Acting under the umbrella of Churches Together, there is a need for the St. Joseph's Parish to establish a Street Pastor Prayer Group, with the aim of providing spiritual support to the Street Pastors out on night patrol. Our Prayer Group would work in concert with Street Pastor Prayer Groups of other Bishop's Stortford Christian communities.

Our group would meet in accordance with a rota, which already exists, in order that St. Joseph's can share the commitment already taken on by other churches.

There is no obligation to go onto night patrols.

The Group will meet between the hours of 10 pm & 2 am, on a Friday night or Saturday night for these are the hours that the patrols operate.

Members of the Group are not expected to be present any longer than 2 hrs. Frequency of prayer vigils is not expected to be less than monthly, though flexibility has to be a feature to accommodate individual personal circumstances. It is important that group prayer forms the core of this important mission.

We have been offered the use of a splendid venue for meetings, with full facilities including warmth.

For further information ring Ray Asser 653713

The Bishop's Stortford Street Pastor scheme was inaugurated in September 2008, but the national entity has it roots back in 2003. This is when Les Isaacs, a former Rastafarian who became a born again Christian established Street Pastors in Brixton, London. Legally it exists under The Ascension Trust.

Patrolling in groups of 4 between 10pm and 4am they engaged with local young people on the street and saw a remarkable drop in crime levels. Since then about 90 schemes have started nationwide. Each group consists of members from at least three churches together with the local council and police.

Bishop’s Stortford witnesses its Street Pastors – 13th September 2008

The Bishops Stortford scheme is backed through Churches Together, the local council and the police.

With some financial support the patrol team members underwent structured training which includes subjects such as police, probation, Citizen's Advice Bureau, drug and alcohol misuse, listening skills and first aid.

Bishop's Stortford Mayor (Bob Taylor)
and Peter Vincent at inaugural event.

Bishop’s Stortford Street Pastor Patrol

Anyone interested in learning more about how to become a Street Pastor should contact the local Street Pastor co-ordinator – Paul Senior on 07512-934-991 or bishopstortford@streetpastors.org.uk

Click here to visit the national Street Pastor web site (www.streetpastors.co.uk)

This entry was prepared for St. Josephs & The English Martyrs Parish Web Site. Photos copyright Ian Cox.