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.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Friday
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
SSMBY Book of World Records
Get practicing all your wonderful tallents and abilities...or just make some quack thing up...BECAUSE this Friday is:
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!
See you all there!
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Where's Waldo
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!
See you all Friday!
Peace & Love!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
30hr. Fast
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.
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!
God bless us as we do this together!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Bowling this Friday + Rememborizers
Friday, November 16, 2007
GTKMN
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...
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
A Reminder:
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!
Love ya all,
Tom
This Friday
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.
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!
Now here is another example of television programming that fed into making me the person I am...
Friday, October 26, 2007
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!
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Friday and the 30hr. Fast
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!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Fire safety and this Friday!
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.
Remember Youth starts at 7pm now...see you then!
Pastor Tom
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Bible Study Kicked-off
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Youth Sunday on Friday!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
This Friday and some other stuff...
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!!!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Kickball and Garage Sale
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!
Pastor Tom out...
Saturday, July 28, 2007
CHARITY'S CRAFT NITE!!!
Everyone needs to bring a 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)
And the most important thing you need to bring is... A CRAFTING ATTITUDE :)
See you there!!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Friday
We're going swimming this Friday!
So make sure you bring your swimwear and be at the church for 7:30. We'll be leaving soon there after to go to the Duerrstein's house.
If you're not a strong swimmer, I'm sure that you'll find the video bellow of great help!
"Make sure you constantly practice and never give up. Good luck, and we'll see you at the olypics"
Tom out...
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Please Read
Bean wrote a great email that I want to get out to all our youth...so I'm sorry if you get this more than once...I hope you all read it AT LEAST once!Here it is:
I don’t know about you, but I had a great time on the retreat this past weekend. Spending time together in nature reminded me again, of the beauty of community and I appreciated the reminder of how important it is to be a part of a group that is not only a safe place to be myself in, but is a safe place to grow and be challenged in.
Mark talked about the importance of the choices we make and I really appreciated the honesty you guys shared with during the sharing time. It’s hard to see the impact that the choices you are making now will have in your future; who you hang out with, how you spend your time and money, the way you treat your family, even the movies you watch and books you read. All of these things will effect the person you become.
Who do you want to be? I read a quote once that said, “Life isn’t just about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself.” And I guess I want to challenge you to be intentional about exactly that, about creating yourself and becoming the person you want to be. Don’t just go with the flow of things and end up being a person you don’t want to be. Think about who you want to become and then make decisions that will help you get there.
Mark ended the weekend by summarizing the parable of the soils and gave us each a packet of seeds and asked us to think about the type of soil we are. I don’t know if any of you have done anything with that packet of seeds…I’m assuming that most of you haven’t, but I do want you to think about what type of soil you are and how you are or are not allowing God to work in your life and make you into the person he created you to be.
Back to me (Tom)
This Thursday for Bible Study we're going to skip a week with Shane Claiborne and instead talk about some of the things Mark talked about on the retreat. Don't worry if you weren't there, it'll still be good! So think about what Bean wrote and come this Thursday! We'll get back to our Irresistible Bible Study next week (Chpt.12)
And now for something completly different:
Buttons!
Well I got some buttons made and here is what they look like:
If you want one (or more) they're $1 each. The Aids Care Now button isn't for sale though...I'm going to use that one as incentive for something we'll be doing in the fall as a group...but collect all the other 5! They'll be available at bible study tomorrow and at youth on Friday! Just one more reason that SSMBY truly is "Group Awesome!"
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Retreat!!!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Friday Night At The Movies!
So this Friday we will be doing one of 2 things depending on weather...that is wether it rains or not*
If it doesn't rain, then...
We will be playing some lawn games followed by an OUTDOOR MOVIE! That's right we're going to be watching a movie outside under the stars!
So, bring a blanket or a lawn chair (click here for a good example of a lawn chair).
As well dress weather* appropriate
However, if it rains...then we will be making our own movies and watching them afterwards!
So, to recap...Friday, movies=Loads of fun!
Feel free to bring all your friends!
Pastor Tom out...
*Take note of the 2 different spellings of weather and wether as well as their use.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Bible Study's Back!
Thanks for those of you who were praying for me and the rest of our group who were in Montreal!
So, I'm back, and that means so is Bible Study!
We're still going through Shane Claiborne's book, the Irresistible Revolution...if you haven't been out yet for one of these talks I strongly encourage you to do so!
It of course helps if you're reading the book...this weeks chapter is Chapter 10 [Extremists for Love]. So, if you have a copy of the book read that chapter and make some notes and come prepared to talk about it...if you don't have the book, then just come prepared to talk, listen and learn!
Well, I'm off to go see Transformers tonight, hope you're all having a great summer!
Peace,
Tom
P.S. If any of you are free during the day sometime, I'd love to go out with as many of you as possible during the summer...email me and we'll hook something up!
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Bonjour!
Hello everyone. I suppose you've all been wondering if we've arrived safely and how we're doing so here's a quick update. We arrived a little later than expected yesterday due to an unforseen amount of traffic, uggghhhh! But we arrived safely nonetheless. We had a little time to get aquainted with our new home and what we're up to this week and then we went out for dinner at a really cool restaurant.
Today we went to a french speaking Mennonite church pastored by a Congolese pastor, it was an excellent service, they even translated for us. The rest of the day was free for us so we roamed the downtown, took in some jazz and explored a couple giant churches, one of which even let Jordan play their pipe organ (see the picture).
Anyways tomorrow the work begins. Please be praying for us, we've a long week ahead.
Au revoir. (that means good-bye in french)
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Fire, fire and inferno-fire
So this Friday we're going to my other parents...the Krumrei's and we're gonna have a bonfire as well as shoot some Fireworks off! We'll play some games before it gets dark (Gar is in charge of them, so I don't imagine they'll be dull.
*Bring some money to buy some fireworks! There's a place on the way to the Krumrei's that we'll stop at to get some fireworks and the more ppl. that bring money and get something the crazier our fireworks will be! (But, you don't have to, I guess)
Also, for those who weren't there on Friday for our lounge night, here's some video of me playing guitar hero:(hint* there is a hidden link in here...as is often the case. Find it. It's of Mexico's Symphony of Fire display from last year...the mission team is going to see this years Mexican display when they're in Montreal!)
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Lounge Night
Hey everyone, this Friday is a lounge night...which I'm sure you've guessed by both the title and this picture to the left of the text which show's a typical rendition of what could be any youth from our group lounging comfortably in a couch.
Start time is 7:30...but feel free to come early for 7pm if you want to hang in the youth room and play some fooseball (just so you know that's always an option most Friday nights).
Come out, blow some post exam steam and enjoy an evening of lounging about. There will be various things to entertain yourselves. Video games, board games, just chillaxing and listening to music...it'll be nice!
I'd say see you Friday...but of course that's only a half-truth as I'll see you before that, tomorrow night at Char and my place (7pm)!
P-Tom out...
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Cub Car races!
Alright, so race day is upon us...here are the things you need to know:
1. The weight of your car is not to exceed 7 ounces...standard cub cars call for 5 ounces, but with our big boy cars we've bumped it up 2 notches.
Cars will be weighed...cars exceeding 7 ounces will race, but will not be able to win the speed trophy. Just like Ben Johnson we'll strip you of your title!
2. There will be 1 trophy for fastest car and 1 for prettiest car...second place is the first looser!
See you Friday...put your race face on!
Friday, June 08, 2007
Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we may die!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Thursday, Friday, Infinity and Beyond
Next up...FRIDAY! We're going to be working on our Kub Cars, so I hope you got your block of wood in to Vic & Kev last week or have arranged another way to get it cut out. I'm looking forward to seeing the genious creativity of you all! Regular youth time, regular youth place!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Friday May 18th Group Awesome
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Friday
Hello all,
Alright, Friday Night we are going to be going to see Eden Highschool's play. The cost is $8 for admission, so bring at least that much and a little more if you want some snacky.
We've blocked off 20 seats and need to fill them...so I need to hear wether you're coming or not.
You need to reply to me one way or the other
So help me if I don't hear from you I will charge you $8 and I won't let you come! So please reply NOW. It will only take you a second. Here, I'll help...yes your friends are going because it's our youth event, so don't bother taking time to ask them. Reply to me now and give me your answer!
Thank-you,
Tom
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Tew-Night...& Tew-morrow Night
So tonight we are going to go hear the baptism candidates share their testimonies...among those sharing are Avril Harder and Emily Durksen, so come on out to support them and to hear how God has been at work in their lives and the lives of the others who will be joining the church on Sunday.
As for youth this Friday...well some things got moved around on our schedule some time ago, so while your church bulletin read coffee house...we are not having a coffee house...our coffee house may or may not take place on Friday the 18th...stay tuned.
So what we are doing is...well you'll have to come out and find out! Yes that does mean I have to plan what we're doing...and trust me, you will want to be there...well at least I will want you to be there. Please come.
end transmition
Tom
p.s. as always, find the hidden tracks!
Saturday, April 28, 2007
yesterday
Monday, April 23, 2007
This Friday- Interprative photography
OK this friday we'll be doing some creative photography, and to do this we need cameras. Digital ones, with a cable so we can look at them on the television right away. So if you can bring a camera let me know in the comments section of this blog. We only need maybe four or five because we'll be working in groups.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
SSMBY on Facebook?
So, are you hooked on Facebook?
What do you like about it?
What don't you like about it?
Do you prefer Myspace or Facebook?
Why?
Oh and also...Come help with the church renovations tonight [Wed. April 18]! Come at 5:30pm or any time after...there will be supper for those who come earlier!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
This Friday-Dinner Party
Friday, April 13, 2007
Mission Trip 2007: Montreal
Saturday June 30-Sunday July 8
Mark Durksen & Tom Friesen are looking for a few good youth!
Alright everyone, so just like we did 2 years ago, this summer we are going to be going to Montreal. Some of the fun we'll have there will be taking in some of the Montreal Jazz Festival and Symphony of Fire which are amazing! It's a cultural experience not to be missed and for me would be a major drawing card to living in Montreal.
We'll also experience the diversity that is the city of Montreal. It is a city steeped in religion (as can be seen in one of many huge, beautiful cathedrals...including one that Celine Dion got married in :) ). Yet it is also a city far from God. We will also work in some capacity with the poverty that is all too prevelant in every major city in North America.
The program that we will be a part of is Mennonite Central Committe's Learning Thru Service program which is described as "A service/learning opportunity for youth groups to understand cultural diversity and the circumstances of poverty." MCC has a house that we'll live in as a group. Each day we will be involved in serving alongside of one of the many agencies that MCC conects with (Last year we worked at a soup kitchen in the mornings and with a home that help people with various mentall illnesses be able to live on their own-as opposed to be in some institution). It was challenging and enriching. It will be an experience that you won't soon forget!
Information packets with everything you need to know are now available...Just ask Pastor Tom
Also, if you want to be part of the 2007 Mission Team let Pastor Tom know ASAP (but no later than April 27)...we're going to start meeting on the first Thursday in May...see Irresistible Bible Study