‘Do not just pretend to love others. Hate what is evil. Cling to what is good'
Romans 12:9
It is with great sadness that we share the news that Chantelle van der Merwe died yesterday evening. Chantelle joined The Bear at the start of the pandemic, shortly after she received a cancer diagnosis. We were inspired by her faith and her prayerful determination to live life and pray for her family and friends as they grieve.
Sunday Morning Service - our morning services have moved to the later time of 12pm at The Church of The Ascension, SE10 8AN. Please arrive from 11.45am.
Sunday Evening Service - at the Evelyn Community Centre, SE8 5TQ. Do sign up to chop, cook, serve, pray, chat, hoover etc - even once in a while makes a massive difference to the team: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ccsNLURWTUbVmxjheJm7Gpl3IC2RVC-q6CojEwRAN5I/edit?usp=sharing
Early Morning Prayer - on Zoom from 7-7.30am Monday to Friday
Women’s Breakfast - on Sunday from 9.45 to 11.30am at the Adlingtons. £5 donation (cash or card). Please rsvp to emily@thebear.tv by close of play TODAY for catering purposes.
The Bear Leadership Inclusivity Statement - on Monday 28 November at 8pm (venue tbc) we will meet to hear from God and each other about this. Please send any comments ahead of that meeting if you can’t attend or prefer to speak privately. Thank you for all the encouragement, questions, honesty, conversations and cautions received so far.
Christmas - not quite near enough to have a paragraph of its own, but fyi we are planning a Youth Social on the 17th and a 4pm Christingle service in Giffin Square on the 18th.
The Bear Church Instagram and Twitter - @thebearchurch
The Bear WhatsApp Broadcast Group - for weekly updates and more, add The Bear Church 07707 524977 to your contacts, then message the number and ask to join the group.
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. We are now also paying rent on three buildings. The Bear Church bank details are 'Deptford Ragged Trust' HSBC Account no. 21361317 Sort Code 40-02-25. To support local people in food poverty through the Evelyn Social Supermarket (our new Evening Service home), please mark your gift ‘Fruit and Veg’. Money-related questions to Tracy at finance@thebear.tv
Covid-19 - please continue to access all the support available - vaccination, regular LF testing, masks, distancing and hand hygiene.
The Ragged Project
Nearly there! God is good. Please ask for publicity resources if you know any philanthropists or benefactors who are looking for a project to invest in. Do also speak one of the leaders if you have a fundraising idea up your sleeve. For the glory of God and the good of the poor.
Other Notices
iNet Advent Prayer - on Thursday 24 at 'Here For Good', 17 Sydenham Road. Prayer for our cross-cultural workers and young people. 7.30pm for mulled wine and mince pies, 8pm for prayer.
Operation Forgiveness - all are welcome to St Peter’s, Wickham Road, SE4 on Thursday 24 November at 7.30pm to find out more about this early intervention knife-crime initiative, delivered by local churches to local schools. See www.operationforgiveness.org.uk for details
This Week at The Bear
Sunday
9.45am Women's Breakfast
12pm Midday Service
6.30pm Evening Service
Monday
7am Early Morning Prayer
9.30am Bear Cubs
1pm Time Out for Parents
Tuesday
7 am Early Morning Prayer
8am Psalms and Stretches
1.30pm Women’s Bible Study
Wednesday
7 am Early Morning Prayer
8pm Housegroups
Thursday
7am Early Prayer
9.30/1pm Bear Cubs
8pm Housegroups
Friday
7am Early Prayer
9.30am Bear Cubs
1.30pm English Fridays
Classifieds
Amnesty Book Sale - tomorrow, Saturday 19th from 10am at the Ascension, Dartmouth Row. Huge selection of new and second-hand books. Refreshments available.
Living to Finish Well - Marjie’s book is out and available to buy. Here’s the promo ft some faces you just might recognise: Living to Finish Well - a challenge you shouldn't avoid - YouTube
Art Exhibitions - our very own Nadine has artwork hidden in two exhibitions in Blackheath. For details see www.smagart.com or www.blackheathartsociety.org.uk
Deptford Open Studios and Christmas Market - on Saturday 3 December from 11am at Art Hub, 5-9 Creekside SE8 4SA
Contact info@thebear.tv if you want to run a classified ad. Please note that Classifieds are included as a courtesy and do not necessarily reflect The Bear Leadership or employees' views or beliefs.