Shared Youth Ministry

First, I would like to confirm our gathering date for parents/youth/volunteers to have a fun evening and a way to meet in person.

Invitation details: Udall Rec Center Family Night Location: Morris K. Udall Recreation Center (7200 E Tanque Verde Rd)

Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025

Time: 7:00 – 8:00 PM The purpose is to bring families, youth, and volunteers together for a fun and active evening, building friendships and com-munity.

This is an excellent chance for parents, guardians, youth, volunteers, and leaders to spend time together outside school and church. Enjoy (optional) billiards, basketball, racquetball, fitness, and more while connecting with others. Don’t miss it!

Updates & Upcoming Events March 16: No youth group March 23 (this Sunday): Echo the Story, Large Group Discussion. (Faith Formation and Belonging). We will gather at St. Paul’s UMC and discuss one story from the curriculum we are using for Sunday School. Before and after the lesson, we will also have fun with optional games in the Gym and Loft.

Time: 4:00–5:30 PM.

March 30: A hike/walk to Sabino Canyon is being confirmed (after confirmation class). It will be led by Phillip Bentley, a volunteer and local expert guide. More details soon.

April 6: Lenten reflection & prayer night –As we get closer to Easter, youth will gather for prayer and reflection on Jesus’ journey to the cross. We will think about what Holy Week means for us today through scripture, discussion, and a simple activity.

April 13: We will be attending St Marks UMC event called “CLUE IRL,” which is a live-action mystery game where youth work together to solve a whodunit challenge, uncovering who did it, where, and with what—bringing the classic Clue board game to life. We will meet at 1:15 pm to leave together.

The event starts at 2 pm there. We invite youth from all three churches to join the Desert Skies praise band for the April 20th Easter Sunday service at 9:00 a.m. (with rehearsals on April 12th and 19th at 2:30 p.m.). If your teenager may be interested, please reach out for more information! April 18th (Good Friday): Potential Service Project, working on plans and confirmations with Gospel Rescue Mission. We have volunteer credentials already. 

April 27th: Pool gathering at Highland Vista Park from 4-6 PM for youth to swim, relax, and have fun together. A Christ Church member has invited us to use this community pool with a volleyball court for extra activities. 

Other upcoming events to keep on your radar: Camping 101 (24 hours) at the end of May and a potential Mission trip (3-4 days) in June (in Flagstaff, AZ). More details will come in the following weeks. Sunday School Curriculum: The curriculum we got is called Echo 36: The Story. The sessions will be taught in Sunday School and once a month during the youth group gatherings for better discussions. Also, at Desert Skies, it is being dis-cussed (Pastor Brooke, Fred, Connie, and other leaders) that we have Sunday School twice a month, either during worship or at a different time. At St. Paul’s, we will have Sunday School during the 9:30 service. 

Parents, encourage your teenagers to join us for Sunday School! We have great material, and each student will have their sketch journal. At Christ Church, we are still looking for volunteers, but Luis is planning to lead Sunday School there once a month. Would you like to participate in Sunday School classes as a parent, guardian, or grandpar-ent? Perspective and expertise are critical. You are needed—our youth need your wisdom and teaching skills! The com-mitment is just once every six weeks. Confirmation Classes (roster closed, update only): Session 3 (March 30, 2025): What is a Christian? Faith and Identi-ty. Session 4 (April 27, 2025): Live Your Commitment – The Vows of Membership Confirmation Sunday: May 11 and 18, 2025 – Youth will be confirmed at their home church. Weekly, we will update you on these events. Feel free to ask questions about your teenager’s participation. Note for Par-ents/Grandparents: If you’d like to receive text notifications and reminders about youth events in addition to emails, please register or join our class on Remind. Just click the link to join instantly: 

God’s Beauty Oil Painting Classes at BOTH Campuses!

Facilitator: Lorna Niven

***Please Note: Supplies are included!*** 

Houghton Campus-All are welcomed to join us on Tuesday afternoons from 1:30 pm—3:30 pm in room # 5 & 6. Please sign up by calling the church office (520-749-0521). 

Vail Campus-All are welcomed to discover your talents and enjoy fellowship together! The next oil painting class is THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6th from 1:00 pm –3:00 pm at the Esmond Station Library in Vail, located at 10931 E Mary Ann Cleveland Way. Please sign up by calling the church office (520-749-0521).

***MAKE NOTE OF THE CHANGE IN DATE*** 

Primavera/Helping Hands

If you are willing to donate food items for the Primavera Sandwich Program (Helping Hands) please contact Bev Bly for food items needed. Helping Hands packs once a month on the sec-ond Tuesday of each month at 9:00 am in the Kitchen at our Houghton Campus. ALL are welcome to come out and help. Thank you!

CALLING FOR PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY SANDWICHES-Missions/Social Concerns delivers supplies and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to Casa Maria Soup Kitchen. The soup kitchen provides about 400 sack lunches a day, each including one PBJ and one meat sandwich. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches freeze well and can be made ahead of time.

There is a freezer in the Fellowship Hall kitchen with designated space for these sandwiches and also hot dogs for the soup kitchen. We are asking our Desert Skies family for help in providing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. PB&J sandwiches can be made and placed in the freezer in Fellowship Hall at any time during the church office work week (Monday ~ Thursday: 9 am ~ 3 pm). 

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