Kingston Street Pastor Honored

Just eight days on from the terror attacks in London Premier will host Society Sunday this weekend celebrating local heroes within our communities, including 71 year old Kingston resident and street pastor Katie Beckett. 

Katie will be presented with a certificate and asked to share her story during a national service being held at Methodist Central Hall in Westminster on Sunday. The event will be replicated in churches up and down Britain as people pay tribute to individuals from all faiths who help make their communities better places to live in. 

Rev Dr Martyn Atkins, Superintendent of Methodist Central Hall is preaching and says this years’ service will be particularly poignant:

“The terrorist attacks in Manchester and London evoke lots of emotions in me. One emotion is a deep sense of thankful gratitude for all those people – often unsung and unassuming - who serve in various ways to help make our communities safer and better places to live in. The Society Sunday services happening in churches of all denominations across the UK this weekend are occasions to focus on human goodness and kindness, and a timely opportunity for us to stand together and remember in prayer those bereaved, injured and scarred by recent events. People of all faiths and none are invited to come along and celebrate some of the many and various good deeds that individuals are performing in towns and cities across the UK, and which speak more powerfully and truly than the evil deeds which seek to cause terror and division among us.”

Katie Beckett volunteers as a street pastor most weekends, helping young clubbers in Kingston-Upon Thames. She works well into the early hours of Friday and Saturday nights providing comfort and support to revelers after a night out.

Peter Kerridge, CEO of Premier Christian Communications says Society Sunday is a much needed opportunity for people to come together to celebrate people like Katie:

“Let’s not just focus on the bad news and evil deeds of the few who want to terrorise and divide us. We must remember, thank and be encouraged by the many large and small acts of goodness and mercy that take place every day across the UK. In recent years Premier has resourced hundreds of churches to hold Society Sunday services to recognise and celebrate local heroes who are making a massively positive impact in our communities. From lollypop ladies to nurses, police officers to street pastors, an army of people are brining healing and hope. Remembering and thanking them rebuilds confidence.”

Peter will be welcoming everyone who attends the Society Sunday National Service at 5:30pm this Sunday. The service will be broadcast later that evening on Premier Christian Radio which is available on DAB Digital Radio across the UK, or on Freeview TV Channel 725.

Prayers will also be said for the new government, and for the Queen who celebrates her 91st birthday this weekend.

This is the third year that Premier has provided resources which include Prayers, thank you certificates, orders of service and activities for children and young people. A map of church venues running Society Sunday is available at premier.org.uk/societysunday

Article supplied by Nicki Whiteman