Frozen Footprint

            The snow lay on the ground and was compacted by pedestrian traffic and freezing temperatures.  It was the school run and we were passing the Cogges Vicarage when we noticed a frozen left footprint.  A person had been caught short - presumably on their way home from a night of drinking – and an icy outline of their foot had been formed.  We continued on our journey and as we walked along the path by Waitrose we found a woman’s abandoned left shoe.

            I shuddered to think of someone walking home in such a cold weather.  It concerned me that a person would make that journey home in such a vulnerable state. 

            Street Pastors were commissioned on Saturday, 11 December at High Street Methodist Church.  The vision for Street Pastors began with Revd. Richard Donoghue but was taken forward by Captain Jeff Hill.  The sponsor churches are HS Methodist, Congregational, St. Mary’s on the Green, and North Witney Community Church.  Eleven people (one had to drop out) began their training in the autumn and were unleashed onto the streets from the service.  The Mayor, James Mills, and Chief Inspector Jack Malhi handed out Bibles and caps to ‘arm’ the SPs. 

            The service was inspirational!  Good music and impassioned prayer in concert with a rousing message preached by Revd. Paul Rush propelled the Street Pastors into their new calling. 

            Paul spoke of the work of Street Pastors.  It’s simple.  A street pastor is a person who does what every good citizen should do.  They see someone in need and stand alongside them in love.  Now that Street Pastors are in Witney perhaps they will be there to help people like that woman who lost her shoe and trudged through the snow leaving frozen tracks. 

            The final hymn, “Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?” has already been answered by one of our church members.  This person is stepping forward to train in the New Year.  At our July Church Meeting we committed ourselves to fully fund any Street Pastors coming from our congregation.  Let’s pray that more people will respond to God’s call.

Prayer: Father you know the name of that person who walked barefoot through the snow.  We pray that Street Pastors will be your love present to all who need someone to be alongside them.  Amen.