Someone says "Thankyou"Someone (we have withheld the name) e-mailed Town Pastors recently to say thankyou. She said, "I wanted to say a big thankyou for all the care and support I received last Saturday night. I think it is of great comfort to know there are people who truly do care and do a job of it. I feel honoured to have met some of you, and a little bit disappointed with myself for needing that help. You do a good job that is appreciated."Town Pastors Still SpreadingThe Town Pastors scheme has been running for three-plus years in Ipswich and is now spreading across Suffolk. TPs are established, or being established in Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket, Woodbridge, Stowmarket, Sudbury and now Lowestoft is the latest. Town
Pastors represent the love of Jesus to those who need care in the town centres on a Friday
or Saturday night."Massive Difference"Ipswich Police Sargeant Neil Boast, speaking to an audience of 2,500 at the Ipswich churches' Pentecost '09 gathering on the Cornhill on Sunday 30 May 2009, said, "Town Pastors have made a massive difference to Ipswich".Town Pastors on Network IpswichA very interesting article on Town Pastors appears on the Network Ipswich Christian portal website. Click here to read it.A Town Pastor Speaks
“I never thought I could do it – but I can!” Barbara W has been a Town Pastor in Ipswich for two and a half years now, working in the bar and club area of the town centre on Friday and Saturday nights. Most Town Pastors are on patrol one night a month, but Barbara enjoys it so much she often does two. Barbara
says: “To start with I was nervous about how I was going to cope in different
situations, but because we are trained well, and work within a strict set of protocols
it’s fine – we are not just left to do our own thing.” Barbara
and her husband Pete (who is a regular member of the Town Pastor prayer team)
have children of the age who go clubbing, and like many other mums and dads
they are pleased as parents to know that folk are out there looking out for the
young people. “I
honestly can say I don’t feel scared out there, and never have a problem
talking to people or looking them in the eye.
Until you get out there no-one has a clue what it’s going to be like,
but the majority of young people are there to have a good time with friends,
not to make trouble. After three years
Town Pastors have built up a good reputation, we are seen as ‘nice people’ and
lots of the young people have stories to tell about how they or their friends
have been helped”, says Barbara. Town
Pastors always work in male/female pairs as part of a team, which also includes
an active prayer group for all the time they are on the streets. As well as supporting each other on the
streets, the Town Pastors are very aware of the power of prayer, and the fact
that the prayer team is working away behind the scenes. Asked
about the qualities needed to be a Town Pastor Barbara listed things like an
ability to listen, but also to know when to walk away; a tolerant,
non-judgemental attitude; a genuine care for young people and a desire to show
the love of Jesus to them. “We
don’t instigate conversations about our faith”, says Barbara, “but we have to
be willing to answer questions when they are asked. We also have to be prepared sometimes to make decisions and act
as appropriate to situations, but always confer with our partner, remembering
that there is a Team Leader who takes ultimate responsibility on the night.” “Sometimes
the prospect of staying up until 4am can be daunting but team spirit and prayer
keeps us going, and God re-energises us afterwards. The positives far outweigh any doubts – we meet some lovely
people, are part of a brilliant team working with people from different
churches and denominations, and the best thing is knowing we are making a
positive difference to the town and to people’s lives.” Town
Pastors are very keen to recruit more women from the local churches to join the
team. If you are unsure about your
suitability contact the co-ordinator for a chat, or arrange to spend a night in
the prayer room, meet some Town Pastors and have a look. People who care"Town Pastors are seen as people who care." Lis Henderson, BBC Radio Suffolk news editor, speaking at a meeting of the East Suffolk Theology Forum. A Slogan for Safety on a night outDon't overdo it - Friends stick together - Get home safe This is a slogan suggested by Nightsafe Suffolk. You can find their website at: www.onesuffolk.co.uk/nightsafe. Advice for your feetClick here for advice about your feet on a night out, girls. (Town Pastors worrying about my feet? Whatever next?)Click here if you are looking for help |
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