Patrols
We have restarted our Friday night patrols (High Street and Seafront from 21:30 – 00:30) and are continuing the Saturday patrols (various parks and Hamlet Court Road from 14:00 – 16:00). We are pleased to report that we have missed very few scheduled sessions.
There have been several good contacts, and it is interesting that the number of homeless people / rough sleepers seen in the evenings is usually less than 6. This is a tribute to the efforts of the Council’s Rough Sleeper Team, HARP, One Love and SvP as they continue to engage with, and house, those who find themselves living on the streets.
Co-Ordinator
The Management Team would like to thank John Levitt for his hard work in drawing up the rotas, producing publicity and recruitment material and arranging training for the team. He is ably supported by Pauline (his wife); both are members of the Management Team.
Team Leaders
Some of the more experienced Street Pastors are designated as Team Leaders for the patrols; one of them is John Raine and he represents them on the Management Team.
Prayer Co-Ordinator
Claire Hogg and Sara Sabatini are stepping down as our Prayer Co-Ordinators at the end of August. The Management Team thanks them for all the hard work they have put in over the years to ensure that our Street Pastors are supported in prayer every time they go out. We pray that God will bless them in the next season of their lives.
We advertised the vacancy to the Teams of Street Pastors and Prayer Pastors, and we are pleased to announce that we have appointed Avril Richards to be our Prayer Co-Ordinator from 1st October when she and two new Street Pastors will be commissioned (on-line!). She will take the lead for our monthly on-line prayer sessions and will become an integral part of the Management Team. [In the meantime, Pauline will do the Prayer Pastor rota for September.]
Treasurer
Our Treasurer has also resigned! Whilst we look for a new Treasurer, John Simmons will cover the post. The Treasurer does not have to be a Street Pastor or Prayer Pastor. If you (or anyone you know) would be interested in this role then please contact John asap (at john.simmons17ewb@btinternet.com or on 07866 740065).
The Treasurer is also a member of the Management Team, and it should only take about 2 hours a month to keep on top of the accounts. We praise God that we are currently in a good financial position.
Chair
Simon Werrett has been the Chair of the Management Team since 2018 and feels it is now time to stand down and let someone new take the lead.
This is not going to be an imminent change, but we do need to start the process of identifying the right person to take us forward. The Chair does not have to be a Street Pastor or Prayer Pastor. If you (or anyone you know) is interested, please contact Simon (at chair.southend@streetpastors.org.uk ).