Community unites for Good Friday

Good Friday, traditionally one of the most solemn days on the church calendar, commemorates the day of Jesus’ crucifixion.

Jamestown churches will once again unite to celebrate Good Friday with an ecumenical service at noon on April 6 at the United Presbyterian Church, and all community members are invited.

“It is one of the most significant days of the Christian year,” said the Rev. Kevin Goodrich, pastor at Grace Episcopal Church and president of the Jamestown Ministerial Association. “Jesus’ first disciples, except for one, and some women, abandoned him on the cross. This is an opportunity for us.”

The community Good Friday service is a long-standing tradition for Jamestown churches, and isn’t necessarily meant to substitute for individual churches’ Good Friday services. Most churches will still have their own services in the evening.

It will last an hour or less, which should allow people to attend over their lunch hours and then return to work, Goodrich said.

The Rev. Frank Cherney will preach at the service, but many other local ministers will participate, including the Rev. Johnny Rhoad of United Presbyterian Church, Chaplain Lindy Holt of the Anne Carlsen Center and Chaplain Darin Namminga of Jamestown College.

United Presbyterian’s bell choir will perform.

The Good Friday service will also include a performance by an ecumenical choir, which will practice at 11 a.m. just before church begins.

“In this community, the (Good Friday) service has been important,” Goodrich said.

Sun reporter Kari Lucin can be reached at 701-952-8453

or by email at klucin@jamestownsun.com

Tags: life, religion