Tim Abbott

Easter - Good Friday

It's been an amazing day!

Mid-day was the annual Good Friday outdoor service in Colchester town centre. By helpful co-incidence, River Island is having a refit which meant there was a big plywood backdrop to which was nailed two banners - one of the crucifixion, one of the resurrection. As part of the service people were encouraged to pin prayers to the board. There was a moment of unplanned significance as a new nail was hammered in to restrain one of the banners during the singing of "When I survey the wondrous cross". Suddenly the words, "See from his head, his hands, his feet; sorrow and love flow mingled down" seemed remarkably real.

Later in the evening I was at the Highwoods Youth Cafe where about 20 young people spent some time taking in a prayer room themed around the passion of Christ. The church there had been running a prayer room open to the community during the day and the regular Friday youth cafe gave us another opportunity to share the experience of prayer with them.

Finally, it was Street Pastors tonight. Although it was rather wet and windy and very cold the streets were busy and so were we. We prayed that people would feel welcomed, and almost immediately met a woman who said she'd just moved to the town and was amazed how welcomed she felt - and even more so after meeting us. We prayed with a couple that the taxi they'd booked over an hour ago would turn up, and it did the moment we finished praying. We chatted with a lady who wanted to give up smoking, and prayed for her too. And we helped a man with a cut hand who had been assaulted by someone with a Stanley (box cutter) knife. All in all a useful night and it's good to know the church is welcomed so warmly on the streets. Bed by 4am.

Friday 8th

Friday night I went to help out at the Highwoods Youth Cafe run by a couple of local churches. It's been going for two years following a schools week in early 2006 with Collective. The leaders are an amazing bunch and are having to work with what might be termed challenging young people. But there have been some moments of real breakthrough, like the lads who made first time commitments a few months ago and the 25 who chose to spend time in a weekend prayer room locally.

I then had to pop into town for 10pm to help set up Street Pastors for the evening. I wasn't on the rota for the night so although I didn't go out I did stay for a bit to join in with the prayer. We're recruiting again to get the numbers up to the point where we can send out teams on Saturdays as well as Fridays.

Happy New Year

Part of my experience of the Christmas season has included a break from the internet, due partly to being away from any useful connection and partly because, well, it's nice just to break a habit every now and then. Hence no posts since 13th December, which is ages ago.
Not that there hasn't been lots going on.

We launched Street Pastors here in Colchester. I visited Innervation Trust in Manchester for a prayer day. Then spent a long weekend with my mum in Wales before returning just in time to do a Street Pastor stint on Christmas eve.

And so to the new year which I celebrated on the streets as a Street Pastor. With five evenings covered so far we've become a regular part of the nightlife of Colchester and have been warmly welcomed by the public, Police, club owners and door staff. On Monday night we were able to divert a few people away from starting fights, help a number of people who were very drunk and calm a few arguing couples. We also got to chat to loads of people, many of whom approached us, and we were able to pray with quite a few as well. I saw in the chimes of the new year on the street with another Street Pastor and a bloke from Watford with a drug problem who needed a bit of reassurance and help.

Finished about 4:30am, home by 5. The most enjoyable and satisfying new year celebration for a long time.

Street Pastors launch

On Saturday about 50 people gathered at Colchester Town Hall for the launch of Street Pastors. The 20 Street Pastors were joined by friends, prayer partners, The Mayor and senior representatives of the Police, the Borough Council and local churches.

Street Pastors is a national scheme now running in over 50 towns, cities and boroughs across the UK. The aim is simply to offer help care and a listening ear to people out on the town on a Friday night. Where it's already running there have been measurable reductions in street crime. But it's also a great way for the church to be visible in a practical and caring way to a whole bunch of people who would probably never think of going near a church. I'm looking forward to the day when our town recognises that "God is good for Colchester".

After the formal bit of the evening we persuaded the Mayor to let us have a photo on his balcony, overlooking the High Street. I'm taking the photo, balancing on a balustrade with a 30' drop behind me. Perhaps that's why some people look worried and everyone else is smiling!