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Last Updated: 03/25/2005
The Rockbridge Report is produced
under the supervision of the Dept. of Journalism and Mass Communications
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Locals gather for Palm Sunday
celebrations By Rob Armstrong Since its town charter in 1778, Lexington has prided itself as a
community steeped in history and tradition. Even as the city continues to
grow at what some say is too rapid a rate, Lexingtonians are still
cultivating new traditions and creating their own, unique history.
Last weekend, several major church congregations from downtown Lexington gathered in prayer for Palm Sunday, which marks the arrival of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem shortly before his death. The ecumenical celebration, incorporating various Christian followings, is a relatively new tradition for the historic town --dating back only to the mid-1990s. Worshipers gather on Washington Street. (Photo: Rob Armstrong) Sunday’s prayers and blessings from religious leaders were followed by a short parade through the streets of downtown Lexington. Churches in attendance included R.E. Lee Episcopalian, Manly Memorial Baptist, Lexington Presbyterian and Grace Presbyterian. “It’s a wonderful event for the community,” said the Rev. Bill Klein of Lexington Presbyterian. “[It’s] a special time for churches to assemble and pray together.” According to Anna-Lisa Fitzgerald, who grew up in a military family and lived in Lexington during her teenage years, the Palm Sunday ecumenical celebration is an example of the special nature of Lexington’s small community. Fitzgerald, who moved to Richmond with her husband after college, would return to Lexington for the annual Palm Sunday event. “When people think about tradition and history, they often look back many years, but it is just as exciting to see how new traditions begin,” Fitzgerald said, referring to Palm Sunday’s gathering. “[Sunday’s celebration] adds to our deep history.” Fitzgerald and her husband have since moved back to Lexington in 1996 to raise their now-11-year-old son, Dylan. The family regularly attends R.E. Lee Memorial Episcopal, and went to Sunday’s ecumenical gathering. “I really enjoy the Palm Sunday blessing and parade,” Fitzgerald said. “Every Sunday, we all go off to our own church. But today is a reminder that many others are out there like us, working together to grow spiritually.” As a child growing up in a military family, Fitzgerald has lived in many residential settings, from the city-life of Washington D.C., to a 500-acre farmland outside of Williamsburg. But when her family came to Lexington, Fitzgerald and her siblings wanted to stay for good. “We all encouraged [our father] to retire,” she said. “In a military family, wherever the parents retire is where they’ll call home. And we all wanted to call Lexington our home.” Despite giving up comfortable salaries in Richmond, Fitzgerald said she loves being back in Lexington, to raise her son in the community, and to have her parents living close-by. “In Lexington, everyone has a name and a face,” she said. “No one is anonymous, and almost every aspect of your life feels like it has more purpose in the community.” Fitzgerald said she enjoyed the Palm Sunday gathering, and attended church services at R.E. Lee later in the morning. Sitting in the pews, Fitzgerald pointed out several members of the parish. “There’s the dentist, the professor, the roofer, and the school teacher,” she said. “I never had this growing up till I came to Lexington. I like going to church with people I know and see often. Life is less compartmentalized here, and you begin to realize how important it is for humans to support and depend for one another.” |
