Vienna Church Plans Holy Week Walk-Through Stations

VIENNA, VA — Church of the Good Shepherd, a United Methodist church in Vienna, will open its church building to the public for the first time in 2021 with a Holy Week Experience. Good Friday and Easter services will continue

The church at 2351 Hunter Mill Road in Vienna will host walk-through meditation stations, representing various events of Holy Week. Hours will be from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, March 31, Thursday, April 1 and Good Friday, April 2., 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday. Attendees will enter through the doors closest to the church’s Fellowship Hall and exit by the sanctuary doors.

"We hope walking through our church building can bring participants peace during the Easter season," said Pastor Eric Song in a statement. "We are providing a creative way to help guide people in meditation and reflection during Holy Week."

In addition, the church’s Living Cross, a longtime fixture at Good Shepherd Easter services, will be set up outside the church sanctuary during Holy Week so attendees can place flowers in the wooden cross.

Song says the church's main goal during the COVID-19 pandemic "is to keep everyone safe and healthy.” Masks and social distancing are required, and attendees will be asked to fill out health acknowledgment forms for contact tracing purposes.

The church has held online service in accordance with guidance from the Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church. The district office of the state conference approved the Holy Week meditation stations plan as well as a previous Christmas Eve open house.

An online Tenebrae service will be streamed at 7:30 p.m. on Good Friday. The Easter Sunday service will be livestreamed at 10:15 a.m.

For more information, visit www.GoodShepherdVA.com.