Miserable weather and poor road conditions meant a smaller than expected turnout, though the annual Walk of the Cross went on as usual.
The Walk of the Cross, which traditionally has 14 stations (or stops), symbolizes the journey Jesus took during his final days on Earth and allows people to assist in carrying the wooden cross.
“The event is about contemplating the physical and spiritual aspect of the events that led up to Jesus’ death,” explained organizer Dan Helm.
“It’s also about making people think about the different stuff going on in the world today, and was especially relevant with the recent nuclear threats made, which should serve as a wake up call.
Helm added that another way to frame the event is, during Jesus’ last days as he continued to pray for others, people too need to look at how they pray — for themselves, for others and for the community regardless of the situation
The walk began around 12:30 p.m. April 14 outside the Ponoka United Church and followed a route that took participants around the downtown area before concluding about 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Anglican Church.
More than 40 people participated in the Ponoka event that has been held on Good Friday for the last 21 years. However, the unanticipated snowfall and colder weather did force some individuals that were coming from Bashaw to cancel their trip to participate.
Members from five different church congregations in the area were expected to take part.