CHRISTIANS in Gorleston and Bradwell will be taking to the streets this Easter with a modern twist to a medieval way of presenting the message of Jesus and the cross.

CHRISTIANS in Gorleston and Bradwell will be taking to the streets this Easter with a modern twist to a medieval way of presenting the message of Jesus and the cross.

Centuries ago medieval craft guilds in towns and cities would stage cycles of mystery plays which would dramatise Bible stories in a way that ordinary people could understand. Often they were performed on carts so they could go out into the streets, taking the message to the masses.

This year Churches Together in Gorleston and Bradwell have decided on a 21st century version. A state of the art lorry will be used as a stage with young people from the King's Church presenting a short piece called “A Passion for Good Friday” which they are adapting from a longer evening which they will present at the Kings Centre on Easter Saturday.

People from the town's churches will be handing out leaflets with service details but also drawing attention to the BBC-1 prime time series The Passion which is being broadcast throughout the week leading up to Easter.

Vicar of Gorleston, the Rev.Tony Ward, who is chairman of the organising committee said: “We hope all of this will have a real impact on people.”

He explained the touring production would enable it to be seen in more locations. In past years the churches have staged a march through Gorleston High Street.

On Good Friday A Passion for Easter will be at Pier Gardens at 11am at Magdalen Square at noon and in the car park of the Rainbow, Bradwell at 1pm.

On Easter Saturday people from the town's churches will be on the streets again proving that you can get something for nothing. They will be giving away hot cross buns in Gorleston High Street with invitations to services. Gorleston Baptist Church will provide the base to prepare the buns which will be distributed from outside the Iceland store.

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