News
Peebles new Street Pastors
The Border Telegraph reported on the commissioning of new Street Pastors on 15 June. This was a good occasion when God’s presence was felt.
Good feedback on the work of community partnership including Fife Street Pastors
Read this report about how crime is reducing in Dunfermline bus station.
Community Inspector Neil McGurk has this to say: “The bus station has had significant issues. From the turn of this year, we have had quite a significant reduction in calls to the bus station – I think we are getting half the calls compared to this time last year so hopefully measures being put in place are starting to bear fruit.
“Various work is ongoing with our partners including the bus station, safer communities and Fife Street Pastors have been deployed. Regular attendance by our officers, once a shift where possible.”
Great to see the Fife Street Pastors and their community counterparts getting a mention!
Peebles commissioning of new Street Pastors
Borders Street Pastors commissioned new Pastors in Peebles on Sunday. It was good to see a Prayer Pastor commissioned alongside the Street Pastors. We are thankful for opportunities to serve new communities, Peebles is one of our newest patrol areas in Scotland.
Ally from Greatest Hits radio was there and wrote this story: https://hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/borders/news/street-pastors-peebles-commissioning-service/
Dumfries patrol
On Saturday, Chris Jewell and a team of Street Pastors travelled to patrol in Dumfries as part of Guid Nychburris Day getting Street Pastors known, in preparation for starting a new intiative in Dumfries and Galloway. The team said hi to hundreds of people young and old. We also had a photo with the Queen of the South, and the Queen of hearts on stilts!
We give thanks for the Salvation Army who patrolled with us, and gave us use of their premises as a base.
Stirling Street Pastors – ready to lend a hand
More street pastors have been commissioned for Stirling, and are ready to care, help and listen on the streets and university campus.
“We weren’t able to recruit and train volunteers through lock down so our new recruits will enable us to increase the number of patrols we are able to put out on a weekly basis.” Christopher Whitehead, Chair of Stirling Street Pastors.
As with many charities in Scotland, Street Pastor volunteer numbers dropped during Covid. In Stirling, we have been greatly encouraged that the numbers are picking up again with four new recruits commissioned this week. Chris Jewell, CEO of Ascension Trust Scotland, carried out the formalities and his message was that we should increase our expectations of what God will do. And indeed, we now have ten more recruits ready to start training next week (there’s still time to sign up if you want to be part of this great team)!
“The inestimable work that Street Pastors do for vulnerable folk in our city is genuinely heart-warming! These volunteers give practical meaning to being the hands and feet of Christ.” Rev Attie van Wyck, Park Church.
A lot of people we meet on the streets think we are crazy when they find out we don’t get paid to do this. What we tell them is that the work is very rewarding especially when some very practical help is given to vulnerable people to keep them safe and get them home. It’s also very enjoyable talking to different people who are out having a good night. It is a privilege too when someone really wants to talk about what’s going on in their life, and how a listening ear is so important. There is no doubt that some patrols can be very challenging and hard work, but that doesn’t put the Street Pastors off. It’s very often in those difficult situations that people need the most help
We enjoy working together with the local Police, Stirling Council, Go Forth Stirling, Safebase, Pubwatch and the University. We look forward to carrying on our work and are thankful for the support from local churches for prayers and funding.
Get in touch; just search for Stirling Street Pastors and you’ll find us on Facebook, Instagram and the Web.
New Caithness Street Pastors
Congratulations to Caithness Street Pastors who commissioned 4 new Street Pastors were in Thurso St Peters and St Andrew’s Parish church. This will enable Caithness Street Pastors to have some patrols in Thurso, in addition to exisiting patrols in Wick. Two Regional Councillors and the sub-divisional commander spoke warmly of the work of Street Pastors.
Ascension Trust anniversary dinner
Join us for the Ascension Trust 30th Anniversary Celebration Dinner
on Saturday, November 18th 2023 at Central Hall Westminster,
Storey’s Gate Westminster, London, SW1H 9NH.
It’s time to commemorate three decades of impactful work and celebrate our incredible journey together. This in-person event promises to be a memorable night filled with joy, laughter, and heartfelt connections.
We’ll kick off the evening with doors opening at 18:00 with a warm welcome and a chance to mingle with fellow attendees. Indulge in a delightful dining experience carefully curated to satisfy your taste buds.
Throughout the evening, we’ll share inspiring stories of transformation, highlighting the positive impact Ascension Trust has had on individuals and communities. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and forge new friendships to expand your network. Dress to impress and come ready to celebrate and dance at this important milestone event.
Book via Eventbrite by clicking the link below. COST: £45.00 (plus booking fee)
https://
We can’t wait to see you there!
Street Pastors Scotland in Aberdeen Saturday 07 October
There is still time to book in for the Street Pastor Scotland conference, ‘Reaching out to where you are’. Let Bethany know if you have any dietary requirements, lunch is provided but I suggest you bring your own travel mug. Bethany Lunn; adminscotland@ascensiontrust.org.uk
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/539034445537?aff=oddtdtcreator
Remember that on Sunday 08 October, or another suitable Sunday we invite you to take part in Street Pastor Sunday.
Street Pastor Sunday is about connecting with our sending churches, or churches which want to know more about Street Pastors. It is an opportunity to encourage others to think about how they might give support. Here are just some suggestions which can be used to suit your local context:
- Be visible in SP uniform, perhaps do a local walk to church with fellow SPs
- Be part of the welcome team – in uniform
- Use a pop-up banner or current publicity material you have
- Street Pastor Sunday mini talk…. part/all of the service
- Testimony around why you became and remain a SP
- Prayer for SPs locally, nationally and internationally
- Prepare prayer points which can be taken home or used on other occasions
- Celebrate 20 years of SPs in the UK with thanks, and perhaps tea/coffee and cake.
- Share bible passages which reflect listening, caring and helping and what they mean to you.
- Fun quiz – eg what is in the SP bag … and why it is there.
- Join the family leaflet – printed and personalised copies available from ATS
- Create a display board of recent SP photos and prayer suggestions (be aware of photo permissions, anonymity of anyone being helped)
- Article for your notices, magazine (one off or regular)
Perhaps SPs may consider becoming Street Pastor Champions? In that role, they would continue to update and encourage interest in local churches. (Information from ATS)
Blessings for Street Pastor Sunday
From Chris, Bethany and Linda
Launch of new Safe Zone vehicle for Elgin Street and School Pastors
Saturday 29th April 2023 saw the launch of a new Safe Zone vehicle for Street and School pastors across Moray. The photograph shows four of our volunteers, Nick Hanover, David Goldie, Colin Green and Ian Simpson standing in front of the vehicle. It was purchased using grants obtained from two sources of funding, namely £46,000 from the Just Transition Participatory Budget fund and £10,000 from the NHS Grampian Endowment Fund. Morayvia supported us with the logos. We are very grateful for the help they have all provided.
Street Pastors regularly meet people on the street who are vulnerable through alcohol and/or drugs, or have health problems, both physical and mental and recognise us as people they can open up to. Our ethos is caring, listening and helping. Having somewhere warm we can take vulnerable people to is a great help and gives us more time to speak to people and maybe signpost them to other agencies where they can get support, and hopefully lead to early intervention.
We also hope to be able to use the vehicle outside schools when we are engaged in our school pastor work. Our aim is to help schools improve the health and wellbeing of the students.
We could also use it to target other communities where people need our support.
Information on Elgin Street Pastors
Elgin Street Pastors is a SCIO, number SC043649. We are volunteers from churches across Moray. We go out in teams of four most Saturday nights from 10.00pm to 4.00am in Elgin City Centre, engaging with people on the streets, to listen, care and offer practical help, especially to those who are in a vulnerable state through alcohol or drugs. We also have school pastors who engage with students at Elgin High School and Forres Academy to listen, care and offer practical help in partnership with the schools.
Street Pastors are now a worldwide Christian organisation founded in London in 2003 and who play an active part in strengthening community life and working for safer streets. From starting with three teams of six in Hackney in 2003 there are now 14,000 trained street pastors worldwide in 282 locations. They formed in Elgin in 2013.
Every Saturday night in Elgin town centre from 10.00pm until 4.00am a team of Street Pastors will go out on patrol to serve the community by being a calming presence on the streets. They have time to listen to people who often trust them enough to share their troubles and deepest fears. They show love in practical ways, such as giving flip flops to those who feet are sore and whose high heels are too high by the end of the night. They also hand out bottles of water to help with dehydration caused by alcohol consumption and of course lollipops which provide a sugar boost and also prevent people getting themselves into trouble. People are unlikely to start arguing or shouting abuse if they are sucking on a lollipop. Street Pastors also help those who have become separated from friends by staying with them and helping find their friends or to arrange another safe way home. They carry basic First Aid, space blankets, beanie hats and shower ponchos.
Although Street Pastors are all Christian volunteers they are not there to preach, but will happily share their faith with anyone who asks them questions about it. They would like people to know that Jesus loves them.
More Street Pastors commissioned in Edinburgh
Edinburgh Street Pastors held their annual dinner and commissioning service on Saturday 29th April at Bruntsfield Evangelical Church. There was a big turnout and special guests from Edinburgh Council and Police Scotland gave heartfelt thanks for the work of the charity in the City:
Commenting on the work of the charity in the last year, which saw practical help given to individuals on almost 3,000 occasions, Depute Lord Provost, Lezley Marion Cameron said “On behalf of all the people of Edinburgh, I wish all the Street Pastors continued success as you move forward and continue to make a positive and invaluable difference to peoples’ lives and to our City’s night time safety.”
Superintendent Sam Ainslie of Police Scotland added “I’m reminded of the phrase that ‘somebody needs to do something about that!’ – and you, individually and collectively embody just that – you are the ‘somebody’s’ who are willing to step forward and do something to safeguard others without fear or favour.”
During the service, six new Street Pastor volunteers were commissioned, marking the end of their training and qualification as new members of the charity, in addition to the fifty volunteers already serving as Edinburgh Street Pastors.
Street Pastors now are available and operate in 26 locations in Scotland and some 280 in England and Wales and overseas. 2023 marks 20 years of continued and expanding service.
Contact: for Street Pastors: Andy Armour at edinburgh@streetpastor.org.uk Tel: 07523 267 906