Walk of Witness
Good Friday 2011
Christians from throughout the town and surrounding villages followed the Cross on Churches Together in Farnham's annual Good Friday Walk of Witness. A hush descended as shoppers paused to watch the silent procession wend its way through the centre of the town in warm sunshine. 250 people, clergy and laity from many different churches and denominations, took part. Adam North, of St Andrew's Church, Farnham, led the procession, bearing the heavy wooden cross and Sam Noakes, of Farnham Methodist Church, carried a second large cross at the rear.
The Rev Carol Wilson-Barker of St George's, Badshot Lea, set the procession off from The Hart with an introductory prayer. Canon Andrew Tuck addressed the walkers at the finish outside St Andrew's Church, of which he is Rector, and concluded with prayer. Then all joined in singing the hymn “When I survey the wondrous Cross”.
In his short address, Canon Tuck posed the paradox behind our silent procession on Good Friday. 2,000 years ago in a small far off country a young man who was looked upon by the authorities as a troublemaker was put to death. He left no writings. Yet here in Farnham and throughout the world people were still remembering that day.
Why should this be? It was of course because of who he was and what his sacrifice had meant for all mankind. Jesus, by his death on the cross, had created a bridge between Humanity and the Creator. He died with a great cry: “It is accomplished!” Unity between the divine and human had been achieved - though at the terrible cost of the death of this man “who is no less than God himself”.
But after Crucifixion came Resurrection. At Easter we would be celebrating the new life that God brings to us as we renewed ourselves, meeting the risen Christ in prayer and meeting each other in peace and reconciliation. “How good it is that we meet together, following in his footsteps,” Canon Tuck concluded.
Stewart Dakers organised the event on behalf of Churches Together in Farnham.
Photos © Mary Clarke
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