A cross, a community and a message of hope this Easter weekend

ALBANY —As Easter weekend begins, residents across Albany are finding both quiet and visible ways to express faith, drawing on themes of hope, renewal and unity that resonate far beyond any single religious tradition.

From church gatherings to personal moments of reflection, the days between Good Friday and Easter Sunday mark what many consider the most significant period in the Christian faith — a timeline that moves from acceptance, suffering and on to redemption, and new life. 

At the center of that story is the cross.

At one of Albany’s local favorites, BJ’s Country Buffet, that symbolism is being revisited and reimagined — not only as a religious emblem, but as a symbol of endurance, second chances and the belief that hardship is not the end of the story.

Designed to tell the Easter story in a simple and visual way, a large cross designed to evolve throughout the weekend, marked by changing colors that correspond to each stage of the Easter story, stands prominently outside.

Constructed from reclaimed Victorian era wood beams, the 12ft cross angled facing Dawson Road will play a central role in just one way business owner, BJ Fletcher, hopes to direct attention this weekend. “I believe in my heart — and I know in my heart — the reason we can do what we do is because of God,” Fletcher said. “ Everything I have is because of God. Every single thing. It’s just a way of giving back to the city,” she said. 

The Easter story timeline begins with Good Friday, a day that reflects on sacrifice, grief and the weight of human struggle. But Fletcher says while many are familiar with the cross, the story told in color paints a simple but clear understanding of what Christians truly believe. 

Good Friday marks the draping of the cross with a purple cloth, with the accompanying inscription “Color of Royalty. Jesus is King, and we are preparing our hearts.”

The cross changes again on Saturday. The purple drape will be exchanged for black, and with it the description “Color of sorrow,” with the words that Christians believe Christ spoke prior to death, “It Is Finished!”

For many, the black is a reminder of life’s most difficult realities — loss, injustice and uncertainty. 

Fletcher added a bench next to the cross, hoping that those who need it will have a place to sit in their search for peace, and invites all to stop — whether for prayer, thought or just a moment of stillness.

“​​It’s simple… people need a place to pause… to remember they are not alone… a place to pray,” Fletcher said. 

Easter Sunday will see the cross adorned with its final drape, white, with a sign reading “Color of Victory, Resurrection and New Life. He Is Risen! Light Has Overcome Darkness.” 

Fletcher wants the community to know this isn’t about the restaurant, she hopes all will drive by to see the changes. “I guess lately it’s been on me — what can I do for Him?” Fletcher said,  “What I hope people take from it—my answer is HOPE,” she said. 

According to some estimates, more than 28,000 cars drive on Dawson road each day, and the large cross is clearly visible from the road. Fletcher hopes those who see it will be reminded that the story does not end with sorrow, but with Easter Sunday, a day symbolizing what many describe as the ultimate expression of hope: the belief that death does not have the final word.

For many Christians, the cross is where pain and hope meet, it represents the idea that even in the darkest moment, something greater is still unfolding.

That message — often referred to as the resurrection — is central to Christian faith, but its meaning extends into broader human experience.

For some, it represents victory over despair — the idea that people are not defined by their worst moments, and that healing, peace and transformation are always within reach.

“If nothing else, maybe it helps someone… maybe it reminds them there’s something more,” Fletcher said. 

Some see the bible account of Christ’s resurrection as a reflection of divine love — a belief that sacrifice and compassion have the power to redeem and restore.

“Everything about this is rooted in love — the kind of love that reaches people exactly where they are and reminds them they’re not alone,” Fletcher added. 

The season also aligns with spring, reinforcing the symbolism of new life. As the natural world begins to bloom again, many see a parallel in their own lives — an opportunity for renewal, growth and fresh beginnings.

That sense of shared experience is what many say makes Easter especially meaningful in a community like Albany, where challenges can sometimes feel overwhelming. 

As the city moves from Good Friday into Easter Sunday, the message many are holding onto is both simple and enduring:

“That even after the hardest moments,” Fletcher said, “there is still the possibility of new life.”

In a city searching for steadiness, the message is simple: hope remains.