Good Friday Community Cross Walk stops at 10 locations in Leechburg to pray, plant crosses

Apr. 7—The faithful flocked together Friday for a walk with a monumental message in Leechburg.

The Good Friday Community Cross Walk, hosted by the Leechburg Ministerial Association, began at 2 p.m. on Main Street. It proceeded down Third Street and circled back through the business district on Market Street.

About 30 participants gathered outside First United Methodist Church under clear skies and temperatures in the 60s. The group stopped at 10 locations in the borough to pray and place wooden crosses into the ground or pots on the sidewalk.

The Rev. James Arter of First Evangelical Lutheran Church began the walk with a reading from the New Testament's Matthew, Chapter 27.

Arter led the procession throughout town, pulling a wooden wagon filled with 10 wooden crosses, each about 4 feet high.

Jacob Boarts, 11, of Leechburg assisted Arter.

Jacob, there with his parents and sister, used a hammer turned sideways to pound a cross firmly into the ground at the second stop in front of Hebron Evangelical Lutheran Church on Main Street.

"It was pretty hard to pound that cross into the hard ground," Jacob said. "This was my first walk, and it was kinda what I expected. I think it's nice and important that other people know it's important to pray for God, and now people can see the crosses driving around town."

The 10 crosses placed around the borough will remain through Easter.

Joining Arter were the Revs. Sara Wrona of First United and Sue Washburn of Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church.

For many, it was their first time attending a Cross Walk. Stops were made at the Leechburg Police Department, Lee Haven Towers, the Veterans Mural and the Happy Day Cafe.

"The whole thing is meaningful, and it just reminds me that we're not thankful enough, for all that we have and for all of those who made it possible," said Margaret McKallip of Gilpin, a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Arter asked for volunteers to read the various prayers aloud.

McKallip read a prayer during the walk. Now that she's retired, she said, she could participate in a weekday activity.

"God is good," she said.

Each prayer, written by Ryan Pusch, a former pastor at Hebron Evangelical Lutheran Church, was specifically worded for each stop.

They included prayers for veterans, businesses, restaurants, medical facilities, senior citizens, churches, community volunteers, first responders such as police and firefighters, schools and institutions that assist with disasters and crises.

The walk concluded in front of Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church on Main Street, with Arter delivering a closing prayer and reading from Luke, Chapter 23, that describes the crucifixion of Jesus.

"This is offered to all the people of our community who wish to participate, whether they're members of our congregations or not," Arter said.

In the Christian faith, Good Friday is a holy day of the year because it represents the day Jesus willingly suffered and died for mankind's sins.

Washburn, Cross Roads' interim pastor, participated in the walk for the first time.

"Good Friday is the day we remember Jesus didn't try to save himself, but other people," she said. "Jesus didn't come to be served, but to serve. As people of faith, we want to follow in his footsteps. The Cross Walk shows our support for the people and businesses that serve our community."

Arter said the Cross Walk, which started in 2019, was disrupted by the covid-19 pandemic. Friday marked the third time for the event in Leechburg.

"The Cross Walk was an idea we had to increase participation and be more visible in our community, showing that the people and institutions have our prayers and support," Arter said. "We walk because Christ carried his cross to bring salvation to the world. As people of God, we are here to serve and share Christ's love with our community."

Beverly Bish of Gilpin attended a Lenten luncheon before the walk. She was touched by the sense of community.

"This was inspirational, and I wasn't aware that there would be this many places to stop. All the different communities around here. For a small town, they have a lot going on. I didn't even know this was happening. It was a nice Good Friday surprise," Bish said.

Joyce Hanz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joyce by email at jhanz@triblive.com or via Twitter .