THANKS to the following leaders who have answered the call to help make preparations for this wonderful program:

Patti Boyer - Round-up Registration
Nancy and Chuck Bertschi - Cowpoke Crafts and Missions
Nicole Coats - Preschool Class Bible Adventure and Missions
Vicki Gonzalez - Decorations Coordinator
Fred and Nancy Hall - Chuck Wagon Chow Snack Coordinators and Photographer
Mariana McGowan - Horseplay Games
Sandy Snyder - Wild Bible Adventures Drama and Storytelling
Laura Young - Sing and Play Stampede
Brian Coats with his sidekick Donna Atkinson will be giving direction to this great herd of helpers!

Still lots of opportunities to join the fun! We're looking for:

Preschool Class Leader
Preschool Games Leader
Chadder's Wild West Theater Leader
Teen (6th grade and up) Crew Leaders

I was having lunch with a church member this week and he was noting the fact that DCC is engaged in much more outreach giving in 2007 than in 2006. This year our outreach budget is about $10,000; last year it was about $4,000. This church member was very excited about this, but he was concerned that the entire congregation was not aware of this increased support.

I think his concern is legitimate, so every so often I am going to lift up one of the ministries we support in this space. This has me jazzed, I have to tell you, because I'm tapping into some of my journalism roots: Once a month or so I am going to interview a staff member of one of these ministries.

This month, I called Matt Chandler at Disciples Crossing, a camp and conference center of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Athens, Tx.

Summer Church Camp and Retreat Dates
The following camps and retreats are nearing the final deadline for registration. Scholarships are available! Bring your completed registration forms to church this Sunday, May 13 if you plan to attend one of the following events this summer.

Discovery I Camp, Disciples Crossing, Athens, TX (completed grades 2 and 3 with an adult) May 26- 28
Grand Camp, Lake Brownwood (ages 4 - 10 with a grandparent) May 31-June 2
Young Adult Retreat, Disciples Crossing, Athens TX (singles and married YA, 19-29 yrs.) May 31- June 3

Recycle Project
The youth are collecting empty inkjet computer cartridges and cell phones to help raise monies for the Youth Fund. Share the news with your friends and neighbors to help the youth in their efforts. It doesn't cost you a thing and helps our environment at the same time! Look for the collection bin in the Atrium.

DCC Coffee Mug Sales Benefit Youth Fund
Don't forget that special graduate in your life! Did you know with every mug you purchase you could be helping send a youth to camp or serve in mission to help the hungry and homeless this summer? Empty mugs are $5 each. Chocolate filled are $7. They also make a great gift to share as you invite a friend to join you at DCC Plano!

Sprouts Children's Church
All children 4-8 years old are invited to join us for a fun, interactive and exciting scripture lesson at 10:45am following the children's moment. Serving May 13th: Nancy Jiang

For many, the relaxing, traveling and outdoor play is only complete with a good book nearby. Summer reading and summer book clubs are always in vogue.

We're going to have our own "summer book club" at Disciples Christian Church the next three months. Rev. Brian Coats will be working through a wide variety of books in June, July and August. This eclectic list has a common theme: Helping us love God, love neighbor and make disciples..

• June 3 & 10 ... The Gospel According To ESPN: The Saints, Saviors and Sinners of Sports, by Jay Lovinger
• June 17 & 24 ... Shaped by God's Heart: The Passion and Practices of Missional Churches, by Milfred Minatrea
• July 15 & 22 ... Unbinding the Gospel, by Martha Grace Reese
• July 29 & August 5 ... The Man Called Cash: The Life, Love and Faith of an American Legend, by Steve Turner
• August 12 & 19 ... Everybody's Normal Till You Get to Know Them, by John Ortberg
• August 26 & Sept. 2 ... At Home in Mitford, by Jan Karon

Continuing Visitors:
Brian, Cathy, Ainsley and Avery Gill

Also, don't forget to visit the online calendar. It enables you to send yourself reminders of upcoming events, send invitations to friends and colleagues and download the church schedule to your personal computer. You can find all of the church activities, birthdays and anniversaries on that calendar, as well as the scheduled Elders, Deacons and Connectors for each Sunday.

Also, there is a place to submit prayer requests and a new feature called "DCC TV," which includes the videos from the "Let's Grow" campaign.