Celebration as new volunteers on Norfolk streets
 By Keith Morris
Norfolk’s night-time streets will be even safer after two dozen new Street Volunteers were commissioned at a celebration service in Norwich last week.
Norfolk Street Pastors from Norwich, Dereham, Great Yarmouth and Diss were all welcomed to the ranks of the Christian charity which aims to provide a helping hand to those in need on the late-night streets whether they are homeless or night-clubbers.
The commissioning was done by the Bishop of Norwich, The Rt Rev Graham James, who said: “Many on the streets do not know what faith is, but they do know what friendship is and that is what you are offering them. I think that despite being some of the busiest places, the streets and clubs are also some of the loneliest places – and that is why you are there.
 “There is a lot to be said for implicit religion. People don’t like sermons and words but they do believe in people – especially at 3am in the morning when no-one else is there. That is why you are doing this – it is at the very centre of Christian service, it is incarnational.”
Norfolk Street Pastors chairman, Richard Pennington, said: “People throughout the county are comforted by the fact that the Street Pastors are out there when their sons and daughters are on the late-night streets.
“We are the visible face of the church to people on the streets in Norwich, Yarmouth, Dereham and Diss – so we are Jesus to them.”
During the service, project co-ordinator, Paul Rendell, paid tribute to prayer pastors’ co-ordinator Val Chipperfield, who is retiring from the role after two-and-a-half years.
The packed congregation at Princes Street URC in Norwich on October 21, also heard from a number of existing Street Pastors.
Words from the streets
“We are known as Sweet Pastors in Yarmouth as we give out sweets. People are surprised that we come from the church and do it for free.”
Tricia Slade, Street Pastor, Great Yarmouth
We are the unseen backroom staff. We are in a battle and you are conscious of that. We see little victories, answers to prayer - people walking away from a fight.”
Mike Carey, Prayer Pastor, Norwich
“If I was not a Street Pastor I would not like it out there but I feel protected by prayer and I never feel frightened.”
Lesley Flynn, Street Pastor, Dereham
“On a typical Friday night I prayed with a couple of people at the soup kitchen, just sat with a lad who came out of a night club drunk until an ambulance arrived and was asked to pray for peace by a man eating a pizza. We are passing Jesus’ love to others. I wish I could learn to be as brave and bold in other places.”
Peter Gosling, Street Pastor, Norwich. | 