Participants in the Good Friday’s Way of the Cross Walk proceeded behind a wooden cross through downtown Dover stopping outside several churches for readings and prayers. Pictured above are church leaders reciting prayers to their followers outside the Presbyterian Church of Dover. (Delaware State News/Ashton Brown)
DOVER — On Good Friday, local Christians gathered at Christ Episcopal Church for an ecumenical service featuring readings and homilies from area priests, pastors and other leaders from a variety of Chrisitian denominations.
Although the service has been a long-held tradition, a new addition three years ago was a Way of the Cross Walk through the streets of downtown Dover.
“This is outward demonstration of the unity of all Christians,” said Bob King of Dover as he followed the cross down State Street. “I’m a regular attendee of Christ Church, but it’s great to see all these people turning out to join with one another.”
Bob Federwitz, of Dover, a regular at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, agrees.
“We’re strong believers in ecumenical doings and came out to this for the first time a couple years ago, and it’s wonderful to join with those
Good Friday’s ecumenical Way of the Cross Walk attracted a procession nearly a block long, stopping at historic churches in downtown Dover.
of different faiths,” he said.
The ecumenical service commemorating the crucifixion of Christ was a tradition started about two decades ago by the Kent Ecumenical Ministry.
“We gather several times a year and our main purpose is to support three local food pantries we have,” said Jon Rania, a lay ministry associate at Christ Church.
“Everyone works together throughout the year to pull resources together for those in need, so it seemed reasonable to join together for worship on such an important day.”
“We are all the body of Christ and we do have some differences, but if we work together we can accomplish things like what we’ve done through the Ministry, whether it is supplying food or helping those in need pay an important bill,” said Deacon Robert McMullen of Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church.
The procession stopped at several churches in the downtown area and a reading or prayer was given at each stop regarding individuals from all walks of life, ranging from the President Barack Obama and Congress to those who have not yet received the Gospel of Christ.
“It’s great to center this downtown because it’s the heart of the city and we are able to offer prayers for people all around,” said Pastor Ellis Loudon of Mount Zion AME Church. “The fellowship here today is amazing.”
The procession concluded at People’s Church, where the participants heard the final scripture reading and sang one last hymn.