Seaside route for Gorleston’s Good Friday walk

Gorleston’s annual walk of witness took place on Good Friday as usual, but this year the walkers took a different route to include the cliff-top and promenade. Tony Mallion reports.

 
For the first time, Christians from Gorleston’s churches took a seaside route for the annual Good Friday march. Led by volunteers carrying a wooden cross, a reminder of Jesus’ walk through Jerusalem to the place of crucifixion, the march went from Bridge Road along the cliff top and Lower Promenade.
 
During the hour-long event there were four stops for a reading, Easter hymn and prayers before arriving back at Cliff Park Junior School where a united service took place at Cliff Park Community Church, led by Lester Bullen with the minister, the Rev Mike Simm, as the speaker.
 
Each year the churches combine for this annual march and service which in the past have included the High Street, the Magdalen Estate and the James Paget Hospital. The route along the cliffs and prom was a new departure, organised by Gary Pillar of Cliff Park Church. Warm weather and an extra Park Run staged on the seafront by the Bungay Black Dog club ensured there were plenty of people around as well as marchers taking part.
 
The Easter Sunday sunrise communion service held on the beach also attracted a large number from local churches. The half hour service led by the Rev Martin Upton from Bradwell Parish Church was timed at 5.30am to greet what proved to be one of the most spectacular Easter sunrises of recent years. Rev Upton who has arranged the service for many years described the sunrise as a ‘wow’ moment as worshippers greeted each other with a sign of peace before taking communion.
 
During Holy Week, Cliff Park Church combined with St. Mary Magdalene for a series of daily reflections and joint services which included a Maundy Thursday communion. The Rev Matthew Price of St. Mary Magdalene said he was pleased with the numbers attending this new venture which grew steadily during the week.
 
The photo above is courtesy of Rev Matthew Price.

Do you have a news story or forthcoming event relating to Christians or a church in East Norfolk?  

If so, e-mail tony.rothe@networknorwich.co.uk with details and, if possible a suitable picture.