What's going on at Church of the Cross?  Check out the following headlines primarily adapted from The Reporter, our monthly newsletter.  For news about our United Methodist Youth Fellowship, see this month's Youth activities page.

• Vacation Bible School is here

VBS this year will be held from Monday, June 18, to Friday, June 22, starting at 6:15 p.m. and ending at 8:45. Our theme, Avalanche Ranch, will provide fun, memorable Bible-learning activities for kids of all ages. Each day kids will sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, nibble Chuck Wagon Chow, take on a Daily Challenge to let God’s love grow into their homes, experience electrifying Bible Adventures, and create Bible Point Crafts they’ll take home to remind them of God’s word. The children will reflect on their week by performing at our 9:30 a.m. service on Sunday, June 24.

• Missionary Noemi Caiazzo to speak on June 10

Noemi is in charge of two feeding centers in the mountains north of Managua, giving 230 needy children a hot meal three times a week. Dr. Gary Nicholson from our church has worked at her free medical clinic which provides health care for struggling families. Dr. Nicholson describes Noemi as a dynamic Christian woman with a powerful testimony.

• Tour the Holy Land in 2008

Our trip to Israel has been finalized. We will go on the Holy Land via Jordan 2008 tour which includes the lost city of Petra. Our ten day Holy Land trip begins on February 17, 2008. The total cost per person based on double occupancy from Dayton is $2658. An additional $375 is charged for a single room. Payment is due 90 days before the trip begins.

You may register online at www.eo.travelwithus.com. The deposit is $250 per person. Be sure to list John Charles Whitaker as your host; his Tour Host Identification Number is 50821.  Next year in Jerusalem!

• Praise Team to learn from visiting worship guide

The weekend of June 15-17 will be an exciting one for the Contemporary Worship Praise Team. The team will enjoy a time of renewal at Charles Williams’ farm house as well as a time of learning. Nashville guitarist and worship clinician Steve Krenz will travel to Dayton to work with the team on worship team dynamics and worship leading skills. Mark your calendar for Sunday, June 17, as Steve will help lead worship with the team and provide special music.

• Spring and summer clean-up days

The Trustees want to thank all those who helped out on May 12 to maintain and beautify our church.  Many thanks go to Bud and Pam Dean, Sue Bryan, Helen Beason, Cathy Jenkins, Carol Carter, and especially Sam Leathley.

The next planned work days will be on Friday, June 15, starting at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 16, starting at 8:00 a.m.

• Music volunteers needed for the summer

It is time once again to think about Summer Specials. Everyone is invited to share their special gifts with the congregation this summer at either or both services….your church needs YOU! Whether you sing, play an instrument, dance, act, write poetry – whatever your gift, we would love for you to share it with us. Just contact Sarah Miller or Phyllis Combs (or leave a message in the office) and let us know which Sundays during the summer are good for you. We will plug you in!

• Youth Director heading to Russia

In addition to leading our Youth in mission trips to Logan, Ohio, and Almont, Tennessee, this summer, Dan Craig will be going on a mission trip to Russia.  Our Youth Director will be applying his expertise in summer camps to help the Methodist church in Russia start a summer camping program.

To see a year's worth of archives of this page, visit our Old news page.