Scout creates Stations of the Cross trail

Published 7:35 pm Wednesday, April 5, 2017

The public is invited to a dedication of an Eagle Scout project commemorating Christ’s last day on Earth.

Saturday, Pastor Jim Reed will lead the dedication of Stations of the Cross at Asbury First United Methodist Church. A walking meditation through the woods, 14 stations along a quarter-mile path display images of events from Christ’s betrayal by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane to his crucifixion and resurrection.

The project was led by Eagle Scout candidate Allen Crisp, a member of Troop 21 and the son of Washington residents Lindsey and Mary Beth Crisp. Crisp organized fellow Scouts, friends and family to clear the path through a wooded area next to the church, cut out plywood plaques and install them on trees along the route, each with a laminated illustration attached.

“Each of the stations has a meditation,” Reed said.

Crisp said he was looking for ideas to fulfill his Eagle Scout merit badge requirements, when his Scout master Brian Belote told him there were possible projects as Asbury United Methodist.

“The pastor there was very excited and had a great vision for the Stations of the Cross trail,” Crisp said.

Crisp said he’s no stranger to clearing trails — he’d done so for previous scout projects — but the group put in about 145 man-hours to get the job done.

“As soon as we got out there, it was like, ‘Whoa!’ It was kind of daunting to see what we had to do,” Crisp laughed. “But our guys worked really hard. We got it all done, but that was thanks to the hard work of the guys and my friends and family.”

Reed said the project is a part of Asbury United Methodist’s greater mission.

“Part of our vision is to feed the community, body and soul,” Reed said. “The trail is part of feeding the soul.”

The Stations of the Cross trail is just the latest effort by the church to fulfill the vision: on the church property are a prayer labyrinth and a fire pit for community use. Ruby’s Garden, another major project launched three years ago provides fresh produce for Eagle’s Wings food pantry, Zion Shelter and Kitchen, which serves meals five days a week to anyone in need, and Salvation Army. Another partnership to build raised beds for the garden in the works with Beaufort County Community College.

Reed said Crisp did a nice job on the tree plaques — each meditation is attached with Velcro, so they can be changed to fit the season, and the path can be used year round.

Crisp said he’s proud of the work he and his team did.

The public is invited to Saturday’s dedication at 4 p.m. A cookout will follow the ceremony, Reed said.

Asbury United Methodist Church is located at 88 Asbury Church Road, off U.S. Highway 264, east of Washington.