At 9pm on Thursday 2 April, an all-night vigil will begin in the centre Leeds, to commemorate Jesus' last hours before his death on Good Friday.
It's part of 'Passion in the City', a series of events to celebrate Easter, organised by Leeds Churches Together, which will also include a two-hour walk of witness on Good Friday.
The walk of witness will stop at six different points - including the bus station and Victoria Gardens - to remember a different stage of Jesus' last walk as he carried his cross. It finishes with a short service with the Salvation Army at Victoria Gardens.
One of the organisers, Phil Marshall, says, “We will follow from the Last Supper up until the point where Jesus is condemned to death. On the hour various people will offer reflections on what it might have been like for Jesus at that point: what was he thinking? what emotions were going through his head? The vigil will have a Taizé feel with music, reflection and prayer and will include the washing of feet at 11pm. People are welcome to come and go at any stage.
“This is the second year of Passion in the City. Last year, at the height of the walk there were around 200 people as we followed a cross to different stopping points. The hope is that ultimately thousands of Christians will come together in unity at Easter to publically celebrate their faith in the centre of Leeds.”
Thursday 2 April - All Night Vigil 9pm-9am at Oxford Place Methodist Chapel, LS1 3AX
9pm: Opening of all-night Vigil
9:15pm Worship music
10pm Reflection by Revd James Barnett (Riverside Church)
11pm Washing of feet
Then on the hour, every hour, we will follow Jesus' journey through the Garden of Gethsemane, trying to imagine what his final few hours would have felt like.
7am Reflection by Revd Jonathon Swales (St Georges Church)
8:30am Morning Worship
Please bring cushions or beanbags if you’d like one. Tea and coffee will be provided throughout the night and breakfast will be provided at 9am. The door to Oxford Place will be unlocked and at all times there will be people there to welcome you.
Friday 3 April – Good Friday Walk of Witness in Leeds, 11:30am-1:45pm
Come with us through the streets of Leeds City Centre as we remember the final walk of Jesus as he carried his cross to his death. Join the walk at any point
11:30am The Minster - Jesus is given his cross – led by Leeds Minster
11:50am Outside Bus Station (Minster side) - Jesus falls for the first time – led by Blenheim Baptist Church
12:10pm Holy Trinity Church, Boar Lane, Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus with the cross – led by Riverside Church
12:30pm Lands Lane - Jesus is stripped naked and nailed to the cross – various
1:10pm St Anne’s Cathedral - Jesus dies on the cross – led by St Anne’s Cathedral
1:30pm Victoria Gardens – Jesus is taken from the cross and laid in the tomb – led by St George’s Church
The Salvation Army and their band will join us in Victoria Gardens at 1:15pm and will conclude the service at 1:45pm
Please see search Facebook events for 'Passion in the City' for updated news, or for more information email Phil Marshall or call 07766 148375.
All times are approx. and the route is subject to change