Hundreds Take Part In Good Friday’s Walk Of Witness

Published on: 18 Apr, 2014
Updated on: 18 Apr, 2014

Several hundred Christians flocked to Guildford town centre on Good Friday morning to take part in the annual walk of witness.

The Good Friday walk of witness makes it way up Guildford High Street.

Many were representing their local churches along with their clergy and ministers. The Commissary Bishop for Guildford, the Rev’d Ian Brackley, took part in the walk giving one of the addressees, saying prayers and the closing blessing.

The Rev’d Robert Cotton welcomed those gathering to take part in the walk of witness.

They gathered at the rotunda at the bottom of North Street Guildford along with the Mayor of Guildford, Diana Lockyer-Nibbs, where they were welcomed by the rector of Holy Trinity and St Mary’s Churches, the Rev’d Robert Cotton.

After the singing of There Is A Green Hill Far Away, there was an address by the Rev’d Kate Wyles of St John’s Church, Stoke.

MP Anne Milton read from Mark 15, verses 16 to 20, in which Jesus was led by soldiers to a courtyard where he was clothed in a purple cloak, a crowns of thorns placed on his head, then mocked before being crucified.

Walking along Friary Street.

The walk then began, passing along Friary Street and then up the High Street with a pause just past the junction with Quarry Street for another reading and a hymn.

With banners displayed and flags flying, the walk enters the High Street.

It was then on to Holy Trinity Church for an address by John Benton of the Chertsey Street Baptist Church.

The gathering at Holy Trinity Church, with Abbot’s Hospital opposite.

He spoke about the persecution of Christians today across the world, but that in all parts (sadly with the exception of Europe) thousands are turning to Jesus, believing his words and his dying for us make for a better and peaceful world.

John Benton gives his address.

Bishop Ian closed the service with: “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.”

Bishop Ian gives the blessing and dismissal.

Here is Bishop Ian’s Easter message:

As Christians, we believe that in the person of Jesus Christ God gave himself away; gave himself away in both senses.

He revealed the secret of what kind of God he is, and he gave away all that he had to give us. This is Jesus’ way: “This is my body, given for you”.

This is the mystery of faith, the revelation of God giving himself away. We who are Christ’s people must also become self-emptying people, outgoing people, people who go all out for others.

We are called to deepen our passion for the world for which Jesus had such a passion. When we say, “Christ is Risen”, we mean that he, the embodied person and not some ghost, has risen and that the wounds of the crucified have some eternal significance for our human endeavour. So we do not fear what the future will bring.

The risen Christ is the healing, transforming Christ who comes to breathe life into the dry bones of our churches and communities. He comes to make all things new.