Street Pastors
Bideford has an abundance of young people, as soon becomes evident
when walking round our town at certain times of the day - or night.
Initial impressions might suggest that they are happily wrapped up in
their own world of virtual reality, apparently surgically attached to
various bits of technology.
But, according to recent coverage in the media, many are wrestling with
challenging situations, some generated by social media, some centring
on mental health issues. Here in Bideford, there are a number of people
attempting to provide a listening ear to those feeling isolated. Among
these are Street Pastors. They are men and women, drawn from the
different churches, who go out onto the streets on Saturday nights to
engage with young people, care for them, listen to them and try to
help them. They wear a distinctive but simple ‘uniform’ so they can be
easily recognised. They work with other partners, such as the police,
to make our community a safer place. Interestingly, over the years, the
police have noted the connection between a reduction in ‘incidents’ and
the presence of Street Pastors.
School Pastors are a more recent development of Street Pastors. A
School Pastor cares for and supports a 'school community'. They are
there at the invitation of the school and aim to support schools by
reinforcing what the schools are already doing. Their role is to
listen, care for and help young people, hoping to see them grow into
worthwhile members of our community. Each school has its own priorities
and will, therefore, decide where the input of school pastors can be
most effective.
All School and Street Pastors are Christians, committed to the belief
that every individual is valuable in the eyes of God; however,
promoting their own particular religious beliefs is no part of their
role. They are there to help, listen to and care for the young people
in our area. As Christians we believe in prayer as a major tool that
God uses to work in the world. Street Pastors rely on the backup of
Prayer Pastors. We have very few Prayer Pastors and sometimes the
presence of a
patrol is jeopardised by a shortage of prayer backup.
There is a great need for more Street Pastors, School Pastors and
Prayer Pastors. Having read this short article, perhaps you are feeling
that you may have a calling in this direction. If you do, the person to
contact is Duncan Withall at bideford@streetpastors.org.uk or 07592
021464.
Rural Ministry
The circuit supports Rural Ministry in the form of a Rural Worker.
The focus of the post is to develop ecumenical, lay and ordained,
Chaplaincy teams to serve in each of the Agricultural markets in the
District (largely the County of Devon).
In consultation with an ad hoc local ecumenical committee each of the
three Rural Workers who have filled the post were appointed by the
Methodist Church, but did not have to be a Methodist. The three
incumbents of the Rural Worker post have acted as pastor and counsellor
to many individuals under intolerable stress as the changes to their
way of life have piled on one another. The value of this work had never
been in any doubt but the appointment of Alan Andrew, a local farmer,
just 6 months before the Foot & Mouth outbreak in February 2001 can
only be viewed as providential. That immediate crisis passed, but the
needs of those living and working in the area did not diminish.
The present incumbent since 2010 is Andy Jerrard. His brief
changed to include an element of building pastoral support and his
success in building Chaplaincy Teams in a few markets has been
recognised.
Clovelly Chapel
Clovelly
Chapel no longer has a regular congregation, but has a ministry as a
house of prayer for the many visitors that come to the delightful
Clovelly village. Prayer cards can be filled in by visitors and these
are collected regularly by circuit members, and prayers offered. The
circuit has invested in a video and screen which is proving popular.
Services are still held 3-4 times a year, supported by the minister of
Hartland.