Cross Walk helps bring Easter alive
April 23, 2011
By Jenni Vincent - Journal Staff Writer , journal-news.net
MARTINSBURG - Lives were touched Friday thanks to a longstanding local tradition that seeks to help bring Easter to the people.
While this year's Good Friday Cross Walk seemingly got off on a damp note when a couple dozen folks gathered at Trinity United Methodist Church on West Martin Street, it wasn't long before others joined in the winding journey downtown in spite of the cool, rainy weather.
Before the walk concluded in front of The Journal, the ranks had swelled to about 50 participants. Many of them continued to Trinity Episcopal Church for the community Good Friday Service, which began at noon.
Sponsored by the Berkeley County Ministerial Association, the annual event - which started in the 1970s - was new to many folks who encountered it this year.
Michaek Derricote, who was leaving the Martinsburg library with his young daughter Abigail, did a double take when he saw the approaching processional.
"I've never seen this before and I think it is amazing. I like the fact that there are so many people participating. It helps make you think about Easter," Derricote said.
Casey Smith and Kyler Braunberger, Utah residents who are working locally with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, were equally enthusiastic when they accidentally encountered the event just as it was getting started Friday morning.
Gesturing toward the cross that was being used in the walk, Smith said they were walking past the church and noticed it.
"We wondered why they had the big cross out, so we figured we would talk to the folks and see what was going on - especially since this is Easter Sunday," he said.
"I really wanted to touch the cross because it looks so heavy, especially since they said they were going to carry it through town," Smith said.
It is an appropriate, visual reminder of Christ's experience, he added.
"But I'm pretty sure His was much heavier than that one. ... If you think about it, He walked a long way and suffered a lot for us, so it is really cool that they would re-enact it," Smith said.
Trinity United Methodist member Richard Southerland, who helped set up for the event and first greeted the two Utah visitors, smiled as he recalled the many cross walks he's participated in over the years.
"I guess it's been about 12 years for me. ... It's important because of the season of the year, because Christ died for us and He rose again that we might have eternal life," Southerland said.
Spreading the word is an important part of the walk, he said, smiling at fellow church member Cory Vance.
Vance, a fourth-grader, said he helped Southerland carry the cross last year.
"It was exciting and it made me feel good," Vance said.
The Rev. Charles Henry of Berkeley Place Friendship Church, who spoke at a brief stop in front of the library, had a special reason for celebrating since he was accompanied by his wife Shirley and daughter Sheila Owens.
His 5-year-old granddaughter, Elizabeth Owens, also walked with him and helped carry the cross from behind.
"I liked help Pap Pap carry the cross. First I was nervous but then it was fun because it wasn't heavy," she said.
"Easter is important because Jesus died on the cross for us," Owens said.
- Staff writer Jenni Vincent can be reached at 304-263-8931, ext. 138, or jvincent@journal-news.net
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