Many people will miss the blessing and distribution of palm crosses this coming Palm Sunday – an important day in the Christian calendar at the start of Holy Week.

In response to the situation – a consequence of the coronavirus lockdown – Diocesan Bishop, Rt Rev. Julian Henderson, the Bishop of Blackburn, is encouraging every Christian home in Lancashire, of all denominations, to make a cross in the best way they can and place it in their window, leaving it there throughout Holy Week.

The cross can be made of paper, card, wood or (if available) palm leaves – people can be as imaginative as they like! The idea takes inspiration from other initiatives which have taken off recently – such as drawing rainbows to be placed in windows.

Once the cross is in the window people are being encouraged to take a picture and upload it to social media using handles @cofelancs and @churchofengland and #holyweekcross

There is a campaign promotional image; you can also watch and share this short video about it too to encourage others to make their own crosses. Visit the Diocesan Board of Education Pinterest page to get some inspiration when making your crosses. 

Bishop Julian said today: “Holy Week marks the death and resurrection of Christ and is when we renew our faith and hope in the resurrection. To not be able to meet in the usual ways on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday will be deeply sad for people in our parishes across the County.

“Creating a Palm Cross to go in your window is a wonderfully creative response to the situation and will also be an opportunity to witness to others about our faith at this difficult time for all of us. I would encourage our congregations and in other denominations in Lancashire to embrace the idea.

“A cross in the window will also be a sign to our communities that, in the cross of Christ, all the world’s ills are healed.”

Ronnie Semley
April 3, 2020