It’s getting to that time of year when meals are shared and party wear taken out of the wardrobe. We had a lovely shared meal before the diaries got too filled up with work and family outings. Big thanks go to El Greco for hosting a wonderful meal and giving us a great time to remember.

Whatever you’re up to this Christmastime, remember to keep safe and help others keep safe by following our Street Pastor Elf tips posted to our social channels each week during December.

Why be a Street Pastor?

There are many reasons our Street Pastors come out on a Friday evening, put on the coat and hat and head out into town. Our latest series of social media posts shine a light on some of the reasons they find joy and meaning in patrolling the streets, meeting all those who are out for the evening, those we see regularly and have got to know, those who are visiting our town and those who are out for an evening with friends, family or work colleagues.

As Christians Street Pastors can see themselves imitating Christ in what they do when on patrol. Looking after those who are often not seen or intentionally avoided by the public at large. Treating each individual they come across as unique and having worth. Listening to those who need to have someone listen, someone who won’t feel the need to give advice, judge or provide a solution. Helping visitors navigate our town, giving water to the unwell, offering flip-flops to those struggling to walk in heels.
What would make you step out on a rain filled Friday night?

How can I become a Street / Prayer Pastor?

Street Pastors are practising Christians aged over 18 who feel called to step out onto the streets to be the hands and feet of Christ; and also his eyes, ears and mouth too! What Street Pastors are NOT is preachers or converters. Street Pastors are simply there to Listen, Care and Help all of those out in the night time economy without judgment or condemnation. Street Pastors are also DBS checked and trained through the Ascension Trust, attending several hours of training before becoming a full Street Pastor. Why not come out on patrol as an observer and see what we do?
Prayer Pastors are practising Christians aged over 18 who feel called to care for their community and support Street Pastors as they are on patrol. Prayer Pastors do not go out on patrol but stay in contact with the team during the patrol and pray for the situations and people that the team encounter. Prayer Pastors may also choose to go to base to pray with the team before the patrol starts. Prayer Pastors are also DBS checked and trained through our prayer co-ordinator.
If you are interested in knowing more, contact our co-ordinator, Linda, by e-mail at stratforduponavon@streetpastors.org.uk.

How we’ve cared, listened and helped in the summer of 2023

• We went through Shrieves Walk by McDonald’s and spotted 2 young lads. They asked us about Street Pastors, so we told them what we did. They wanted to know about Jesus and how to pray, as one of them was starting to engage with Christianity and was curious about the Church. We gave him some advice on the Bible: he was pleased and thanked us for the advice. It was really encouraging to meet 2 young lads that did not drink and were sensible.
• Two older and intoxicated men kept hugging us and one of them engaged with us and asked what we did. He was very impressed, and we helped him get a taxi, as we suggested he would be best to head home.
• A lady named Margie came to us, telling us she was thrilled to see Stratford had Street Pastors. She told us that she had been an SP before Covid in Chester but they folded after Covid. She was with 32 family members to celebrate her 60th Birthday which had been a surprise. After some praises we wished her a nice time and headed back over the footbridge.
• Some gentlemen stopped to speak to us, one saying that he used to be a Prayer Pastor but decided to quit as he’d preferred to be out on the street like us. He wished us a good night, but then asked that we prayed for his wife expecting a new child soon, which we did.
• A little while later we gave a young lady called Annabelle a pair of flip-flops as she was struggling to walk in her heels. Her friend Charlotte said she lived in Stratford and had never seen Street Pastors before. She was impressed with what we did.
• Fleur invited us in to El Greco where she treated us to some sweet deserts saying we all looked like we needed some sugar! She sat with us and chatted for a while.
• We stopped to sweep up some glass outside the White Swan, and some customers sitting outside saw us and thanked us the next time we came past.

Prayer Points:

• For more Street Pastors to join the team enabling the patrol rota to be filled without over commitment of individuals
• For more Prayer Pastors to join the team enabling us to pray in pairs
• For all of those who use the Fred Winter centre
• For those who provide help and services to the vulnerable in our town