CULLMAN, Ala. – This week would normally be filled with people out and about shopping for a pretty new Easter dress or suit for Easter Sunday church services. The parks and churches would be hosting scores of excited children hunting for eggs and candy. Families would be finalizing travel plans to be with loved ones near and far. As everybody adheres to the state’s Stay at Home order, families might be altering their plans, but the celebration of the Resurrection will continue as always.
The Tribune reached out to several Cullman County residents to see how they will be celebrating Easter this year.
Cullman County Commissioner Garry Marchman said of his plans, “We are going to livestream two services Sunday. I wanted to share it with my nieces and nephews the traditional way, but unfortunately, because of current issues, we still have to be cautious and use common sense. My Savior remains my Savior even in nontraditional times.”
Cullman High School Principal Kim Hall said, “We will be celebrating the resurrection of Christ at home with Temple Baptist Church online. We will probably cook lunch and hunt Easter eggs in the yard with my grandson.”
Some are seeing the positive in the stripped down, less commercialized Easter.
Resident Carla Stricklin said, “We will start the morning by worshipping with Northside Baptist Church’s Transitional Pastor, Bro. Don Paris, through Facebook. We have been doing this for the past three weeks. My family, along with Bama’s (Turner) family, will be having lunch together at our parent’s house on their newly renovated patio. The location allows us to spread out from one another. Dad is smoking a turkey and Boston butts for us. We were planning on doing badminton or some type of outside activity, but it looks like bad weather is going to keep us indoors. With our kids all being adults now, we don’t do the fun things anymore and will probably end up renting a movie to watch. It will be different from past years since we will not be attending worship service on campus, we will not be doing outdoor family photos in our Easter clothes, and the boys will not be able to play basketball at the park. This is really saddening because it doesn’t feel like Easter. I miss worshipping with the members of the church at one location. Although, with the current situation and less distractions, I am grateful that I am able to focus more on the true meaning of Easter and to be able to complete the 28-day devotional, ‘Come to the Lord’s Table’ by Claude King, that Northside is currently doing. My true joy comes from serving my Risen Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Many churches are offering livestream services and drive-up services. Leeanna Smith and her family attend St. John’s.
She explained, “We will be attending St. John’s drive-thru communion after viewing the online church and Sunday school services. We will then come home and have a meal within our household and FaceTime the grandparents. We will raincheck the traditional egg hunt with cousins and grandparents until this summer when we can be together. Some do Christmas in July; we will have Easter.”
Vinemont Councilwoman Shirley Arnett joked about taking full advantage of the online services, saying, “I’ve seen the memes with the old woman in their pastel gowns. Maybe I’ll hunt one of those to wear and watch some services online.”
Arnett and her family had to call off their annual Easter Egg hunt, she said, adding, “I’m sad thinking about not seeing my great nieces and nephews, one of which has a birthday Saturday, so no party.”
Finding ways to spend time with family without risking exposure and spread of COVID-19 is on the minds of everyone.
Kristie Bush explained, “We will probably still go by mom and dad’s house because we work with them and are always around them. We will visit Keith’s mom outside, but we will not be visiting great grandparents or Keith’s dad. We will FaceTime or call the ones we can’t visit. We will make the best of it and still cook out and hide eggs.”
For Tom and Charlene Jones, Easter weekend will be spent quietly and in appreciation of the beautiful surroundings.
Said Charlene Jones, “Tom and I will be by ourselves at home, in the woods. It isn’t a norm for us, but to keep our families safe, we have no choice. Just hope we can continue to keep our phones, as this is our only communication these days. It’s beautiful out here! It’s been so wonderful to have this time together and to actually enjoy our home.”
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