By Amy Picard
HAMILTON — Area Christians are planning to walk the streets of Hamilton together, April 14, in a nondenominational celebration of Good Friday.
The walk, called “The Way of the Cross,” will start at the historic Butler County Courthouse. Participants say one or two stations of the cross at each stop.
“This is the third or fourth year we have done this, but this is the first year that we have gotten more pastors and churches to make it a community thing,” said Sherry Webb, director of programs and administrations at The Presbyterian Church.
The Presbyterian Church, Zion Lutheran Church, First St. John’s United Church of Christ, First United Methodist Church, Princeton Pike Church of God, Hamilton Church of God and the YWCA are all participating in the event.
General members of the community are also welcome.
“A lot of times a lot of people don’t feel comfortable going to one church or another and this way it is very non-denominational,” said Valerie Garrick, a pastor at First St. John’s United Church of Christ.
“Good Friday and Easter is the same celebration among all Christian denominations. It really shows solidarity and a sense of unity that we can all be united and celebrate Good Friday together,” Garrick said.
The walk will start around noon at the courthouse, will proceed to several of the downtown churches, and even make stops at the YWCA and the Government Services Building.
“We really wanted to show it is not just about the churches, but about community,” Webb said.
Garrick said this was a way they could be visible in the community.
“Why not do it outside?” she said. “Jesus was not in a pew, he was outside preaching.”
Webb said the event has not gotten so big that it was necessary to block off streets, but police will sometimes help ensure that traffic stops when they cross.
A different pastor or representative of each organization will give remarks at each stop.
The opening prayer will be led by Don Ryan, mayor of the city of Hamilton.