Local Christians from both Protestant and Roman Catholic churches in the Ballynafeigh area of Belfast will gather for prayer around a 10 foot high wooden cross among the daffodils in Ormeau Park (close to entrance into the park at Candahar Street) this Good Friday, 9 April, at 11.30am.
Organised by the Ballynafeigh Clergy Fellowship the event is described as bringing the people of the area together in a public affirmation of the friendship and unity they share as followers of Jesus whose sacrifice for others they celebrate at Easter.
Rev Jim Campbell, minister of Cooke Centenary, says that it is important to come together to show that what unites us far outweighs what separates us. 'It is essential to proclaim to everyone in our district that God's love, seen so vividly in the Crucifixion, is a love that cherishes equally all members of our community whatever their political views. We will be praying for our own community and its future direction and we hope that our politicians can come together as we are doing to find a way forward. '
After prayers and singings in the park, at about 11.40am, the expected 300 worshippers will process behind the cross to the nearby Cooke Centenary Presbyterian Church (at the junction of Ormeau Road and Park Road) to join in a brief service of Easter reflection.
'There is a lot of uncertainty and a lack of trust in our community at present. The Easter message is one of reassurance that God has not forgotten the human race,' says Dr Wesley Blair, chairman of the Ballynafeigh Clergy Fellowship. 'We pause on Good Friday to reflect on Christ's sacrifice for us all aware that Easter Sunday and the resurrection are just around the corner. It's Friday, but Sunday is coming.'
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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