One Cross, One Community: Good Friday Ecumenical Service

At noon on Good Friday, the doors of St. Mary Catholic Church opened wide to welcome Christians from across the Delaware community.

The Good Friday Ecumenical Service gathered pastors and members from multiple local congregations, including First Presbyterian Church, West Berlin Presbyterian Church, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, All Shepherds Lutheran Church, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, and Zion United Church of Christ. Together, they stood in prayer at the foot of the Cross.

Clergy and leaders from across these communities helped lead the service, including Father Denis S. Kigozi of St. Mary, Rev. Dr. Jennifer Eastman Hinkle, Dr. Robert J. Gustafson, Rev. Craig Richter, Rev. David Kendall Sperry, Rev. Patricia Stout, and Brian White. Mel Corroto, Executive Director of Andrews House, was also present, connecting the day’s prayer to the needs of the wider community.

From the beginning, there was a spirit of reverence and welcome. Guests from across Delaware filled the church, many commenting on both the beauty of the space and the warmth they experienced. That sense of hospitality was not only noticed, but deeply appreciated.

The impact of the afternoon extended beyond the service itself. A collection was taken for Andrews House, and the generosity of those gathered reflected a shared commitment to serving others. As one usher observed, the response was both heartfelt and abundant.

What made this service so meaningful was not simply its size, but what it represented. In a world often marked by division, this gathering was a powerful reminder that at the Cross, we are united.

Moments like this reveal the heart of the Church’s mission. To welcome. To unite. To witness to Christ in a way that draws others in.