By Margaret Maccoll
The coming of new life out of death is the message of Easter, for Christians and for nonbelievers who have their own way of looking at the traditional springtime ritual which heralds in rebirth and renewal.
This year as the most significant event on the Christian calendar approaches, the Queensland COVID-lockdown has cast a shadow of doubt on the surety of Christian celebration through Easter services progressing as normal.
In 2020 the pandemic emptied churches as congregations discovered new ways to worship online.
This week clergy can do nothing but wait until the end of the lockdown on Thursday at 5pm to find out if services can proceed as planned. The Anglican Church of Noosa rectors The Reverends Chris and Lynda Johnson had organised a number of special events for Easter.
The Rev’d Chris said Lynda had planned to recite the Easter Passion narrative while walking around the church, “capturing the emotion of Christ’s crucifixion“, Childrens’ Ministry had been organised and musical elements were to be conducted.
“It’s a special time of the year for us,“ he said.
The Rev’d Chris said services were set to go on Good Friday at Tewantin, Sunshine and Peregian beaches if they get the go-ahead.
“At a bare minimum we’ll have a Good Friday sermon and Easter Sunday sermon online,“ Rev’d Chris said.
Parish priest Father Jason Middleton of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour at Tewantin said the Catholic Church had continued to provide online services and these would go ahead on Easter but they were still hoping to gather together to pray.
Fr Jason said since Covid-restrictions had lifted over the year congregation numbers had continued to grow but some people with health concerns or who were still cautious over the pandemic had opted to follow the services online.
“We want people to be safe,“ he said. “We’re relying on the online presence regardless.“
