Benedict Bear

 

Hi.  My name is Benedict Bear.  I love to travel and to share stories of my adventures with my friends.  I made my first appearance on Sunday 22 January 2012 at the 10am United Service at St. Benedict's Church.  I helped them launch their "Journeys of Life in 2012" programme.

 

I then went into Junior Church to learn lots more about journeys, such as what I should pack in my suitcase when I go on holiday or on a big trip.  There are many stories of long journeys in the Bible.  In Junior Church, I heard about Mary and Joseph travelling to Bethlehem just before Jesus was born.  When Jesus was still very young, Mary and Joesph had to flee into Egypt in order to keep him safe from Herod.  This made me think about all the people today who have to leave their homes and look for shelter in a new country.

 

 

As you can see, I love to have my photograph taken!

 

I've already made some new friends, as Fred (Abbey Centre Baptist Cat), Mary and Arfasleep have invited me to visit them at the Abbey Centre Baptist Church.  I can't wait!

 

And I welcomed Marcus, our Curate, back from Bungoma (Kenya) on Sunday 29 January 2012.  He had such an amazing, yet moving time visiting and staying with members of the local churches.  He was very much struck by their joy and their depth of faith, even though many of them live in poverty.  One of the lasting images for him was seeing a young child by the side of the road picking up millet seed in order to survive.  Paws for thought...  I wish there was something that I could do to make a difference to their lives.

 

At the 11.30am Thirty Minute Church service on Sunday 12 February 2012, I will be commissioned to go out into the parish and beyond with my friends from church and from the local community.  My travel companions will be asked to report back on my travels and adventures.

 

I will share the stories of my travels on my section of the St. Benedict's website.

 

Benedict Bear says a prayer...

 

 Dear Jesus

 help us each day

 to thank you

 for travelling with us

 as we work,

 as we play, and

 as we relax.

 

Amen

 

If you would like to find out more about me or would like me to visit your school, your community group, etc, please contact either Jonathan (our Vicar) or Marcus (our Curate).

 

For details of how to find St. Benedict's Church, press here.