The Stations of the Cross Tour returns for the second year, as part of the Easter celebration in Haliubrton County. Depicted here is the acrylic painting, Jesus Prays in the Olive Garden of Gethsemane by M.V. and H.C., which is at station two at the Lochlin United Church, located at 1050 Lochlin Road. The tour continues until April 18. Submitted by Alison Bangay Stations of the Cross tour showcases inspiring Easter-themed art
By Stephen Petrick
A new event that sprung up in some of the world’s finest cities last Easter is continuing – and Haliburton County’s spiritual community continues to be a part of it.
Nine area churches are participating in Stations of the Cross, a tour which encourages people to drive throughout the Highlands to see inspiring, Easter-themed artwork.
Local residents can drive by any of the participating churches at any time to see the artwork at their outdoor locations. The displays are available to view from Friday, April 8 and will continue to be shown through the Easter weekend, ending Monday, April 18.
The event debuted in Haliburton County last year, just as the devastating Delta variant was beginning to overwhelm Ontario’s health care system and force restrictions, including the closing of in-person church services. Church leaders felt they needed to provide an event that represented hope, and gave people an opportunity to leave their house, yet still be mindful of social distancing measures.
They also knew that Stations of the Cross tours had taken place in other major cities around the world, such as London, New York and Toronto, so they decided to hold their own. It was so well received, said Rev. Paul Graham of Lakeside Church, that organizers decided to hold the event again this year, even though there are no limitations on mass gatherings at the moment. There’s no cost to take the tour and there’s no donation requirement.
“It’s interesting that it did start in the midst of the pandemic,” Graham said. “There’s a certain kind of redemption in that … that something good came out of a bad time. And redemption is a big part of the Christian faith.”
The participating churches are: Ingoldsby United Church, 1741 Ingoldsby Road in Minden; Lochlin United Church, 1050 Lochlin Road in Minden; St. Georges Anglican Church, 617 Mountain Street in Haliburton, the Haliburton United Church, 10 George Street in Haliburton; St. Anthony’s of Padua Mission Church, 27 Victoria Street in Haliburton; Eagle Lake Community Church, 2605 Eagle Lake Road in Eagle Lake; West Guilford Baptist Church, 1063 Nila Road in West Guliford; Northland Faith Church, 13321 Highway 118 in Haliburton; Lighthouse Pentecostal Church/Lakeside Church, 9 Park Street in Haliburton.
The complete program for the tour, which provides additional information for both children and adults, can be downloaded from www.mylakeside.ca.
Graham said that another thing that makes the tour special is it brings area churches together. He pointed out that different faith groups may have slightly different histories and traditions, “but we have a lot more in common, than differences.”
The artwork displayed on the tour is intended to capture Jesus’ journey to the cross and celebrate his life, death and resurrection.
