200 Volunteers needed for YMCA Flag Day 2007
On Wednesday, 19 December 2007, YMCA of Singapore aims to raise S$60,000 to organise programmes to enrich the lives of the beneficiaries, such as the intellectually, mentally and physically challenged, out-of-school youth, youth-at-risk, under-privileged & abused children, and the elderly.

How you can help:
1) Sell flags for one of the shifts:
• Full morning shift - 9.30am to 3.30pm or
• Full afternoon shift – 2.30pm to 8.30pm or
• Short shifts - 12pm – 2pm or 6pm – 8.30pm
2) Adopt a tin can @ $105 for individuals in conjunction with YMCA 105th Anniversary
3) Adopt a tin can @ $1050 for corporations
4) Place the tin can in your office to collect donations from your colleagues

For more information, please visit the website here or contact Ms Wang Yen Peng or Mr Ho Wei Xin at 6586 2351/2353 or email to flagday@ymca.org.sg. [more]

Official launch of Herbs & Spices Garden @ Bishan Home
On 17 November 2007, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng launched the Herbs & Spices Garden at Bishan Home for the Intellectually Disabled. Our Y Volunteers go to the home regularly to work with the beneficiaries to tend to the garden. YMCA's Y Cafe will buy the produces of the garden.

The Y Green Fingers is one of the Programmes under the YMCA-Tan Chin Tuan Community Service Programmes. This week day volunteering programme allows volunteers and beneficiaries to jointly tend to the development of the plants and garden. This programme includes ornamental, herbs and spices and organically grown vegetable gardens at various Voluntary Welfare Organizations.

CITIBANK-YMCA Youth For Causes Awards Celebration 2007
Participants from Citibank-YMCA Youth For Causes 2007 programme convened at the Supreme Court Auditorium on 24 November to join in an Awards Celebration. The event was graced by RAdm Lui Tuck Yew, Minister of State for Education.

This year, with a seed funding of $168,000, the teams have raised a total of $650,000 for 52 voluntary welfare organisations within four months, with the help of 15,000 volunteers.

Mr Edwin Tan, team leader of Inspire’07 that clinched this year’s Team Merit Award (17 to 21 years category) and Best Public Outreach Award said: “Volunteers are our lifeblood. I believe that with enthusiasm, dreams are definitely achievable.” Inspire ’07 organised a charity performance at NUS as well as writing and photography competitions. Street sales of teddy bears and post-it notes were also conducted with help of 3,000 students. The team raised $80,000 for The Straits Times Pocket Money Fund.

Founded by Citigroup Foundation, Citibank-YMCA Youth For Causes is a joint community initiative launched by Citibank and the YMCA of Singapore to promote social entrepreneurship among youth in Singapore.

YMCA receives Meritorious Award & Excellent Service Silver Award
YMCA of Singapore received the Meritorious Award and Excellent Service Silver Award from the Children’s Charities Association on 20 October 2007. The YMCA was nominated by MINDS (Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore) for the Meritorious Award and by the APSN (Association of Persons with Special Needs) for the Excellent Service Silver Award. The awards were presented to the YMCA by Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister of State, Ministry of Education at an awards ceremony held at the Civil Service Club.

Verse of the month : “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

The Orchard Road lightings have brought much delight to both shoppers and tourists. It means that Christmas is coming again. However, Christmas is more than dazzling and beautiful decorations. It is about the birth of Jesus Christ. Unlike any other baby, the one born that night in Bethlehem was unique in all of history. He was not created by a human father and mother. He is the Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. This is why Christmas is called the incarnation, a word which means “in the flesh.” In the birth of Jesus, the eternal, all-powerful and all-knowing Creator came to earth in the flesh. In order to save the world, Jesus came and shared his life with us. Forgiveness of sin and assurance of heaven are now offered to all who believe in him. Let us by all means enjoy, but do not forget the everlasting grace and love of God. Rejoice, for the Lord has come!

Prayer of the month
Father in heaven, we thank you that you have given your son Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. We thank you for Christmas because it is a time of reflection and thanksgiving for the many blessings that bestow upon our lives. We are so thankful that you have given your all to us. You were rich but became poor so that we might become rich in you. Teach us to take time to meditate upon your loving kindness and faithfulness. Help us also to seize this opportunity to share the good news with others that Jesus has come to the world to save us! In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Be blessed at our lunchtime fellowship
Lunchtime Open Fellowship every first Friday of the month.
Complimentary lunch at 12.30pm. All are welcome!

Date:	Friday, 4th January 2008
Speaker:	Pastor Don Wong (New Charis Mission)
Topic:	The word “Precious”
Time:	12:30pm – 2:00pm
Venue:	Tan Chin Tuan Function Room II Level 4 YMCA of Singapore

To register, please contact Ms Seraph Ng at 6586 2242 or email her at seraphng@ymca.org.sg.

NOTICE OF CHANGE OF MANAGEMENT – YMCA GYM
On behalf of the management, we thank you for your involvement with the YMCA as a Member and a Gym user. Please note that with effect from 13 Dec 2007, the YMCA Gym will be managed by Kresics Fitness Pte Ltd. With the engagement of a professional gym & fitness consultancy, YMCA members can look forward to extended gym hours, fully staffed gym throughout gym opening hours, renewal of gym equipment and additional gym equipment. This change in management is part of our continued efforts to improve our YMCA gym services and facilities. For more information, please contact Membership Services at 6586 2255/56.
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Billiard Room
By the 1 Jan 2008, we will be replacing one of the billiard tables to a pool table. The other billiard table will also be repaired and furnished to better serve you. The new Pool table charges will be advised at a further time. If you have any queries, feel free to call Angeline Tan, Corporate Affair Executive at 6586 2252.