Croydon Circuit Pilgrimage – 6th – 8th June 2014
Friday the 6th June 2014 saw the start of a Circuit Pilgrimage in Croydon. The Circuit comprises of 8
Churches, a Methodist Home for the Aged, Hall Grange and the Fresh Expression ‘Kick London’, all
within Croydon Council boundaries. The Circuit is long, spreading from Addington in the South and
Downsview, in the North, a distance of some 8 miles, and some 4 miles West to East.
During the Pilgrimage the same reflection was used at each Church. This spoke of sun and rain [both
of which we had, but mainly sun] and buses on time and buses late [certainly more were on time than
late]. We also used the Song “Brother, sister, let me serve you,” and the story of Christ’s walk with
the two on the road to Emmaus to remind all those involved in the pilgrimage that we should always
be looking for the hidden Christ on our journey.
Our Circuit is blessed because there is good public transport between the churches, with buses and
trams, so at 10.00am on Friday 30 people arrived for coffee and croissants at Norbury Church, which
joined Croydon Circuit in 2011. The Church is sited just off the London Road, a busy main road which
runs from central Croydon to the border with Lambeth Council. The Church is well used by the
community for activities and has a Craft Club, Toddler Group, Bible Study and a Pop-in Community
Café. Then the pilgrims went on a bus journey [much to the surprise of the 109 driver!] to West
Croydon Church.
West Croydon Church is set just back from the London Road. Again there were refreshments and the
Pilgrimage reflection. From there a choice of two bus routes took the pilgrims to Shirley Church,
situated on a big roundabout in Shirley and just a couple of roads away from Hall Grange, for a light
lunch. Lunch included an assortment of soups, rolls, fresh bread and different cheeses plus tea, coffee
and juices.
Finally, buses took the party, by now some 40 pilgrims, to Addington Church, known by many as the
“Church with the white cross” as a large cross hangs outside. Hot drinks and biscuits were served and
the pilgrims were entertained as they listened to the regular Friday practice by the 8 o’clock Bells [a
handbell group which plays at some services and at social events]. Then it was home for the pilgrims
so that they could put their feet up but without a great need for more food!
On Saturday the 7th the pilgrims were overjoyed to be joined by the District Chair, the Revd Jenny
Impey, for Prayer Breakfast [cooked] at Downsview Church, which is very near the border with
Lambeth and is celebrating 110 years of worship during 2014. Downsview has Boys’ and Girls’
Brigades who attend monthly all-age Parade services. The Church also runs a Lunch Club once each
week. Most of the pilgrims then walked to Parchmore Methodist Church, just half a mile from
Downsview.
Parchmore is a unique church as it is a fulltime Youth and Community Centre, and the church works
predominantly with the elderly and pre-school of the area Thornton Heath [just half a mile from
Downsview]. Pilgrims stopped here for refreshments and, again, the reflection. Then a walk to South
Norwood Church [just a mile] for lunch.
South Norwood is tucked away just off the main area of Norwood Junction. The Church provides
hospitality to three other churches and every other Saturday Coffee morning provides a great
meeting place and a gentle introduction to people of the Church. Finally, a walk for many and
bus/tram rides for others to Christ Church, Addiscombe [just under 2 miles] for a BBQ aimed
especially at young people. Christ Church offers many children and young people activities and
especially a Summer Holiday Club, which is based on a Bible theme.
During the day there had been a “Children’s” Treasure Hunt. The challenge was to visit all 8 Churches
on foot or by public transport [and the winner also visited Hall Grange, the Methodist Home for the
Aged]. Again all – some 60 people – joined in the reflection. There were two birthday cakes and the
singing of Happy Birthday for two pilgrims who were celebrating birthdays – one 14 and one 50!
This reinforced the feeling that we were all one family.
Another wonderful day drew to a close with groups chatting together whilst waiting for buses to take
them back to their homes around the Circuit.
Sunday – Pentecost – saw many travelling to another Church within the Circuit taking a message from
their Mother Church. The Revd Jenny Impey presided over worship at Addington Church, which
included Holy Communion and at which there were not enough glasses. A wonderful problem to
have for the Communion Stewards! Many then travelled from the other churches to join West
Croydon’s congregation and pilgrims who had taken part in the service. A wonderful meal – of
wonderful dishes, too numerous to name - was served to just on 100 people.
Then after a very gentle journey some 70 people gathered at Shirley for a Café Worship time,
involving a number of the young people from the Circuit and a bring and share tea with two tables
groaning with lovely food again. Jenny Impey commented that this pilgrim had not really been a
meeting of others in the Circuit but an eating with others in the Circuit!
During this final time together we looked at what we had valued from this pilgrimage. For many it
was meeting others from other churches in the Circuit and learning about them. One of the pilgrims,
who had worshipped at another Church on this Sunday, had been moved to discover their mother, a
non-serving Local Preacher, was regularly included in the service sheet prayer list within those laid
before the Lord for strengthened health. All felt uplifted and spiritually held in the love of eight
congregations rather than just one. We also were conscious that we had touched others on the
pilgrimage – bus drivers and others travelling on the buses and trams, those we had walked passed as
we walked the pilgrimage route. There were many affectionate goodbyes to new and old friends,
gratitude to those who had organised the whole journey and all who had welcomed the pilgrims to
their church. As all parted there were promises that we would all try and meet together sooner
rather than later. We were tired but we were also walking on air – we had discovered that we were
a much larger family than we had thought and that other churches in our group were conscious of our
need for prayer and loving support for all the outreach work which is carried out in the different areas
and ways by each Church within Croydon Circuit.