Council of Churches’ Good Friday service returns
The Diakonia Council of Churches is returning with their annual Good Friday service, hosted this year at Durban City Hall.
THE Diakonia Council of Churches, whose legacy of working towards a just society for more than four decades is calling people of faith to its annual ecumenical Good Friday service at dawn on Friday, April 15, starting at 06:00 am.
This time the venue is the steps of the Durban City Hall, a silent procession around the City Hall precinct will start the event, continuing past the Workshop and the old prison wall, then through the streets of the city and back to the Durban City Hall, while the bells of St Paul’s solemnly toll.
Each year, the service highlights a particular aspect of national suffering or injustice. The service this year will focus on the pertinent theme “Living together with the alien in our midst”
Now that public gatherings are permitted once again, the Diakonia Council of Churches, supported by eThekwini Municipality who are providing infrastructure support, is re-introducing the Good Friday Service which wasn’t possible over hard Covid-19 lockdown. Being mindful of Covid-19 protocols, the service will be slightly simplified and pared down, and the entire service will be outside in the fresh air.
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The sermon will be delivered by the retired Anglican Bishop of Natal, Bishop Emeritus Rubin Phillip. He grew up in Clairwood and was a noted anti-apartheid activist.
Meditative music by organist Melvin Peters will start at 05:30 am on the City Hall steps, where-after the first part of the service will take place at 06:00.
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Reverend Booth said off-street parking will be available around the City Hall.
“There will be a police presence as additional security. 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. Covid protocols will be observed. Although the event is outside, masks are mandatory,” said Reverend Booth.
For more info, contact the Diakonia Council of Churches on 031 310 3500 Diakonia needs volunteers to participate in the smooth running of the service.
Please contact their offices if you can help.
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