GORDON - While times change, observances like Good Friday and traditions like the annual devotional "Trek of the Cross" continue on.
"It brings a little humbleness to everyone, I think. We usually walk in it, until this year when we couldn't walk anymore," said Charlene Wolfgang, of Gordon, who recently underwent a hip replacement surgery. With her was Barbara Liem, former borough mayor, who was using a walker.
They were among the clusters of people who came out to see the borough's 34th annual re-enactment of
Christ's walk to crucifixion. The street procession included 12 people in costume followed by 15 members of their friends and family.
Leading them was Jeffrey Nemeth, 39, of Frackville, who portrayed Christ.
"You get some walkers along the way, too," said the Rev. John C. Wallace, pastor of Simpson United Methodist Church, which has supported the effort since it began.
The tradition began in 1979 when Nemeth's great-uncle, Elmer Yost, Allentown, picked up a large cross and walked through the streets portraying Jesus Christ to bring the salvation message of Good Friday to Gordon's homebound residents. The first year, Yost did the trek by himself. The second year, he had a friend come from Allentown to portray a soldier. On the third year, Yost added another soldier to the cast.
When he started the trek, Yost was an Allentown resident, but made regular visits to the borough and was a member of Simpson United Methodist Church. The pastor at the time was interested in re-enactments and supported Yost's idea.
Yost had planned to do the trek for 12 years - a year for each Apostle, with the hope that it would continue beyond that time. Yost died shortly after the 10th trek, however. In order to complete the intended 12 years of treks, Yost's nephew, Edward Labie, Girardville, picked up the cross in 1989 and those two treks became 21 treks. Labie's last was in 2009.
In 2010, Labie's cousin, Nemeth, stepped up to continue the tradition.
"I wanted to honor my uncle and, to portray Jesus, it's an honor. It's something I never thought that I would do, and to see what it means to some people. I get thanks from people I don't even know," Nemeth said.
To give his performance a bit of authenticity, Nemeth grew his beard for three months.
Nemeth said the cross he carried Friday, which weighs about 35 pounds, is the same one Yost used to begin the trek.
"It's not heavy. But it gets heavier as the trek goes. Could make your shoulder a bit sore," Nemeth said.
Nemeth wore a crown of thorns as he carried the cross in bare feet, wearing a white robe and purple sash.
"I do it barefoot because that's how Elmer started it," Nemeth said. But the thorny crown can be challenging at times, he said. "The wind will blow the cross into your crown and it can sting the side of your head," he said.
Finding volunteers to fill other roles in the procession sometimes can be a challenge. When asked how many people would be in this year's procession, Nemeth said, "Whoever shows up."
It's a community event and anyone is invited to participate, he said.
This year, Jordan Green, 14, of Gordon, and Alan Rebarchick, 21, of Hazleton, stepped up to be Roman centurions.
They were among the volunteers who changed into costumes at the parsonage next door to Simpson United Methodist Church on Biddle Street, where the trek began.
Nina Kramer, Gordon, said she was playing one "Mary" and Sue Hubler, Ashland, played another. "They're interchangeable," said Kramer, who was carrying a basket of prop sheaves and wheat.
As soon as Nemeth stepped out of the parsonage just after noon Friday, his sister, Katie Messner, of Gordon, immediately started snapping photos.
In treks past, the trek used to stop at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church for a short prayer service.
"But the church closed last year," Kramer said.
The procession moved west on Biddle Street, then turned right onto Hobart Street, and after continuing several blocks, the procession made its way to McKnight Street.
Then the trek came back around to Biddle Street to Simpson United Methodist Church, where a community ecumenical Good Friday service was held by Wallace.
Gordon Fire Police provided traffic control.
Looking ahead, Nemeth said since this is something of a family tradition, perhaps someday his son, Jeffrey Jr., 3, will take his place in the event.