‘By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;
by knowledge the rooms are filled with precious and pleasant riches…’
Proverbs 24:3-4
What’s with the ‘bumper’? - this is a double dose of Essentials. An early summer special if you will. Both info@thebear.tv and are out of the office next week so all questions and concerns will have to be put on the back burner until after the Bank Holiday. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
The Ragged Project - an opportunity to see the building plans and ask questions in person this Sunday and Monday - come to The Bear between 2-4pm on Sunday 23 and 6-8pm on Monday 24 to see what our fabulous new building will look like (social distancing, track and trace, masks and sanitisation are all mandatory). RSVP to
Buildings and People - while we continue to 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… so why not Sunday mornings at The Bear? We’ll go forward cautiously (like the hugs) with rules, protocol and maybe a hiccup or two along the way, but… the plan is to meet together again in June!
Sundays - morning prayer is from 10am then the virtual doors swing wide at 10.20 am with sung worship. Put your name on your device before you sign in and have your video on if you are able. Any issues, message The Bear on 07707 524977.
Breakout Rooms - 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 23 May at 9 am. NO sessions on Sunday 30 May or Sunday 6 June.
Youth Alpha – at The Actual Bear on Sunday 23 May from 10am - 12.30pm. Parents - do let know if your youth will be there or not.
Youth and Children - our amazing children and young people have been meeting together on Zoom throughout the pandemic. A massive thanks to the teams of leaders and helpers who have made this possible. If you would like to join a team to lead or help in one of these groups, 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 (except Bank Holidays)
Women’s Bible Study - Tuesdays at The Bear - 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.
The Bear Youth Camp - Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 August. Contact for 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.
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
English Fridays - a free conversational English class for students of all levels at 1.30pm on Fridays. Contact
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
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
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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