The Bradford Area Ministerium will be sponsoring a Cross Walk on March 30, Good Friday, from noon until 3 p.m.
The Cross Walk has been a long-standing tradition, and an important one at that for Mother Stacey Fussell from the Episcopal Church of the Ascension.
Fussell has participated in the walk for the 8 years that she has been at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, while the event itself has been a tradition for more than 20 years.
“The Cross Walk is well supported by the community, and highlights the commonality between divisions,” said Fussell.
Good Friday is a day that Christians commemorate the death of Jesus Christ on the cross in order to atone for the sins of the world.
Ever since the first century, Christians have walked what is known as the “Way of Suffering” or the “Way of the Cross,” through Jerusalem, stopping at 14 stations to pray and read scripture.
This practice was brought to other nations as Christian faith spread, and is now a common practice of many Christians of many different devotions.
In Bradford, Christian churches observe this tradition by gathering together to sing hymns, read scripture, pray and hear meditations — heading through the community and going to different churches for each stop.
This year’s Cross Walk will begin at St. Bernard’s Roman Catholic Church at noon, and will travel to the First United Methodist Church, the First Presbyterian Church, the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Grace Lutheran Church and First Free Methodist Church, and will end at Hill Memorial Church.
Each of these stops will last approximately 20 minutes, with meditations offered by seven different area pastors using the theme of the Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross.
Fussell, who has been ordained for 20 years this year, stated that in every place that she has been, no area has come together and celebrated as a whole for this day like Bradford does.
“It is a beautiful example of Christian unity,” said Fussell. “It is special and is a promising sign for what is to come.”
Everyone is invited to take part in this shared event.
Individuals may show up for a few stops or participate in the entire three hours program.
Donations will be accepted at each stop and will support the new Bradford Ministerium Scholarship for a Bradford Area High School graduate.
