Peacemakers Prayer Patrollers were visibly present in the Broadmead Shopping Quarter of Bristol on Bonfire Night, the patrollers wore high-viz jackets certain helped to light up the night in more ways than one, as a beneficial presence of blessing and as well as a deterrent to ward off wayward behaviors. There were other visible peacekeeping organizations on the ground too, the Police, local PCSOs, Fire, and Ambulance Services. Prayer Patrols applied the Peacemakers Operation Presence ‘ABC’ pre-empt idea on the night. 
Secured Bonfire Night Displays took place safely in many areas of the City, this gave children and vulnerable individuals the opportunity to participate in an environment of protection with a sense of safety.
In the past, Bristol has had bad experiences on Bonfire Night which involved small pockets of individuals taking advantage of the celebrations, setting off fireworks in an unsafe fashion, some even hurling lighted fireworks into shopping areas, and worst throwing them towards individuals as they walked on the pavements.
Testimony
Thankfully, this year Bristol had less serious incidents reports. The Patrols reported merriment with a peaceful atmosphere in the Broadmead Shopping Quarter, Castle Park and surrounding areas. During the patrol through the town, a young man stopped the patrollers to ask what they were about. The man was in a very depressed mood and after he shared the story of his difficulties he asked them to pray for him, that things would change for him in the near future. The team prayed and encouraged him. His countenance changed drastically as he thanked them, he said he was feeling much better as if a ton was lifted from him.
Awareness, Blessing and Community Safety
Peacemakers advised parents to take the initial responsibility to advise their youths who were planning to go out in groups, not to take fireworks with them, not to partake in pranks which involved hurling fireworks at people or parked cars. In fact, they advised that it is best that people, especially young people, should not carry fireworks with them, it is an illegal offense that carries heavy fines and in some cases court sentences. But most importantly Peacemakers warn of the danger that could happen to others, the risk of injuries which in past caused major injuries such as loss of limbs, shock, and trauma, where individuals have been known to suffer for many years afterward.
Peacemakers Commissioner Rev Dr.Dawnecia Palmer warns "..... one small irresponsible action with fireworks on Bonfire nights could ruin a person's life for years or even forever in some cases."
Peacemakers also advise people to report any illegal activities that they are aware of and that they can do so by contacting either Crimestoppers or the Police.
CrimeStoppers is a charity which provides a service that is unique and designed to protect people’s identity, whether they call their free number 0800 555111 or submit information through https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give- information-online/ It is important to note that Crimestoppers is NOT part of the police, they guarantee 100% anonymity. They take information about crime, about criminals and pass it to the police and have never compromised anyone’s anonymity. They cannot take reports of crime as obviously they couldn’t keep the person reporting anonymous. CrimeStoppers doesn’t record anything about the reporter/only the information passed on.
You can find some information about their service the Partnerships tab of this website or you may prefer to go directly to CrimeStoppers’ own website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org there you will have full access to all their information and the sort of help they provide. However, PEACEMAKERS advise that in all cases of serious crimes and real Emergencies, that you contact the Police straightaway and directly by dialing 999.
They passed clusters of adults and children dressed in horror costumes going from door to door ‘trick or treating’ along the way, and however innocently this may sound, there is always a chance of danger and ‘bad-will’ so Peacemakers hold that their visible presence as ‘light’ which will help to ensure a certain amount safety in the areas they patrol.
Soulcakes are little cakes, made with allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, other sweet spices such as raisins currants with a little cross on top, these were given to the children and poor that would go from door to door begging, singing and offering to pray for the givers and their families, and some even offer to pray for their pets during the month of November. Over time it became a more commercial and seen more as a secular celebration and the soul cakes were replaced by trick or treating giving of sweets, costume parties, carving pumpkins into jack-o’- lanterns, playing pranks, telling scary stories, creating haunting attractions and bonfires.
The next ‘Be safe Night’ Patrol will be in the Broadmead area of Bristol Bonfire Night Tuesday 5th November 2019. To join the Peacemakers prayer patrol or City Patrols please telephone the Commissioner on 075 083 90298.
Our 1st stop was in the quiet country town of Evert. Evart is a city in Osceola County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,903 at the 2010 census. And so, this was very much a new experience for the Prayer Patrol crew that went out to pray outside the Town Hall, the smallest one we have seen so far.
There were not many people out on the streets of Evart for the Patrollers to engage with at first, but, just as they had finished praying outside the hall and was about to make their way back to base a group of young people came by. They were friendly and very inquisitive, perhaps due to the British accent. Thankfully we were able to engage them, we explained our mission to them we then asked if they would kindly help us by suggesting whatever they thought were some really important issues facing the Township and its people, especially youths, that we should include in our prayers. Immediately one youth shouted out ‘gangbanging’ then ran away. The others stayed, and they all nodded but one guy spoke up and said: “yes that’s it, it is terrible around here, us youths are terrified, and we only feel safe to walk in groups now.” They appeared quite serious and obviously passionate and vocal that something should be done to safeguard the town and its young people. Unacquainted by the term ‘gangbanging’ we asked them to explain what it meant so that we might know how best to pray.
The young people huddled in, one lad removed his cap held it in his hand and bowed his head in a sign of respect as we prayed. We prayed for them, for the missing children and their families, the politicians, for those who commit these awful crimes, that they would be caught and changed, and prayed too for the future safety of the township. Their faces lit up afterward, they thanked us and rode off as a group towards the quiet ballpark across the road, where we could see the first boy that had shouted out ‘gangbanging’ was sat on a log in the park waiting for them.
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PEACEMAKERS CITY PATROLS will be out on the street of Bristol brandishing the good news in an innovative way on Good Friday.
They are inviting everyone to come and spread the love around town. They will be setting up a stand at the front-side of Debenhams, in Broadmead Shopping Quarter, Bristol from 11 am to 1 pm. There will be balloons, stickers with ‘Life Loves You’ written on them, and of course, a free Easter Egg.
Sometimes people just need a reminder … a little love can go a long way towards healing old wounds. We hope our presence will help to Make Bristol Bett
er – Peacemakers City Patrols.
They are designed in a way that more people may become interested and choose to get involved in spreading the love, so to speak – as well as taking part in something where they see themselves making a difference and becoming a beneficial presence on the planet.
Therefore we would like to invite you to join us next Thursday 4th April 2019, at the Butlers Cafe, upstairs within the Broadmead Galleries Food Court, at 11 am, and here we will unfold our fresh new Vision for Making Bristol Better 2019-2020, over a cuppa!