Easter traditions replaced by social distancing, staying at home

Friday, April 10, 2020
Olivia “Liv” Ziegler, 4, of Benton concentrates as she puts finishing touches on her egg while dyeing eggs with her family just in time for Easter Sunday. Many Easter traditions have changed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but one fun tradition families could still do this year was dyeing eggs.
Submitted Photo/Christy Kluesner-Ziegler

SIKESTON — While Missouri’s stay-at-home order is difficult on a normal day, it will be even more difficult Sunday.

Easter is normally marked by going to church and family meals but this year will be replaced by social distancing and health experts urging the public to stay at home.

“We know celebrating faith and the Easter/Passover holiday is important, especially during these challenging times,” according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. “It is so important to commit to staying home – even on religious holidays – so we will be able to slow the spread of COVID-19. If we can slow the spread now, we will eventually be able to return to a more familiar way of life.”

With Missouri Gov. Mike Parson’s stay-at-home order that began Monday, churches fall under the order and cannot have more than 10 people meeting at a time, forcing churches to change how they deliver their Easter Sunday service.

“Unfortunately, it is not safe to attend an in-person service at this time,” said the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in a statement. “We know that the coronavirus is spreading in communities across Missouri. This is a very important time to stay at home to stop the spread of the disease in our community.”

Along with going to a church service, gathering with family is also being discouraged.

“We are asking families to limit their celebrations to the people they live with,” according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. “We know that it is hard to be separated from family members, especially on a holiday. For this Easter/Passover, we need to celebrate in our own homes and not invite other neighbors or family members to celebrate in-person. Staying apart is the best thing we can do for our loved ones right now.”

The Health Department said one of the challenging things about this virus is that individuals can spread it even if they aren’t showing symptoms.

“The actions we take now will impact the number of infections in the days and weeks ahead. This is a really important time to stay at home to stop the spread of the disease in our community before we see a significant rise in cases.”

According to the Health Department there are ways to celebrate safely so not to put anyone at risk, including viewing holiday services online or on television, celebrating with family on video chat and cooking traditional foods at home and celebrating with the people living in the home.

In most cases, churches are streaming live on the internet while others are coming up with alternative methods to have Easter Sunday services.

At the First Assembly of God Church in Sikeston, an Easter parking lot service is planned for 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

The stage will be near the bay door of the gymnasium and all cars must be six to 10 feet apart. The restrooms will be closed, there will be no offering or communion and everyone who attends is being asked to stay in their cars.

Other communities are also getting creative for Easter. In Portageville, the Chamber of Commerce is going to be placing Easter eggs in the yards of children Saturday night for them to find Sunday morning.

In Oran, the fire department will be escorting the bunny around town at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Also at 2 p.m. Sunday, the Benton Fire Department will have a fire truck parade with the Easter bunny, who will be tossing out an Easter egg with a special surprise inside. The starting time will be adjusted as needed to avoid rain.

“Every aspect of our lives is being impacted by COVID-19, including our religious practices,” said a statement from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. “If we are going to stop the spread of this disease and save lives, we must change our normal behaviors. This includes how we learn, how we work, and how we worship. We encourage people to celebrate their traditions at home and to stay connected with their families and faith communities without meeting in person.”

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