Newspaper is the new black

With the economy taking the downward turn that it is and with the huge push to go green and be eco-friendly we’re going to take a look at how to reuse, reduce, and recycle when it comes to fashion. That’s right, this week we’re having a newspaper fashion show…talk about trendy! So, start thinking about designs that you’d like to recreate in an eco-friendly way…i.e. with newspaper and get ready for a night that is sure to produce a lot of laughs.

We’ll be meeting at the church on Friday at the usual time…7:00 pm.

Bible Study...

Bible study this week is tonight at 7:00 pm at my house. It feels like forever since we've had regular Bible study, eh. Well, hopefully I'll see you there!

Cooking with Mark

I’m pretty sure you get what we’re doing this week from the title. This week we’re going to be cooking with Mark! Bring an apron if you have one and get ready for fun, food and fellowship…okay, that might just be cheesy, but it will be fun, there will be food and we will be fellowshipping (is that a word?).

We’re meeting at the church on Friday at 7:00 so I’ll see you there!

p.s. Hopefully you’ve noticed that I’ve put the retreat date in the “coming soon…” section, so mark your calendar! You’re really going to want to make sure you can be there because this party is going to be off the hook!

Prayer Meeting...

Hello SSMBY!!!

I just wanted to remind you that we’re going to the church’s prayer meeting for Bible study tonight. Our church sets aside a few evenings at the beginning of every new year to spend time in prayer…I think this is incredible…and we’re going to join them for the prayer meeting tonight. I’ve been at the prayer meeting for the past two nights already and it’s mostly an older crowd…actually it’s all an older crowd (other than Mark who joined me on Sunday night), and it’s been great to spend time praying with some of the older members of our church. So, we’re meeting at the church tonight 7:25 (it starts at 7:30, but I want to make sure that you’re all on time, so we’ll meet at 7:25). It’s in the sanctuary, so just go on in once you get to the church.

See you tonight!

Christmas Potluck...take 2

Okay, let's try this again.  This Friday we're going to have our Christmas potluck/cheesy Christmas party.  We're going to meet at 6:00 pm at the church and we're going to have supper together potluck-style.  That means that each person needs to bring a dish to share with the group.  Here's a list of suggestions, but you can really bring anything that you want to, so if you have a favourite dish then feel free to bring it.

- veggie platter

- fruit platter

- meatballs

- pasta or potato salad

- some sort of casserole

- stew

- chili

- perogies

- soup

- crackers & dips or cheese

- garlic bread

- dinner rolls

- salad of any kind

- dessert

Again, if you want to make something that's not on the list then go ahead and make it.  Please post what you are going to make so that everyone can see...that way they won't make the same thing as you.

After dinner we're going to have some Christmas festivities, so please wear your Christmas sweaters, if you have one.  We're also going to do the re-gift exchange, so find something that you already own, but don't use, wrap it up and bring it along.

See you Friday!  

Tim is getting baptized...

Tim is getting baptized this Sunday (the 28th) at Southridge Community Church and I thought I'd let everyone know, so you can figure out if you can make it. I'll be going and I can definitely give some people a ride. The service starts at 11:00, so let me know if you want a ride and we can figure that out. I probably won't have internet access before then, so give me a call or talk to me at the Christmas Eve service.

NO YOUTH :(

I am writing with a very sad heart because I am writing to say that I am canceling youth tonight. The roads are terrible right now and they will just be getting worse as the day/night goes on. I was super pumped about the Christmas potluck tonight, but I know that I would feel terrible if any of you got in an accident on the way to church tonight and I think this will put your parents at ease as well.

The good news is that we're still going to do our Christmas potluck/tacky Christmas party, but I'm rescheduling it for January 2nd...our first youth in the new year. And seriously, it kind of goes with the theme of the party because it once again does not get much tackier than having a Christmas party so far after Christmas.

So, halt all potluck prep. I really hope this doesn't put you out too much. And if you haven't thought of what to make yet then you've got another two weeks to think about it!

Also, PASS THIS MESSAGE ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS!  I want to make sure that everyone gets the message that we are not meeting tonight.

Tacky Christmas...

Christmas time is here and we’re going to celebrate it SSMBY style! We’re going to meet at 6:00 pm on Friday and we’re going to have a potluck supper, so that means that each person needs to bring something to share with group. Here’s a list of ideas, but you can really bring anything, so if you’ve got a specialty then feel free to bring it or if your mom makes a super awesome dish that you love then ask her for the recipe and make it.

- fruit platter
- veggie platter
- meatballs
- hashbrown casserole (or some other sort of casserole)
- nacho dip
- cheese and crackers
- dips
- rice
- chicken wings
- cooked veggies
- soup
- chilli
- salad (green salad, Caesar salad, Greek salad, fruit salad)
- garlic bread
- desserts

We’re also going to enjoy some Christmas festivities after supper and the theme of the festivities is going to be “Tacky Christmas”, so everyone needs to find a tacky Christmas sweater (whatever that means to you) and we’re going to do a gift exchange game, but think tacky…it doesn’t get tackier than re-gifting, so instead of going out and buying something for the gift exchange you need to bring something that you already own, but don’t use and have either never used or haven’t used in a long time…I’m talking dig deep into your closet and dust off whatever you find, wrap it up and give it away. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure, right?

Since we’re not spending money on the presents, I’m going to suggest that you bring $5 along and we’re going to donate the money somewhere.

There you have it. I’m pumped and think this Friday is going to be awesome! Once you’ve decided what you want to bring for the potluck please post it so that people don’t bring the same things.

See you Friday!

Volunteering at Salvation Army...

We're volunteering at the Salvation Army again tonight.  We'll meet at the church at 7:00 pm and then head over there.  I haven't been able to get a hold of them yet, so please come to the church because it's likely that we'll go straight to the warehouse, but I'm not sure yet.  

German Choir Concert...

Remember that we're going to the German service on Sunday instead of Sunday school because they are doing their German Choir Christmas Concert.  It starts at 9:30 and it's important that you're on time because unlike youth Sunday school they will not wait for late comers and it will be quite embarrassing to show up late.  Mr. Eitzen assured me that they will speak some English to make us feel included, but remember that it is the German service so a lot of it will be in German and all the songs will probably be in German.  This is just one more way that we can show that we are a part of the church and care about what is going on, plus it'll be really good to hear the choir sing.

SSMBY Christmas Babysitting

For the past while we’ve been trying to find ways to connect with the church and the games night with seniors that we had a while ago was a huge hit and loads of fun! Well, this week we’ve invited children ages 3-10 to join us in order to give their parents a break or a chance to do any last minute Christmas shopping.

We (members of SSMBY) are going to meet at the church at 6:00 pm in order to get things ready for the night and then the kids are going to be coming at 6:30 pm. We’ve got some different activities planned for the night and it’s going to be great!

We are going to be at the church until approx. 10:00 pm because I've asked parents to pick their children up by 9:30 and then we will have to clean up, so I am not going to find a house for afterwards.  If you want to offer your house or want to find one then let me know.

Bible Study...

There seems to be a bit of confusion regarding Bible study tonight.  We're  having regular Bible study tonight at 7:00 pm at my house and we're volunteering at the Salvation Army next week.  

Also, if you've looked at your SSMBY calendar for December you'll notice that on Sunday we won't be having Sunday school, but you should still come at 9:30 because the German choir is going to be doing a Christmas concert, so we're going to the German service to join them for that. 

See you tonight.

Ice Dogs Game...

This Friday we are going to an Ice Dogs game! They will be playing Sarnia and the arena is packed out, so there will be excitement and adrenalin in the air! They will be doing a “teddy bear toss” at the game for underprivileged children, so bring a new or gently-used teddy bear along, if you can, and when the first goal is scored everyone will throw their teddy bear onto the ice.

We’re going to be meeting at the church at 6:45 to make sure we get there on time, so please be at the church on time and make sure that all you’re friends know that we’re meeting early.

The tickets are $14 and if you haven’t paid yet then make sure you bring the money on Friday.

On an entirely different note, Southridge is hosting a Ten Thousand Villages Sale and tonight (Wednesday) is the last night. It’s at Southridge church and it’s from 6:30-9:00 pm.  Ten Thousand Villages works with people around the world to promote fair trade and community development.  They help people in underdeveloped countries learn to make different artisan crafts and then sell them at a fair wage in developed countries.  This sale would be a great place to find Christmas presents.

Guy/Girl Bible Study...

It's the first Tuesday of the month and you should know the drill by now...girls come to my house at 7:00 pm and guys meet Mark at the church at 7:00 pm.

Also, remember that if you haven't paid me for your Ice Dogs ticket then bring $14 along with you.  Tim will be collecting money from the guys, so please remember!  I've already ordered the tickets and I ordered 6 extra, so if you want to go, but have not told me then let me know a.s.a.p. so you can get one.

Gas Money

When I told you about the progressive dinner I forgot to ask everyone to bring $2 to give to your driver. When you don't drive your own car, it's easy to forget that gas costs $ and easy to take a ride home for granted, so I'm asking everyone to bring $ for their driver tomorrow because we're going to be driving for a portion of the youth event, but think about slipping the person who drives you home after youth a few $ every once in a while...we don't mind driving you home, but we also appreciate help in covering the cost.

Progressive Dinner...

You’d better be hungry when you come to youth this Friday because we’re having a progressive dinner. Basically that means that we’ll be having dinner together, but there’s a twist, each course will be at a different house and the courses might not be in the usual order.

We’ll be meeting at the church at 6:30 and then we’ll head out for supper. DO NOT EAT SUPPER BEFORE YOU COME!!! Trust me, you’ll regret it if you do!

Next week we're going to an Ice Dogs game (they're playing Sarnia).  Tickets are $14 and if you want to go then I'll need the money by Sunday.  Let me know if you're planning on coming as soon as you can so that I can get a good estimate of how many people want to come.  Please bring me correct change because I won't have change to break a bunch of $20s.  

See you on Friday!

Bible Study...

It's been a while since we've had regular Bible study.  It's going to be on Tuesday at 7:00 pm at my house.  

An exciting day!!!

This Sunday is going to be an exciting day...5 members of SSMBY are getting baptized!!!  2 are also becoming members of our church!!!  So, even if you don't come to Scott St. MB Church regularly on Sunday mornings come this Sunday if you can!  The service starts at 10:45 am and we're going to have a lunch after the service, so plan on staying for it.

Gargon

There’s been a slight change in our schedule. The progressive dinner is going to be next week and tomorrow we’re going to be playing Gargon! Now, I’ve never played this game before, but I hear that it’s pretty intense.

We’ll meet at the church at the regular time (7:00 pm) and you will have to eat supper before coming. Pass this info on to every SSMBY member you see.

See you tomorrow!

Volunteering at Salvation Army...

We're going to be volunteering at the Salvation Army again tonight.  I'm not entirely sure what we'll be doing, but I think we're going to help them organize the warehouse we cleaned last time, so wear warm clothes and come ready to do some work!  We'll be meeting at the church at 7:00 and then heading over there...if you know you're going to be late then let me know so I can tell you where to meet us.  

See you tonight!

Wear clothes you won't mind getting paint on!  I just talked to Caroline and we're going to be painting.  Pass this message on to anyone you know is coming!!!