Baptism Bears at Ulverstone

'Don't go down to the woods today,'

Instead, 'come on and be my Teddy Bear'.

So ran the invitation to all 'Baptism Bears' and others, to bring their owners and come along to a celebration at Holy Trinity Church in Ulverstone and then in ANZAC Park afterwards.

Around 85 people gathered - with their fuzzy friends - in the church on a beautiful sunny Saturday morning in March.

Originally begun as a way of re-connecting with Baptism families - newly baptised children are given a 'Baptism Bear' - our Teddy Bears' Picnic is now in its second year. Last year was wet and cold, so we did not have a great attendance.

This year, after a brief service in the church we moved across the road to ANZAC park, where others joined in - ¬there were around 150 in the park for fun, games, entertainment and food.

The 'service' included the 'Teddy Bears' Picnic' song, a time of thanksgiving for our fuzzy friends, a story of the origins of 'Teddy Bears' and a time for participants to tell why their bear is special. A couple of very ancient teddies were helped by their owners to tell their stories, along with some much younger, but still much-loved bears. Winnie the Pooh, and a funny looking Koala also made an appearance.

In the park we had Tiny Teddy Biscuits, Fairy Bread, Chocolate Crackles and lots of other party food. Bears and owners - small and large - joined in teddy bear three-legged races, Drop the Teddy, and Teddy Bear Trampoline, just to name a few.

Helpers sizzled sausages and we were all entertained by local performer, Bill Cummings. A giant bear tried to lead the games but impeded vision made that difficult, so he was soon 'un-masked'.

Some Baptism Bears made a re-appearance, but these were not always easy to spot amongst the plethora of friends who turned up. The weather was gorgeous until just after the fun was over.

God was very good to us. He sends us love in all sorts of places, and in all sorts of guises, and we've found it great to be able to celebrate what he gives us through our special, fuzzy-wuzzy friends.

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