The Bear Essentials
Please note all meeting ID’s and personal email addresses have been deleted.
Week Beginning 28 February 2021
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE GOOD OF THE POOR
“Here is your God”
Isaiah 40:9
February Update – at the office/Youth & Children’s rooms are nearly empty, ready for preliminary building work. The main hall will still be in use but only when completely necessary. The latest government announcement re COVID-19 means that we hope to meet again during the summer months, wherever we might be. Meanwhile, we continue to fellowship in all our different ways via Zoom. Codes are sent in advance to What’s App. If you’re not on the Bear Church Group, read the notice below to find out how you can be.
So Long and Thanks for all the Fish* – I’ve used it before, I know, but I can’t think of a better way to say this is my last Bear Essentials. Don’t worry; there’s no hyperspace bypass being planned through the planet, not that I know of anyway. Nor will you be left without ramblings, diversions, inappropriate humour and weird colloquialisms. From next week Tessa Chapman will be using her administrative skills, comedic ability and perfect punctuation to ensure that BE continues. Please keep sending anything admin to Tessa at info@thebear.tv. I will still be in my counting-house counting all the money etc. so for all things finance related, you can contact me at finance@thebear.tv. Thanks for reading, Tracy x
* (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Adams. D)
Sunday Morning – Katharine will be sharing the story of the Deptford Ragged School; how in 1844 people sought to share Jesus with the community of Deptford and what that means for us today. As a heads up, watch this beautiful short video, the story of the Deptford Ragged School as told kids at Tidemill Academy.
Prayer is 10-10:15 am - open to everyone - then the virtual doors swing wide at 10.20 am. The service begins at 10.30 am.
Breakout Chat Rooms - will follow straight after the service - do stay and connect. Please note that the Chat Rooms are not led or monitored. If you have any concerns about anything discussed in these times, please contact one of the Bear Leaders. Thanks.
Family, friends and neighbours are very welcome to join in on Sundays. Please ask them to contact The Bear (info@thebear.tv/07707 524977) in advance for ID and Password. We can then explain the protocol and the reasons for it.
Youth – on Sunday at 10 am, with Bex and Felix. Contact info@thebear.tv for codes and more information. Please see below for upcoming events.
Electric Eels, Flame Fish – on Sunday at 9 am. Contact: info@thebear.tv for codes and more information
Evening Service – food and fellowship are on hold during lockdown, but we continue to support the Evelyn and Pepys Estate Social Supermarkets with fresh fruit and vegetable deliveries. Contact Richard for more information and ways to help.r.bell@jubileeresource.org Please do consider giving over and above for this project. If you would like to donate, please email Tracy at info@thebear.tv
Bear Church Group – keeps us all informed on all things happening at the Bear, including Zoom codes for meetings. If you'd like to join this What's App, please sign up by:
1) Adding the Bear number 07707 524977 to your Contact List.
2) Once you've done that, text Tessa on the same number and ask to join the group.
3) Please do not do step 2 before step 1 because it won't work.
Early Morning Prayer During Lent – a lovely life giving and receiving time. Meeting to pray each day (except Sundays) at 7 am. Come once, or more than once, or every day, as together we prepare for Easter. All are welcome.
Please note there is no Standing in the Gap for March or April as there’s so much happening in the morning. Contact info@thebear.tv with any questions.
Bare Christianity – Pastor Paul’s musings on faith can be listened to on the latest podcasts from his book Bare Christianity. Chapter 7b and chapter 7c - can be found on apple podcasts by searching Bare Christianity
On the Bear you tube channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQHVEY0ENv48scStgcYv3Tw/videos
And on podbean: https://pauladlington.podbean.com
Housegroups – generally meet on Zoom at 8/8.30 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you would like to join one, contact info@thebear.tv and he will put you in touch.
Bear Cubs – for pre-school children and their parent/carers. The team will be pulling out all the stops for this year’s World BOOK DAY – 4/03/21 📚
We are super excited about Book Day next week and have not 1, but 2 award winning authors sharing their books with us on zoom.
Monday 1 March - 10am Zoom. Rachel Stubbs will be reading ‘My Red Hat’ Please wear a hat or make one.
Thursday 4 March @ 10-12. Come and collect a cat themed activity pack and a £1 World book day token. We will also be sending a link for a printable token for anyone that can’t get out.
Friday 5 March – 10 am Zoom. Tee Dobinson will be reading “The Tower Bridge Cat and the Baby Whale” This is Tee’s 2nd book about Bella the Tower Bridge Cat. You can watch Tee read Bella’s first story here. https://youtu.be/cpJyAEG28Iw
Please bring your cats or even dress up as a Cat if you can! Contact bearcubs@thebear.tv to book and join the Bear Cubs WhatsApp broadcast group. The Positive Parenting course is in full swing again, so please pray for the blessing to increase in all the team do.
Bear Book Club – the next Bear Book club is on Thursday 8th April, reading (beforehand) and sharing thoughts on Life Together, The Classic Exploration of Christian Community by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. For Zoom codes and more details please contact info@thebear.tv
Women's Bible Study –on Zoom, 2 pm on Tuesdays. Please contact Margaret P for details.
English Fridays – is a free conversational English class for students of all levels. For now, it will continue at 1.30 pm on Fridays, funnily enough, via Zoom. Contact info@thebear.tv
Youth News
The Bear Youth Camp (school yr 9+) 18 – 20 August
The Bear Church has booked exclusive use of the site at Birch Hall Adventures by Frinton-on-Sea. We will have small groups, play massive wide games, have night walks, an afternoon at the beach, take part in activities ranging from archery, low ropes, climbing, sailing, canoeing, cave rescue to bush craft and end each day around the campfire. Complete the attached booking form to book. Deadline 19 March.
Summer 21: A week of Outreach and Mission (age 14-24) 25 July – 1 August
Join REACH London and iNet for a week-long missions experience in London this summer. Serve a missional project, receive training, and have fun. Take a look at the promotional video here and download the flyer.
If you have any questions do get in touch, Bex
Bear Camp Two – Following the youth camp, everyone can join the party on Friday 20 August for a weekend of family camping in the sun. ☀️ It is on the farm near Frinton-on-Sea where some of The Bear camped last year. Costs and booking terms to be finalised (but we can postpone at no charge if we're in lockdown).
Instagram - username: the_bear_v_church or username: thebearchurch Contact: Katharine A to post.
Giving - is part of our worship and vital to pay our staff, bills and support our community and our cross-cultural workers. The Bear bank details are 'Deptford Ragged Trust' HSBC Account no. 21361317 Sort Code 40-02-25. Any questions contact Tracy at info@thebear.tv
Non-Bear Notices
iNet Spring Prayer Booklet - Praying for the Nations – please see attached booklet from iNet to help focus prayer for cross-cultural workers from the Bear and other local churches. For security and safety of our CCW’s the focus in on countries and broader needs, rather than their specific circumstances.
Psalms & Stretches – where wellbeing meets worship. The Tuesday 8 am class is back. While P&S Founder Ruth is on maternity leave her class will be covered by other instructors. For details please contact:info@psalmsandstretches.com
Week Beginning Sunday 28 February 2021
Please note: All Meetings and Mid-Week activities are on Zoom.
Sunday
10 am Morning Prayer (15 mins of prayer before the service)
10.30 am Morning Service (virtual doors at 10.20 am)
No Evening Service, but please see above re giving Fruit & Veg to Social Supermarkets.
Monday
7 am Lent Prayer
10 am Bear Cubs, Story & Songs (bearcubs@thebear.tv)
Tuesday
7 am Lent Prayer
8 am Psalms and Stretches
2 pm Women's Bible Study
Wednesday
7 am Lent Prayer
8 pm House Groups
8 pm Positive Parenting
Thursday
7 am Lent Prayer
10 am Bear Cubs, Activity Pack Collection
8 pm House Groups
7.30 pm Bear Book Club
Friday
7 am Lent Prayer
10 am - 12 Bear Cubs, Story & Songs
1.30 pm English Fridays
Saturday
7 am Lent Prayer
Classifieds
Contact info@thebear.tv if you wish to run a classified ad. Please note that all Non-Bear notices and classifieds are included as a courtesy and do not necessarily reflect The Bear leadership or employees' views or beliefs.
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