There’s a special Easter celebration event planned in South Jordan this year, the South Valley Interfaith Council Easter Service set for Monday, April 14. It’s happening at the new home of the Salt Lake Bees, Ballpark at America First Square.

The idea came about a couple of years ago when Bethany Zeyer, who sits on the Council as a representative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had a conversation with Pastor David Henderson of Neighborhood Church.

“He threw out the comment that it would be neat to have an Interfaith Easter event out here, as we knew the new ballpark was under construction,” Zeyer said. “When we were assured the ballpark was going to be ready for this April (the Bees’ home opener is set for April 8), I reached out to David’s wife Victoria, and we formed a committee to make this event a reality.”

In addition to Zeyer and Henderson, the committee includes Pastor Hannah Bechtel from Sego Church in South Jordan, Joy McCullough from the “Hello Saints” YouTube channel, and Morgan Bangerter from Multiply Goodness.

“We reached out to the Larry H. Miller organization and they’ve been so gracious,” Zeyer said. “They’ve never hosted anything like this before, and the timing is perfect since April 14 is the start of Holy Week.”

The Bees’ first homestand ends on April 13, so the next night, preshow activities for the Interfaith event will begin at the ballpark at 5:30 p.m. with music from a live band from the Salt and Light Church. Zeyer said there will be an experience called “The 14 Stations of the Cross,” which references something well known in the Catholic and Lutheran communities symbolizing the 14 things that happened to Jesus Christ from the time he was condemned to his crucifixion.

“It’s going to be a great opportunity for members of all these different denominations to get together and share their traditions,” Zeyer said. “We’ll also have some nonprofit groups among the 14 stations, like the Rotary Club, the food pantry and the Columbus Education Center in Herriman.”

In addition, there will be an art show and a wall of testimonies from residents who will write their feelings about Jesus Christ.

“We’ll have vendors open so families can get food before the 7 p.m. event,” Zeyer said. “This will be a great opportunity to support one another’s faiths and find ways we can help lift one another.”

The main event begins at 7 p.m. with two Christian bands performing along with guest speakers from “Hello Saints” and “Don’t Miss This” YouTube channels. For the grand finale, all performers will be invited onto the stage to sing “Amazing Grace.”

The event is free but tickets are required. Zeyer said families can request tickets online at celebratingjesus.info.

“There are about 6,500 seats in the stadium, and we can have 1,000 people on the grassy berm, so seating is somewhat limited,” she said. “We just ask that people only take the number of tickets they need so we don’t want anyone who wants to come to miss out.”

“I am thrilled for the first-ever South Valley Interfaith Council Easter Service, a special event that brings our community together in a spirit of faith, unity, and celebration,” South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey said. “We are excited to be hosting it in South Jordan at the beautiful new Ballpark at America First Square. This event is an opportunity to strengthen bonds across our diverse faith traditions and reinforce the shared values that make South Jordan, and our neighboring communities in the south end of the Salt Lake Valley, such a wonderful place to call home.” λ