Cross-wards through the cross woods

On Good Friday about 20 folks associated with Waverley URC aged from 10-80 years walked 7 or so miles through West Yorkshire countryside to Castle Hill for a service of witness. They were joined at the hill, which shows signs of human activity since 4,000 BCE, by about 30 other less energetic people. Along the way we often went through small woodland areas. Just breaking into bud, these woodlands were small oasis of wildlife undergoing to natural process of regeneration. Last years fallen leaves were still a blanket in some hollows. Twisted roots and fallen branches, the odd dead hedgehog, all witness to the life and death of the woods. On this edge day there was a fresh awareness of the path between life and death as we trod our way through these woodlands. On the hill we heard the story of the hill far away and the Suffering One. Amongst those who gathered on the hill to listen, some were not associated formally with any organised Christian fellowship. These are the Good Friday people of our age, who walk cross-wards through woods and up the hill to remember and who still count.

Christ of the Easter Vigil,
as you hung on for us,
help us to hang on
to and for each other.
Remind us that we all still count,
in that endless crowd of witnesses.
Confirm us as cross people
as we take the steps that lead us
from death to life.

copyright Janet Lees: 12.04.2009