By Jill Stocks
Horsforth came out in numbers yesterday as events for the Easter weekend began with the traditional Walk of Witness.
Anticipated poor weather didn’t dissuade the faithful from attending and in the end the weather was kind to the crowds.
Organised by Horsforth Churches Together the walk started at Central Methodist Church at the top of Town Street and the crowds follow the bearer of the cross down to the finish at The Green where a short service is held.
Leading the service this year was Father Michael Doody from Our Lady of Kirkstall Parish, which covers St Mary’s in Horsforth:
“Good Friday is one of those days that we remember the death of Jesus, his sacrifice for us and his love for us. It’s a wonderful occasion for us all to gather as Christians, different denominations, different churches just to be united in this one belief we have that Jesus is our saviour this day.
“We call it Good Friday because it’s about the good news that someone loved us so much to die for us. It’s just great that we can have this witness. To everyone else that maybe doesn’t know about the Christian message or doesn’t know about the Gospel that they can see people united in this place.
“It’s a great privilege to lead the walk today.”
Seven readings delivered by members of the congregation from seven of the Horsforth Churches Together member churches.
After the service the congregation was invited to gather at the Grove centre for refreshments, with hot cross buns and soup available, and a time of fellowship.
Duncan Stow is from Horsforth Churches Together:
“Easter is our central celebration. It was once said famously by Arsene Wenger that Christmas is important but Easter is vital.
“And in a sense for our faith this is the soberness of what it cost Jesus and the celebration of his victory over death on Easter Sunday and that’s what gives us hope not just for this life but for the life which is to come.”
You can find information on service times for the churches in Horsforth this weekend and beyond on the Churches Together website, as well as more information on their events and activities in the community.
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