There are many special events at, and/or organized by, local churches for Holy Week – including the multidenominational sunrise service at Forest Lawn on Easter morning – but one this Friday is of special note: Even if you don’t choose to participate, you may see it in progress, so we’re publishing the advance word – plans for “A Way of the Cross,” starting at noon this Friday (Good Friday) in the heart of The Junction. Read on to see what it’s all about:
The announcement comes from Rev. Peter DeVeau of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church; he says it will start at the southwest corner of SW Alaska St. and California Ave SW (that’s the KeyBank corner):
Members of the various Christian communities in West Seattle and any others who wish are invited to walk to eight “stations” or stopping points in a loop along California Ave SW between SW Edmunds and Oregon Sts.
At each “Station” a different person reads a portion of the passion according to Luke, a chant from the ecumenical Taizé community is sung, and silence is kept for prayer. No more than that.
Walking the way of the cross on Good Friday is a practice that has its origins in Jerusalem in the early centuries of the Christian church. This custom continues in our own day in Jerusalem itself and throughout the world, both within the walls of churches and out in the streets. It is one of the times when Christians of various traditions, holding differing beliefs and practices, are able to walk together on common ground.
In this walk through our West Seattle community the intention is to listen to the Scriptures that we share as Christians, and to sing words taken from them. Through this we remember and reflect on the passion and death of Jesus and what it means for us. For Christians the story of Jesus, the gospel or good news, is the source of life, hope, and peace.
It is with this beginning and this end, that we recall with deep grief and remorse the violence and murder directed at Jews, our forebears in faith, especially during the Christian Holy Week. On this day we urge repentance and sorrow for all acts of violence shown to those who differ from us. We walk as a people who live in “polarized” times. We may hold differing world views, but we are people who live with hope. May this time of meeting on common ground lead to meaningful dialogue and mutual regard.
To participate, just show up.
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