Last Friday saw the commissioning of the second wave of Street Pastors on the Isle of Wight in Newport Minster, followed by the first night on the streets of Newport. In front of a large congregation in the Minster new Street Pastors were prayed for and commissioned with Street Pastors each handed their cap, ready to hit the streets. Existing Street Pastors who completed the training programme last year and have been out on the streets of Ryde for a year now received a graduation certificate.
After the service a mixture of new and existing Street Pastors took to the streets, introducing themselves and the scheme to people around the town centre. As well as receiving an enthusiastic welcome from people the Street Pastors managed to have a positive impact straight away. While the new team finish the final few training sessions they will be out each Friday for the early part of the evening getting to know people, then will be on the streets until late every Friday from July 2nd. Street Pastors will also be out on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Isle of Wight Festival.
