Travelers along Route 183 near Strausstown on Good Friday, April 3 may have caught a glimpse of a young man dressed in a white robe carrying a large wooden cross on his shoulder and followed by a group of 50 people crossing the highway around 11 a.m.
Zion Blue Mountain United Church of Christ held this first Cross Walk on what Pastor Joshua Knappenberger called a “day of faith,” Good Friday being observed as the day on which Jesus Christ was crucified.
Although the pastor did not criticize secular Easter practices, he said that reliving the carrying of the Cross is important to take the emphasis from jellybeans and bunnies, and place it on “the commemoration of Jesus’ dying for our sins.”
The 1.25-mile route took the group from the church, down the hill into Strausstown, continuing through town as neighbors watched from their porches, picking up some walkers for part of the way. At the end of town, the procession retraced its route to the church, where a Crucifixion tableau was formed by the costumed youth.
The 25-pound cross was carried by Reid Schrack, whose mother, Gail Hamm, expressed her pride in him. He was followed by the black-robed Shadow of Death, Trevon Haller, and six costumed young people, several of whom will be confirmed at the church in May.
The idea for the Cross Walk came about after church member, Doris Wagner, mentioned to some young people at a retreat that such a walk had been done years ago in Hamburg. The idea appealed, and plans were formed.
Mrs. Wagner’s son, Noah, participated in the walk, as did Harley Ludy, 14, who said he took part because “It’s symbolic and important to show, especially at this time.”
Melinda Schaeffer said she wanted to walk in support of her grandson, Caleb Smith, who is one of the prospective confirmands.
In addition to the teens, the group was a diverse one, even comprising a little girl in a stroller and a dog on a leash.
Undeterred by the forecast of rain and even a distant rumble of thunder, the Cross Walkers completed the commemoration outside the church while the carillon played hymns relating to the Cross, and Rev. Knappenberger read the Biblical account of Christ’s last hours from Luke 23: 44-49, followed by the admonition to “Go in peace.”
