WHAT’S ON
SUNDAY
Joint service with Ascension : Ascension : 10:30am
Bring-and-share lunch : Vicarage : 12nn
Evening worship : Evelyn Community Centre : 6pm
(meal + worship, food prep @ 4pm)
MONDAY
TUESDAY
Women's Bible Study : The Albany : 1:30pm
WEDNESDAY
Communities for Afghans session : online : 5:30pm
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
THROUGH-OUT THE WEEK
Early morning prayer : zoom : 7am Mon-Fri
Joint service with Ascension & garden party : the joint service this week will be a very collaborative affair! Chine is speaking, Vicar Anne is leading communion and Daniel is on music, with Nicholas from Ascension playing some organ during the service as well. The children programme is on, being led by Tessa and Ipek from Ascension. Don't forget the earlier start time of 10:30am with no tea & coffee available pre-service, but rather a garden party in the vicarage following the service. Please bring something to share with our Ascension extended family.
COMING UP
☀️SUMMER SUNDAYS : SAVE THE DATES☀️
Over the summer, The Bear takes a little break from its regular programming to bring you a series of events and activities to be together, to reflect and to celebrate summer! Below are all the details for this year's Summer Sundays.
JULY 26
Pizza and prayer : The Bear Church : 10:30am
Iain will prepare dough and provide toppings. If you have any faves do bring along, and an apron if you like!
AUGUST 2
Worship in Whitstable : Jo & Andy's house : 11:30am
Bring-and-share picnic and address to come. If you would like a lift, please email info@thebear.tv by July 29th.
AUGUST 9
The Well Runs Deep : Deptford walking tour, starting & finishing at The Bear : 10:30am
A guided prayerful walk through the past, present and future of The Bear.
AUGUST 16
Psalms & Stretches : The Bear : 10:30am
Led by our very own Ruth Carpenter, bring your mat to come & pray in our new gallery space.
AUGUST 23
Bring-and-share bunch : The Jones' : 10:30am
Pancakes and bacon provided!
AUGUST 30
Greenbelt Festival : Boughton House, Kettering : 27-30 August
A group are heading again to the Greenbelt Festival. It's the last time it will be at the stunning Boughton House grounds and it is a family friendly, joy-filled weekend of inspiration, creativity & connection. If you're planning to come along, email bex@thebear.tv to be added to the whatsapp group.
IN OUR COMMUNITY
Communities for Afghans UPDATE #2 : so far four people have put up their hand to be involved in The Refugee Council's settlement programme for Afghan refugees, but we need at least six to register as a community that can support a family. The information session is this week, July 22nd online at 5:30pm, so if you are keen to know more, come along or you can check out the Communities for Afghans website here. If you would like to sign up, email info@thebear.tv and we'll connect you up with the rest of the gang.
Henley Club to Pub swim fundraiser : Bex, Tracy and Vickie will be swimming 1.5km on the July 25th to raise money for The Deptford Ragged Project. Every little bit helps us get closer to the building being finished, so if you can donate please check out there Just Giving page.
Donations for Bear House kitchen : there are still a load of items we need to finish out the kitchen, so if you have any of the items below to donate or can buy, please email iain@thebear.tv:
Microwave
Hand whisks x 3
Electric whisk
Palette knives x 3
Small saucepan and lid
Digital scales
Small frying pan
Clear plastic storage boxes with lids, various sizes
Dustpan and brush
Set of good quality kitchen knives (5, various kinds)
Circle of Security Parenting : Bear Cubs will be running the next COSP course at The Bear building, starting on Tuesday 6 October 2026. This eight week course will start at 10am each Tuesday, and is free for parents to attend. For more information, contact tessa@thebear.tv.
CLASSIFIEDS
Time to Act : The Just Peace Coalition has brought together churches and Christian organisations across the UK to respond to the call from Palestinian Christians to the global Church to respond not with silence or despair, but with courage, compassion, and action. Together, they are inviting individuals, churches, and communities to commit to working and praying for a just peace for all who call the Holy Land home. If you would like to know more, check out their website here.
Practical Peacemaking in a Time of Polarisation : Join Better Story for a webinar with clergy and community members exploring how we can respond to the growing division in our society through compassionate bridge building and dialogue across divides. The session in online on Wednesday July 29th 7pm and you can RSVP here.
ESSENTIAL RECOMMENDS…
🙈 to see : The best answer to: where's your finance?
🙉 to hear : The lawyer who took on Meta - and won
🙊 to read : This quote: Never forget that you are the main data center. Drink water, and consume as much literature as possible.