Source (Premier) / Manchester Evening News
The Bishop of Manchester has been offering help and support to revellers in Manchester's famous gay district. Rt Rev Dr David Walker joined the Street Angels around the Canal Street area on Friday night. He was offering help to drunk people, making sure they get home safe and offering support to people who were distressed after losing their friends or having arguments. Bishop David wore the traditional hi-viz top seen on street pastors across the UK. The clergyman met up with LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Foundation director Paul Martin to discuss first-hand how vital the street angels work is in the "village", widely regarded to be one of the most famous gay districts in the world. "It was impressive to see the Angels in action, and to witness the very high regard they are held in by the police, the staff who work in the village and the public at large," said Bishop David. He added: "A lot of their work is just being there for people who have got separated from their friends, or who have found what should have been a good night out has turned sour. "But it can get a lot more dramatic. One man was attempting to throw himself into the canal. Our patrol helped to hold him secure until the professional assistance we had summoned arrived. "There's a lot of risky behaviour in the night time economy, whether it be drugs, drink or sex. Angels are not there to condone or condemn, but to be a practical expression of care and support. The Village group have received many letters of thanks, not just from those they've helped but from their friends, parents and relatives too." The bishop said he was "amazed" at how many people recognised him and said it was "a core part of my role as a bishop is to be a visible sign of God's love reaching out into every corner of the world". Source
A man ‘sleeps it off’ at the bus stop oblivious to the world; a couple argue volubly as they literally step away from each other; inebriated young women totter down the street; bottles are smashed; there is vomit in the gutter and in the shadows, deals are done. Bedford Town centre at 1.30 am on a Sunday morning is no different from other town centres as large numbers of people, many of them young, ‘enjoy’ a night on the town. For many it is a good night out – a chance to socialise, to dance and to drink in company. For others there is excess, regret, despair and worse. A fortnight ago I witnessed this when I went out with the Bedford Street Angels. Like Street Pastors elsewhere, Street Angels are Christians who spend the night patrolling the town centre offering practical (and where appropriate spiritual) assistance to those who are out. Setting out from their base at St Peter de Merton Church the team I was with circuited the town centre, whilst another team set up table outside Debenhams as a static station with coffee and other resources. Back at base another pair prayed for us. Bedford Street Angels grew out of the dark side of the town centre. Eight years ago, Robert, the 17-year-old son of Fred and Fran Gill was attacked and drowned in the river. Seeking to understand how to respond to this desperate loss as Christians they looked for a way of helping others to avoid a similar fate and came up with Street Angels. Since then there has been this quiet witness of practical love. For what do Street Angels actually do? They listen to the distressed, the lonely and or those who through inebriation are less guarded about their vulnerabilities or faith; they clear up broken glass to prevent lacerated feet; they give water to the dehydrated; sandwiches to the hungry and space blankets to the cold; they guide the lost and see that the disorientated get home; they sit with the sick and seek protection for those at rick; they pray when asked and speak of God when questioned; and they hand out flip flops to those who can no-longer walk in their party shoes. It is quiet witness that has won the admiration of the police and town centre authorities, and the appreciation of those who are helped (or at least most of them). As I drove home just before 2.00 pm (I opted out a bit early to be fit for Sunday worship) I heard on the radio Mo Farah win his second God medal. I also thought of the Kingdom of God. For what is the Kingdom – it is the love of God breaking into, transforming, renewing the disordered world that we have made. A Kingdom that I glimpsed that night on the streets of Bedford as small acts of love transformed an otherwise disordered world. Bishop Richard, Bedford Email: [email protected] Fascinating article below on Jesus and clubbing via threads:
At Leeds Festival as I wandered round the main arena I stopped at the Radio 1 Dance Tent - as I watched the thousand or so young people dancing in rhythm, hands in the air, laser light show creating an awesome atmosphere, God whispered the words "Every generation has its own anthem". Reading the article has helped me make a bit more sense of this!!! Dance music is for many the anthem of today - before dance was the rave generation, Ministry of Sound, rock 'n' roll, punk, techno, soul, the swinging sixties.... A people who, as the article says, 'are committed to their music, jealous for their identity, proud of their heritage and reliant on institutions such as Fabric for fellowship, community and love.' Through our local projects CNI is at the heart of this anthem - helping, loving, serving, joining, dancing, playing, creating - and we join with what Jesus is up to as he dances in rhythm, hands in the air inviting people to join his anthem of freedom, love and grace. Paul - CNI Network Article (source - threads) This is my church: how Fabric changed my life I can still remember the shock at her words as she leaned away and smiled at me. The crowd continued to roll and two-step to the techno around us as I processed truth through a balaclava of alcohol and drugs. “You’re a Christian?” I managed, staring at her incredulously before gazing around at the roaring night club. “What on earth are you doing here?” Six years later, I find myself witnessing major changes in the club scene; an environment particularly close to my heart. The recent decision to revoke the license of London super club Fabric last week suggested a seismic shift under the increasingly shallow bedrock of UK nightlife and also provoked a passionate backlash from the clubbing community. As an institution that has consistently maintained and proclaimed musical integrity for 16 years, the outcry of afflicted clubbers, DJs and promoters quickly resonated through the social media traffic on a global scale. 100,000 signatures have already appeared on the change.org petition and a zealous campaign is underway to overturn a decision many fear could set a doom laden precedent for nightlife culture. The Christian view on Fabric’s demise could be forgiven for being, at best, nonplussed and at worst, somewhat triumphant. I think it’s fair to say that Christianity and club culture have always had a turbulent relationship. While some have championed a challenging and sacrificial missional engagement with the clubbing community, others might have dismissed such connection as denial and compromise, suspicious of any Christian who would want to entertain an environment that seemingly celebrates vice, lust and hedonism at 130 deafening decibels. I’m convinced, however, that God has plans for this industry or perhaps more accurately, this community. Like it or not, for many disillusioned people both young and old, the club is their church and if nothing else, the colossal, unified outcry at Fabric’s injustice demonstrates that to us afresh. Many Christians, I think, are unaware of the magnitude of dance music lovers. They represent a seven-billion-dollar industry annually and it’s growing. Dance music is unofficially lauded as youth culture’s primary music genre. These are people who are committed to their music, jealous for their identity, proud of their heritage and reliant on institutions such as Fabric for fellowship, community and love. The issues are numerous and the escapist solutions can be tragic. Controversially, I like to think that Jesus wouldn’t have shied away from Fabric. The Bible tells of him reclining at the house of a notorious tax collector during a great banquet, at ease in the company of “sinners” and “outcasts”, holding tight to his beautiful mission statement: “I have not come to call the righteous, but the erring ones to repentance.” (Luke 5.32) I see him choose to surround himself with foul mouthed disciples (Matthew 26.74), cowards (Mark 14.50) and egotists (Mark 9.34) and yet, he called them ‘friends’ (John 16.15). Jesus didn’t hold back from fear of losing his reputation with men. He ate with the hated, drank with the wedding guests, spoke to people he shouldn’t have, unravelled religious bondage, confronted hypocrisy, walked mud into the carpets of conformity and washed the feet of those he created. Somewhere like Fabric would have held no fear for him; an arena of issues, filled with those who need his love and healing, desperately searching for answers in all the wrong places. I think he would have been last to leave. For me, the need to engage with nightlife industry relates directly to the people who worship within it. Clubbers represent a very real, often maligned and perpetually vulnerable community whose identity and culture is continually in a state of flux. For all its success and profitability, the nightlife industry is becoming increasingly influenced by insecure commercialism and rampant corruption. The people who know it as a refuge and a sanctuary are reliant on relationships, incomes and addictions adrift on turbulent waters, and the need for direction and love is probably greater than it ever has been. How do we help and show the love of God to the vast numbers whose lives and identities are built on such shifting sands? Do we take the example Jesus set and spend time with those who need the love of God, dragging ourselves away from safe, holy huddles? I doubt that the closure of Fabric will result in a rush of clubbers to the local church. Maybe it’s time to take the church to them? My own testimony began in such a place. The young lady who shared her faith with me that night in a club had no idea that she was talking to a prodigal son, seven years wandering, full of condemnation, hurt and regret. In that moment on the dance floor I suddenly realised that the Jesus I had forsaken and denied had never given up the pursuit of me. At my lowest point He appeared, holy feet turning sticky floors into hallowed ground, the light among the lights, the true heartbeat amidst the kick drum pulse. He met me where I was and six months later, glorified me in Himself, seating me in heavenly realms as I surrendered my life to Him. I’m so grateful for one woman’s simple obedience that night as she followed her heart into a place she loved, not letting the surroundings distract her from a simple message of faith. I wonder, is it not time for more moments of hope for a reeling community in need of the certainty of Jesus Christ? Written by Luke Rollins - Luke Rollins is a Midlands-based musician, DJ and producer who believes that, literally, it's all about Jesus. He has worked extensively for 24-7 Prayer in Ibiza and is part of the Third Space Ministries DJ Unity Group that seeks to equip and connect Christian DJ’s working in the nightlife industry. He is married to Judith and together, they like to dream big. Telegraph article around the closing of Fabric and the changes within night-life economy. Source
A GROUP of volunteers who help keep vulnerable people safe has just received a financial boost to help support its mission. The Redcar Beacon volunteers spend their Friday and Saturday evenings patrolling the High Street area ensuring people get home safe and well after a night out through its Street Angels project. Anne Connelly, founder of Redcar Beacons, said: “We aim to provide a non-judgemental presence in Redcar that people feel comfortable coming to for help when they need it.” And staff from the town’s Darlington Building Society donated £100 to help them buy flip-flops, which are given women who are unable to walk in their high heels and risk injury. The Beacons will also spend some of the donation on sweets for those who are suffering from low blood sugar due to high alcohol consumption. Branch manager Nicky Donaghue said: “It is scary to think of what could happen to people, especially young women, when they are at their most vulnerable so we are proud to support the work of the Redcar Beacons.” 170 volunteer Festival Angels were part of Leeds Festival running Lost Property, a Prayer Cafe and detached teams. The volunteers started at 12noon Wednesday and finished at 12noon on Bank Holiday Monday, The wet weather made the festival ground extremely muddy and the teams helped people with swamped tents alongside the £5 mug deal with unlimited tea and coffee and reuniting items with owners. More images are here.
Source
AN appeal has gone out for more Street Angels to help patrol the city’s streets on weekend evenings. The scheme was set up in 2008 and relies on the generosity of the public and churches to provide volunteers to help keep people safe on nights out. Generally 12 volunteers are needed each weekend so that two groups of three can patrol on Friday and Saturday evenings. But some evenings only three people come forward, so there can only be one patrol. “Even if someone could just volunteer once a month that would be a great help and they don’t need to be athletic. We walk at a leisurely pace and have volunteers in their 70s,” said the Street Angels’ treasurer Nick Clews. “It is immensely rewarding to know you are helping people. We look after people who are distressed or drunk sometimes. We also look out for the homeless and vulnerable. We don’t get involved in breaking up fights but on occasion do ring the police,” he added. “The most danger we get ourselves in is being hugged. You’d be surprised how many people come up to us and want to give us a hug.” The charity works closely with West Yorkshire Police, ambulance service, CCTV operators and door staff at pubs and clubs and are a high profile presence that helps to keep people safe when they are on a night out in Bradford city centre. They have also helped reduce crime and incidents. In their first six months violent crime in the city centre fell by 22 per cent, with a 60 per cent reduction in robberies and an 80 per cent reduction in common assault. The Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Geoff Reid and his wife, Chris, recently joined the Angels on patrol to find out more about their work. They were joined by Reverend Sarah Jemison, the Lord mayor’s chaplain and the Lord Mayor’s officer, Paul Greed. “We had a really enjoyable evening and saw the good work the Street Angels do. The evening was particularly quiet but we did have a walk to the Interchange and around the Alhambra and up to North Parade where most of the revelry was taking place,” Cllr Reid said. “The Street Angels spoke to four different people on the way round. It is clear they are appreciated as there was a lot of waving as they were recognised. They are certainly doing a great job.” Since its launch, volunteers have walked more than 250,000 miles and have dedicated more than 9,000 hours to keep people safe on the city’s streets. For more information, visit bradfordstreetangels.org.uk. One hundred and seventy Angels will be attending Leeds Festival later this month.
Leeds Festival is one of the UK's major music festivals with headlining acts including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foals and Fall Out Boy. The event, at Bramham Park on the outskirts of Leeds, attracts around 85,000 people over August Bank Holiday weekend. Festival Angels was launched in 2011 as a prayer cafe by churches local to the Leeds Festival site. Since then the concept has grown and now the Festival Angel team of volunteers run a prayer cafe, detached teams and lost property and have become a valued part of the Leeds Festival organisation. The prayer cafe aims to provide a safe place at the festival site and includes a mug deal for £5 with unlimited refills of tea and coffee throughout the weekend alongside areas for people to pray and discover more about the Christian faith through specially printed "Jesus Loves Festivals" editions of Mark's Gospel. The detached teams, based on the Street Angels model, wander around the massive festival site interacting with the festival-goers offering help and assistance including help putting up tents, giving out sun tan lotion, and helping people navigate the site. The team also offers hot drinks and biscuits to the security teams who are positioned around the festival site. Lost property went viral in 2015 when an image on social media showing the numbers of passports, driving licenses, mobile phones, wallets/purses, car keys and bank cards helped reunite the majority of items with owners. Reverend Andy Nicholson, coordinator of Festival Angels and vicar in Thorner, the nearest village to the festival site, comments, "Festival Angels is now into its sixth year and each year our team of volunteers and the services we offer has increased. As Christians from across the North of England we are hoping to show that Jesus Loves Festivals and through joining in the fun and life of the festival we aim to help break down some of the misconceptions people, especially young people, have of the church and Christian faith. It is a privilege to be able to serve some of the 85,000 people who become part of our neighbourhood for that weekend." More information is at www.leedsfestivalangels.org.uk with updates and pictures throughout the weekend posted at www.facebook.com/festivalangels and www.twitter.com/festivalangels . -- ends -- For media interviews please contact Paul Blakey MBE on 07725501465 / [email protected] Photos for use below - please credit Magdalena Szymanska - more photos are on our Facebook page. |
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ROC Angels - an initiative of ROC (Redeeming Our Communities)
Charity - 1139817 / Registered Company - 7327258 Postal Address: ROC Angels, c/o The King's Centre, Park Rd, Halifax, HX1 2TS E-Mail: [email protected] (founder / CEO) / Phone: 07725501465 |