Vernon United Methodist Church started a "Bear Ministry" in May 2001. We received a letter with information from another Church within our Conference that had been doing this for a while. They just wanted to forward us the information regarding this Ministry.
We do things slightly differently than the other Church to adapt to our "Little Church With a Big Heart". When the Bears are brought in, the Pastor annoints them and we pass them around the congregation at Sunday Worship to receive hugs, prayers, and TLC. Whenever someone in our congregation feels that a Bear is needed for Comfort, it is taken and given to the person in need.
The bears have been given out for healing, comforting, and hugging. Additionally, widows, people in pain (physical, emotional, spiritual) as well as anyone just needing an up-lift have received them.
We have decided to try to see where our "Bears" travel to for their Ministry. Many are located here in Connecticut, throughout the South as far as Florida, as far West as California, and as far Northeast as Maine. They have traveled even to different Countries; such as, Canada, Angola, Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia. We have a map to track their journeys.
This is a very strong and on-going Ministry. Even other Churches have adopted this Ministry from us. We have received a multitude of "Thank You cards" informing us how well the recipient feels after obtaining a "Bear". The Bears are truly a blessing and it is a fantastic Ministry.
The space for this web site has been provided courtesy of the General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church.