City Centre Chaplaincy receives recognition from PSNI

At an event in Belfast City Hall on Tuesday 19th March, Belfast City Centre Chaplaincy along with a number of other volunteering groups, received Certificates from the PSNI recognising the dedication, hard work and 'outstanding efforts', which have made a significant positive impact on Belfast City Centre.

Between 2007 and 2016, the now Lead Chaplain of Belfast City Centre Chaplaincy, the Rev. Andrew Irvine, was the Belfast City Centre Manager. In his city management role, Andrew brought together the various organisations volunteering in the city, along with the City Council and Police, into a 'Nighttime Steering Group'. Meeting monthly they worked to co-ordinate the efforts of all working on the streets to help the vulnerable and keep the City Centre safe at night. 

Now, six years after Andrew established Belfast City Centre Chaplaincy which operates during office hours, the Police and Council are expanding the Steering Group's remit to also coordinate 'day time' volunteering. 

On receiving the Certificate of Recognition, Andrew said;

"Social action, particularly to help those who are most vulnerable, is a key theme which runs through both testaments of the Bible.  Christianity with an external focus that seeks to help it surrounding society, a faith found in action, has also been a distinguishing feature of Methodism's contribution to the Christian Church since Methodism's earliest days.  I pray that we in Irish Methodism develop more initiatives like the Chaplaincy, which provide our people with opportunities to reach-out into our local communities.  It is a particular blessing to work with others beyond the Church - and we are delighted to receive this lovely acknowledgment from the PSNI."