From Outdoor Masses To Virtual Services, Philadelphians Find Unique Ways To Celebrate Easter

Crystal Cranmore reports.

ALL HOLY WEEK ACTIVITIESMODIFIED THIS YEAR TAKING PLACEWITH NO PARTICIPATION BY THEPUBLIC.CLOSER TO HOME PEOPLE IN OURAREA MADE DIFFERENT ARRANGEMENTSFOR EASTER AS WELL FOR OUTDOORSERVICES THAT ENCOURAGE SOCIALDISTANCING TO THE VIRTUAL KIND.CRYSTAL CRANMORE REPORTS ON HOWRELIGIOUS LEADERS ANDCONGREGANTS HAD TO AMENDTRADITION.[♪♪♪ MUSIC](SINGING).FACE COVERINGS COULD NOT STOPTHE PRAISES THAT RANG THROUGHOUTFULL'S LOVE PARK EASTER SUNDAY.IT WAS A CELEBRATION OF THERESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST ASSEVERAL PEOPLE LINED UP TO THETO BE BAPTIZED BY BOTTOMEDDWATER STARTING A NEW LIFE ASMEMBERS OF CHOSEN 300MINISTRIES, THE ORGANIZATIONPRIMARY SERVES THOSE IN NEED.NO MATTER WHAT'S GOING GOING ONIN THE WORLD TODAY JESUS ISALIVE.AS ORGANIZERS ENCOURAGE SOCIALDISTANCING AMID PEERS FIERCE OFSPREADING COVID-19 THIS OUTDOORSERVICE WAS A WAY TO OFFERSPIRITUAL SUPPORT TO WORSHIPERS.OH, GOD ON THIS DAY THROUGHYOUR ONLY BE GOTTEN SON.MEANWHILE CATHEDRAL BASILICANEAR EMPTY CHURCH STAY HOMEDURING THE PANDEMIC.PARISH IS AND CHURCHES ALLOVER ARE MAKING USE OF SOCIALMEDIA, TECHNOLOGY, TO CONTINUETO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER INPRAYER.THE GREATER EXODUS BAPTISTCHURCH IN NORTH PHILADELPHIAALSO STREAMED SERVICE ONLINEAFTER PASTOR L U.S. K CANCELEDSERVICES EARLY SUNDAY MORNINGAFTER SPEAKING WITH CITY LEADERSIN AN EMAIL TO EYEWITNESS NEWSHE SAID IN PART THIS DECISIONPAINS ME A GREAT DEAL THAT ONTHE MOST IMPORTANT DAY OFHISTORY OF CHRIS CREDIT JANUARYTIE THE DOORS OF THIS SANCTUARYWILL NOT BE OPEN TO THE PEOPLE.CHURCH LEADERS EXPRESSED WHILEIT MIGHT BE A DIFFERENT HOLYWEEK IT'S STILL HOLYNONETHELESS.WHAT MAKES IT HOLY IS APOWERFUL STORY THAT GETS RETOLDAND RELIVED AS WE ONCE AGAIN