Public Way of the Cross returns to downtown Springfield on Good Friday
For the first time since 2019, an ecumenical group of Springfield faith communities will gather for a public Way of the Cross on Good Friday.
The two-hour prayerful walk commemorates Christ's passion and its connection with the sufferings of injustice experienced in the world today such as war, racism, economic justice and environmental degradation.
The group will begin the walk in front of the Illinois Supreme Court Building at Second Street and Capitol Avenue at noon.
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Each stop at a downtown building and institution connects a social justice theme with the place.
The Supreme Court Building reflects on different life issues. Past stops have included the United Nations tree outside the municipal building on Seventh Street between Monroe Street and Capitol Avenue--taking up immigration--and one of the Race Riot commemorative markers, taking up race issues.
Volunteers carry a large cross from station to station. At each stop, part of a hymn is sung and a reflection is given on the particular theme.
The event dates back more than 30 years, but it was scuttled the last two years by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is modeled after a traditional Catholic devotion popular during the Lenten season, said the Rev. Bobbi Dykema, pastor of First Church of the Brethren and one of the organizers of the event.
“(It) takes on meaning for people of every Christian tradition when we make the connection between Jesus’ passion and the sufferings of people throughout the world today,” Dykema said.
Sister Marcelline Koch, a Springfield Dominican, agreed.
“Taking this tradition outside the walls of our churches and putting in on the street —exactly were Jesus would have been 2,000 years ago — helps make what he endured more immediate,” she said.
The walk is sponsored by Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church, First Church of the Brethren, First Presbyterian Church, Grace Lutheran (ELCA) Church and the Springfield Dominican sisters.
For more information, call or text 217-652-8086 or contact smkoch@spdom.org.
In case of rain, the event will be held indoors at First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St.
Area Good Friday service
The Athens Ministerial Association's area-wide Good Friday service will be held at Athens Christian Church, 1411 East Illinois 29, at 6 p.m.
The service will include music, prayer and a sermon offered by the Rev. Milton Crain, pastor of New Life Baptist Church in Athens.
At the conclusion of the service, attendees can nail their sins and confessions on a cross at the front of the room and silently take communion as they exit.
Other participating churches include Athens/Cantrall United Methodist Church and Indian Point Presbyterian Church.
The service will also be live-streamed at www.athenschristian.net, the ACC app or the ACC YouTube channel.
For more information, call 217-636-8463.
Cantata at St. John's Lutheran
The St. John's Lutheran (ELCA) Church chancel choir will perform the cantata "Hope in the Shadows" at 7 p.m. on Good Friday.
The cantata is a mix of music and narration blending in traditional and contemporary hymns and songs set in a variety of styles.
The cantata was written by Joel Raney and Lloyd Larson.
St. John's is located at 2477 W. Washington Street in Springfield.
Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: A public Way of the Cross planned for Good Friday in Springfield. IL
