For many years, the dawn light of Easter Sunday has greeted worshippers from many denominations gathered by the river. They come together outside of any one building to celebrate the most important holy event on the Christian calendar. This year’s celebration, to which all are invited, will be held at 7 a.m. at the picnic shelter at Havens Gardens.

Leading the service is associate minister of First United Methodist Church, Chris Leak, with assistance from other downtown Washington church leaders: Lee Kinney, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Danny Allen, minister of First United Methodist Church and Jimmy Moore, pastor of First Baptist Church. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and First Christian Church also sponsor the event.

“It’s been going on for over 20 years, but the downtown churches have been sponsoring it for the past two years,” Kinney said.

After the (approximately) 40-minute service, attendees are invited to a pancake breakfast and cross-denominational fellowship at the First Baptist Church at the corner of Main and Harvey streets.

“It’s a come-as-you-are, casual, however you’re dressed, event,” Kinney said. “We’ve had people come in suits and ties and others dressed like they just got off the boat. It’s a nice mix of people.”