Redeeming our Communities Launches in
Jersey!
A packed Town Hall saw the launch of Redeeming Our Communities in Jersey on October 21st 2008.  With standing room only and over thirty senior VIP’s present Redeeming Our Communities was received enthusiastically.
The day started with an interview on BBC Radio Jersey, with Debra Green and Mike Field invited to discuss the launch of Redeeming our Communities in Jersey.
Later in the day there was a VIP reception at the Town Hall followed by the launch in the main hall. A camera crew from Channel TV came to interview several of the guest speakers for a television programme. You can watch the Channel TV news report here (the slot on Redeeming our Communities begins at 19m 50secs into the programme).
The launch included interviews with Police Chief Constable Graham Power and Centenier Malcolm L’Amy. We heard about the policing issues of Jersey with a particular focus on anti social behavior fuelled by excessive drinking. One of the Parish Deputy’s, James Reed, spoke about the amazing work being done with young people across the States of Jersey but there are still some gaps.
 Vini Jones spoke of the possible launch of Street Pastors, following a visit from a team from the UK this coming November. Gerry Baudins spoke about the forthcoming launch of Streetlight, a Christian initiative, working in partnership with the police, which sends out teams onto the streets with hot chocolate and time to talk with young people. Father Nicholas France, the Roman Catholic Dean, and The Very Rev Bob Key, Dean of Jersey, responded to the issues raised and led a time of prayer. References were made to the power of partnerships and the value of Christian unity.
 Debra interviewed David Coote, a Methodist Superintendent and Patrick McManus, President of Christians Together in Jersey, about their response to the issues raised, and both spoke of opportunity facing the Christian church to further engage with community transformation.
Debra spoke of how Redeeming Our Communities will act as a catalyst for the existing projects and initiatives by becoming an information hub in order to communicate and raise awareness regards the work being done and the challenges still to be addressed. ROC effectively acts as an umbrella under which a whole host of agencies: police, politicians, churches can co-exist and work in partnership towards the greater good of Jersey.
Moving forwards, we hope to see a small Steering Group and working party form from the many people who signed up to be part of ROC in Jersey.
Debra showed a DVD of some of the highlights of the initiative in the UK which was warmly received. The evening concluded with prayers led by various people including Paul Brooks, the new chair of Jersey Evangelical Alliance. Thanks were expressed to Mike and Pat Field for being such a key part of the organizing of the launch. Mike spoke about the forthcoming joint church open air carol concert on December 18th.
 "The evening provided an important opportunity for a range of committed people to come together and engage in a healthy exchange on the role of the Churches in encouraging and supporting positive behaviour and in developing initiatives designed to prevent young people and others from coming to the notice of the police. The current period of political change in the island offers an opportunity for a wide ranging dialogue on standards of behaviour and on public expectations of an orderly society with low levels of crime. It was encouraging to see so many States Members, Church leaders and active community members assembled with a common purpose. I am grateful to the organisers for putting together such a well run and well attended event and wish all involved success in moving forward on the identified issues. The force will continue to support the efforts of everyone in the community who is willing to work to keep Jersey a safe and pleasant place to live and to
visit." - Chief Officer Graham Power
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