Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds

By Aaron Schulze

Easter Weekend Changes

Kamloops churches change Easter weekend plans; some look outdoors for the future

Mar 29, 2021 | 4:50 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops churches are altering their Easter weekend services following B.C.’s “circuit breaker” restrictions.

Pastor Marco Bessa with Oasis Church told CFJC Today they’re at looking at potential outdoor services, although their plans remain uncertain.

“It’s tricky because it’s weather dependent,” Bessa said. “Even if we make all the best plans we possibly can, if it starts pouring rain on that day, it’s going to make it even greater of a challenge.”

Bessa said Oasis Church will continue its online services for Easter. While he and the church understand B.C.’s latest restrictions to combat the spread of COVID-19, the news remains heartbreaking.

“A big part about church is being a community,” Bessa said. “Easter is always an amazing time where our families are able to gather and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus as a community. It’s a focal point in our faith. To not be able to gather together as we had hoped has been really deflating and discouraging for everyone in our church.”

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As a message of hope considering the restrictions, Bessa encouraged everyone to be supportive of and show generosity to one another; to be a positive voice for those who feel disgruntled.

Elsewhere, Pastor Chris Throness from Kamloops Alliance Church said they were surprised by the B.C. government’s announcement.

“We pivoted last weekend when we were able to do in-person gatherings,” Throness said. “We targeted Easter as the high point of the Christian calendar. Last Friday, we gathered a team and put our heads together to find out how to do this safely and yet still be together. We announced this to our church this weekend with excitement, and boom, it’s all cancelled.

“As a church, we wanted to play a part in our community very well. We understand with the rising case numbers that there are fears, but there’s surprise. Even in a restricted way, the thought of having people here was exciting for us. We only had a few spots left when the announcement came today.”

Throness said the Alliance Church is aware of the possibility to hold outdoor services, the leadership staff decided against it due to planning complications. He added the church will continue with online services.

Another church that was set for the resumption of indoor services was Motion Church.

Pastor Jonny Strutt said all four of their Easter weekend services were booked and had plans to add another service or two. Now, all are off the table.

“We will always continue to live stream… but it’s still not a permanent solution for people because we do need to gather together,” Strutt said. “It’s part of our faith and it’s important. It’s disappointing, especially after waiting four months for this gathering.”

The only indoor services Motion Church can hold now are youth meetings and children’s programs. Strutt said they’re looking at outdoor services in the future, as their North Shore campus has covered space outdoors, but it’s too short notice for Easter weekend.

“There’s no government or public health order that will ever keep us from celebrating Easter,” Strutt said. “We’ll celebrate Easter even if everything is locked down.”

The restrictions last until April 19.