RUGBY STREET PASTORS SECOND COMMISSIONING SERVICE
Rugby’s first 18 Street Pastors were commissioned at an outdoor service in Caldecott Park on the 1st of August 2010 and ever since have been patrolling the Town Centre streets from 10pm Friday – 4am Saturday.
On Sunday 7th August, a further 18 newly recruited Street Pastors were commissioned at an outdoor service in Caldecott Park, having undertaken over 40 hours of mandatory Ascension Trust training since May 2011, with a further 2 days training yet to complete. In attendance were Rugby’s Mayor – Cllr Gwen Hotten, Sean Lawson (Rugby Borough Council,PC Adrian Bell, and Anwar Bourazza representing Ascension Trust.
A presence of Street Pastors at 3.30 in the morning around the clock tower in Rugby Town Centre, where intoxicated clubbers congregate whilst waiting for a taxi, brings a calming, reassuring influence. Many people have said they feel much safer when they see Street pastors are watching out for them. The role is not about preaching heaven and hell, but one of listening, caring and helping - working in an unconditional way. People in Rugby are now getting to know that the Church is there for them in a practical way. Whether Street Pastors are pointing people in the right direction, persuading someone not to do something, providing emergency first aid, giving out flip-flops and lollies, or just being a shoulder to cry on, they are practically demonstrating the Christian ethos of caring for one another.....not just to one another in their respective church congregations, but to the wider community – the Cities, Towns and villages where they live and work.
Rugby Street Pastors will now be able to patrol Rugby’s Town Centre (and outlying estates) on Friday and Saturday nights, from 10pm – 4am.
To see more pictures of our teams on patrol, follow the link to browse our photo album folders.
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