I first heard about Redeeming Our Communities at the Echo Arena in Merseyside in June 2009. Seeing almost 5000 people being empowered to work together for the benefit of our communities was incredible. I have always believed that the “church” should be working alongside others within the community, and my small church did have a few community projects in local residential nursing homes and in the local school. But the idea of working in Partnership with the Police and other agencies was very exciting.
I am employed as a Youth Pastor at Christ Church URC, Haydock. On the way home from the Arena the then Minister Vernon Payne said he really felt challenged, and moved by the Children’s Choir from Rhys Jones’s school. The choir was formed after the tragic death of primary school boy Rhys Jones a few years ago. From the conversation about the choir we asked our local High School if we could deliver a week based on the message of the children’s choir “You’re the Voice” Say No to Gun, Knife, Gang Crime. The week was a great success, we also took the message into the four local Junior Schools, supported by young people from the High School.
Since the schools week it has been amazing how many opportunities have opened and brought me into contact with many people within the Police, Safer Communities, Youth Offending Team, Council, and Fire Brigade. I recently met with the new Police Superintendent for St.Helen’s who is very keen to work with churches, so keen he is coming with me to deliver assemblies, visit some of the school clubs I’m involved in and help organise the next schools week.
I did not set out to be ROC Ambassador, in fact seeing Debra up on stage at the Echo Arena, I felt I could never be part of something so big and so important, but I did want to get involved. I could not believe it when Debra invited me to attend a meeting with Merseyside Police. I have now found myself in the privileged position of spending more time with the ROC team. They have been very supportive and encouraged me to organise a ROC Conversation in Haydock, which was a great success, not only on the night, but some agencies that attend have continued to meet and work together for the benefit of young offenders.
If you are feeling drawn to ROC, take a look at what is going on. It is humbling to be associated with such warm, caring, encouraging people who have a real heart for people and their communities.
Sandra Morris
Youth Pastor, Christ Church URC
Haydock, St.Helens
For more information on how YOU can become a ROC Ambassador, click here.
