‘When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place…’
Acts 2:1-4
Buildings and People - while we still wait for the registration of J49, our building is opening up again. We are having meetings at The Bear, Bear Cubs at The Bear, rehearsals at The Bear, classes and groups at The Bear… why not Sunday mornings at The Bear? We’ll go forward cautiously (like the hugs) with rules, protocol and maybe a bump or two along the way, but the plan is to meet again in June!
Congratulations – to the Reverend Paul who was ordained into the Church of England last Sunday evening. Thanks all who joined in person or on Zoom to share in this very special occasion.
Sunday 16 May – morning prayer is from 10am then the virtual doors swing wide at 10.20 am with sung worship. The Morning Service starts at 10.30am. Please have paper and pen/pencil ready.
Put your name on your device before you sign in on a Sunday and have your video on if you are able. Any issues, message The Bear on 07707 524977.
Breakout Rooms - will follow straight after the service. The rooms are not led or monitored. If you have any concerns about anything discussed, please contact one of The Bear leadership team (Bex, Chine, Hugh, Iain, Paul, Richard or Tessa).
Family, friends and neighbours are very welcome to join on Sundays. Do ask them to contact The Bear in advance for ID and Password. We can then explain the protocol and send them the codes.
Electric Eels and Flame Fish - Sunday at 9 am. Contact
Youth Alpha - Sunday at 10am. Contact for Zoom codes. On Sunday 23 May, Youth Alpha will be at The Bear!
Youth and Children - our amazing kids have been meeting together on Zoom throughout the pandemic. If you would like to help lead, support them, pray for them, please contact to find out how you can be part of something really special.
Early Morning Prayer - meeting to pray at 7am Monday to Friday
Women’s Bible Study - Tuesdays at 2pm
The Bear Book Club - Thursday 27 May sharing thoughts on ‘Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People’ by Nadia Bolz-Weber. Contact for details.
The Bear Men’s Weekend - Fri 2nd to Sun 4th July (if Covid restrictions allow). A weekend on the Norfolk Broads for men aged 15 and over (under 18’s accompanied by an adult). The cost is £60 pp plus travel. Contact Daniel at to pay your deposit - first come first served.
House Groups - usually meet on Wednesdays or Thursdays. To join one, or try one, contact
Bear Cubs - for pre-school children and their parents/carers. Bookable sessions in the Shaftesbury and outdoors on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. See Eventbrite or email bearcubs@thebear.tv (please note, the May Positive Parenting Course has been cancelled)
English Fridays - a free conversational English class for students of all levels at 1.30pm on Fridays. Contact
The Bear Youth Camp - Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 August. Contactfor booking information.
The Whole Bear Camp - Friday 20 August for a weekend of camping in the sun. There are still some places available, both under canvas and in bunkhouses (see attached booking form). Please note, there are a range of activities on offer during the weekend at just £10 per person. Check out www.birchhall.com for details before you fill in the form.
The Bear Church Instagram - username: the_bear_v_church or username: thebearchurch Contact to post.
The Bear WhatsApp Broadcast Group - to receive these updates add The Bear Church 07707 524977 to your contacts, then message the number and ask to join the group.
The Bear Finance Department – do send any finance emails to Tracy at finance@thebear.tv – but do not send them to info@thebear.tv because that person doesn’t do finance.
Giving - is part of our worship. We want to continue to pay our staff, our bills and support our local community and our cross-cultural workers. The Bear Church bank details are 'Deptford Ragged Trust' HSBC Account no. 21361317 Sort Code 40-02-25.
Other Notices
If you'd like to give to the climate justice appeal as part of Christian Aid Week, then you can do so on The Bear's special CAW e-envelope here. https://envelope.christianaid.org.uk/envelope/chine-mcdonald?channel=copy
God Is Not A White Man - Chine’s latest book will be published on Thursday 27 May. There are a few book launch-style events, including this one, in-person at Southwark Cathedral on 25 May and Chine in conversation with Dr Sanjee Perera at the Church House Bookshop launch event online (free) on 27 May. Book your place, if interested.
Bare Christianity - listen to Pastor Paul reading his upcoming book.
YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQHVEY0ENv48scStgcYv3Tw/videos
Podbean: https://pauladlington.podbean.com
Summer 21 – if you are 14-24, join REACH London and iNet for a week-long mission experience across four locations in London this summer. Serve a missional project, receive training, and have fun. It's residential and either free or very low cost. Take a look at the promotional video, download the flyer, and click here for the expression of interest form.
Psalms and Stretches - where wellbeing meets worship. Every Tuesday at 8 am. Donations welcome. For details and to book in please contact info@psalmsandstretches.com
This week at The Bear
Sunday
9am Electric Eels/Flame Fish
10am Youth Alpha
10 am Morning Prayer
10.30 am Morning Service (virtual doors at 10.20 am)
Monday
7am Early Morning Prayer
10am Bear Cubs x3
8pm The Deptford Ragged Trustees meeting
Tuesday
7 am Early Morning Prayer
2 pm Women's Bible Study
Wednesday
7 am Early Morning Prayer
8 pm Housegroups on Zoom
Thursday
7 am Early Morning Prayer
9.15am Fundraising Team Meeting
10.30 am Bear Cubs al fresco
8 pm Housegroups on Zoom
Friday
7 am Early Morning Prayer
9.30am Bear Cubs x2
1.30pm English Fridays
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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