Christians from various churches will come together for two separate Easter prayer services on the morning and evening of Good Friday, 25 March.
The first service brings together local Christians from both Protestant and Roman Catholic churches in the Ballynafeigh area of Belfast who will gather for prayer around a 10 foot high wooden cross in Ormeau Park (close to entrance into the park at Candahar Street) at 11.30am on Good Friday morning
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 and chairman of the Clergy Fellowship 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 views and affiliations. We will be praying for our own community and its future direction and that people can come together in all walks of life as we are doing to find a way forward to a new future."
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,' added Jim Campbell. '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."
Cameras will be permitted to be inside Cooke Centenary Church until the end of the first hymn. Before entering the church crews should speak to the stewards to discuss their requirements.
Later in the day, on Good Friday evening, churches in the east of Belfast will engage in a demonstration of their common faith as Knocknagoney Church of Ireland and Garnerville Presbyterian meet at the Anglican church at 7pm. From there they will proceed to Garnerville Church through the local housing estate following behind a wooden cross.
Rev Rick Hill and Rev David Brown will lead a short service for the local community at Garnerville Church in which Rev Dr Bert Tosh will take part.
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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