By Ashley Hill
The Marietta Times
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ASHLEY HILL The Marietta Times
The Rev. Doug Stockton of Christ United Methodist Church, left, watches as Hannah Gammon, center, and her father Peter Gammon carry a cross from Christ United Methodist Church to First Presbyterian Church Friday. The Walk of Christian Faith was organized by the Marietta Area Ministerial Association.
Although the Marietta Area Ministerial Association has held the Walk of Christan Witness every Good Friday for the past 20 years, Peter Gammon and his daughter, Hannah, never participated until this year.
Peter Gammon said they thoroughly enjoyed the event.
"There's a lot of reflection and meditation, and there were good services at all the churches," he said.
They attend St. Luke's Episcopal Church on Second Street in Marietta, where the walk began. The walk was open to anyone in the community, and those who participated took turns carrying a large wooden cross from one participating church to another.
The Rev. Doug Stockton, with Christ United Methodist Church on Wooster Street in Marietta, said the Marietta Area Ministerial Association is comprised of his church, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, First Congregational Church on Front Street, and the First Presbyterian and St Mary's Catholic churches on Fourth Street.
There were brief services held at each church during the walk.
Stockton said the purpose of the walk is to make community members aware of the significance of Good Friday in the Christian faith.
"Good Friday is about Jesus' death on the cross for our sins," he said. "We want to make people know this is a special day; a lot of people don't recognize it."
Stockton added that the cross itself also holds great significance.
"It's the central symbol of the Christian faith," he said. "That's why we carry it - to be a witness to Christ."
The Rev. George Spransy, interim pastor at First Presbyterian Church, conducted a brief service at the church during the walk.
Spransy said the walk is unique in that it brings together community members of different religious backgrounds.
"It's significant because we come together as people of faith, regardless of denominations," he said.
