ELORA – With the biggest day in the Christian calendar fast approaching, local churches are figuring out how to celebrate together while staying apart.
“It’s been tough,” said Greg Smith-Young, pastor at Elora and Bethany United Churches.
“The buildings are closed. We can’t come together. Many ways we celebrate are closed off to us.”
It’s been three Sundays since churches closed their doors under direction from the medical officer of health and Smith-Young has thrown himself into technology as he holds services on Zoom.
“We’re not a large congregation so we can see each other,” he said. “I have materials prepared and some recorded sections, so different people can participate. We’re learning how to make it work.”
The church has a team of people calling members of the congregation to identify technology needs and capabilities and offer tutorials on how to use Zoom.
Youth pastor Barb Smith-Young, holds a session for children on Zoom on Sunday mornings, and time with parents on Thursday nights.
Easter starts on Palm Sunday at Elora United “and normally we would have palm branches and kids praying around the church,” Greg Smith-Young said. The latest newsletter included a colouring page of a palm branch, “so we can wave our branches. It won’t be the same, but we can still have fun doing it.”
For Good Friday, Elora United is partnering with Knox Presbyterian Church for a joint service, as they normally do. But this time Smith-Young and Susan Clark, pastor at Knox, will pre-record the service, keeping a safe distance as they stand on either side of the cross.
They can’t hold the sunrise service at Bissell Park on Easter Sunday as they normally do either.
“We’re still figuring it out. We have to lean into the abnormality and think about what it feels like to be alone,” he said.
Father Ken Miskiewicz at St. Joseph Parish in Fergus, said this situation brings back memories of the SARS outbreak in 2003 and the restrictions imposed at that time. That happened over Easter as well.
“But SARS didn’t cancel church – we just had to be careful how to distribute communion. This is the first time in 37 years I will not be having people come together for Easter mass,” he said as his voice welled with emotion.
The Fergus church is part of the Hamilton diocese and local parishioners are encouraged to watch a televised service on Easter Sunday, Miskiewicz said.
Bishop Douglas Crosby has been performing a televised Sunday mass from the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King, at 11am on Cable 14 and 1pm on CHCHTV and will do so on Easter as well.
“I’ll be celebrating Easter privately,” Miskiewicz said, adding he’s been filling his time with paperwork, talking to parishioners by phone, praying, and taking long walks with his dog. His message to parishioners during these trying times, is one of hope.
“Easter is a time of hope, of resurrection and of new life,” he said. “I look forward to celebrating together when we get through this pandemic.”
Anglican churches in the area are also turning parishioners to the Anglican Diocese of Niagara, where Bishop Susan Bell is holding services electronically at 10am on Sundays.
On Easter Sunday, Archbishop Linda Nicholls will be preaching the Good News of the Resurrection for the diocesan Easter service. In addition:
– April 9, Maundy Thursday: Live-streamed on the Niagara Anglican Facebook page at 7pm and posted on its YouTube site by 9pm;
– April 10, Good Friday: A multi-voice worship service will be posted at 9am on Facebook and YouTube;
– April 12, Easter: Live-streamed from Christ’s Church Cathedral on Facebook at 10am and posted on YouTube by 2pm, with a homily by Nicholls.
Liesje Snieder is the worship coordinator at Drayton Christian Reformed Church, which will be doing things online as well.
As they are without a pastor, they have joined with The Bridge in Fergus. John VanderStoep, the pastor there, will be posting a special service for both congregations. Former pastor Mike Knetsch will be sending an Easter message from his new church in North Carolina.
And church members are praying for the end of the COVID-19 pandemic every night at 19:19 hours (7:19pm).
“We have our hope in God,” Snieder said. “It’s time to take a step back in life and see what’s important.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses also took to the Internet on April 7 for the most important observance of their religious year, the memorial of Jesus’ death, through videoconference.
“More than 20 million people attended the memorial last year. It is hoped that millions from the public will either attend the memorial by videoconference, telephone tie-line, or view the recording [online],” reads a statement on its website. More information can be found at jw.org.
