Join us for the Good Friday Cross Walk, a tradition of Trinity Moravian Church, through downtown to Salem Square. Be at Loaves & Fishes , across from the main library, on Friday before 10:45 am. Please contact Pastor Jeff is you are thinking of going so that we can plan for a shuttle back to the starting point after the walk.
Click here for a YouTube video of the 2015 Cross Walk.
Good Friday Cross Walk
For forty years, the youth of Trinity Moravian have held a Cross Walk on Good Friday. A full-size cross is carried in solemn and prayerful silence through downtown Winston-Salem, concluding at Salem Square with a liturgy of confession recalling Christ’s crucifixion on Golgotha.
The Story of the Cross Walk by Joyce Carter
News Coverage of the Cross Walk
It is hard to describe the experience of the Cross Walk. Like many of the best Moravian worship traditions, it is experiential in nature. Each year more and more people from different walks of life join us for this solemn procession. Children, teens, grandparents, recovering addicts, ex-convicts, bishops, and ministers take turns carrying the weight of the Cross. The silent, reverent procession is a time of personal prayer and reflection. Each person takes something different away from the experience.
At the same time, of course, it is a witness. It is always interesting to see the responses of the people in downtown Winston-Salem; many acknowledge our passing with a thumbs-up or a line from a hymn; some shake their heads in wonder, and of course some drivers honk in impatentience. Sometimes a person will leave what they were doing to process with us.
The Good Friday Cross Walk grows each year; those who have experienced it come back again and again. We have people who drive from Charlotte and Raleigh to share the experience. Why don’t you join us this year?
Remember — we have a NEW ROUTE!
As we did for the last several years, the Cross Walk will start at LOAVES & FISHES, 657 West 5th Street, the Building across the street from the Downtown Library. Parking is available in the Centenary UMC lot next to Loaves & Fishes, and we will gather in the 5th Street “Gathering Place,” the open lot between Loaves & Fishes and Bib’s Restaurant. Please arrive between 10:30 am and 11:00 am. The Walk will begin at 11:00 promptly. The new route (below) is about 1 mile in length. We walk slowly so that the walk will take 40 minutes or more. We conclude at Salem Square, where Walkers will be greeted by a Moravian Band, and together we will join in a Good Friday Liturgy of Confession.
We begin the Walk with a reading of Christ’s procession to Golgotha. The Walkers then proceed in silent prayer through downtown Winston-Salem, taking turns carrying the wooden cross. We usually have between 6-8 people carrying the cross together at any time. Everyone who wishes to take a turn will have a turn. This is not a “reenactment,” but a meditational prayer experience and silent witness.
ALL ARE WELCOME. We often have babies in strollers, walkers with dogs (MUST BE ON LEASH!), and even folks in wheelchairs. Those who do not feel that they can physically do the mile walk are welcome to join us at the end at Salem Square – and in fact we often have quite a crowd waiting there when we arrive! Walkers are advised to bring some bottled water, sunscreen, and hats! We will be escorted by two Winston-Salem Police Officers who will supervise street crossings. The church van will be available to shuttle Walkers back to the parking lot on 5th Street after the Walk is concluded.
Last year, we had a record number turn out, with over 200 Walkers. This year we are hoping to have an even larger number!
