Easter Cross (April 8, 2012) - Flowering with Congregational multi-colors (St. John's UCC, Niles, Michigan) - Sunday display

Easter (Sunday April 8) -- coverage by Niles Daily Star reporter (Nilesstar dot-com )

St. John’s United Church of Christ, 601 Sycamore St., Niles, renewed an old tradition on Easter with a flowering cross.

Flowering cross renews an Easter tradition at St. John’s United Church of Christ.

Many years ago, the cross was made of wood and covered with moss. Flowered were gathered by church members from the yards of those who lived in the Dickereel neighborhood.
This year, church member Matt Bair made a cross from wood and then covered it in chicken wire. It stands 7 feet tall. Palms from the Palm Sunday service were used to outline the cross. Church members were encouraged to bring flowers from their yards or purchase flowers that had significant meaning to them.
As they entered the church, they placed their flowers on the cross. There was an abundance of flowers and many vibrant colors.
Daffodils of many varieties, tulips, jack-in-the-pulpit, violets, lilacs, dogwood, lilies and a variety of other flowers were brought to cover the cross.
At the end of the service, the cross was taken outside to the top of the steps as a reminder and symbol to all who pass the church of the new life, renewal and the abundance of the bounty provided for all.