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Saint Michael and All Angels
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How Teddy Bears Make A Difference

by Madelyn Ivy, Assistant Director of Children and Family Ministry

Prayer Bear Drive 2019

For some children, fall is a time of fun, family, and plenty of feasting. But for those children who are waiting for a stable, loving home of their own, this time of year is often full of deep anxiety and fear. In a single year, more than 20,000 children living in Dallas County are reported as being abused or neglected. While some of these children are able to remain in their current living situations, others must be removed because these homes are no longer safe for them. Many enter the foster care system and wait as a judge decides upon a safe and permanent home for them. Due to the complexity and often subsequent length of this process, a child may end up having several temporary homes during this time. Such instability and uncertainly can cause some children to have difficulty feeling safe, trusting others, and building healthy relationships, and it can even leave them feeling uncertain about their identity or personal value.

This is where the involvement of Dallas CASA makes an immediate and long-lasting impact. Dallas CASA is a non-profit social service and advocacy agency that works to ensure that children who have been abused or neglected are given a chance to grow into healthy and successful adults. Dallas CASA volunteers are appointed by judges and advocate for the needs and best interests of children who have been abused or neglected, including helping the children to find loving families in safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible. Presently, over 1,300 volunteers serve more than 3,100 children each year in Dallas County.

Dallas CASA volunteers work tirelessly to help ensure that all of the children in their care find stable and safe homes where they are well cared for and loved. For many children, a CASA volunteer is their only constant during a frightening and inconsistent time. While some children are eventually reunited with their parents or other relatives, others find new homes with adoptive parents. As part of the process of gaining new families and homes, many of the children who have become candidates for adoption must spend time in court rooms as their adoptions are being finalized. For some people, simply being in a court room can stimulate uncertainty or a sense of foreboding. For children hoping to begin a completely new life, such feelings are often exacerbated. That is why Dallas CASA provides a teddy bear or other stuffed animal to each and every child to act as a cuddly and calming companion during an otherwise stressful or confusing time.

On November 23rd, Dallas County celebrated National Adoption Day, a time when Dallas CASA lined the courtrooms with these stuffed animals. Each child was allowed to choose a furry friend to accompany them as they transitioned into life with their adoptive families. Having come off the success of their first Prayer Bear Drive benefitting Cook Children’s Medical Center held during 2019’s Vacation Bible School, the Children and Family Ministry of Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church held a second Prayer Bear Drive to help support Dallas CASA and all the children who are candidates for adoption. Partnering with the Stewardship Ministry of SMAA and Saint Michael Episcopal School, donations of new teddy bears and other stuffed animals were accepted throughout the months of October and the beginning of November. By the end of the donation period, 76 stuffed animals had been collected!

Following the collection, families from SMAA and SMES gathered to bless the stuffed animals and deliver them to Dallas CASA. Upon arrival, it could not be underestimated how delighted and grateful the folks at Dallas CASA were to receive so many furry friends. While they could not reveal any specific details about how many or which children would be receiving a teddy bear, they did assure those delivering the stuffed animals that each one would become a welcome, cuddly companion to a child who is a candidate for adoption. They were certain that through contributions like those of Saint Michael, and the continued efforts of Dallas CASA volunteers, 2019’s National Adoption Day would be one not of fear or uncertainty, but rather of comfort and blessing.

The staff of the Children and Family Ministry at Saint Michael could not agree more. Perhaps in the future, there will be a third Prayer Bear Drive supporting other children who could benefit from having a constant, cuddly companion by their side. For now, though, we wish to express our sincerest thanks to all those who donated a teddy bear or other stuffed animal during this and all of the Prayer Bear Drives here at Saint Michael!

Want to keep helping children? If you would enjoy contributing to another Prayer Bear Drive (any other cause benefitting children), contact Madelyn Ivy at [email protected], and let us know what you think.


Tags: Blog & Newsroom

The Archangel Lent 2020

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A Message from the Rector - "Deep Gratitude"

Instead of giving something up as our Lenten discipline, Rector Chris Girata offers a few ideas for how we can put into practice our call to discipleship during this Lent.

Read More »

2019 Compass Rose Society Annual Meeting

Rector Chris Girata and Senior Warden Jay Lipscomb recount their recent trip to England to attend the Compass Rose Society annual meeting.

Read More »

How Teddy Bears Make A Difference

Children's Minister Madelyn Ivy outlines the significant impact of last fall's prayer bear drive benefitting Dallas CASA.

Read More »

Saint Michael Tornado Relief Report

Thanks to the generosity of our parishioners, Saint Michael was able to provide significant aid to our community in the aftermath of last October's devastating tornadoes.

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Women of the Passion

The Rev. Mary Lessmann explains the uniqueness and importance of the Women of the Passion service that will be offered Monday in Holy Week.

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Easter Day Offering

On behalf of the Mission & Outreach Committee, M&O Coordinator Christi Morrow announces the 2020 recipients of our Easter offering, 100% of which will be given away. This year's beneficiaries focus on the theme of addressing violence against women and human trafficking.

Read More »

Read the full issue

Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church
8011 Douglas Ave
Dallas, TX 75225
(214) 363-5471

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Saint Michael and All Angels is a member parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas. We practice The Way of Love as members of The Episcopal Church.

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Sunday Services:
9 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite II)
11 a.m. Contemporary Rite II Service
8 p.m. Compline

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Saint Michael and All Angels
8011 Douglas Ave
Dallas, TX 75225

Contact Us
(214) 363-5471

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Welcome Children Service Times Getting Here & Campus Map Membership

Welcome! | Saint Michael and All Angels is a community of passionate people seeking to follow Jesus in a meaningful way that impacts both our own lives and that of the community around us. We are blessed with our parish home and so glad to share it with you. If you find yourself in Dallas, we would love to have you join us for worship!

- The Reverend Dr. Chris Girata, Rector

Welcome to Children and Family Ministry!

Our team in Children and Family Ministry provides children, ages 0 – 5th grade, and their parents with the tools they need to become faithful disciples of Christ. We achieve this through fun and interactive programming that allows children and families to explore their faith together.

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Sunday Services:
7:30 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite I) in Saint Michael Chapel
9 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite II) in the Church
9 a.m. Joy: A Children’s Service in Saint Michael Chapel
11 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite I) in the Church
11 a.m. Contemporary Rite II Service in the Parish Hall
5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer and Eucharist Rite I in Saint Michael Chapel
8 p.m. Compline in the Church
Saturday Services:
8:30 a.m. Eucharist in Bishop Moore Chapel
5:30 p.m. Candlelight Mass in Saint Michael Chapel
Weekday Services:
7 a.m. M/W/F: Morning Prayer in Bishop Moore Chapel
7 a.m. T/Th: Holy Eucharist (Rite I or II) in Bishop Moore Chapel
10 a.m. Wed.: Healing Service in Bishop Moore Chapel
Click here for service descriptions and more info

We are located just south of Northwest Highway off of Douglas Ave. at Colgate Ave. Via Northbound Tollroad: Exit Lovers Ln, continue straight on Lomo Alto a few blocks to Colgate. Church is on your right. Via Southbound Tollroad: Exit Northwest Hwy, turn left to Douglas Ave. Turn R on Douglas and church is a few blocks down on your right. Via US 75: Exit Northwest Hwy and go west to Douglas Ave. Turn R on Douglas and church is a few blocks down on your right.

Maps & Directions

If you are new to Saint Michael, curious about the path to membership, or simply want to learn more about life at our parish community, we invite you to join us for two different class events we have throughout the year: "Saint Michael 101" is an introduction to life here at SMAA, and "Episcopal Christians", where we explore what it means to walk as a Christian in the Episcopal tradition, discussing topics like our Anglican heritage, worship, the Bible and formation etc.

Saint Michael 101 Episcopal Christians
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Flowers in our holy worship spaces are a beautiful gift to God and those who attend services at Saint Michael as well as those being honored or remembered. A contribution to the Flower Fund is a meaningful way to honor or remember a loved one for special life events such as birthdays, anniversaries, baptisms, confirmations, thanksgivings, or in memory of a loved one.

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The Foundation of Saint Michael and All Angels is essential to the vitality, growth, stability and success of our parish. Its grants support the mission of the Parish, consistent with priorities established by the Vestry and the Rector.

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