31 Dec 2024, 21:00London
Area 6b Ministers Discuss Youth Violence and Safer Streets March at Year-End Meeting
Safer Streets; Safer Youth
As the year comes to a close, many of us will be reflecting on ways aspects of the current year can be improved in the next. To this end, Area 6b Ministers have been specifically focussed on a perplexing problem. In 2024, the tragic spectre of the gun and knife crime epidemic continued to showed itself to be an all too regular feature of our times. According to statistics, there was a further increase of 4% in crimes involving offensive weapons in the 12 months up until March 2024, with crimes against teenagers being the most prevalent. These violent acts that lead to devastation and lives being cruelly snatched away, have increasingly translated into shattering real-life experiences with a terrible human cost, casting an ugly shadow within local and church communities alike.
The matter was not least among the topics addressed at Area 6b’s end of year Minister’s Meeting on 19th December. There Ministers reviewed the inaugural Safer Streets, Safer Youth March that took place earlier in the year which was designed to keep the spotlight on this alarming situation. They also considered what “could be” in terms of how they could respond and what the next steps might be.
The March itself took place on the afternoon of Sabbath 17th August, 2024 when churches in the Area gathered in Brixton, South London. In the review, Ministers were glad to witness a coordinated response. It began with a procession led by Pathfinders from Newbold and Reading West Churches that started from the base of Brixton Seventh-day Adventist Church, then proceeded throughout the community. The party finally gathered at the well-known landmark of Brixton’s Windrush Square for a series of speeches and music related to the theme.
The procession was not just a physical exercise but a spiritual statement that brought people together to express a desire for the good of young people in the local community. The idea was originated by Area 6b Coordinator Pastor Lewis Quaye who worked with Richard Daly, former British Union Conference Media Director and Pastor of Brixton Seventh-day Adventist Church, in line with the Church’s plans for the community. Their aim was to show that the Church cares and to reframe the narrative to reinforce hope that with Jesus, there is a “better way.”
Ministers noted that it was a lively afternoon marked by various sights such as Ministers and members from Area 6B and the SEC, colourful t-shirts and banners lifted aloft. This was coupled with the sound of drumming Pathfinders, periodic shouts of “Safer streets; Safer youth!”, poignant speeches, prayer and music of different denominations present in the area that day, all adding to the vibrant ambiance. One of these was the New Testament Church of God whose group packed up their own event at Windrush Square early and allowed those making speeches at the March to use their sound system as their members listened on. Their generosity was very much appreciated.
The event had a clear sense of camaraderie with people from various SDA churches, other church groups and members of the public alike pausing to listen intently to heartfelt music by Paulette Delisser and pointed speeches by Pastor Daly, Jermaine Wong, Pastor Quaye and the South England Conference President, Dr Pastor Kirk Thomas. The focus was kept on God whom the speakers repeatedly declared as the solution to the problem.
As they reflected on the event, Area ministers were impressed by local responses. Drivers tooted their horns in support of the cause. Various members of the public who approached the Square were offered prayer, someone to talk to, literature or bottles of water to keep them hydrated in the intense heat of the day: acts of kindness which were gladly received by many.
In discussions, ministers remembered how a member of the public even got off a bus, drawn to the scene by the activity and the message against gun and knife crime. Like other passers-by from the community, he expressed appreciation that something positive was taking place. They also remarked that the atmosphere reminded them of how the Square used to be in years past and how this brought the need for strong community connection into focus.
Area 6b Ministers felt it was a blessing to be able to take a visible stand against crimes involving offensive weapons to show they were there for the community. In anticipation of the future, the Ministers have high hopes. They hope to develop ongoing relationships and initiatives to address this challenge. They hope this march will be the first of many in other boroughs so as to maintain general consciousness of this issue. At subsequent marches, they very much hope for the presence of many more young people locally.
Ideas for further work were aplenty and rather promising. For example, networking with local councils, schools, community groups and charities throughout the year and partnering with them. Another is to put ongoing community activities in place, including those organised under the banner of ‘Centres of Hope’. This is based on inspiration and their potential for offering holistic, restorative activities geared towards reaching the Cities. Further ideas are welcome and Area 6b has established a Committee with the purpose of researching them all. In this way, the 6b Ministers hope their first Area March will be a platform for further action throughout 2025 and beyond.
By Divinia Reynolds
As the year comes to a close, many of us will be reflecting on ways aspects of the current year can be improved in the next. To this end, Area 6b Ministers have been specifically focussed on a perplexing problem. In 2024, the tragic spectre of the gun and knife crime epidemic continued to showed itself to be an all too regular feature of our times. According to statistics, there was a further increase of 4% in crimes involving offensive weapons in the 12 months up until March 2024, with crimes against teenagers being the most prevalent. These violent acts that lead to devastation and lives being cruelly snatched away, have increasingly translated into shattering real-life experiences with a terrible human cost, casting an ugly shadow within local and church communities alike.
The matter was not least among the topics addressed at Area 6b’s end of year Minister’s Meeting on 19th December. There Ministers reviewed the inaugural Safer Streets, Safer Youth March that took place earlier in the year which was designed to keep the spotlight on this alarming situation. They also considered what “could be” in terms of how they could respond and what the next steps might be.
The March itself took place on the afternoon of Sabbath 17th August, 2024 when churches in the Area gathered in Brixton, South London. In the review, Ministers were glad to witness a coordinated response. It began with a procession led by Pathfinders from Newbold and Reading West Churches that started from the base of Brixton Seventh-day Adventist Church, then proceeded throughout the community. The party finally gathered at the well-known landmark of Brixton’s Windrush Square for a series of speeches and music related to the theme.
The procession was not just a physical exercise but a spiritual statement that brought people together to express a desire for the good of young people in the local community. The idea was originated by Area 6b Coordinator Pastor Lewis Quaye who worked with Richard Daly, former British Union Conference Media Director and Pastor of Brixton Seventh-day Adventist Church, in line with the Church’s plans for the community. Their aim was to show that the Church cares and to reframe the narrative to reinforce hope that with Jesus, there is a “better way.”
Ministers noted that it was a lively afternoon marked by various sights such as Ministers and members from Area 6B and the SEC, colourful t-shirts and banners lifted aloft. This was coupled with the sound of drumming Pathfinders, periodic shouts of “Safer streets; Safer youth!”, poignant speeches, prayer and music of different denominations present in the area that day, all adding to the vibrant ambiance. One of these was the New Testament Church of God whose group packed up their own event at Windrush Square early and allowed those making speeches at the March to use their sound system as their members listened on. Their generosity was very much appreciated.
The event had a clear sense of camaraderie with people from various SDA churches, other church groups and members of the public alike pausing to listen intently to heartfelt music by Paulette Delisser and pointed speeches by Pastor Daly, Jermaine Wong, Pastor Quaye and the South England Conference President, Dr Pastor Kirk Thomas. The focus was kept on God whom the speakers repeatedly declared as the solution to the problem.
As they reflected on the event, Area ministers were impressed by local responses. Drivers tooted their horns in support of the cause. Various members of the public who approached the Square were offered prayer, someone to talk to, literature or bottles of water to keep them hydrated in the intense heat of the day: acts of kindness which were gladly received by many.
In discussions, ministers remembered how a member of the public even got off a bus, drawn to the scene by the activity and the message against gun and knife crime. Like other passers-by from the community, he expressed appreciation that something positive was taking place. They also remarked that the atmosphere reminded them of how the Square used to be in years past and how this brought the need for strong community connection into focus.
Area 6b Ministers felt it was a blessing to be able to take a visible stand against crimes involving offensive weapons to show they were there for the community. In anticipation of the future, the Ministers have high hopes. They hope to develop ongoing relationships and initiatives to address this challenge. They hope this march will be the first of many in other boroughs so as to maintain general consciousness of this issue. At subsequent marches, they very much hope for the presence of many more young people locally.
Ideas for further work were aplenty and rather promising. For example, networking with local councils, schools, community groups and charities throughout the year and partnering with them. Another is to put ongoing community activities in place, including those organised under the banner of ‘Centres of Hope’. This is based on inspiration and their potential for offering holistic, restorative activities geared towards reaching the Cities. Further ideas are welcome and Area 6b has established a Committee with the purpose of researching them all. In this way, the 6b Ministers hope their first Area March will be a platform for further action throughout 2025 and beyond.
By Divinia Reynolds
