Street pastors make debut in Witney (From The Oxford Times)
When It Happens Panel Get involved: send your photos, videos, news & views by texting 'OXFORD NEWS' to 80360 or email
Street pastors make debut in Witney
7:00am Wednesday 22nd December 2010 in Witney By Tom Jennings
Street pastors Sue Rous, Jenny Britton, Steve Britton, Nathaniel Miles and Becki Mulcair with flip-flops ready to head out.
AN evangelical Christian group which offers support to drunken revellers has made its debut in Witney.
The 11 “street pastors” gave out flip flops to women in uncomfortable footwear, lollypops to help keep up drinkers’ blood sugar levels and foil to wrap up in the cold.
Among their good deeds was helping a woman who had fallen outside Izi nighclub and shepherding two women away from a drunk man who was “hassling” them.
They also found a pair of flip flops for a good samaritan who was walking in his socks after giving his shoes to a woman struggling in high heels.
Rev Jason Boyd, one of the organisers and minister at Witney Congregational Church, said the pastors were not there to preach or convert, just to help.
He said: “Basically street pastors are doing what every good Christian should do, which is to be there for people, to help them on the road home.
“There’s a real passion for the community, just to contribute in a positive way.
“We’re not asking for anything. It’s driven by love.”
The scheme, staffed by churchgoers aged 23 to 65, has the blessing of Thames Valley Police and the Mayor of Witney.
The pastors are a familiar sight in Oxford and Wantage and similar schemes will begin in Abingdon and Wallingford in the new year. Witney co-ordinator Jeff Hill helped revellers from 11pm to 4am.
He said: “We are very pleased with how it went. People were very nervous at first. They didn’t know what to expect, but afterwards they felt good about what they did.”
Chief Inspector Jack Malhi, area commander for West Oxfordshire, said: “It helps us to focus on more serious incidents, while they can cover the welfare side of it.”
The street pastors will be out the last three Saturday nights of every month, from 10pm to 4am.
They began the scheme on December 11 but could not go out on Saturday because of the heavy snow but will be out on New Year’s Eve.
Comments(3)
Englishman
says...
7:45pm Sun 26 Dec 10
"shepherding two women away from a drunk man who was “hassling” them".
Policing on the cheap then whilst the real ones stay warm in a van.
AB100
says...
9:17pm Sun 26 Dec 10
They are not doing it because of any other reason but to provide the community with a service.
As they are christians, they are doing what they believe in, caring for the community and people who may be in need.
We must feel priviledged to have this kind of service in our town.
Who knows, we may or know someone who is in need after a great night out drinking and the street pastors may be the only people who can help us.
Green123 says...
5:03pm Wed 22 Dec 10