Teddy Bears bring hope in a soft package

Summer Crosby

SUPERIOR- With the bright, warm weather behind us, the gloomy days of winter are slowly setting in. The economy is still down and many continue to struggle with everyday problems. Knowing this, and knowing that people from all walks of life have difficulties ranging from family problems, work issues and whatever may have you, Nancy Garcia decided to start a new ministry at the Superior, St. Regis and Alberton United Methodist Church.

“I’m originally from Indiana and back home, I have a friend, who was a classmate, that told me about this bear ministry,” Garcia said. “They have a large room in their church set aside for bears. When she told me about it, I thought it sounded interesting.”

The ministry, entitled the Superior United Methodist Bear Family Ministry, is for anyone in the community. An individual who knows someone having a hard time, can come to the church and pick out a stuffed bear. They write down their name and who the bear is going to, but the individual’s name doesn’t need to be revealed. During service, Pastor Mike Hart will then pray over the bear. Again the name is kept quiet unless specifically requested to be mentioned. The bear is then passed around through the entire congregation, where each individual will say a quick prayer. The bear is then given to the individual who requested it and that individual then gives the bear to the intended recipient.

Garcia heard about the idea around this time last year, but didn’t get around to actually putting it into existence until earlier this past spring.

“At first I don’t think the congregation was very receptive to the idea, but they’ve warmed up to it,” Garcia said. “A few weeks ago the bears really were flying off the pew and I had one individual come up to me and she was very concerned about bringing more in.”

Garcia said she enjoys watching the bears disappear because she knows that they went to somebody who needed their day brightened and needed to know that somebody cared about them either.

The bears are donated or Garcia will go to the thrift stores and purchase them rather inexpensively. She said that Brenda Schneider donated three garbage bags full. Of course, making sure the bears are fit to give away is very important and Garcia said that Schneider took the time to wash every single one.

“She had collected bears for years and called me up and said ‘I have bears for you,’” Garcia recalled. “I offered to give her something for them, but she didn’t want anything.”

Frances Higgs also donated a good amount of bears to the cause.

“I’ve just been very pleased with how it’s come along,” said Garcia.

Garcia places a laminated card around each bear’s neck that reads: “This little bear has spent time in the midst of our congregation. It has heard the Scriptures read, sermons preached, prayers prayed and the songs of praise sung. It knows both the joys and the heartaches of our people and has been surrounded by the love so freely shared by our community of faith. It comes to offer comfort and peace, with all the blessings of worship and love.”

Each letter of the word bear has also been given a meaning. B stands for believe, E for encourage, A for assist and finally R stands for revive.

“Our church has been pretty visible in the community for a good length of time,” Garcia said, “and this is a unique way to let someone know that people care about them.”

Garcia said she has plans to approach the sheriff’s department to see if they’d like to carry some in their cars because some cases involve children and would be another way to help out.

“I’ve heard stories of people who have carried them in their cars and handed them out to people that they saw having a difficult time,” Garcia said. “People they didn’t even know.”