We have now completed our third training course and are so thankful to all the new recruits for attending the training days. The dates for the next training course are still to be confirmed however we are accepting applications.

Street Angels at the Drugs and Alcohol Training day

Street Angels is a God given vision and needs to be backed with prayer. In order to do this effectively we are having a meeting to discuss ideas at the Spurriergate Centre on Tuesday 16^th March at 6.00 until 7.30, refreshments will be available.

Please come with your ideas of how you could help by giving some time to prayer either alone or with a group, you may belong to a group who could support this or you may want to form a prayer triplet for this purpose.

This is the first meeting for ‘Prayer Angels.’ Please let me know if you plan to attend or contact me for more information.

Pauline :07900361427

sisterpaulineyork@btinternet.com

Reflections from a Street Angel

Back in October 2009 the first teams of Street Angels ventured out onto the streets of York, and have continued every Friday and Saturday night since then. The teams of three need to have at least one bloke and, due to the lower numbers of men who are currently trained it is proving a little bit difficult to form two teams every week. So as part of the recruitment drive, I thought I’d pass on my reflections on what it’s like to walk the streets between 9.30 pm and 3 am on a Friday or Saturday night. We meet in the United Reform Church in Priory Street and get togged-up in our luminious orange jackets (which are very similar to Post Office jackets, so during the postal strike some of my colleagues did get some funny comments) and differing amounts of thermal clothing depending on how hardy you are. We have radio contact with the CCTV operators should we need it, but essentially we’re on our own as we set out in our teams of three. One team normally patrols at either side of the river but we can go wherever the people (or the Lord) takes us. Having been out on two shifts so far I can confidently state that the positive reactions far outweigh the negative ones, although inevitably there have been some negative comments and actions – nothing serious. I think we need to expect these; not everyone can see the benefits of what we’re trying to do, and not everyone likes Christians.

My highlights have been :

the number of people who comment on what a great idea it is and how wonderful we are!

being able to build relationships with door staff and other workers;

meeting so many wonderful people of different ages from different backgrounds and churches at the training sessions;

being able to go inside St Martins Church (near City Screen) which we are now being allowed to use as another base – a wonderful space and a beautiful church;

and talking to many people, both local and visitors as they enjoy their evening out.

praying with a homeless man

helping ladies take off their trendy (but uncomfortable) shoes at the end of the evening when they’re struggling to walk so that they can feel the benefit of our flip flops!

I would encourage anyone who thinks they would possibly like to volunteer to be a Street Angel to pray about it and to maybe talk to someone to find out a bit more.

We are looking to train a further 20 volunteers on our up coming course.

If you are interested or would like to apply please contact Jennifer on 07852233065 or down load our Application form now!

Please send in applications by post or email to streetangelsyork@gmail.com or 96, Jute Road, York, YO265EW

The training will be from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm at the Gateway center, Acomb. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Saturday 27th February – Conflict management
Saturday 6th March –  Drugs and Alcohol with Compass One
Saturday 13th March – Homelessness with the Salvation Army
Role of British Transport Police
Police Briefing with North Yorkshire Police

You are invited to join Street Angels York for our Commissioning Service on Friday the 4th December.

We will be joined by Paul Blakey founder of Street Angels in Halifax, North Yorkshire Police, Local MP Hugh Bayley to celebrate and pray for the Work of Street Angels in our city.

The service will be form 7:30 – 8:30 At St Columbas United Reformed Church, Priory Street, York. Light refreshments will be served after the service.

Please come along to support our work, pray for our volunteers and to find out more!

Contact Jennifer 07852233065 for more information

Our next training dates have now been confirmed. Please send in applications by post or email to streetangelsyork@gmail.com or 96, Jute Road, York, YO265EW

The training will be from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm with lunch and refreshments provided at the Gateway Center in Acomb.

We are asking volunteers for a voluntary contribution of £50 towards Street Angels Jackets and the cost of training days.

Saturday 27th February – Conflict management
Saturday 6th March –  Drugs and Alcohol with Compass One
Saturday 13th March – Homelessness with the Salvation Army
Police Briefing with North Yorkshire Police

Street Angels York will be featured on The Politics Show BBC One, 25th October from 12pm.
Tune in and if you miss it we will post the link so you can watch it on BBC iplayer next week!

Street Angels York was launched on Friday the 16th October and we were interviewed on Radio York with Elly Fiorentini on Friday on the drive show and then again on the 18th on Julia Booths Sunday Breakfast. To listen to part of the interview check out the last quarter of Diwali celebrations 20 Oct 09

We now have our first 20 volunteers trained and will be on the streets from the 16th October 09.

We are now recruiting for our November training sessions for both Street Angels and Safe Haven Volunteers.
Please send applications in by post or email as soon as possible. Volunteers need to complete all three training days however if you are unable to make them all initially then training can be completed on the next training course which will be in Feb/March 2010.

The training will be from 10 am – 4 pm with lunch and refreshments provided. The venue is to be confirmed.

Saturday 7th November – Drugs and Alcohol with Compass One
Saturday 14th November – Conflict management (9 am – 4 pm)
Saturday 28th November – Homelessness with the Salvation Army
Role of British Transport Police
Police Briefing with North Yorkshire Police

Jean Watson is coming over from America – she has a new CD out and will continue her story telling ministry in St Mikes that began last year. She has the ability to really reach and touch the hearts of her audience in a life changing way. Alongside her is support from a singer songwriter who came on Alpha last summer, and is also excellent.

Its Friday October 9th 7.45 pm in St Michael le Belfrey church, York (next to the Minster).

Tickets will be just £5, profits to Street Angels to pay for luminous jackets and volunteer training – and you can find out more about the initiative on the night.

Please come if you can and send this on to others in and around York who might be interested — or invite someone along who doesn’t come to church – it will be a friendly environment!!

Email Richard Staples: purplepatch57@gmail.com for tickets and more information