St. Thomas
Lower Crumpsall
with St. Mark Cheetham

The Bishop of Manchester sported a hard hat on his visit to St. Thomas
Lower Crumpsall with St. Mark Cheetham on Thursday July 2 2009.

After beginning his pilgrimage visit with prayer in church, the bishop was given a tour of St Thomas' Community Primary School and the site of the new school, currently being built. During the visit, the bishop was invited to the school's official opening in February 2010.

The bishop and priest-in-charge, Revd. Nick Andrewes then led a  short service at Chataway Nursing Home, a home for those with long-term mental health problems.

The church then hosted a reception in the Chancel Suite; St Thomas' community room. 'We sent a lot of invitations out' explains Nick Andrewes, 'though the summer heat may have kept some people away. However, it was a really effective social event: an opportunity for building relationships within and around the congregation and a chance for people to get to know each other a bit better - especially as we have contact with people from a wide range of communities and cultures - which meant a wonderful array of ethnic foods!'

Representatives of the Tenants and Residents Association, the College of the Third Age, The Brigade and Churches Together in Manchester 8, all attended, together with local grocers and garden suppliers.

The Pilgrimage Service included presentations by church members of all ages on the history of Lower Crumpsall and its church, including the fire that led to the reoprdering of the building. Junior Church

Photos from this Run the race Bishop's pilgrimage

members read the Bible and members of the Church Lads' and Girls' Brigade walked with the bishop into church.

'The anointing with oil at the end of the service was well received: most people took advantage of the invitation'. said Revd. Nick Andrewes,  'and the service ended really well in the garden in the cool of the evening for the final song and sending-out.'



'In an area with a significant Asian, Muslim population, we need, as a church, to develop social opportunities and to find more excuses to relate to one another in new ways.'

'Run the Race was a good stepping-stone rather than a turning point. But it's really good that the bishop offers himself for these events. He's a great excuse and a draw to help us to reach out into our community.'