City civic honour for Norfolk Street Pastors
MAY 2008: After just a year of being out on the streets amongst Norwich’s night-time revellers, Norfolk Street Pastors has been honoured in Norwich City Council’s Civic Awards.
The registered Christian charity won the civic honour in recognition of its contribution towards the peace and safety of those who frequent the clubs and pubs of Norwich.
The award was presented by the Lord Mayor and Sheriff of Norwich on May 7, in a ceremony at City Hall, to a small group of Street Pastors, prayer supporters, a trustee and project co-ordinator Val Dodsworth.
Lord Mayor, Roy Blower, said: “Our city is privileged to have so many people, some younger, some older and from many different backgrounds, who work tirelessly to provide support for those in need.
Norfolk Street Pastors, which now also covers Heartsease and Lakenham as well as Norwich city centre, was described as a “force for good in Norwich”.
Val Dodsworth said: “We were very aware that although we were a group of ten, we were representative of the now nearly 100 volunteers who regularly give their time and energy to serve the community through the work of Street Pastors and to bring God’s love and care for all onto the streets.
“We were proud both to listen to the citation acknowledging our work and to receive a framed certificate. It was both gratifying and humbling to have been nominated for this honour so early in our life.
The regular week by week adventures on the streets continue, not only in the city centre on Friday and Saturday nights, but also amongst the groups of teenagers that are often to be found in the Thorpe and Heartsease areas in the evenings. Most recently the group of Street Pastors based in the Lakenham area have begun to get out and about on their local streets, meeting and talking with children, teenagers and young families and whoever else is about.
While the Street Pastors walk and talk, the Intercessors are praying for God’s presence and His peace to be known.
Almost every time new Street Pastors go out for the first time, they come back elated by the experience, one lady said after her first night: “I was a bit nervous before I went, but I forgot that as soon as I started to meet people, I had such brilliant conversations, when can I go out again?”
Norfolk Street Pastors will start another training course in September and new people are already being interviewed for that. If you are interested contact Val Dodsworth, the Co-ordinator 01603 472753 or email v.dodsworth@ntlworld.com
There is currently a need for more praying people, if you would like to be part of that work, contact Val Chipperfield on 01603 465129 or email valchipperfield@onetel.comPictured above are Norfolk Street Pastors with the Lord Mayor and Sheriff of Norwich, picture courtesy of www.eveningnews24.co.uk. | 