Street Pastors is an inter-denominational Church response to urban problems, engaging with people on the streets to care, listen and dialogue. It began in London in January 2003 and has now grown to 111 projects across the country with another 70 in development. Each project is run by a local management team with support from the Ascension Trust, local churches and community groups, in partnership with Police, Council and other statutory agencies. Here in Preston and South Ribble, the project grew out of Hope 08, and started on the streets in December 2008 with 24 volunteers from 10 different churches from across Preston and South Ribble. Already we are seeing fruit from our work, with relationships being built, trust established and a sense of a safer Preston developing within the community.
We are therefore really pleased and excited as a management team to be able to let you know that we are now opening up the work for more people to be able to volunteer and get involved. This year we have produced a downloadable Volunteer Application Pack which contains information about the project, what is involved with volunteering and all the necessary application forms in order to apply to become part of our growing, fantastic team.
We are holding an open evening for people to find out more about this on Tuesday 5th May at Leyland Methodist Church, where there will be an opportunity to hear from the police, volunteers and others about the real difference the church can make within our communities. There will also be the opportunity to ask questions and find out more before the application deadline of 15th May 2009.
Training for new volunteers will then begin on 21st June for 4 consecutive Saturdays, and we are working to having the new teams on the streets in September.
What about you – is this something that you, or people you know might be able to get involved in? Why not be part of something amazing as ordinary men and women of all ages join together to share the love of God with people outside the walls of the church?
We have produced a downloadable poster with details of the open evening on, and we would very much appreciate if you might circulate and/or display this and details about the new volunteering opportunity within your churches to let people know we are now looking for new volunteers.
For details about how your church might support the work if you are unable to volunteer for patrolling the streets, please feel free to get in touch.
Thank you for your prayers and support
God bless
Chris Drury
Chairman, Preston & South Ribble Street Pastors Initiative
preston@streetpastors.org.uk
Pastor, Fulwood Free Methodist Church
Lightfoot Lane, Fulwood, Preston. PR2 3LT
Tel: 01772 861597
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