The Rev. Ross Baker poses for a picture with his son Charles before the Good Friday evening service." />
The Rev. Ross Baker poses for a picture with his son Charles before the Good Friday evening service.
Eudora churches are looking forward to safely welcoming more people back for in-person services this Easter.
The Rev. Ross Baker of Eudora United Methodist Church opted to do an Easter egg hunt on Palm Sunday last week as they were heading into Holy Week because it can be difficult for members to stay around on Easter if they have other plans.
Baker said he will have a 7 a.m. sunrise service before his regular Easter service.
“At the moment, the weather looks good so we should be outside for that,” he said. “When the weather permits, we typically gather outside by the big cross we have outdoors on the northeast part of our property.”
Baker said the sunrise service will be followed by a grab-and-go breakfast that the mission team is putting together and then the Easter service will take place at 9 a.m.. Baker said he has seen more people return for in-person services.
“We have had a good number of folks feel comfortable coming back in the building because they are now fully vaccinated, or they’ve had at least their first shot.” he said.
Baker said his church is being mindful and still has safety protocols in place.
“We’re still masking, not encouraging handshaking at this point, still social distancing, the praise band is still masking to sing,” he said. “I’m taking my mask off to read the scripture and do my sermon, but then I’m putting my mask back on.”
Erin LeGrand, a member of the church, said she is enjoying attending in-person services because of her connection with other members.
“I like the connection even though I’m not physically close to people,” she said. “Just seeing them and being in their presence opposed to at home, I just get a little distracted with my pet or household chores, and it’s easier for me just to center here in a place of worship.”
Janet Gabriel, also a member of the Eudora United Methodist Church, said she has been coming to the church for over 65 years.
“I’ve gone here all my life,” she said. “I started as a young child here, I got married in this church, our children were baptized here, so this has always been our home church.”
The Rev. Jeremiah Holcomb of The Refuge Christian Church said his Easter service will look like his weekly worship service. His Easter service will be at 9 a.m.
“Before service, at 8:30, we invite families to come where we’ve been having a time of fellowship with coffee and breakfast snacks, at the same time still being safe,” he said. “All of the food is prepackaged and individually wrapped.”
Holcomb said they are still taking safety precautions in the church and wearing masks.
“I’m very proud of our congregation,” he said. “We’ve had more people coming back to church, and I think we’re seeing more people vaccinated completely.”
Holcomb said his goal for in-person services is for people to come back when they are ready and not rush the process.
“I want that decision to come back to be because they are mentally prepared and ready for it,” he said.
The Refuge Christian Church celebrated its fifth anniversary in December, and Holcomb said the congregation could not meet for a special celebration at the time. They will celebrate the anniversary this month at 11 a.m. April 18 at Bluejacket Park.
“We rented a park in town, and we are gonna get people back together, have fun together and eat together,” he said.
Holcomb said anyone is welcome for the celebration.
“We planted the church in the community for the community,” he said. “It’s for everyone. Even if you haven’t been a part of the Refuge in the past, we want to invite you if you don’t have a church home.”
Reach reporter Chris Fortune at [email protected].
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