Diakonia hosts Good Friday service

DIAKONIA Council of Churches, whose legacy of working towards a just society for more than four decades, once again calls people of faith to its annual ecumenical Good Friday service at dawn on Friday, 19 April.

The event which is a highlight of Durban’s Easter weekend activities begins at dawn at the Durban Exhibition Centre (DEC) before processing – in silence – through the streets of the city, to the Durban City Hall.

The well-established tradition of the ecumenical Good Friday Service has become not only the flagship of Diakonia but also a major event in the Durban calendar, attended by thousands of people who gather together at the most auspicious time for Christians, to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary.

Each year, the service highlights a particular aspect of national suffering or injustice. The service this year will focus on the theme Blessed are the Peacemakers.

The sermon will be delivered by Rev Thato Tsautse, who represents the Anglican Church and has recently relocated from the Diocese of Natal to the Diocese of Pretoria. Meditative singing will start at 5.15am in the Durban Exhibition Centre and the first part of the service will take place at 5.45am.

The congregation will proceed through the streets of Durban in silent public witness.

The service will conclude at approximately 8.15am at the Durban City Hall with the flowering of the cross as a show of commitment by all present to act for a just society and take up God’s call.

Limited parking and street parking is available at the DEC with additional off street parking around the City Hall. Transport back to the DEC from the City Hall will be arranged for the elderly and the infirm.

Entry to the Good Friday service is free and all are welcome, with a collection being taken up during the service to support the work of Diakonia. All are welcome to participate in this significant, multi-lingual Christian Easter service.

Contact the Diakonia Council of Churches on 031 310 3500 or visit: www.diakonia.org.za.

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