Don your Sherlock Holmes cap and get out your magnifying glass to solve the case of “The Reading Of Aunt Louise’s Will.”  Several relatives have been invited to dinner for the reading of the will.  Many in this eccentric family hope to gain, but have much to lose if Aunt Louise hasn’t been generous to them.  Please, mark your calendars for this fun evening which will be hosted by our youth group to help fundraise for their summer Mexico Service Project.  Tickets will go on sale soon!  Don’t miss it.

Vista’s newcomer’s group, called Genesis, will gather on March 22nd to enjoy lunch at the Gallery at Dove Mountain.  We’ll come together at 12 Noon for food , fun and fellowship at this well-known restaurant in a beautiful mountain setting.  All who are new to the Vista community within the past year are welcome!  Please call Joanne Thomas at 825-3017 to reserve your spot!  We’d like to have your reservation by March 19th!

Our youth will present a delicious and appetizing breakfast for our Sunrise Service crowd and any early risers on Easter morning.  The youth will be serving right after the service is over until 8:30 am that morning.  All proceeds will help support the youth in their summer Mexico Mission Project in which they will build a house for a needy family.

In February, we celebrated Scout Sunday to support the Scouts that meet at Vista.  On Monday nights, you can see our cub scouts running around for their den and pack meetings.  On Tuesday nights our Boy Scouts meet here.  Rev. Matt Colby, who happens to be the den leader for the Wolf Den, says Scouting continues to be important for family life and helping boys develop into men of character and faith.  Rev. Matt also reports that more families are beginning to join us for other events at our church, and that the comfort level is now there.  Our Scouts are quite active with regular meetings as well as campouts and other special events including the Pinewood Derby which took place in our sanctuary the day before Scout Sunday.  On Monday, February 25^th, the cub scouts celebrated their Blue and Gold Banquet with a catered BBQ dinner at Vista.  The Blue and Gold Banquet is the celebration of the birthday of cub scouting.  Between the cubs scouts and boy scouts there are between forty and fifty boys that meet at Vista.  Both groups thank our church and the United Methodist Men for providing the location but more than that for all the support.

Vista’s brand new social group, Genesis, enjoyed a great lunch at Poca Cosa recently.  Genesis is for folks who have been at Vista for less than a year, who would like to get acquainted with other newcomers.  Members met at the church and carpooled to this noted downtown restaurant, which is famous for its Mexico City style cuisine.  The lunch proved to be quite an adventure for two reasons.  First, Poca Cosa had moved, providing everyone an opportunity to hunt for the new location, ala a road rally.  Second, the huge portions of delicious food defeated even the most hearty eaters, with several carrying home extras for “the dog.” 

Genesis will meet monthly, helping newcomers to integrate into the Vista family.  Planned events include dining out, backyard barbeques and more!  For more information on Genesis, contact Joanne Thomas, jmthomas62@gmail.com

Concert program includes songs, rituals, folk stories and games with dance movements that have been carefully researched and recreated in performance. 

Don’t miss this delightful of entertainment presented by Russian children ages 5-15.  The “Golden Gates” group was created in 1993.  The group’s name is symbolic. Through the traditional Russian songs, we open our hearts, souls and  knowledge of our heritage like a “golden gate.”  Since 1993 The “Golden Gates” group has taken part in many different cultural events, folk festivals and concerts in Russia as well as across Europe.

Awards from many competitions given to “Golden Gates” recognize the group as the one of the most talented, exceptional and traditional representations of the Russian folk culture by children.

We will be gathering at Lindsey G.’s house for pizza and snacks.  Bring board games and even game systems.  We will be preparing our gifts for our adopted grandparents, playing games…oh yes, and even watching the game.  Ends when you need to go or when the game ends.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, February 24^th, as a special Sunday not to be missed.  Just in time for the Rodeo Weekend, we will ask you to don your best western or pioneer duds.  After worship with good gospel , western songs and historic hymns,  we will celebrate with a delicious BBQ, old-fashioned sing-a-long, and yes, you will be able to cheer for the hero and boo the villain in our first western melodrama. 

    Invite a friend and see you on February, 24^th.  You can still buy Tickets for the BBQ on Sunday (First time visitors get in free!)  All profits support our youth group to go on their summer mission trip to Mexico to build a house for a family in need.  Contact Rev. Matt Colby for more info.

Vista’s Genesis newcomers’ group will gather for lunch on February 9th at Cafe Poco Cosa, a wonderful Mexican restaurant near downtown Tucson.  The owner/chef is world-reknowned for her cuisine, which comes from the region of Mexico City.  There are new entrees every day, depending on the fresh ingredients that the chef has purchased.  For reservations, call Vista at 825-1985 before February 4th.  We’ll be arranging car pools for those who are interested.  Join us for a great meal and get acquinted with other folks new to the Vista family!

Vista has announced a new social group just for newcomers to the Vista family!  The group, called Genesis, is open to everyone who has been attending Vista for less than a year.  There will be several activities scheduled to help everyone to get acquainted and join in fellowship.  Among our events will be lunches at Tucson restaurants and gatherings in members’ homes.  Look for announcements of specific events and plan to get involved!