COVID-19 outbreak results in the cancellation of in-person Easter celebrations all across the south
There is no doubt that the recent novel Coronavirus outbreak is affecting many communities nationwide, but it is also affecting holidays and celebrations many religions hold that are revered.
Easter, being the celebration that many Abrahamic religions hold to celebrate the resurrection of Christ after being crucified, has found itself without a formal in-person celebration as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak and many stay at home mandates from local or state governments. While some churches could hold drive-in services at their churches, all of Alabama is under the risk of severe weather Sunday resulting in even the cancellation of those services.
While in-person services are not being held, many churches and families are still finding ways to celebrate the holiday.
In addition, many families might have to review what makes the holiday special to them and its true meaning.
Richard Newton, professor at the School of Religious Studies at The University Of Alabama, emphasized this point specifically.
“Christians who celebrate communion, especially during Holy Week, are reviewing what makes that meal special,” Newton said. “Denominations where a priest or pastor consecrates the bread and cup into something more have been asking whether their saying the ritual words via Facebook Live get the job done or whether touch remains a vital aspect to the ritual.”
Some church members may have a decreased overall morale since they are not formally able to meet in-person to celebrate, but some local pastors have instituted or continued ways to keep in contact with their members and keep morale up.
Scott Green, associate pastor at Northport Baptist Church, said that his church is continuing the same ways they reached out to their members during this time.
“Worship and sermons are delivered online through YouTube, Facebook and our church website,” Green said. “We are communicating daily with our members through emails, text, calls and cards in the mail, and sending words of encouragement, scripture and prayer.”
Green also said that his church is sending out daily devotionals to their members in an attempt to help church members through this time.
While this time may be tough for all churchgoers, many local pastors said that they hope that formally being out of churches and unable to celebrate Easter in-person, will help bolster a religious “reawakening” within their churches.
Scott Moore emphatically agreed to this point, in addition to stating that he thinks a lot of people are seeing symbolic themes throughout the season.
“If you want to see the empty churches in light of the empty tomb the lesson would be there is life and hope even when the churches are empty,” Moore said. “God does surprising things to point people to himself.”
Green also agreed that early indicators show a spike in spiritual interest and pointed to a Fox News article stating the Bible sales are spiking as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
While most churches in the south are not able to hold any kind of service (drive-in or online), the spirit of Easter lives on through church members.
