ROANOKE, Va. – After social distancing forced churches to try new ways to host church services, this Easter many people are returning to in-person worship.
Last Easter, church seats were empty as the coronavirus pandemic forced limited interaction. Now, Roanoke churches are seeing old faces return in person.
Most churches like Elevation Church quickly turned to virtual services during the pandemic.
Pastor David Shearer said the option still remains but coming together is vital.
“We’ve lost our ability to connect with people,” Shearer said. “This has been an opportunity for people to come back together, see each other, worship together. And kind of find that hope again.”
Greene Memorial United Methodist Church preached about resurrection last year but outdoors at Elmwood Park.
Pastor Joanna Paysour said it attracted new worshippers and this Sunday she preached to 165 people in person.
“It let us sort of reach out to some of our neighbors and to let people know we are here,” she said. “It just felt like a continuation of who we are.”
With fewer coronavirus cases, Parkway Church on the Mountain brought back its annual egg hunt with about 25,000 eggs up for grabs.
Pastor Andy Hardy said as families still reel from hardships, a taste of colorful fun is needed to bring faith back.
“All the puzzle pieces of people come together and when we come together, we can be really strong,” Hardy said. “As a community, as a church and as a faith.”