He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Mark 8:34
Every time I enter or exit Trinity by way of the Bicentennial Garden and this cross, I lovingly think of Betty and Charlie Koch. They were the long-time Trinity members who spearheaded the drive to make this garden a reality.
When my family moved to Henrico’s west end forty years ago we visited several churches, but the four of us hadn’t yet found our perfect fit. Someone in our neighborhood suggested we try the big Methodist Church on Forest Avenue. So, we did. It was one of Doug Dillard’s first Sundays in his new appointment and he quickly made a lasting impression on us. Since it was summertime and elementary Sunday School Classes were combined, both daughters were in the same class. Betty Koch was their teacher. She was a caring, gracious lady and a true disciple of Jesus Christ. As my family left the building that day we realized, without a doubt, that Trinity would be our new church home!
This simple, yet beautiful cross, reminds us of Jesus Christ and what it truly means to be a follower of Him.
Becky Roish