The rainy weather did nothing to dampen the spirit of those
attending the annual Community Crosswalk Friday.
The theme for this year’s walk, sponsored by the Bradford Area
Ministerial Association, was “Questions asked of Jesus During His
Last Week.”
The annual event started at noon at St. Bernard’s Catholic
Church, with the Rev. John Hodge giving a short sermon titled “Art
Thou A King?”
Hodge, pastor at the Evans Memorial United Methodist Church,
told The Era Thursday he has participated in the crosswalk every
year for the past six years.
“(The crosswalk) has great meaning to me. I look forward to it
every year,” Hodge said.
From St. Bernard Catholic Church, the growing congregation –
comprised of residents of all ages and denominations -proceeded to
the First United Methodist Church.
The Rev. Leo Gallina spoke there; his sermon was titled “What
Shall Be the Sign of Thy Coming?”
Gallina said before the walk that “Holy Week is a great time to
share in our belief and benefits with each other on such a happy
day (Good Friday).”
“I will try to speak out about how Jesus is coming,” Gallina
said, adding he would try to make his sermon “more
contemporary.”
Sawyer Evangelical youth pastor Casey Schillinger spoke at the
First Presbyterian Church, the stop after the First United
Methodist Church. Schillinger’s sermon was titled “Shall We Give
Tribute to Caesar?”
Schillinger was not immediately available by telephone Thursday
night. Sawyer Evangelical senior pastor Brad Preston, however, did
tell The Era he feels the crosswalk has “always been a highlight of
the year.”
“Over the past few years, attendance has increased throughout
the entire walk. People hang in there all the way to 3 p.m.,”
Preston said.
He went on to say that many times, the procession is met with
response from passers-by and motorists. “That’s always been
interesting,” he said of the community’s reaction to the event.
“It (the crosswalk) gives us, as a community of churches, a
chance to come together and unite ourselves in this critical and
crucial part of our faith – the death and resurrection of Christ,”
Preston said.
The Rev. Max Miller spoke at the Church of the Ascension; his
sermon was titled “Whose Wife in the Resurrection?” Following
Miller, the Rev. Mary Houck, pastor of the Emmanuel Lutheran
Church, spoke at the Grace Lutheran Church. His sermon was titled
“Which is the Great Commandment?”
“I think it’s important because it’s something that we as
Christians can do together despite the separation of churches by
denomination,” Houck told The Era Thursday.
The Rev. Eddie Scheler, pastor of the Grace Lutheran Church
followed Houck, giving his sermon – “What Think Ye of Christ?” – at
the Salvation Army chapel on Kennedy Street.
This will be the last year the Salvation Army will participate
in the crosswalk at the Kennedy Street location, Capt. Henry
Weigner reminded The Era Thursday night.
Weigner, who spoke at the crosswalk’s last stop, the Hill
Memorial Church, gave a sermon titled “Art Thou the Son of
God?”
Weigner talked about this year’s theme before the walk, saying
one of the most important and direct questions asked of Jesus
Christ before his death was “Are you the Christ?”
“To them, either answer was wrong,” Weigner explained. “The
correct answer was ‘yes,’ but in the opinion of the high priests,
that was blasphemous.”
Those attending the crosswalk had this to say about why they
braved the weather to participate in the annual event.
“I come every year,” Bradford City Councilman Bob Onuffer said
as he walked from the First United Methodist Church to the First
Presbyterian Church. “I believe this is a really good event for us
as Christians to realize the importance of Good Friday; the Lord
saved us from our sins and gave us eternal life.”
Onuffer commented it seemed there was an even better turnout for
the crosswalk this year than the year before. He is a member of the
Sawyer Evangelical Church.
Methodist Charles Rowe said Friday he thinks the crosswalk
reminds people to look to their faith in perilous times.
“The world needs more love and less hatred,” Rowe said. “This
reminds us.”
Mike Black, a member of the First United Methodist Church, said
it is important to remember the resurrection as well as the
crucifixion.
“There were a lot of people who died on the cross,” Black said.
“Christ is the only one who rose. That is what this is all
about.”
His wife agreed, adding she felt it was important to remember
that “Christ gave his life for us.”
When asked why she was attending the annual crosswalk, Ruth
Danielson replied simply “Because we’re Christians, and we believe
in God.”
Her companion Helen Arick also noted the increased attendance
from last year, speculating the war overseas might be on people’s
minds, prompting them to look to their faith now more than
ever.
Both Danielson and Arick are Presbyterians, they said.
Generally, a lay person or persons carry the cross on the
10-minute trek to each location. In all, the crosswalk lasts three
hours from noon to 3 p.m. – the time Jesus spent on the cross.
An offering plate is placed in each church’s vestibule, and the
funds raised help defray the cost of the Bradford Area High School
baccalaureate service in June.
