Norfolk Christians walk to show their faith

Sheringham saw some 250 silent Christians follow the cross and watch it being raised on the top of Beeston Bump, just outside the town following the town’s first ecumenical Good Friday service, held in the parish church of St Peter, led by clergy from all denominations.

 

The service was such a success it is likely to become an annual event, according to Rev Colin Sherwood, chairman of Sheringham Churches Together and the town’s Methodist minister, who said: “Usually everyone has a service in their own church and we all come together for the procession,” he said. “This time, although solemn, it was a very exciting occasion with traditional music from the Salvation Army, and modern keyboard and guitar. I don’t think now we could go back to how it used to be.”

 

North Walsham’s Procession of Witness saw about 80 Christians from all denominations walk in silence through the town, bearing a cross. Canon Derek Earis, the vicar of North Walsham, said they had altered their route this year in order to keep to pavements because of changes in Policing of such events: “It’s always an inspiring event which helps us to feel unity with other Christians and provides a witness to the town,” said Canon Earis.

 

In Dereham, about 150 people from churches across the town held prayer walks around the busy town centre before meeting in the Market Place and then processing behind a cross to an open air service in Nelson Place precinct. Christians gave out Easter eggs, and leaflets with the challenging message of Easter and promoting Easter Sunday services.

 

The Rev Chris Densham, minister at Dereham Baptist Church, was pleased with the turnout and the chance to have a march of witness in the town with the market operating and shops open. “It was market day on the original Good Friday and business as usual and life went on as normal.”

 

On Sunday morning Christians will gather on Neatherd Moor at 6.15am for the traditional sunrise service.

 

Christians from King’s Lynn Churches Together paraded a cross through Lynn before staging a street drama version of Matthew’s passion (pictured right) and a mock crucifixion in the town’s main shopping centre.

 

In Norwich, the Bishop of Norwich joined 150 Christians including from dozens of local churches to process silently through the city centre in a Walk of Reconciliation organised by Transforming Norwich from Chapelfield Road Methodist Church through a street market to the Forum.

 

Sections of the passion of Jesus were read from the King James Bible on Millennium Plain and then the sound of nails being hammered into a life-sized wooden cross echoed round the Forum area. The procession then continued on to Norwich Cathedral where an ecumenical service was held.

At Carleton Rode in South Norfolk, around 30 people completed a 45-minute walk from a short service at the Baptish Church to the parish church where a second service was held, the first time this has been done.