In Harpenden, like many towns and villages, there is a Walk of Witness on Good Friday.  Nearly 300 people joined in the event last year. 

It starts outside the entrance to Rothamsted Park and goes up the High Street and then crosses the road to come back to the town Green. 

There, a brief service of hymns, readings, and a talk end the event.

On the walk, people carry placards and people share carrying a large wooden cross. 

On the Green a large wooden cross is erected and on Easter Day people bring flowers to transform it into a vibrant display of new life.

The walk is organised by Harpenden Churches Together.  The event has been going for many years, growing in numbers in recent years.  About ten churches join in the occasion.

There is real debate as to whether it is the best witness, stopping traffic, disrupting the High Street on a Bank Holiday. 

Yet there is something poignant about reminding people of the meaning of Easter Weekend.  Sometimes a little inconvenience makes the point.

Good Friday shares that for Christians the death of Jesus was more than some past historical event.  It was a cosmic transforming act of love for all humankind. 

The Easter weekend is more than the Easter bunny and chocolate eggs. 

For Christians it is the most important festival of the year in which we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

On Easter, we join in the refrain: Alleluia, Christ is risen; He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

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