Magazine for April 2009
A YEAR OF NIGHTLIGHT
For the past year every Friday night at 11.30 a group of four to six people have gathered at All Saints’ Church to set up tables and chairs and gazebos and serve free hot drinks to anyone who is out and about on the streets at that time.
Numbers of visitors has varied. There were not so many during the coldest of the weather recently, but we have had 150 and more on some occasions (not all at once!
Yes, we have found a few problems : the gazebos have broken or have been lifted by high winds, and on one occasion (one only) was there a nasty scene between visitors. And it does get cold.
But we have enjoyed the company of thousands of friendly people; a few are homeless, some are bouncers, most are students, almost all have been having a night out in pubs and clubs.
Most want to know why we are there. Most are staggered to find we are from different denominations working together. Many raise the subject of God, and we start a very interesting conversation. We usually pack away at about 3.30 am.
More details from Matthew Pittam (Lay Curate at All Saints’) especially if you can offer to join us occasionally.
Ruth Smith