The way of the Cross: Area Christians, along with others nationwide, will participate in cross walks on Good Friday

Across Southeast Missouri, people are celebrating Good Friday and the Easter holiday by putting on their walking shoes to carry the cross in their neighborhoods.

In Cape Girardeau, pastor Dan Johnson of the Evangelical Church of Christ will lead Christians of all denominations to 14 stations across the downtown area, which have their own biblical themes. The event is called Stations of the Cross.

"There's no registry or signing up," Johnson said. "Everyone can join us as we stop at these meaningful locations and say a prayer for Christ and our community."

The two-mile journey will begin and end at the courtyard gazebo on Lorimier Street. Each stop will combine community and biblical symbolism and will incorporate different town or organization leaders.

"Each stop has its own theme and prayer, led by different people," Johnson said. "In the past we've stopped at city hall and the mayor and city manager would meet us and lead the prayer, so it's more than a bunch of pastors."

Other stops along the path include the United Way, the Southeast Missourian and Cape Girardeau police and fire departments. Johnson said incorporating the community was a more "meaningful and emotional," way to celebrate Easter that also encouraged communitywide fellowship.

As a reminder of the "reason for the season," the group will carry a large cross with them as they travel to each station. Members of the group take turns carrying the cross after each stop, Johnson said.

"It's a more physical reminder of Christ and what trials and burdens he withstood on the cross," Johnson said.

Although Easter is a serious holiday, Johnson said Stations of the Cross is a casual event. It is an informal way to bring the churches closer to each other, he said, as well as the community.

The cross proceeds past the Rush Hudson Limbaugh Sr. U.S. Courthouse to the 11th station.

Stations of the Cross will begin at noon Friday and Johnson said anyone interested in participating is invited to meet at the gazebo.

The 14 stations include: The Southeast Missourian, the Convention and Visitor's Center and Old Town Cape, United Way of Southeast Missouri, Discovery Playhouse, Homeless Outreach and Thrift Shop, the Esquire Theater, Trinity Schools, the Kingdom Kids, Cape Girardeau Fire and Police Departments, FCC Women's and Adolescent Addiction Treatment, the federal courthouse, city hall, Rose Garden and Common Pleas Courthouse steps.

In Sikeston, Mo., Alethea Sparkman is also sharing her faith and celebration with the community by organizing and participating in Carry the Cross.

Carry the Cross is a national organization that teaches all interested parties how to build their own white cross to carry in their communities on Good Friday.

Sparkman, national director of Carry the Cross, said the idea was inspired by John 12:32.

"It says if we lift up Jesus, it will draw people unto him," Sparkman said. "So when we go out and lift up these crosses we are also lifting him up."

Sparkman said participants carried their crosses in small downtown areas or near major highways to bear silent witness and use the opportunity to share their message of faith with as many people as possible.

"I encourage people to get out and try it," Sparkman said. "It's not only a blessing to those who see it, but to yourself."

Sparkman said Carry the Cross would begin nationwide at 7 a.m. Friday and conclude at 11 a.m. Anyone with questions or interested in building a cross can visit www.carrythecrossnow.com or email info@carrythecrossnow.com.

More than 70 walkers have committed to participate in the Carry the Cross Walk in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, according to local organizer Darren DeLoach. For more information about the walk, call DeLoach at 225-8606 or email darrendeloach@live.com.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

Themis St. and N. Lorimier St., Cape Girardeau, MO

Sikeston, MO