Over 20 Sarasota congregations will observe The Stations of The Cross down the center of Main Street Good Friday, April 15th. An estimated 1,000 pilgrims in downtown Sarasota will celebrate each of the 14 Stations readings, prayers and choruses led by over 25 pastors and priests of 14 different denominations. STATION ONE will be presented by Sarasota City Vice Mayor Kyle Scott Battie. The Christian pilgrimage gathers at 7:15 AM and begins at 7:30 AM on Main Street at the Hollywood 11 Theater (1993 Main Street, 34236 at 301). This will be the 21st year that the Sarasota Ministerial Association joins The Church of The Redeemer, whose Friday Men’s Breakfast Prayer Group founded the tradition in 1996. Then, fewer than 15 souls participated, but their prayers now bare the fruit of hundreds experiencing what has become a Sarasota ‘Happening.’
For those who want to park at the final station at the Church of the Redeemer Episcopal Church, complimentary Siesta Trolley service will be transporting pilgrims from Redeemer Church beginning at 6:15 AM to Hollywood 11. The final station is at the Church of the Redeemer, 222 S. Palm Ave., a three quarters of a mile journey. It will be reached near 8:30 AM, when all are invited to a brief Service of Morning Prayer (Matins). Everyone will receive a Service Booklet while checking in at the front of Hollywood 11 Theater. A Sarasota Police Department escort will be controlling traffic and providing security. Come to understand something of Christ's crucifixion and our involvement in it, on the day the World stops to celebrate Christ's Passion.
For information, contact Rev. Dr. Tom Pfaff, Sarasota Ministerial Association President, at chaplaintompfaff@gmail.com.
