LEGACY 5K

Last Sunday, Yourfriendlyneighbourhoodyouthpastor (and 1000 others) participated in the annual Legacy 5k run/walk for Markham Stouffville Hospital

Proceeds from the Legacy Run benefit patients in our Maternal/Child unit, which provides specialized care to mothers, newborn babies and paediatric patients through a family-centred interdisciplinary model of care.

Funds from this years run will support the neonatal intensive care unit to ensure more newborns receive access to intensive care, close to home. Of the approximately 3,000 babies delivered at Markham Stouffville each year, about three per cent require admission to the special care nursery to receive critical care for special medical needs, or because they are born prematurely.

Our goal is to get new moms and babies home as soon as possible, to give our tiniest and most vulnerable patients a healthy and happy start to life.

A portion of funds will also support the renowned Dr. Bear Program, which provides all children who receive care at the Hospital with psychological preparation and support to reduce the stress associated with hospitalization and surgery.

YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

Today we had a full house with over 40 boys!!! We finished our month of integrity by sharing stories about how we have shown integrity in our lives. Here are some examples:

-One guy talked about how he used to go on the Viva for free but one time he paid because it was the right thing to do even though his friends didn't pay and didn't want him to pay
- Another guy talked about how he is going to buy Drake's new CD instead of just downloading it for free to support Canadian artists
- Another guy mentioned that when he goes to parties he doesn't do drugs even though some of his friends do because he is his own person.


Way to show integrity guys!!!

MARKHAM YOUTH WEEK

Next week is Markham Youth Week. There will be various events happening including:

Youth Week Kick-off
Date: Sunday, May 2, 2010
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Markville Shopping Centre (Centre Court)

Cost: FREE

The Mayor's Youth Task Force and Markville Shopping Centre kicks off Youth Week with 16 talented acts of youth in Markham. The show includes singing, dancing, belly-dancing and even magic shows. This celebration includes the Mayor's Youth Awards, presented to Markham youth who exhibit high academic achievements and community involvement.

4th annual Battle of the Bands
Date: Friday, May 7, 2010
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Location: Milliken Mills Community Centre, 7600 Kennedy Road
Cost: $2 / person

The Mayor's Youth Task Force (MYTF) is partnering with giant music equipment supplier (Long and McQuade) and entertainment provider (Sound Plus Show Systems) to throw the annual MYTF: Battle of the Bands. This concert showcases 17 bands within a 3 hour show. Winning band is awarded with gift certificates from Long and McQuade.

For more info, visit www.markhamyouth.com

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

ENCOURAGEMENT JAR

Every day we are burdened by negative stuff in our lives. On Sunday we took time to talk about encouraging one another and being the kind of people who lift each other up instead of tearing people down.

Our verse of the day was John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have love you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

We each got a mason jar and then took time to write encouraging notes to one another. Our take home challenge was to write an encouragement note to someone outside of our youth group (a family member, a friend at school, a teacher, etc).

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

Here's a picture from a couple of weeks ago at TMC. It was our last day watching the Quest video and our last day of $2. Needless to say, there was a little excitement in the air. It was also yourfriendlyneighbourhoodyouthpastor's birthday.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

Tonight we had lots of fun bowling at Markham Bowl. Our next meeting will be at TMC on Friday May 14th.

DEEP THOUGHTS

Community always involves a kind of promise, whether or not it ever gets stated out loud. It is a promise of commitment and loyalty. In a world of uncertainty, you can count on me. When that promise gets broken, so does someone`s heart.