‘An act of devotion’
Community Cross Walk open to all
As Ray Newhouse prayed one night, he thought about the walk that Jesus took to his crucifixion – how heavy the cross was, how far he had to carry it.
The Lemont Furnace man researched: The cross would have been around 250 pounds; the distance around 400 meters.
“That weighed on my heart,” said Newhouse.
He wanted others to think about the spiritual and physical sacrifice, and decided to hold the Community Cross Walk.
Now in its second year, the March 28 walk starts at Bailey Park in Uniontown and ends at the Cross of Christ in Jumonville.
Different groups of four to six people will carry a 250-pound wooden cross for about 400 meters (about .2 mile) throughout the seven-mile trek.
“Last year, we had about 150 people lay their hands on the cross,” Newhouse said. “We’re trying to double that this year.”
Toné Dennis was among those who participated last year. The walk, she said, was both a public show of her faith and an opportunity to reflect privately on what it means to her.
“It’s a very enlightening walk. It’s not just a physical act, it’s an act of devotion,” Dennis said.
Both say their relationship with God is what sustains them.
As most have, Newhouse said there have been times in his life when he’s made bad decisions. He said he leaned into his beliefs and came to realize that faith was not just about going to church at a specific time on a specific day.
“I needed a personal relationship with (God),” he said.
Along the way to Jumonville, the group will stop several times to pray at places like churches, cemeteries, schools. They’ll welcome individuals who aren’t making the journey to join in their prayers and will pray over anyone who feels they need it, Newhouse said.
Last year, people saw the cross walk and joined after learning what they were doing, Dennis said.
There is no requirement to carry the cross or walk the entire seven miles. There are four other points to join the journey: Lafayette Middle School in Uniontown, High Gear Coffee in Hopwood, Coolspring Coal Supply in Lemont Furnace; and in Jumonville to make the walk to the Cross of Christ.
Uniontown police will escort the group through the city, and state police will escort them the rest of the way. A van will follow the group to take participants back to their cars.
People of any faith are welcome to attend, Newhouse said. So are those of no faith.
“Everyone needs Christ in their life. He’s the healer of all,” he said. “If we can get one person to see that love and forgiveness, it’s worth it.”
The walk will occur whether rain or shine. Participants will depart from Bailey Park at 9 a.m. The group will arrive at Lafayette School (303 Connellsville St., Uniontown) at 9:30 a.m.; High Gear Coffee (242 Coolspring Jumonville Road, Hopwood) at 10:15 a.m.; and at the foot of the mountain at Coolspring Coal Supply (1122 Jumonville Road, Lemont Furnace) at 11 a.m.
There is no registration; anyone who wants to take part in the walk can come to any of the meeting points. For additional information, Newhouse created an event on Facebook called Community Cross Walk.