The Archbishop of Wales will lead a two-mile “walk of witness” though the streets of Barry on Good Friday (April 6) to mark Christ’s journey to the cross.
People from all churches in the town are taking part in the walk which is based on the “stations of the cross” devotion and everyone is invited to join in. They will carry a 10ft wooden cross and stop at six stations for a short address from the Archbishop, Dr Barry Morgan, as well as Bible readings, prayers and hymns. The mayors of both Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan are also hoping to join in as well as local AMs.
The walk will begin at Parade Gardens at 12 noon and end at the Garden of Remembrance at New Jerusalem Church at 2.15pm. There will be four stops on the way – at the railway station, outside the One Stop store in Broad Street, the forecourt of AG Adams funeral home and King’s Square.
Organiser, Fr Robert Parrish, Rector of Merthyr Dyfan parish, invites everyone to join in for all or part of the walk.
He says, “Many people today have little idea what Christians commemorate on Good Friday. For them it is ‘Easter’ Friday, the beginning of a bank holiday weekend. For that reason Christians of all traditions in Barry are coming together to share the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus.
“The walk is based on the stations of the cross devotion, familiar to ancient and modern pilgrims to the Holy Land. Jesus encounters various characters on the way of the cross and on the walk we’re invited to have our own encounter with Christ.”
Stop one, at 12 midday, will see the first act of worship at Parade Gardens with town mayor Bronwen Brooks and councillors scheduled to attend. Coastlands church will provide the guitar accompaniment and give prayers and readings commemorating Judas’ betrayal of Jesus.
The cross, made by Barry-based Cardiff & Vale College students, will then be carried along Broad Street to Barry Railway station car park where the Methodists will read ‘Pilate condemns Jesus’ and give prayers.
The One Stop store, in Broad Street, will see the third station – Simon of Cyrene takes up the cross – with the Baptists reading prayers.
AG Adam’s funeral home acts as the fourth station for ‘Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem’ with the Roman Catholics responsible for readings and prayers.
Station five is from the former Theatre Royal, along Holton Road to King Square, and the library. Vale Mayor, John Clifford and Vale AM Jane Hutt are scheduled to join in at the square at around 2pm for ‘Jesus dies on the cross’. The Salvationists will conduct the readings and prayers and their brass band will provide the music.
Finally, the sixth station – in the Garden of Remembrance at the New Jerusalem church – will witness ‘Jesus is buried by Joseph and Nicodemus’. The New Jerusalem congregation will give readings and prayers.
