The annual Good Friday walk, or Walk of Witness, has been a staple in the calendar for the Antrim Churches since 2004.
A traditional route
It is traditional to meet up at High Street Presbyterian at 11.30 am, then get a bus to Greystone Methodist Church for a 12-noon start.
For the uninitiated, ‘High Street’ is actually located at the corner of Steeple Road and Stiles Way, whereas Greystone Methodist is, strangely, on the Greystone Road.
There is a short service at each church with a reading from St. Mark’s gospel, a hymn, and a prayer.
The Walk of Witness makes its way to All Saint’s on Church Street/High Street for 12.45 pm and then St. Comgall’s (Chapel Corner) by 1.15 pm.
Walkers can usually be overheard having the same discussion on the distinction between a ‘chapel’ and a ‘church’, the conclusion of which they have forgotten from the previous year and then promising to make a mental note for the next! This is forgotten once more as the commentary turns to just how steep Oriel Road seems to have gotten before arriving back at High Street Presbyterian for 1.45 pm.
Although this timetable may sound rather strict, it belies the atmosphere of shared faith and friendship that defines the Walk of Witness. After a final short service, tea/coffee, sandwiches and traybakes are served in the adjoining hall.
Partnership: A shared Faith
For the past two years, COVID-19 has placed the Walk of Witness on hold. This year, it is back!
At 11:30 am, a bus will be leaving High Street Presbyterian for a 12:15 pm start from Greystone Road Methodist Church. We’ll finish up with a prayer service in Antrim Castle Gardens.
Of course, a wee walk once a year does not define our Community. It is merely one way in which we can demonstrate our shared Faith: Antrim Foodbank is run in partnership with our Antrim Churches.
You can show your support for Antrim Foodbank 24/7/365 by downloading the Bank the Food App.
