Vancouver churches welcome back Easter Sunday service without restrictions

For the first time since 2019, churchgoers will be able to attend Easter Sunday service without capacity limits or the requirement to wear masks. Some churches will also not be checking for the vaccine passport, although it is believed to be each congregations choice.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the houses of worship to shut-down across the province and when they re-opened churches followed restrictions like any other business or event space.

Reverend Beth Hayward from the Canadian Memorial United Church says the local community has been eager to celebrate. “We’ve had no congregation the past two years, so it will be a homecoming through a resurrection Easter experience that we’ve been longing for, for a long time,” said Hayward.

Hayward expects hundreds to show up Sunday, but says people still remain cautious amidst the waves of COVID-19.

“It’s been a strange comeback to worship over these past few months, back in the day we would probably have 400 people in our church that really only comfortably seats 300 on an Easter Sunday. My guess is that we will see no more than 200 people.”

Although Hayward adds her church has a livestream system that many grew found through the pandemic.

“We continue to offer an excellent live stream option, so that gives us some assurance that people know they can still be part of the Easter celebration from their home and feel more comfortable with the level of risk.”

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Father Stanley Galvon from Holy Rosary Cathedral on the other hand expects a much larger turnout at his church on Sunday.

“I’m thinking it’ll push 3000 people, just because of the special nature of Easter,” said Galvon.

Galvon hopes this Sunday service will bring a sense of unity to those who attend.

“There’s so many things that can pull apart a group of people, different opinions, different sensitivities. But this is a time to be together and pray together and hope people somehow find god in the middle of all of this.”

Galvon says his cathedral will be doing their best to ensure some safety measures for churchgoers. These precautions include, distancing people as much as possible, advising everyone wear a mask with adequate signage and spreading the service times across the day.