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On the Island, celebrating the holidays virtually

Many people are celebrating Easter and Passover in front of a computer screen this year as churches and synagogues hold virtual services as a way of keeping the faithful connected and safe during the COVID-19 outbreak.
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The bells at Christ Church Cathedral

Many people are celebrating Easter and Passover in front of a computer screen this year as churches and synagogues hold virtual services as a way of keeping the faithful connected and safe during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The province continues to strongly discourage all in-person gatherings of any size and encourage social distancing.

This has effectively forced every church in B.C. to close its doors.

To reach people, the faith community in Victoria and other parts of Canada has accelerated the offering of church services online. “If the faithful cannot come to the church, we then have to go into their homes,” said Right Rev. Logan McMenamie, Bishop of British Columbia for the Anglican Church of Canada.

“It may still be a logistical challenge, but I believe it is important to reach the congregation with a message of hope.”

Virtual church services aren’t anything new, but prior to the virus outbreak, most people preferred to attend in person.

“We had talked about migrating many services online before. The virus outbreak has accelerated the process,” said Susan Down, communications officer with Christ Church Cathedral. “

A recent service saw more than 1,000 viewers.”

The technology that enables online worship might be second nature for the younger crowd, but might pose a challenge for the older set.

“Most of my congregation are in their 60s and older. I would say that 60 to 70 per cent of them were able to access the services without issues,” said Rev. Karen Hollis of Christ Church Gabriola. “We know the learning curve is steep, so we had a few people working one-on-one with the rest, with reasonable success.”

Like many churches, Christ Church Gabriola will offer an Easter Sunday service (with a modified Eucharist) via Zoom, an online video conferencing service.

“We know that we may be doing it imperfectly, but we know it’s important to connect. It helps people have a worshipful experience,” she said.

The new ways of staying in touch can mean a return to the past for some.

“Our church started with services in people’s homes 160 years ago. Now, with streaming our services online, we’re back there,” said Barb Prescott, communications officer for St. Luke Cedar Hill. “It’s certainly a different way of doing things, but foremost is the fact that we are a community of people — and we need to go to wherever they are.”

Freed from having to physically go to a bricks and mortar church, the increased online presence has an unlikely bonus — new visitors.

“With the buildings closed and services available via video link, we have noticed new members of the community visiting us online,” said Prescott.

“We are reaching other people. They can follow along, or even sing along if they wish.”

The Congregation Emanu-El, serving Victoria’s Jewish community, has also taken their celebration of the Passover (which started Thursday and continues until next Wednesday) online as well.

The faithful can gather online to daven, hear a dvar Torah or listen to the Song of Songs sung.

Easter just isn’t Easter for children without an Easter egg hunt. Unfortunately, there isn’t any good news there, as none of the churches plan to offer one.

Cancelled also is the Esquimalt Lion’s Easter Egg Extravaganza, a tradition that goes back more than 30 years.

“It was our signature service event,” said Gerry Webb, secretary for the service club.

“We would typically see between 200 and 400 children at the event.”

He said that they are hoping that the event is just delayed, and that they can put it on later in the spring or early summer.

Another signature event, the Good Friday Procession of the Cross organized by Christ Church Cathedral, has been cancelled as well. The event, with a member of the congregation dragging a large cross on city streets to the cathedral, marks Jesus Christ’s suffering while having to carry the cross on which he was to be crucified.

parrais@timescolonist.com