This year’s Easter looked much like the first one: People experiencing fear and anxiety gathered behind locked doors, and Jesus suddenly appearing in their midst.
Only, this time, Jesus came to his followers via their computer screens.
Closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, local churches have found new ways to connect and celebrate, including for Sunday’s holy day.
First Baptist Church of Idaho Springs pre-recorded its Easter service and shared it via e-mail and social media, Pastor Pat Barnes said. The small church had few technological capabilities because it never had a need, so in previous weeks, he’d recorded his Sunday message on a webcam.
But last week, the church started pre-recording whole services, including songs and intercessory prayer by its worship team.
When churches reopen, Barnes plans to continue recording services and posting them online for those who aren’t able to attend physically.
“It’s forced us to find new ways to bring Sunday church to our people,” he said. “… I’m grateful that it’s made us do this.”
Meanwhile, the local Catholic parish livestreamed its Holy Week services — including Easter Sunday Mass — on YouTube, Rev. Tadeusz Kopczynski explained.
Kopczynski, pastor of the Idaho Springs, Georgetown and Central City churches, has also been livestreaming daily Mass and adoration from St. Paul’s in Idaho Springs since the closures. He’s also been checking in on parishioners over Zoom.
He said the present situation has forced him and his parishioners to organize their parish life a different way, and because many are older and more high risk, it’s difficult for them to be involved in ministry and other work right now.
The United Church of Idaho Springs had its own approach to digital celebrations, hosting its services over Zoom. Pastor Bill Robertson said the group arranges who’s going to do what beforehand, such as readings or songs, and other members can listen in.
“It’s kind of mass confusion when we’re singing — we’re working on that part of it,” Robertson said. “For the most part, I’ve been pleasantly surprised.”
In fact, he commented, the church has had more people joining the services via Zoom than it did before the closures, plus he also has been meeting with church members over Zoom.
While being physically present is preferable, Robertson said he’s grateful for the technology to connect and pray together on Sunday. In some respects, there really isn’t a better time to do that than during this pandemic.
“If the Christian message holds any power in a time like this, it’s to be patient,” Robertson continued. “… Oftentimes, great good comes out of difficult times. I would encourage people to be patient in the process and look for life in the midst of difficulty.”
Kopczynski added that, while people are paralyzed by fear and panic, he hopes they will ultimately fight for eternal life.
“Christ’s resurrection is something bigger,” he said. “We don’t fight only for this life.”
Amid a pandemic, the message of Easter hasn’t changed, he said.
“We’re celebrating Jesus’ resurrection,” Barnes said. “Just because we can’t meet together doesn’t diminish the miracle.”