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Norwich churches bring Easter Journey alive

The Easter story was brought to life in an innovative new way through a series of co-ordinated events staged by half-a-dozen churches in various locations across Norwich city centre on Good Friday (April 6). Keith Morris reports.

EasterJourneyCross450Sizeable crowds of church members, passers-by and shoppers witnessed six different stages of the Easter Journey of a wooden cross, beginning with a reading of the Passion on London Street by members from Surrey Chapel.
 
Well over 200 people then crowded onto Gentlemen’s Walk next to Norwich Market to see a short Church on the Streets service from the Salvation Army, including an address by the Army’s world-wide leader, General Linda Bond, who was in Norwich for an Easter conference and to preach at a United Service at Norwich Cathedral on Friday evening.
 
The Journey continued onto the War Memorial outside City Hall where Norwich Family Life Centre staged a dramatic and moving re-enactment of the crucifixion.
 
On Millennium Plain outside The Forum young members of the youth group from Eternity Church performed short plays.
 
A moving 30-minute silent meditation, led by Rev John Minns from St George Tombland, was held outside the Octagon on Haymarket before the cross moved onto the final event, singing and the handing out of Easter eggs by members from Norwich Central Baptist Church outside St Stephens at Chapelfield.
 
The inspiration for the Journey came from chair of Transforming Norwich, Rev Madeline Light, who said: “It has been amazing. So many people from so many different churches have been on the street today proclaiming in such different ways the importance of Good Friday and the death of Jesus Christ to them.
 
“The variety has been extraordinary, from the extremely emotional and graphic drama of the crucifixion at the War Memorial to the half hour of silence on Haymarket. And at all points people have gathered and watched or participated. I am very grateful for all those who have worked so hard and hope that this will be the beginning of something new.”
 
The traditional Walk of Reconciliation also took place in Norwich later in the afternoon and ended at Norwich Cathedral for an ecumenical service.


 


Published: 09/04/2012


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