I used this 2 weeks ago as a response to a message given on the theme 'The Power of the Cross'. We're a large fellowship so the end result of many, many marks on the cross was extremely moving. I extended the symbolism slightly by making the washing of the paint off our hands a point too and I read parts Psalm 51 (from the Amplified Bible). Its a great idea Ruth - I plan to use it for a small gathering of ladies too! Versatile, creative and very effective. Thank you!

We used this idea with a twist on Good Friday. We have a large cross that we wrapped in brown butcher paper (like you mail a parcel in). We put black plastic table cloth around the bottom of the cross and placed 4 plates of red paint around the base of the cross. Then, as part of Good Friday service, we invited people to come to the front to put their thumb print or hand print on the cross - as a symbol of their culpability in Jesus' death. People streamed to the front - and in order to get the paint, they had to kneel (I didn't plan this - it just happened) and the picture of people kneeling before the cross to get the paint and then leaving the symbol of their identity was very powerful. Thank you so much for the idea!