With the ongoing pandemic, religious leaders are required to be creative, so a Red Deer church worked on a retro idea – a drive-in church service.
For the past two Sundays, Deer Park Alliance Church has hosted a drive-in, movie-style church service.
The church plans another drive-in service on Easter Sunday.
“We’re looking at creative ideas to follow the rules that are put in place from the public health point of view, but also creatively support our community with that message of hope and message of Easter,” said the lead pastor at the church, Ben Elliott.
This isn’t the first time a drive-in church service has been held. The tradition was a common one back in the ‘70s and ‘80s, Elliott said.
He said it’s a way for the church community to come together without bending the rules on mass gatherings, and spread encouragement and messages of hope.
“It’s also for families who are cooped up all week to be able to say, ‘you know what, there is some place we can go this weekend,’” Elliott said.
Healthy families are asked to drive to the church’s parking lot and to stay in their cars. Elliott is parked in front of the church, preaching on top of a flat-bed trailer to families in their vehicles.
The past two Sundays the church did the drive-in service, approximately 40 and 70 cars drove up, respectively.
Elliott explained ushers, who obey the social distancing rules, are ready and prepped for the occasion.
“If they see someone who looks like they’re ready to get out of their car, they gently and lovingly remind them ‘we’re all going to follow the rules,’” he explained.
Those who are self-isolating, seniors in long-term care facilities, or people who are feeling sick, are asked to stay home and watch the service online.
Many churches in Alberta, including Deer Park, have been conducting their services online, via teleconferencing or pre-recording.
Being connected with the church community and spreading the message of hope during these tough times is important, said Elliott.
“Many of us have grown up in generations who have not known deep, society-wide crisis,” he said.
“So to be facing a crisis this big, that’s testing all aspects of our society – our health, our fears, our finances, our families – it’s really, really distressing.”
On Tuesday, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health, encouraged faith leaders in the province to come up with creative ways to stay connected, especially given the upcoming holidays, including Easter, Ramadan and Passover.
mamta.lulla@reddeeradvocate.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter