A warm, sunny spring afternoon helped draw participants for the 2026 Twin City Ministerial Alliance Good Friday Cross Processional, said the Rev. Leslie Limbaugh.
“It’s a beautiful day. Excellent turnout,” Limbaugh, the alliance president, said at the end of the event. “I want to say we had at least 40 people representing many different denominations.”
This year’s processional started at the First United Methodist Church of Festus-Crystal City in Festus, proceeded east on Festus Main Street-Crystal City Bailey Road and finished at Grace Presbyterian Church in Crystal City.
The multidenominational cross processional involved the carrying of a cross with stops along the route for scripture reading and prayer, including a concluding segment at the Grace Presbyterian Church park.
Kerry Gregory, a member of First United Methodist Church of Festus-Crystal City congregation, said she had never before taken part in the event, but was glad she did.
“This is my first time,” said Gregory, of Festus. “We recently joined First United Methodist. This is inspirational.”
Abigail Bowen, another first-timer from Festus, said she appreciated the processional.
“It was really cool to see how so many different churches can come together,” said Bowen, a member of Faith Baptist Church in Festus.
Jeff Buck, director of ministry at Grace Presbyterian, said he enjoyed being a part of the processional. He also was new to the event.
“It’s my first,” he said. “We have a very wide range of representation, during churches. I think it’s a wonderful way to come together to remember Good Friday and the sacrifice that was made for us.”
Limbaugh agreed, saying the cross processional accomplished organizers’ goal of focusing on Jesus.
“I was a most-excellent kickoff to Easter weekend,” said Limbaugh, pastor of Selma American Baptist Church, located south of Festus.
She said she appreciated those who helped make the processional go on safely and smoothly.
“We were very grateful to the Festus and Crystal City police departments who facilitated the processional,” she said.
