer Conference - ONES
June 24 - 30 · Cost: $359
Register by May 27

Check out what Ross Myrehn and the VCC motorcycle community group have been up to.

Ross said, “Our last ride was as an escort for the bicyclists participating in the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure on March 10.  Our job was to escort the riders, check on them periodically and make sure that someone was there if any of the bicyclists got into trouble.  We had a great time and everyone made it back to the finish line.  The bicycle riders commented that "the motorcyclists looked like they were having more fun than the bicyclists," and I think they were right!

“I have been very busy organizing the fourth annual Ride for Ryan which will take place April 20-23, 2007.  This is a ride that I started in 2003 to commemorate my nephew, Ryan Devereaux who was killed in a drunk driving accident in December of 2002.  All proceeds from this ride benefit Mothers Against Drunk Drivers.  This year we have 85 motorcyclists registered and have set up DPS officer motorcycle escorts through Phoenix.  They will be escorting us to the MADD "Strides for Change" opening ceremonies at the Phoenix Zoo on Saturday where we will be riding in the event.  We will then be escorted to the Rock N R Ranch for a three-hour rally complete with catered breakfast and door prizes.  After that, we will ride through Slat River Canyon, Show Low, Winslow (to stand on the corner) and spend Saturday night in Flagstaff.  Sunday we will ride up to the Grand Canyon, back down to Flagstaff, through Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, Jerome and spend Sunday night in Prescott at the historic St. Michael Hotel.  This is going to be a lot of fun, AND for a worthy cause.  The RFR web site is www.rideforryan.net.”

If you would like information about getting involved with the VCC motorcycle community group or any other community group contact tim@vailchristian.com.

One of the most exciting Sundays we have had at Vail Christian Church took place on Palm Sunday 2007. Mark Davis baptized his wife Lysa.

Mike Vatthauer was also baptized and then baptized his wife Noemi. Together Mike and Noemi baptized their daughter Sidney.  What an awesome day of celebration and proclaiming the gospel of Christ. If you would like information about being baptized please contact tim@vailchristian.com. 

2 Timothy 4:12 says, “Do not let anyone think less of you because you are young.  Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”  At Vail Christian Church we are empowering our young people to rise up and make a difference in the lives of people living in Zimbabwe, Africa.  Our children have gave over $100 in the last two weeks, which will buy a goat for a family in Limpopo.  One goat can change a family’s life; it nourishes a family with fresh milk, cheese, and yogurt, and can offer a much-needed income boost by providing offspring and extra dairy products for sale at the market.  Our children are excited to continue putting their tithes towards buying goats and various other projects identified by World Vision for the area of Limpopo.

Also, our students will engage in a summer series about battling the AIDS pandemic and participating in our church’s partnership with World Vision and Africa.  Together we will discover how blessed we are and how we can use the blessings God has given us to bless others.  Each small group will buy the supplies for and make a care package to send to World Vision caretakers to help provide for those suffering from AIDS in Limpopo.  Another specific project we will engage in is called the 30 Hour Famine.  From 12 p.m. on Friday, August 24th until 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 25th we will fast as a youth group.  Students will be encouraged to donate any money they would have spent on food during those two days to World Vision’s Starve Hunger program.  $30 feeds a starving child for 30 days.

The goal of these projects is that we would not only donate money or time but also experience together tragedies that many around the world face everyday and be motivated to change them; I believe God will work powerfully in our hearts as we rely on Him and lift up all those who are without food and sick.


julie biagi
director of students & children

Trailhead: Begin the Journey - June 3 - Trailhead is where the VCC adventure begins. This class will walk you through our core values, our vision, our mission, and perhaps most importantly: opportunities for you to join the journey. Visit the kiosk in the courtyard or email tim@vailchristian.com for more information.

Mother’s Day – Please join us on May 13 as our children present a special tribute to their mothers.

Last Monday of every Month: VCC Women's Book Club Contact Linda at lpitney@carf.org. Upcoming readings:
• May 21 The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers
• June 25 Watching the Tree Limbs by Mary E. Demuth

Tutoring: This is an opportunity for high school students to receive free small group and one-on-one tutoring. Tutoring for all levels of mathematics, physics and Spanish is available. Meets in the Empire High School Media Center every Tuesday from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. For more information, or if you are interested in tutoring, contact Tyler Vogt at jvogt88772@aol.com.

If you are interested in starting or joining a Community Group, or if you just want some more information, contact Tim Sheaffer at tim@vailchristian.com or Trent Schlecht at tanks@cox.net. You can also visit the Community Group page on our website at www.vailchristian.com.

project one sixty eight

Project 168 is a challenge for the VCC community to pray. There are one hundred and sixty eight hours in every week – Project 168 calls the members of the VCC community to pray during one of those one hundred and sixty eight hours every week.

• What do you consider basic to living as God wants you to? (Example: caring for those in need, praying and reading the Bible, caring for family members).
• Think back over the last month or look at your calendar. How many activities that you engaged in reflect the values you listed in answer to the question above?
• Ask God to reveal to you what you have given the most time over too this last month. Does that reflect what you consider most important in life? Pray through these things.
• Ask God for one thing you can do in this month to strengthen each of your primary relationships. Pray for one neighbor in the area you live. Ask the Lord for an opportunity to connect with that neighbor.
  
  

Congratulations, graduates! Nason was home-schooled and officially finished up his high school studies last spring. During this last year, he began taking a few classes at Pima Community College. Nason was an active member of our high school youth group as well as a leader in the children's arena, the youth band and the tech team. He plans to continue his studies at Pima in the fall and major in Computer Systems Administrations/Networking. Nason hopes to be a Network technician or an administrator for a small network. He enjoys playing paintball, sport shooting, playing guitar, working on computers and writing poems, music and short stories.

Rachel will graduate from Cienega High School and plans to attend the University of Arizona in the fall. She is currently undecided about her major, but is interested in one day working in ministry. Rachel enjoys theatre, music and guitar and was an officer in the Thespian Society at her school. She is a singer in our church youth band and plans to be a middle school youth coach after graduation. Rachel works at Café Bonita and has also volunteered in the church office, working on worship pieces, database projects and children's ministry mailings.

Congratulations Tim Sheaffer! After three years of study, Tim, our Connection Pastor, will graduate with his Master's Degree in Ministry on May 19th. Tim earned his undergrad degree in Psychology from Northern Arizona University in 2002. He looks forward to having more time to spend with his family, go mountain biking and four-wheeling, and reading books that are not required for school. Tim is passionate about learning and plans to pursue future educational adventures, such as earning his pilot's license.

julie biagi
director of students & children