Good Friday walk for Bexhill churches

The original message was celebrated at the Good Friday walk held by Churches Together in Bexhill as members walked through the centre of town to make a public declaration of their belief and encourage others to join in.

Drawn from the different churches around Bexhill, members met at Buckhurst Place and were addressed by Churches Together Chairman Rev David Frost before setting off towards Sackville Road, then Western Road, up to the station and down Sea Road, before turning along St Leonards Road and heading for the Colonnade at the De La Warr Pavilon where they sang and prayed.

Rev Frost commented: "There is a very encouraging turnout - Good Friday is very important to Christians everywhere and this is a way we are able to communicate the message of Good Friday to everyone in town, all those out and about doing their shopping.

"Easter is basically all about celebration of the fact Jesus rose from the dead after being crucified and as Christians we believe that he is alive today. There could be no Easter but for Good Friday."

Barry Turnwell, of ChristChurch Methodist Church, added: "People have forgotten the meaning...Sometimes in all the business of living the true meaning of Easter, and sometimes Christmas, get forgotten or pushed to one side. We believe we need to come out into the community which is why we do this as a witness to encourage people to see something of the true meaning."

The first stop for walkers was to sing in Devonshire Square, where verses of There Is A Green Hill Far Away rang out, and they concluded the event with a rendition of When I Survey The Wondrous Cross, before many dispersed to services in their own churches.

Training priest David King, currently assisting Father Chris Spain at St Mary Magdalene's church, said: "I think this is fantastic that Christians can come together and witness to our faith in such numbers in Bexhill. Easter is the biggest Christian celebration we have...Jesus died on Good Friday and rose again on Easter Sunday, so this is our most important time of the year. It is fantastic that we can celebrate that."