Like the 4th of July fireworks, the holiday parade, and the homecoming games; Community Good Friday
worship has been a part of the fabric that has grounded and given identity to the town of Bowling Green
for generations. None of these events are attended by everyone, nor even appreciated by all, but they
have been a constant reminder that we are knitted together as a community.
I wonder why BG settled into Good Friday as a time to gather all Christians in worship? Many towns choose
the more secular Thanksgiving. Yet only recently has BG begun to celebrate Thanksgiving ecumenically. At
one time our forbearers held annual Easter sunrise services for youth together, but that has vanished
like the callithumpian parade.
Before chain stores entered our town, the businesses would all close from noon until 3 p.m., the hours
that Jesus hung on the cross. Decade upon decade all the protestant churches would gather together,
usually rotating the leadership of the worship among them during the afternoon. People would come and go
during the time.
As the years passed, the form would change, but the community experience remained ingrained in the soul
of Bowling Green.
But, why Good Friday? Perhaps it is because Christians are particularly reminded that Christ died for
everyone on Good Friday. Everyone is invited to show this unity by gathering together.
This year our town will join in a spiritual pilgrimage of the cross. People of any religious persuasion
may attend any or all of the portions which run from noon to 3 p.m. and 7:30 to 9 p.m. We encourage
individuals to worship in their own congregations when it is offered and also join in portions of the
community experience. There will be four sections/services, each in a different building. They will
include the most common worship experiences designated for Good Friday. Anyone who is able, is invited
to walk between them following the cross. This will spiritually connect us with the procession along the
Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem. We hope this will continue to strengthen the unity of Christians in the death
of Christ and love for one another in Bowling Green.
Reverend Helen K. Dukes
President of the Bowling Green Ministerial Association