A Good Friday Walk of Witness

Each year on Good Friday the churches in Ham and Shalbourne have a joint "Walk of Witness" to commemorate Jesus' walk carrying the cross.  It seems that the road distance between the Ham and Shalbourne churches is approximately the distance that Jesus had to walk.  This year the walk started at Ham church with the beginning of a church service, including a hymn and the first of several readings about the day of the crucifixion from Luke's gospel.  Then the vicar and congregation began a walk to Shalbourne church, stopping at several locations along the way for additional readings.

It was cold but sunny, and didn't feel as cold as it probably was.  Everyone was bundled up, and several people brought their dogs along,

Entering All Saints Church in Ham before the service.

After the first part of the service, beginning the walk to Shalbourne.

We stopped for the second reading (the first was in the church) at Ham's village green.  I was asked to do the reading here, the part in which Peter denies Jesus three times.

We stopped along the road for the next reading.

Walking along the road to the next reading site.

The next reading.  It looks cold in these photos, but it didn't really feel that cold.

Continuing down the road.  From the start of the service in Ham church to the arrival at Shalbourne church took an hour.

Ros was asked to do the next reading.

Glorious scenery for a walk such as this.

Onward to the next reading, the last along the walk.  The final reading will be in Shalbourne church.

Ready for the last part of the walk.

We make the turn off the main road into the road to the St Michael and All Angels Church.  The "Next Service" on the board is this one.

Entering the church.

Note the water bowl for the dogs just outside the door,

Inside, the service continued.  We heard the last of the readings from Luke, and read the Litany and sang two more hymns, and of course said prayers.  I took no photos during the service; these were taken as people were leaving afterward.

Hot cross buns, tea, and coffee hit the spot on a cold day.

As we left, I took a few more photos around the church yard.

A moving service for Good Friday.