Ray waving goodbye
As part of my Lenten exercises this year I undertook a walk/pilgrimage from my church, St George the Martyr, Shirley, to Southwark Cathedral on Friday 20 March. I have walked from the Croydon Area Office to the Cathedral just before COVID lockdown straight up the A23 for the Lent Call. I repeated the walk post lockdown via a different route but this time I wanted to challenge myself again now that I am a little older (age 75!) I wanted to draw our congregation’s attention to the work of the Lent Call beneficiaries. I also wanted to use the time for my Lenten devotion this year by exploring more of the diversity of Southwark Diocese. Yes, I think I did that especially with the contrast between Dulwich and Peckham, communities so close geographical speaking!
St Barnabas, Dulwich
Commencing at 9am I walked through South Norwood, Upper Norwood, Gypsy Hill, Dulwich, East Dulwich, Peckham, Old Kent Road, Bermondsey, arriving at the Cathedral at 5pm in time for Choral Evensong. I was welcomed at the various churches I passed meeting up with family and old friends. I also met some great Syrian Christians on my travels. My apologies to the Rector of St Mary Magdalene, Bermondsey for ringing his doorbell asking to be admitted to his church so I could take a final photo of its beautiful interior! I was even interviewed by an ITV film crew outside Tesco’s in the Old Kent Road for my views on the Iranian war crisis!
St Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey
On my way back to London Bridge station after Choral Evensong at the Cathedral I walked along Tooley Street where I heard a street preacher haranguing tourists and commuters with words of the opposite of the love of God. At the same moment opposite side of the street were three police cars blue lights flashing questioning a couple of people at the roadside, while further on came the loud sounds of a rock band! The sounds of Southwark Diocese captured in a moment! Alleluia!
I am pleased to say that the amount I raised through sponsorship was £210. If you would like to donate to the Lent Call click here.
Raymond Wheeler is Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) (PTO) at the Church of St George the Martyr, Shirley
