News

Street Pastors Scotland in Aberdeen Saturday 07 October

by | Sep 20, 2023 | , ,

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

by | May 5, 2023 | ,

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

by | May 5, 2023 | ,

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

 

Street Pastors 20th Anniversary Patrol

by | Apr 6, 2023 | ,

Dear Coordinator,

FOR THE ATTENTION OF YOUR: Street, Response, Rail, School & Prayer Pastors.

I pray you are well. Please see the attached flyer.

In April 2003, God launched His ministry of Street Pastors in Lambeth. 18 Street Pastors, 15 women and 3 men were the first to put on our stylish uniform. Who would have expected the Church to be walking the Streets at 2am showing the love of Jesus with some team members being in their 70’s.

Back then we had no idea that 20 years later we would be one of the largest Christian outreach programs in the UK. I am amazed and humbled on how big the Street Pastors project has grown, not only in the UK but overseas; this shows the mighty hand of God wanting His church to be a visible presence, a listening ear and a friend to thousands of people over the last 20 years.

It would be impossible to count how many people have been impacted around the world during these 20 years, also what a huge aid we have been to the Police, council, emergency services, night time economy and the Church.

In celebration of this amazing landmark, we are putting together a very special patrol and a civic ceremony marking our anniversary and would love your pastors to join this celebration. We hope to have media coverage on the day, our desire is that our pastors ministry will shine in Lambeth in honour to God, praising and thanking Him for His Church. We are inviting you to join this patrol and also to join in the civic ceremony after the patrol. For this patrol we are looking for a minimum of 50 pastors along with as many Prayer Pastors as possible.

The Civic Ceremony will take place at St Matthews Church, Brixton Hill, London SW2 1JF at 7.00pm and finish by 8.00pm.

For those willing to be a part of this patrol please book in via this Eventbrite link – https://street-pastors-20th-anniversary-patrol.eventbrite.co.uk

Please Note:

  • 3.30pm PROMPT for fellowship, refreshments and prayer on Tuesday 18th April 2023
  • Meeting point is St Mark’s Church, 337 Kennington Park Road, London, SE11 4PW
  • Nearest tube station: Oval Tube Station – Northern Line. The station is directly across the main road from St Mark’s
  • Patrol Times: 5.00pm – 6.45pm.
  • All team members must be in full uniform including jackets, polos/shirts, caps/beanie hats (min of 3 pieces). Headwear must be worn.
  • Prayer Pastors are to wear prayer polo and fleece.
  • The patrol is towards Brixton town centre with patrol routes led by designated team leaders on the day.
  • Please bring minimal items with you as we will not have anywhere to store your personal belongings at either venue. Any items you bring will need to be carried with you during the patrol. ‘The less, the better’.
  • Please cover your uniform when travelling on public transport OR change into your uniform upon arrival at St Marks. If you have a Street Pastor ruck sack or bag, please bring it with you. We may give you items to give out along the patrol route.
  • No expenses can be claimed.
  • No parking is available at either venue.
  • Closing date for Eventbrite booking is Friday 14th  April 2023.

Remember… book by visiting https://street-pastors-20th-anniversary-patrol.eventbrite.co.uk and please pass this on to your teams. Without them this occasion will not be a success.

If you have any questions, please email a.bourazza@ascensiontrust.org.uk

Celebrating Caithness Street Pastors

by | Nov 29, 2022 | ,

The first four street pastors in Caithness have been commissioned at a special event in Wick and have embarked on their first patrol.

Alan and Margaret Finch along with Peter Sinclair and Richard Sharp undertook 12 days of training over a 12-week period and officially became Street Pastors at a ceremony in the Wick Baptist Church on 19 November.

Read more about the Commissioning service led by Chris Jewell, and the team training Jewell here.

The team had their first patrol in Wick on Saturday 26th, which went very well with lots of interaction with people on the streets. Street Pastors were welcomed, and people already recognised the logo which gave opportunities to explain more. A number of spontaneous thanks happened on our first night.

Follow the team on Facebook.

Celebrating the 300th patrol in the Borders

by | Nov 15, 2022 | ,

Street Pastors in the Borders had their 300th patrol recently! It has been encouraging to patrol most Saturdays in Galashiels and one patrol a month in Hawick.

Duncan Cameron, the Coordinator of Borders Street Pastors says, “Folks have been glad to see us again after Covid, there have been some great conversations and some prayers on the street which is very encouraging.”