The youth of Scott St and Fairview Mennonite Brethren Churches make up North End MB Youth (a.k.a. NEMBY). Here is where you can find out what's going on. Make comments on events. Ask questions.
*We typically meet on Fridays at 7 pm at Fairview MB Church.
Find your favorite lounging chair (see photo for example), bring your favourite board games (click here for example) and come prepared to relax and have a great night.
It's exam time, it's stressfull and we want you to be able to kick back and relax...
So that's right it's lounge night! (click on the pic for some real live lounging)
There will likely be a fooseball tournament, various video game machines, whatever board games you bring (provided you bring board games)... all the regular lounge night stuff.
It'll be good!
Also, my friend Brian Garden is going to come and share with us a little and I'll be handing out forms for our winter retreat, so be excited!
So this Friday our young adults are going to have a weekend of relaxation at Rancho Relaxo*. What that means is that you will be missing almost all your adult leaders (including Charity and myself).
However, have no fear, youth is not I repeat NOT cancelled! Pastor Pat and Val have so graciously agreed to open up their home to our group for the evening! (For a map, click here). So bring games ("Dance Dance Revolution" err, I mean "Movement Movement Orderly Movement" will I'm sure be an option) and come for a great time at Pastor Pat's**
Feel free to use this night while your youth leaders are away to write cards and come up with other ways of heralding your appreciation to them!
Anyways, hope you have a great time...also don't forget our own retreat at Crossroads is comming up too...Feb. 22-24! Plan for it, it'll be great!
Bring $6 to cover your swimming and your drivers parking.
Be prepared to wear appropriate swimwear and have appropriate fun!
Also, the Jr. Youth will be joining us, so that will make things doubly fun!
*Note: These are all examples of Appropriate swimwear...
**Note: Don't let the cross this man is wearing fool you, this is NOT appropriate swimwear...
But seriously guys, DON'T wear speedo's..."if I can see your thighs it's bad for my eye's"
As well ladies please wear 1 piece suits or a dark shirt with your 2 piece...
I realize that you may think that this is stone aged mentality (the guys in particular), but I really appreciate you making an old man happy by respecting my wishes.
Get practicing all your wonderful tallents and abilities...or just make some quack thing up...BECAUSE this Friday is:
SSMB's Book of World Records!
Regular youth time, regular youth place...I personally aim to break my record for longest sustained note (and hold the top record for guys and girls!) as well as set a record for Tetris!
That's right folks, tommorrow we are going to be playing "Where's Waldo". Now our "Waldo's" may not look like the well known hero of the popular book series (as seen on the left of your screen), however, they promise to be just as allusive!
We're meeting at the church at regular youth time (now 7pm with fresh new jams!) So be there ON TIME as we'll be leaving shortly after.
We will get into teams and then the race is on to find this years "Waldo's". Our Waldo's will be 'hiding' throughout the Pen Centre and at this time of year they shouldn't be that easy to spot.
For a warm-up, why not try your hand at the challenge bellow!
Tonight at midnight we begin our fast for the Aids pandemic. I would encourage you all to take time to pray and reflect on the crisis that is facing our world as you feel hungry over the next day and a bit. Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness". Tonight we begin a fast to declare that our hunger and our thirst is to see justice break into our world.
Every single day, 9500 African contract AIDS. The daily death toll is 6500.
Those numbers are worth praying about. Those numbers are worth giving up a couple meals.
Currently we are about $700 away from our goal of $3000...be praying that the money that people will bring in tomorrow will push us over our goal! With that money we will be making 20 Aids Care Kits for MCC!
I've planned a bunch of things for tomorrow night that I hope will be meaningful for us...tell all your friends and family to come to the worship service at 8:30pm! Even if they can't stay for the night, tell them to come!
Bellow is a prayer I found online (it comes from the Diakonia Council of Churches, based in Durban, South Africa). Feel free to use it throughout our fast:
Dear God, we ask you to walk with us in our HIV and AIDS filled world. We pray expecting Your presence among us!
Be with all who live with the effects of this disease. Be with those who wait to die because they have no access to medication. Be with children who received HIV as a legacy from their parents. Be with orphans and families who have lost loved ones. Be with countries who have millions of citizens with HIV/AIDS. Be with all who are stigmatised and ignored because they have HIV or AIDS. Be with politicians and corporate executives who control access to affordable medications. Be with researchers and scientists who work to find a cure. Be with healthcare workers and caregivers who comfort and encourage. Be with all who have lost hope because of HIV and AIDS.
Lord, we hear the angel's song of peace! Fill the hearts of people around the world with good will so that together we can work for justice and healing for all who suffer from HIV and AIDS.
Amen.
See you tomorrow and I hope that seeing people eating around you won't be too rough on you all!
Also, if you didn't pay your doubloon ($2 piece) last week, bring that for Mark...as well, remember we always take an offering for our Global Family Project (the kindergarten in Serbia that we support as a group).
Finally be bringing in your forms and money collected for the 30hr. Fast...
Here's a sneak preview of the night...
12am Thursday...begin your fast.
All Friday...don't be eating nothing...take meal times to pray or reflect on the Aids pandemic facing Sub-Sahara Africa
7pm Friday...come to youth! (and still don't eat)
We'll be having somone from MCC come and share with us for a bit (that's the opening)
8:30pm Friday...Worship service in the sanctuary...tell everyone you know to come...Matt Klassen will be leading with some of our youth and we'll be using an interview with Bono that is just excellent as the "message" portion of the service...it'll be good. We'll also take an offering to give anyone there who hasn't sponsored a chance to be a part of things.
Afterwards...we'll be watching some movies in the youth room (significant ones at that)...there will be a room where people can go to reflect and pray as well.
At some point...sleep...
6am Saturday...wake up and go for breakfast...the 30hrs. is over!
Hey All, I realize that this is late...but I'm on my holidays, gimme a break...I shouldn't even be working!
Anyways, tonight is Get To Know Mark Night!
So, I won't give you any details, except that it's a food event...So if you could bring a doubloon (i.e. double loon or twonie as the more common folk call it) to help cover the cost, that would be excellent!
We'll hear a bit of Mark's story and then we'll do something that Mark is passionate about...so come on out, bring your friends, and be prepared for a supper cool night led by a supper cool guy!
Also, read the last blog about the 30hr. Fast...you gotta start getting in your sponsor sheets! For the record...we just broke the $1000 mark ($1015 to be exact) so we're just over 1/3 of the way to our goal...time is running out, so be praying that we get there!
Our top 3 fund raisers to date are:
Paster Tom at $305 (and it would make my day if someone beat that!) Alina at $220 (just slipped past Jordan for second place) and Jordan at $160 for the bronze medal!
Get out there and lets see that $3000 mark shattered!
And now for the intro to the greatest show ever! I just downloaded all 6 seasons as you can't get it on DVD...
Bring in your pledge sheets for the 30hr. Fast...Charity and I said that we would sponsor any youth $10 when you get your first $10 donation from someone else and that we'd also sponsor you $5 when you sponsor another youth $5 or more* BUT we're gonna put a deadline on that because we have a budget to live by...so you need to get in a pledge sheet to me on or before next Sunday (Nov. 18) to be eligible for that.
Also, to get your T-Shirts on the 30th you need to get your sheets in to me by Sunday Nov. 25th (with at least $150 in pledges...$200 gets you a T-shirt, button and bracelet!)
So far as a group we've raised $755 (we're on our way to our $3000 goal, but we still got quite a way to go!)
In the lead is ME at $245 and have earned my T-shirt, button and bracelet! In second place is Jordan at $190 and for the bronze medal is Alina at $160
I encourage you all to try and beat us out of our medal positions! A suggestion, just go through your facebook list and pick a bunch of people to ask...I got some good responses that way...then most of you have families you can ask too (Grandparents, Aunts, Unlcles...cousins...etc.) and there are also the many people in church too! So let's see those sponsor sheets coming in!
Lastly, thanks everyone for rolling with the punches last Friday when Brent couldn't come...Don't worry we'll get him in with us someday! But great cards for Noah's Ark...I called to find out how to send them and the woman on the phone said that they will love that! They'll go out tomorrow...also, well done to the group that collected shopping carts and litter, it's great that you guys were so willing to express love to our city in such a humble way. Also, to the groups that went for a walk through Old Pine Trail with me, keep that community in your prayers!
Don't forget to vote on our online polls...your favorite event for September was: The Farwell Party for Vic
Also, when you think of it, please pray for my Aunt Irma, Charity's Grandma and Jesse Klassen who are all in hospital...thanks to everyone who has been!
We're meeting at 6pm this week...not 7pm! Also, were going to leave pretty much immediatly...so that might mean for some of you that you should aim to be here for 5:45pm or for some of you 5pm even depending on how much you struggle with punctuality*
So...why are we meeting so early you ask?
Well, because we're going to be driving up to Oakville to a church called The Meeting Place to attend an MCC Youth event (it's part of their annual meeting and there will be students from all across Ontario)...It'll be big.
"So, what else?!?" you ask...
Well here it is, straight from the MCC website:
Friday, November 9 "The Underground" at The Meeting House God is calling you into lives of compassion in a world with AIDS, Refugees and War. Join Bruxy Cavey and others in this interactive event for high school age youth.
It should be a great event!
Also, if anyone wants Charity and I are going to go again on Saturday for the MCC Ontario annual conference...there will be worship, speakers and some great break-out sessions...we've gone the last couple years just because we love it so much...so let us know if you want to come...the first 3 people to contact me will have a spot with us!
*If you struggle in this area as I do, I'd suggest trying out a wrist watch with alarm features on it...Charity made me get one and I've hardly been late coming home since!
Now here is another example of television programming that fed into making me the person I am...
Friday, October 26, 2007
Alright folks, so tonight is the one of the mostl anticipated and awaited for nights of the year...
The Hayride
Now a couple things you need to know (and tell others)...
1. Bring $5 to help cover the cost of things
2. Go to the washroom before we leave and strech your bladder as there are no washrooms
3. Tell all your friends to come as it will be awesome! Also, our group is in charge of leading the worship for the evening, so that's cool!
Now then, the evening will have a time of worship and then after that the 'worship' will continue as we mount the wagons and engage in HAYFEST 2007 (because all great things have the word Fest in them)...take note, you will have 2 options for the hayride!
1. You could go on the un-anabaptist inspired wagon of mayhem where the participants will convince themselves like little children that what they are doing is extreme (see above photo). OR
2. You could go on a truely extreme wagon...let the nay-sayers and their name calling of this wagon (i.e. "wussy-wagon") fool you...this wagon is trully extreme! The name calling is all part of it (this is nothing new for our people...we've been called bad names before). Tonight some very brave young men and women will gather on a wagon for The Flight from Russia Simulator. Join as we remember what so many Mennonites went through...were it not for their braveness there would be no Mennonite church in Canada!
So tonight, choose...will you embrace the worlds notion of what is "extreme" or will you do something trully extreme and experience the fear and drama of The Flight From Russia Simulator? The choice is yours...as for me an my household we will remember our past so that we won't be doomed to repeat it!
Also, don't forget to be getting in your Fast pledges!
Alright, so I want to encourage you all to get out there and be asking people to support you for our 30hr. Fast in November...we have just under 2 months which should be a good amount of time to be getting donations.
Think big...ask people on your facebook group, your family, at church, teachers...I'm going to have something put in our bulletin at Scott St. so the members will know we're doing this, all you need to do is start asking people...trust me a lot of people will actually be excited to give to such a great cause!
I put the word out to the members on the Scott St. facebook group and youth alumni and I heard back from someone saying to tell you guys to be asking them and they'll for sure support you...so, that's what I'm doing.
Currently we are at $260 which is around 11.5% of our goal, so we got some way to go, but if we all pull together I know we can smash that goal!
Now then, as to what we're doing This Friday for youth, it's our anual News Paper Fashion Show...so bring your creativity and see if you can out-create the legendary Sharktapus!
I don't have any pictures of the Sharktapus on hand, but here are some vintage youth shots from way back...and why yes that is Becky Lowen (nee Bartley) & Brenda Krumrei (nee Klassen) as Homer & Marge Simpson; Tim Durksen as a beautiful bride and Jordan Plett as I don't know exacly quite what...
Oh, and don't forget to vote on what your favorite September event was...
For those who are keeping track, Charity's Craft Night was the big winner for August with Make a Movie night as a distant second.
I thought what with school starting this might be a good video to expose you to and help you all be informed in the importance of fire safety!
Nextly,
This Friday we are having a retirement party for Vic Fast, there will be a ton of fun and entertainment...however, I can't promise that we'll have a roast to the level of the following for Vic
But I may be wrong.
Also, we'll have a special guest appearance from my fellow Water St. resident Phil Reimer for our opening and many more surprises!
So, come one, come all to the retirement party for Vic.
So last night Youth Bible Study started off to a great start! We talked about how you would like to see Tuesday Night's look for this year (content & format wise) and you gave some great input...
So, as per discussion...Next Tuesday we are going to start going through the Gospel according to Mark leading up to Christmas. We're going to spend the next couple weeks looking at the life of Jesus and I'll try to throw in some things to "spruce it up a bit" (i.e. media clips, activities, whatever I can think of)...I'm looking forward to some amazing discussion!
Then in the New Year we'll probably kick it old school and look at the Old Testament some more.
THIS JUST IN...Every 1st Tuesday of the month we're going to switch it up! On those nights we'll break from our regular study and seperate for a guy's n' girl's discussion night! The girls will be at 2A Water St. (Char and my place) and the guys will be upstairs at 339 Scott St. (aka the youth room).
Also last night we dreamed together as a group for things we'd like to see happen in our youth group and had an amazing time of prayer! I'm really excited to see what God is going to do this year!
Peace...and see you all next Tuesday at 2A Water St.!
Alright, so to you're left you will see a picture of Robert Mason behind the pulpit at Scott St. MB Church. That picture is from last years Youth Sunday service and Rob was preaching. It's really cool that we have a church family that allows and has enough faith/trust in its youth group that we can take over the entire service!
So, this Sunday (September 9th) the youth of Scott St. once again will take over the entire service.
We're doing it all...greeting, ushing, leading worship...you name it*. So if you haven't been asked to do something for the service yet then talk to me (Pastor Tom)...I want to involve EVERYONE in one way or another! Email, call, something!
Also Friday we are starting at 7pmso make note of that...and actually this is just the first of a new usual thing...Starting this Friday youth starting time is moving to 7pmso put that into your schedules! Darryl Lowen is going to be sharing with us and then we're going to be practicing and figuring things out for Sunday, so come and find out how to do what you're doing and to support each other!
Also, be praying a lot for Sunday and especially for Danny Fast who is going to be preaching!
Lastly, note that the Summer Retreat was voted by you as our favourite event in July...now vote on August events!
Tom
*Well actually we don't have a sound person, and someone else is doing the prelude as they happen to be in town and really wanted to, but other than that...you name it!
This Friday the men and women of our group will be seperating!
The Guys will be meating (er meeting) at Scott St. at 6pm and then going tubing & water skiing!
After that we'll head back to the Wien's place for some midnight meat and possibly swimming...
So bring swim wear and some meat!
The Girls will be meeting at 2A Water St. at the regular youth time of 7:30pm...as to the details of what they'll be doing, I'm not allowed to know as I'm a boy...
This should be an awesome time for everyone!!!
Also, note that I realized I hadn't changed our monthly poll...it's changed now, but you'll only have a little time to vote on your favorite July event as August is almost done!
Be praying for our youth program...your leaders will be meeting soon to talk about this coming year and there are some good/exciting ideas.
Pray that God makes this the BEST YOUTH YEAR EVER!!!
I want you to right now look through your stuff and see if you have anythings that you don't need...that can be sold!
This Saturday our church is hosting a Community Yard Sale and I'll be running a youth table. Hopefully there will be lots of good stuff to sell so that our youth group can keep doing lots of fun and exciting things without it costing you a ton. That's where you all come in.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE let me know if you have anything you can donate for the yard sale! If you could bring it on Friday, that would be best.
Also, if you can help out on Saturday PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE let me know. I could use some people helping me with the youth table and the church also needs 8 people to help with some kids games.
Let me know ASAP!
Now as to YOUTH THIS FRIDAY...
As you can see by the pictures and the title...We'll be playing: KICKBALL so be sure to bring your "A" game because your "B" game just won't do!
It's finally here!! This friday is the friday you've all been waiting for... CHARITY'S CRAFT NITE!!! Now keep in mind there are a few things you need to remember to bring, so I've attached the flyer to remind you.
Everyone needs to bringa 20cm square piece of fabric that you feel represents you. It doesn't need to be new. It can be cut out from an old t-shirt, or from wherever you can find a scrap that you like.
You will have a choice of two main crafts that we will be doing ...
1) French Memo Board- for this you do not need to bring any supplies
2) Stencil something - you will need to bring...
whatever you want to stencil onto
a drawing or printout of what you want your stencil to be of (keep in mind that you will have to make a stencil out of this so it shouldn't be too complex)
Also, if you can, please bring some money to help with the cost ($5 suggested)
And the most important thing you need to bring is...A CRAFTING ATTITUDE :)
Alright everyone,
