Weekly Newsletter - Community of Joy

March 17, 2013
Community of Joy Lutheran Church Weekly Newsletter
Holy Week at Community of Joy
Journeying with the Cross on Good Friday
A Growing and Strong Tradition of COJ
Our Good Friday (March 29) walk to Chimayo is quickly
approaching. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this New
Mexico tradition, it is a annual pilgrimage that many Christians
partake in. El Santuario de Chimayo is said to have special
healing powers.
The purpose of our walk is to experience a pilgrimage to a sacred
place on the day Christ was crucified. We will take turns helping
each other carry the cross (the one hanging on the wall just
outside the sanctuary).
7:00 a.m. Meet in COJ parking lot
7:15 a.m. Depart from COJ
10:30 a.m. Park our vehicles and begin our walk
12:30—1:00 p.m. Depart from Chimayo
3:30—4:00 p.m. Arrive at COJ parking lot
The walk is approximately 2 miles each way and is of moderate
difficulty. It is uphill on the way to El Sanctuario and contains some
loose dirt areas. Please wear comfortable shoes with good tread and
wear weather appropriate clothing. Pack a lunch to bring with you if
you’d like.
Pleases sign the sign-up sheet that is on the table under the cupola
so we have an idea of how many will be attending.
Directions to El Santuario de Chimayo
Take 1-25 north and look for 599 north — the bypass around Santa Fe—get on 599 north (you
will go under 1-25 heading toward Taos, Chimayo.) It is about 12 miles to Hwy 84/285 (the
speed limit is low here and folks get pulled over). Take the Espanola/84/285 exit (not the
Santa Fe exit) and you will be on Hwy 84/285.
You pass the Opera, Buffalo Thunder Resort and look for Nambe exit (after Los Alamos exit—
don’t take the L.A. exit). Take a right at 503 Nambe. This is the main walking road to the
Sanctuario. It is very slow here with cars parked on either side of road. You will pass the
Nambe church about 2 miles along the way.
It is 7 miles to the corner of Hwy 503 and Santa Fe 98 (our road to Chimayo). Again, pilgrims
are everywhere and you simply can’t go fast. There is parking at the corner of Hwy 503 and
Santa Fe 93.
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