Street pastors come to Stamford for the first time
VOLUNTEERS went out into the streets at night for the first time to support people in need.
Trinity Methodist Church in Barn Hill, Stamford, was packed last Friday, as 30 volunteers became Street Pastors for the town.
Each of the volunteers was given a branded cap and Gideon bible to mark the end of their training by vice-president of the methodist conference Deacon Eunice Attwood.
The Deacon, who is also a Street Pastor in her hometown of Newcastle, said the scheme showed “the church doing exactly what the church should do – going out onto the streets and sharing the love of Jesus.”
The service was attended by dignitaries including MP Nick Boles, Mayor of Stamford, David Brailsford and representatives from South Kesteven District Council and the police.
Following the service, while the Mid-Lent fair was still in town, the Street Pastors made their way out into the Stamford nightlife for the first time.
They will be out every Friday and Saturday night offering support to vulnerable people by giving out special bottle tops to stop drinks being spiked and flip flops to women in high heels who are unsteady on their feet. They will also help people get taxis home.
While some members are on the streets, others will gather to say prayers in support of their colleagues.
Street Pastors coordinator for Stamford Anita Gordon, who was one of those out in town, said they had received a positive response.
She said: “It went very well and there was a good response. We obviously got lots of people asking us questions about what we were doing but the general reaction was that people thought it was a great idea.”
Anita thanked the community and the authorities who had supported the initiative.
She said: “The support from everyone, local churches, authorities and the police, has been really terrific.”
For more information on the scheme e-mail stamford@streetpastors.org.uk or phone 07827 602499.
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Weather for Stamford
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
