Good Friday in a new setting.

 It wouldn't feel right not to undertake some form of Good Friday procession. Over the years it has changed from often having a police escort and large numbers to smaller groups with the world appearing to carry on as normal, and no need to get a police escort. 

When we lived in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, a fairly strong council of churches organised the event. As clergy we all took it in turns to preach at the open air service in the market place. Some of us would start at one church the furthest away. As we made our way past each church others would join until we made our way into the market square with a very long procession. People would stop and stare. One year we pushed our daughter in her buggy as we followed the cross. We walked in silence and it was profound for those who walked and a challenge to those who looked on.

The important thing to note was this was a united act of witness - Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Pentecostalists, United Reformed and Methodist. Yes there was often one or two who took the lead in organising, but we did come together, to declare to our community that we were one as we walked in the footsteps of Jesus.

Wherever we have lived this coming together has been important. Numbers may have dwindled and very often as Methodists we made the event happen. It still happened even during the lockdown when I took photos with the cross at various places so people on the day could still undertake the act of witness all be it on line.

So this Good Friday living in a new community it was still important for me to make the act of witness. There is no local churches together so we googled where a procession might be happening. We found a neighbouring village of Adderbury was holding a procession. It started at the Friends Meeting House and was led by the anglican vicar. It made its way through the village to the Green via the parish church, local pub, coffee house before finally ending at the village  Green. We stopped on the way for readings and prayers, and we sang hymns on the way. Reaching our destination the cross was raised and placed in the ground. 

We then made our way to the Methodist chapel for hot cross buns and tea or coffee. 

On route we had to smile as one man in the group asked 'What's wrong with the Methodist Church?' I felt like saying how long have you got but I resisted. We had passed the chapel on the way to the Green and it was pointed out we would be going to the chapel at the end. 

St Mary's Parish Church set against a glorious blue sky

At the village green and the cross is set in place.

Hot Cross buns at the Methodist Church.

It's a lovely village and it was a beautiful day.

It did however stand in stark contrast to our annual procession in the inner city of Sheffield. We would walk from the old library, past medical centre, banks, shops, children's centre, library until we made our way to Firth Park Methodist Church on the roundabout, concluding with an outdoor act of worship.

As we would set out often people joined on the way. We walked in silence making our way to the busyness of all the shops with  buses pulling up and off loading.

You would at times walk amongst the litter of inner city life recalling Jesus was crucified outside a city at a rubbish dump.

We were all ages and from different ethnic groups.

Together we all held silence as we reflected on readings and prayers on route

Outside service facing the roundabout. 

Looking back to last year stirs up memories of serving in the inner city which is such a contrast to living now in Banbury.

Mind you it made me look back even further to our time in Wolstanton in the potteries. Again the churches came together to follow the cross and if you look carefully you can spot the price of fuel, oh how things have changed.

It was good to mark Good Friday with a procession. So often Christians gather hidden away inside their buildings. So just for once either in large or small numbers disciples make clear they are willing to follow Jesus. 

God Father Son and Holy Spirit
you are one.

Forgive our inability 
as the disciples of Jesus 
to be one.

Kindle afresh 
a desire to work and worship
together.
So that being one 
the world might believe. Amen             (c) Mark Goodhand  10th April 2023