Street Pastor patrols in Cheltenham are being reduced or even cancelled due to falling numbers of volunteer pastors. Over the last few years volunteer numbers have halved and the scheme is urgently looking for new volunteers to serve Cheltenham’s nighttime streets.
Street Pastors patrol in teams once a month on either a Friday or Saturday night from 10pm to 4am, providing assistance to people who might need it and offering a listening ear.
Without new recruits, the Pastors may have to further scale back their work, leaving gaps in support for those who rely on their presence.
It has been running in Cheltenham for 15 years, helping to keep the town safer and more supported during busy night-time hours, but a recent squeeze on volunteer numbers has led to many people prioritising their local church, above volunteering for wider ranging schemes like Street Pastors.
Jenny Bartlett, a Prayer Pastor and member of Trinity, Cheltenham, said: “Street Pastors offers a practical way for Christians to demonstrate their faith in action while continuing to serve within their own churches. The time commitment for a Cheltenham Street Pastors is just once a month on a Friday or Saturday night.
“At the recent Commissioning Service we were reminded that Jesus was the first Street Pastor. Cheltenham Street Pastors aim to follow His example of meeting people where they are. All teams are supported by a group of Prayer Pastors and there are many reports of Street Pastors being in the right place at the right time while they are out.”
Bishop Robert joined the Cheltenham Street Pastors back in September for their regular community patrol, which you can read all about here. On BBC Radio Gloucester, he said: “It was the most wonderful evening. It was joyous to be out with those clubbing who were just having great fun and really full of life, and it was equally joyous to be with the team of Street Pastors – a different age group to those clubbing, but also really full of life.
“These are Christians who are really working out what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, in a way that isn’t just about being in church, but about practical care and service, and being there for everyone.”
If you are interested in becoming a Street Pastor, you can sign up for an hour-long try-out session through their ‘come and see’ campaign. More information is available on their website, linked here, or you can email ku.gr1743088203o.sro1743088203tsapt1743088203eerts1743088203@mahn1743088203etleh1743088203c1743088203.
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