Parish of Ulverstone

As a means of trying to 're-connect' a keen Christian family at Holy Trinity, Ulverstone with a vibrant local community, the Anglican church has taken part in two community festivals and put on a Teddy Bears Picnic, among other events. In the Apex Community Christian Festival and Parade, the Rector entered the parade on stilts, being billed as 'Angels in the height adore him, Jesus Christ the Lord.' This was followed with a contingent of church members providing food, games, massages, stilts, bubbles, 'Jesus all about life' balloons, Christmas literature and a place to just sit, relax and 'chill out'.

At the Apex Festival in the Park in February, we again had a presence with free games and activities for the kids. Then, on 12 April, we held our first annual 'Teddy bears' picnic', mostly in an attempt to re-connect with Baptism Families.

Recently, we have been giving children a 'Baptism Bear' at their Baptism. We invited these and any other Baptism families from the last four years, as well as the wider community, to come for a brief thanksgiving for our Teddy Bears in church, followed by picnic food and Teddy Bear Games in the park opposite the church.

Three of the Baptism families returned, along with 60 or 70 others (including humans!) and had lots of fun. We had the opportunity to promote our Sunday School and other activities for Kids and Families, as well as catching up with church family, Baptism families and wider community members, some from community Day Care and schools and some just passing by in the park.