Springfield, Ill.—For the first time since Good Friday 2019, an ecumenical group of Springfield faith communities will gather in front of the State Supreme Court Building on Good Friday, April 15, to begin the Good Friday Way of the Cross, an annual event in Springfield for more than 30 years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The two-hour prayerful walk remembers Jesus’ passion and its connection with the sufferings of injustice experienced in God’s people in our world today such as war, racism, economic justice and environmental degradation.
Organizers are Springfield Dominican Sister Marcelline Koch and Rev. Dr. Bobbi Dykema, pastor of First Church of the Brethren.
“This traditional Catholic devotion 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,” said Pastor Dykema.
Sister Marcelline agrees. “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 Sponsored by Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church, First Church of the Brethren, First Presbyterian Church, Grace Lutheran Church, and Springfield Dominican Sisters.
For more information, call/text 217-652-8086 or contact smkoch@spdom.org.
In case of rain the event will be held indoors at First Presbyterian Church, at the corner of 7th and Capitol in downtown Springfield.
-30-
