Easter was still social for worshippers, even with social distancing in place

Easter was different for everyone this year: there were no community egg hunts or egg rolls, and for those who hold the religious side dear, there weren't (in-person) services either. Instead, families--religious and non-religious alike--spent the holiday together, which really is the main point of the day. Easter is a time to celebrate what we have, it's a time of new beginnings and reflection. Even though this Easter is unlike any other recent years, individuals and organizations alike sought to bring joy to others this holiday.

Father Bruce Swinehard from St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Heatherwood commented, "I wondered what it would like to do the Holy Week services under these conditions. I wasn't sure exactly how to relate the religious significance of the ancient rites to these times."

However, all churches in the Niwot-Gunbarrel area were forced to adapt to the changes brought on by COVID-19.

On March 16th, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church on Lookout Road physically closed its doors for worship and its other philanthropic ventures such as its Food Shelf and its Nourishing Spirits-Nourishing Bodies program. However, the community has virtually come together to continue their mission of outreach to help "all of humanity to become whole through love, justice, equity, and care for all people."

In fact, the church had to also cancel its Easter Sunrise Service at the Boulder Reservoir and Easter brunch. Instead, the church focused on continuing its mission of providing weekly Zoom worship services, Zoom Bible study and online interactions with Pastor Janet Kettering. Kettering has made the effort to make phone calls to all congregational members to do regular check-ins to provide care for all members, and strangers, who seek connection to maintain a sense of normalcy for the community.

Similarly, Niwot United Methodist Church on Lookout Road was disappointed it had to forgo the usual Morning service and Easter brunch, but didn't let the social-distancing roadblock disrupt their spiritual journey as a congregation. Instead, they went to their Facebook page for a live service and used Zoom to hold an Easter mask and bonnet parade. They even had youth directors drop off eggs to families' homes and encouraged their parishioners to participate in a Zoom Egg hunt.

"We are challenged 'to do' church in a different way during this extraordinary time," said Niwot Methodist's Pastor Skip Strickland. "But our values of caring for our neighbor, confidence in God's love for humanity, and living each day to the fullest in the hope we find in Jesus Christ will not change."

That is why Strickland and the rest of the congregation are eager to get involved with their Facebook live broadcasts and phone-tree check-ins. Some parishioners have also volunteered at the Boulder Shelter to help the community at large, and also to help their local members with shopping and other errands.

Rocky Mountain Christian Church in Niwot was fortunate to already be in the process of making their worship services streamed online. However, with the stay at home order, this quickly turned into a necessity. "Everything has changed," said Communications Director Duncan Schaefer. "Our mission is to know Jesus and love like him." He said that even though the way they may go about the mission has changed, the core purpose remains the same.

In fact, each of Niwot and Gunbarrel's local churches are still continuing to serve their own communities as well as the one at large. For example, Rocky Mountain Christian is still helping their foodbacks and has bi-weekly Facebook live sessions that have varying topics. One last week was put on by a parishioner who gave tips on how to homeschool. St. Mary Magdalen's Episcopal Church purchased 100 masks for its congregation and collected donations for agencies who help those affected by COVID-19.

Like Shepherd of the Hills and Niwot Methodist, members of St. Mary's were forced to cancel their usual Saturday night Easter Vigil, two Sunday services and an Easter Egg hunt. Instead, they have also used Zoom to connect with fellow parishioners for worship services and other gatherings. They have even set up a weekly digital "coffee talk" to check in and say hi to each other.

"The church isn't the building," explained Swinehard. "The church is the unity of our hearts, the presence of Jesus in our midst--even when we are physically different from each other...It was amazing to see how we discovered that meaning together as a community right there in the midst of the rituals."

Swinehard, like the others, emphasized the idea of community rather than the literal ways of practicing faith. Even though they have each set up opportunities to worship together, activities such as their coffee talks and other check-ins almost seem to have as strong of an impact for congregation members as traditional worship services.

"[We are] designed to be a center for the community, in addition to our communal worship each week," explained Kettering. "Our motivation is not to convert anyone to our way of believing, but, rather, to see, care for, and love others as our way of being under the teaching and example of Jesus."