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A sign of solidarity

Christians unite for Good Friday cross walk

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Ed Riedmann The Rev. Kristen Emrick reads scripture during the Cross Walk in Brownsville. While there were fewer in attendance than normal, Emrick said that allowed participants to feel the full weight of the cross.

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St. James Parish and Church of the Covenant of Washington held a Good Friday Cross Walk.

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Nathaniel Herrmann, left, and Jim Miller, right, of St. James Parish, carry the cross in Washington Friday morning. [Karen Mansfield]

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Max Nemeth, left, and M.E. Yancosek Gamble, right, carry a cross during a Good Friday cross walk in Washington. [Karen Mansfield]

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Trailing behind two volunteers shouldering a life-size cross, more than 100 members of St. James Parish and Church of the Covenant in Washington trekked six blocks, passing by several of Washington蘑菇视频 churches during an event that has become an annual tradition.

The Cross Walk takes place every Good Friday, one of the most important holidays for the Christian faith. The event is meant to symbolize Jesus Christ carrying a cross on the way to his crucifixion before the Easter Sunday resurrection.

It was the fifth year of the walk, both there and in Brownsville, where the Brownsville Area Ministerial Association organizes the trek.

While there were fewer people at the Fayette County walk, the Rev. Kristen Emrick said it gave those who came a chance to 鈥渇eel the weight鈥� of the cross.

The Washington County walk was hosted by St. James Parish, which includes Immaculate Conception Church, St. Hilary Church, and Sacred Heart Church.

It was the first Cross Walk for the Rev. Dr. Billy Younger, senior pastor of Church of the Covenant.

鈥淚 think, for me, it蘑菇视频 highly symbolic of our unity with the Catholic community in Washington,鈥� said Younger. 鈥淚t蘑菇视频 so important that we can demonstrate our unity and the common love we have for our Lord and our community.鈥�

The Rev. Mike Zavage, senior parochial vicar at St. James Parish, agreed.

鈥淥bviously, there蘑菇视频 a lot going on in the world right now, and we鈥檙e Christians learning to work together, and this is a good way to do that,鈥� he said.

The walk involved stops at 15 Stations of the Cross, which commemorate Jesus Christ蘑菇视频 last day on Earth before he was crucified.

At each station, worshippers paused to recall an event from that day, while also reciting prayers.

Emrick, pastor of Fort Burd and Calvin United Presbyterian Churches in Brownsville, called the walk 鈥渕editative and contemplative.鈥�

鈥淚t蘑菇视频 is just thinking on the meaning of Good Friday, that Christ sacrificed himself and is risen, all because of love,鈥� she said.