Stations of the Cross.
The basis of this is to give the participant the chance to think and meditate on the passion of Christ. <P>
This is traditionally done through art displayed and readings to go with each part of the story. <P>
Choose a location of where to set up the stations, ours was in the church sancturay and it leant itself to it particularly well. <P>
At each station I used fourteen was a verse to read and an artist impression of that part of the story, this could include paintings, sculpture, video any medium you wish. <P>
I raided the home of a local artist Susan Hill whose paintings and poems are very powerfull and then added bits of my own to give a good visual environment. <P>
In the place of the stations the lighting was dimmed and ambient music played on loop. <P>
Each person set off at ten minute intervals and most took a minimum of 45 minutes. <P>
The titles and verses used at the fourteen stations were as follows: <P>
1: Jesus is condemened to death. Mark 15: 12-15 2. <P>
2: Jesus takes up the cross. John 19: 16-17 3. <P>
3: Jesus falls for the first time. Hebrews 5: 7-8 4. <P>
4: Jesus meets his mother. Luke 2: 28, 34, 35 5. <P>
5: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the cross. Mark 15: 21. <P>
6: Jesus falls for a second time. Luke 9: 23-24 <P>
7: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem Luke 23: 27-28 <P>
8: Jesus falls a third time. Mark 14: 35-36 <P>
9: Jesus is stripped of his garments. John 19: 23-24 <P>
10: Jesus is nailed to the cross. Luke 23: 33-38 <P>
11: Jesus dies on the cross. Mark 15: 33-37 <P>
12: Jesus is taken down from the cross. Luke 23: 50-53 <P>
13: Jesus is layed in the tomb. John 12: 24-25 <P>
14: Jesus is raised from the dead. Mark 16: 6 <P>
At each station the verses were typed up so they could be read and prayer and reflection encouraged. At the start they are asked to participate by creating there own reponses either to the whole thing or to individual stations. <P>
In the centre of the room were tables set with paints, paper, glue clay, pens all to help people create their response. <P>
For one of the stations we looped a video which really added to it. <P>
The responses were amazing and some profound I will add some photos in the gallery soon. <P>
This is an amazing experience with lasting impact, don’t be put off if you are not artistic just involve people who are. <P>
If you want some more ideas on this there is an excellent section on it in the book Tune in Chill Out by Jenny Baker and Moya Ratnayake available at www.proost.co.uk and reviewed in our review section. <P>
Also many older churches have them built into the sancturary or grounds, there is a superb example at Aylesford Priory in Kent http://www.thefriars.org.uk in the Rose Garden here an imprisoned monk sculpted them in clay and had them smuggled out. <P>
The station that depicts Jesus dies on a cross is raised so you have to walk up steps to see it which adds to the whole atmosphere, well worth a visit if you are in the area.
