News

We are delighted to welcome all our various Pastors, Trustees and guests on Saturday 4th October to our national Street Pastor Conference, where we come together to celebrate what God is doing in Scotland across our Street Pastor and other Pastor networks. Time 10am – 4.00pm. 9:30am for tea and coffee for a 10am start. The conference is free to attend.
After last year’s successful Conference, we are returning to Stirling Baptist Church, FK8 1AU, a 3 minute walk from Stirling train station and bus station. The programme will be another encouraging event of family time. If you would like to attend, please book a free ticket: bit.ly/atsconf

Ascension Trust (Scotland) and a team of local volunteers in Lerwick have been working on setting up a new intiative ready to respond to the needs of the community. A meeting was held this week, reported Shetland News, to share more with the community as the team get closer to being ready to go out.

A Church of Scotland spokesman said to Shetland News: “Shetland Church of Scotland is already in discussion with our local ecumenical partners regarding the introduction of a street pastor service and is recruiting volunteers to sharing the caring and loving example of Jesus in practical ways.

“Church of Scotland members, along with volunteers from other denominations, are serving as street pastors in town and city centres, at festivals and other events across the country, helping diffuse tension, or offering practical aid from hot drinks and foil blankets on cold nights to flip-flops for revellers who cannot walk any further in their high heels.

“They also provide a sympathetic ear for people – predominantly young – who may be facing a range of issues, from mental health struggles to homelessness or the impact of abuse or violence.

“We look forward to helping extend that listening, careful and non-judgmental care to the Shetland community.”

To read more about Street Pastors in Scotland see scotland.ascensiontrust.org.uk/locations

Four new Street Pastors were commissioned in Stornoway on 30 May. We are grateful for and celebrate these new volunteers.

The service was introduced by Rev. William Heenan of St Columba’s Free Church, with the message delivered by Rev. Calum Murdo Smith from Stornoway Free Church.

Rev. James Maciver also took part in the proceedings, and the commissioning itself was carried out by Chris Jewell, Chief Executive of Ascension Trust Scotland.

Read more on We Love Stornoway: https://www.welovestornoway.com/index.php/articles/38767-four-new-volunteer-street-pastors

For more information about Scottish Street Pastors, and how to join, please see scotland.ascensiontrust.org.uk

Ayrshire Street Pastors have been serving in Ayr and Prestwick for over 10 years, and they are set to begin to support communities in Kilmarnock and Irvine. 

If you want to know what the Pastors are involved in, reports are posted each week on Ayr & Prestwick Street Pastors Facebook page or email ayr&prestwick@streetpastors.org.uk.
For more information, please see https://scotland.ascensiontrust.org.uk/locations/

17 Street and School Pastors commissioned by Sandy Gunn, ATS Deputy Chairman in Auchterarder Parish church, with a big audience attending.

Read all about the many good things happening as a result of Street, Rail and School Pastors being out there throughout Scotland.

Click here to read Good News Club Newsletter!

See also www.scotland.ascensiontrust.org.uk

Stirling Street Pastors from Cornerstone Community Church have said what it feels like when they put on their uniforms.

Last year there was only one Street Pastor at Cornerstone, Susan, who has served in Stirling for 11 years. Now there are five! Can you encourage more people to join this great mission from your church?

Susan – “When I put my Street Pastor uniform on, I feel privileged knowing that God goes with us, Prayer Partners are praying for us and we will be welcomed and valued on the streets.”

Angela – “When I put my Street Pastor uniform on, I feel equipped for the night ahead, knowing God goes before us and is with us as we serve Him.”

Chinemerem – “When I put my Street Pastor uniform on, I feel a sense of responsibility towards the people out in the night.”

Danny – “When I put my Street Pastor uniform on, I feel blessed to have this new challenging way to serve God and others, now that our children have left home for university, and I know that He will give me strength to help, listen and care.”

James – “When I put my Street Pastor uniform on, I feel empowered to reach out to people in my community who are in need, who I would otherwise know nothing about.”

Words and pictures from Stirling Street Pastors February 2025

One of Inverclyde’s members of the Scottish Youth Parliament joined Inverclyde Rail Pastors recently on trains on the Wemyss Bay line, used by lots of young people, plus the last train from Paisley to Gourock so see how the Rail Pastors operate.

Matthew Quinn greatly appreciated the experience and said, ‘I thoroughly enjoyed being out across Inverclyde observing the Rail Pastors. This experience was eye-opening and worthwhile. Thank you to the Rail Pastors for ensuring that local young people are well-attended to and for dedicating their time to the service of others.’

Matthew was able to listen to one of the ticket collectors on the train tell of how her life was held intact with the help of youth workers, where otherwise she believed she could have gone the wrong way. Chris Jewell from Inverclyde Rail Pastors added ‘This was a very helpful chat and we able to also chat with a number of people on the trains both younger and older who were glad to find us on the trains as we act as a reassuring presence.’

For contact:

Matthew Quinn  email: Matthew.Quinn.MSYP@sypmail.org.uk

For Inverclyde Rail Pastors: Chris Jewell 07932 154515 email inverclyde@streetpastors.org.uk

The Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, came out on patrol with Falkirk Street Pastors on Saturday 21 December. He said, ‘I would like to say a special thank you to John, Joanne and Rachel who took us on patrol, on what was a horrendous night weather wise. My admiration for the work the Street Pastors do has grown, even more so, knowing that they are out in all weathers caring for people in their community.

‘My thanks to all connected with the Street Pastors for their ongoing commitment and passion.’

The CEO of Scotland’s Street Pastors Chris Jewell said, ‘We were delighted that the Moderator and his Chaplain were able to be out with our Falkirk Street Pastors patrol and see and feel firsthand all that they do.’