We trust this letter finds you well and reflecting of the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Emmanuel God with us.
Next year 2015 marks a big milestone for us as it is fifteen years since we started Urban impact Christian Ministries as a Scottish ministry and registered charity.
To everyone who supported us when we started, stood by us financially and prayed and guided us, we want to say a massive thank you.
God told us "to abide in the city" when other missionary societies wanted us to join their ranks. It's been a fantastic journey. We are still involved with children's work as School Chaplains in a number of schools in Dundee and each summer we continue to be involved in holiday Bible Clubs. We have a lot to give thanks for!
Street Chaplains started in September 2000 and, to mark our fifteenth year, we will be having a few special events. This work is truly a gift from you to the city of Dundee (and beyond!). We work in partnership with Dundee's churches, bar staff, nightclub managers, city council, Police Scotland and many individuals.
The biggest thanks though goes to our amazing team of volunteers - past and present - who have served as Street Chaplains. Without our teams on the streets this work would simply not get done. Our goal is often to simply 'love the person in front of us' be it someone who is homeless, a young person who has had one too many, an elderly person wandering the city lost and confused late at night, those who work in the thriving night-life community - we are here to share God's amazing love for them.
During 2014 we where involved in a new venture of Festival Chaplains at music festivals in Dundee, Montrose, Brechin and Edinburgh. God helped us share to Gospel with many at these events. The work of Club Chaplains continues to develop and we have made many good friendship with those working in clubs and pubs - often offering chaplaincy support outside of our night-time work. Street Chaplains continues and is now an integrated part of city life!
2015 will be a busy year (in the will of God) as we seek to continue and develop Street, Club and Festival Chaplains as well as celebrate fifteen years of work in the city. Please pray for us.
Thank you for your continued support as we trust you will have a wonderful Christmas and a peaceful 2015.
God Bless.
Andy & Marina Burns
Dundee
PS - Dundee Chaplains are part of CNI Network which is a family of over 125 projects across the UK and Spain. They have featured our work in a book "Street Angels - the amazing story from binge to better" - see www.sa-cni.org.uk/book for details.