Group to walk the 'Journey of the Cross'

East Side organization of churches will walk together on Good Friday.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
YOUNGSTOWN -- The East Side organization of churches, Ambassadors for Christ, takes its cue from a New Testament verse.
The group's motto and directive is taken from 2 Corinthians 5:20 -- "So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of God."
The group will join forces in a public display of faith and fortitude at noon on Good Friday, April 14, when members gather for the "Journey of the Cross" at We Walk By Faith Bible Church, 1636 Himrod Ave. (corner of Oak Street). Other members of Ambassadors for Christ are:
Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, 923 Shelby Ave.
Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, 328 S. Forest St.
Mount Zion Baptist Church, 827 Wilson Ave.
St. James Church of God in Christ, 75 S. Prospect St.
St. Stephen of Hungary Catholic Church, 854 Wilson Ave.
The walk will follow this route: Starting at We Walk by Faith Bible Church, following Oak Street toward downtown Youngstown, left on Watt Street, left on Commerce Street, left on East Federal St., cross over bridge to Wilson Avenue and conclude at St. Stephen of Hungary. Deacon Al Medvez of St. Stephen will lead prayers, and participants will sing and pray. Some participants will take turns carrying the cross.
Drawing attention
Though the day is a solemn one, Pastor Roney Tucker of We Walk By Faith Bible Church acknowledged people's busy lives and work schedules may draw their attention elsewhere.
"This reminds people driving by what Jesus did for us. Maybe it will help some people to rethink the focus of the day," Pastor Tucker said. "If it stirs up an image in their minds and causes them to think about the importance of the day ... we want to remind them about God's gifts."
Barbara Kulka, Ambassadors secretary, echoed Pastor Tucker's statements. "Carrying the cross is one way to embrace the idea of the suffering that Jesus went through."
Kulka, a member of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church, 252 E. Wood St., Youngstown, said she became involved because Sts. Cyril and Methodius and St. Stephen of Hungary share a priest, the Rev. Nicholas Mancini.
That idea of venturing beyond one's own church boundaries is the essence of Ambassadors of Christ.
"It's just the simple idea of walking across the street and meeting your neighbor and getting to know one another," Kulka said. "It's one God ... but the many churches can share things."
That idea was reiterated by Pastor Tucker, who recently took over the presidency of the Ambassadors. "Twenty years ago, this wouldn't have happened ... different denominations getting together. Things have changed," he said. "It's a blessing for us to come together.
"For communities to come together, they have to see churches working together," he said.
And the Ambassadors for Christ are doing just that.
Services
The churches began Lent together with an Ash Wednesday service at St. Stephen. Each Wednesday throughout Lent, the churches have taken turns hosting ecumenical services. Both Pastor Tucker and Kulka said that the attendance has resulted in standing-room-only.
"Services show that we are all children of God. Life is about caring and reaching out. There are differences, but we can respect and love one another," Kulka said. "We want to make the East Side a better place."
This interaction among the churches and members is spawning friendships among diverse individuals, which the members see as a "positive" result, both Pastor Tucker and Kulka said.
"We sit and talk at the fellowship afterward. We spend time together," Pastor Tucker said, and noted that group members just don't attend a service and leave. "Friendships have developed among the pastors and people. We want to support one another's activities. It's developing community."
And while the churches walk together on Good Friday, the Ambassadors of Christ want to encourage the "walking together" on a daily basis.
Kulka credited Sister Annette Amendolia, former pastoral associate at St. Stephen and Sts. Cyril and Methodius, with the idea of bringing the churches together. "She talked about how it was important to work together ... and not be alone and isolated in church buildings," Kulka said.
In 1999, Sister Annette wrote a grant for the project, and the group received a grant in 2000. Sister Annette met with church pastors; some were willing to participate; others declined. Everlife Worship Center Assembly of God had participated from the beginning but had to temporarily withdraw. Sister Annette was reassigned to a church in Cleveland, but the legacy is carried on by Ambassadors of Christ members.