A reflection by Nancy Plott Williams:
“Praying in public” are words that make some people very uncomfortable. There’s a sense of inadequacy, of fear, of sounding less-than-holy, of not being able to find the right words. And often when we say “praying in public” we mean being called on spontaneously in our church and asked to pray aloud. The Stations of the Cross service that I participated in a couple of years ago, was truly “praying in pubic.” We were out on the sidewalks, on a beautiful Good Friday afternoon in Highland Park, and we were reading scripture and praying.
Praying. In. Public.
And it was good and right and holy and meaningful.
St. Phillips Episcopal Church organizes this walking prayer service each year and invites any and all – especially the folks of Northside churches – to participate. Old and young (Mandy pulled a red Radio Flyer wagon with two of her boys in it), white and black, laity and clergy – anyone willing to come along – gather at St. Phillips at 3 p.m. – that mournful hour we know from Mark’s crucifixion story. “At 3 in the afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ Which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ ” Remembering the love and sacrifice of Jesus for ALL people, we head out to walk the streets, stand on the corners and move through the readings of the stations of the cross – as a witness to others and a reminder to ourselves that the world has already been saved and redeemed, and our task is to love people, live for God and shine our light wherever we can.
Does this sound daunting? Not for you? TOO public? Fine for Peter and Paul but not really appropriate anymore? I had those thoughts – and, yes, fears – too. But I was curious and talked myself into going, and my intention now is to participate in this walking service this Good Friday, April 14, and as many other Good Fridays as I can.
The service is well-planned, scripted in parts but allowing room for spontaneity. We meet in front of St. Phillips on Hanes Avenue, and everyone gets a bulletin with the printed readings and prayers. Someone carries the cross. Musicians from St. Thomas accompany the group. We walk about six blocks one way, cross the street, and walk the six blocks back, making 14 stops along the way. We stop, read, pray, sing and move on. People volunteer to take turns carrying the cross and reading the scriptures and prayers. Anyone along the route who wants to join in does so. The group provides the solidarity, comfort and power that we know comes from the presence of Jesus and his words, “whenever two or three gather in my name, I am there among them.”
You are invited! Join us! We will gather at Saint Philip’s Church (2900 Hanes Avenue) at 3PM on Friday, April 14th to being walking the Stations of the Cross.