Church service to bless teddy bears

-17/05/06

If you go down in the woods today youíre in for a big surprise. Youíll find the bears are being blessed.

St James Anglican Church, Ramsden, in Oxfordshire, once in the ancient Wychwood forest, is inviting people to bring out their bears for a service of blessing.

The Revd Glynn Cardy, whose blog is called Lucky Bear, says, ìThis is a wonderful opportunity for children and adults of the village and Benefice to celebrate their cuddly friends. The service is a way to celebrate the gift of imagination and affirm that part of us that delights in giving and receiving love.î

Cardy, a New Zealander whose home
church is in New Zealand
is spending several months at the Oxford church before returning home.

The idea arose on Easter morning over breakfast. ìA group of us thought it would be fun,î says Cardy.

He also adds that it has a more serious side too, ìBears are both the recipients of our affection and the encouragement for us to show affection. They become and remain our friends, even when all the soft fur wears off. I pray we can always treat people as kindly as we treat teddy bears.î

And every bear that ever was will gather there for certain becauseÖ

The teddy bear blessing takes place on Sunday 28th May, at 10.30 at St James Anglican Church, Ramsden, in Oxfordshire

If you go down in the woods today youíre in for a big surprise. You’ll find the bears are being blessed.

St James Anglican Church, Ramsden, in Oxfordshire, once in the ancient Wychwood forest, is inviting people to bring out their bears for a service of blessing.

The Revd Glynn Cardy, whose blog is called Lucky Bear, says, ìThis is a wonderful opportunity for children and adults of the village and Benefice to celebrate their cuddly friends. The service is a way to celebrate the gift of imagination and affirm that part of us that delights in giving and receiving love.î

Cardy, a New Zealander whose home
church is in New Zealand
is spending several months at the Oxford church before returning home.

The idea arose on Easter morning over breakfast. ìA group of us thought it would be fun,î says Cardy.

He also adds that it has a more serious side too, ìBears are both the recipients of our affection and the encouragement for us to show affection. They become and remain our friends, even when all the soft fur wears off. I pray we can always treat people as kindly as we treat teddy bears.î

And every bear that ever was will gather there for certain becauseÖ

The teddy bear blessing takes place on Sunday 28th May, at 10.30 at St James Anglican Church, Ramsden, in Oxfordshire