Churches across Tasmania are gearing up for their most significant weekend of the year, with many congregations joining forces for Easter services and reaching out to those in need.
Collaborative services are planned on Hobart’s eastern shore and in Devonport bringing together hundreds of worshippers from different churches.
Meanwhile the Christian community of Launceston will host the annual Launceston Alive for the community on Saturday at Riverbend Park.
On the eastern shore, six churches will host a sunrise service at Bellerive Beach starting at 6.:0am on Easter Sunday.
“It’s the most important moment in the Christian calendar,” Matt Garvin, senior pastor at Citywide Baptist Church told Pulse.
“The churches work very closely together here on the eastern shore.”
The service will feature fire pits, quiet reflection, singing and Bible readings, along with an art installation on the beach.
Participating churches include St Mark’s Anglican Church, Lindisfarne Anglican Church, the Salvation Army, Good News Christian Church and Abundant Life Church.
Local Catholic churches are also promoting the event while holding their own masses.
“We really all pitch in and make it work together,” Garvin said.
In Devonport, about eight churches have been collaborating on a Thursday night service, drawing more than 500 people annually.
“It’s a time of worship, communion, prayer and a commissioning into the Easter weekend,” said Nicholas Alexander, senior pastor at Lifeway Baptist Church.
“That willingness to unite about what actually unites us helps put into perspective all our stylistic differences.”
Alongside their Good Friday and Easter Sunday services, Hillsong Church in Hobart is running their Love Thy Neighbour Easter Appeal, with the church donating funds and essential items to a crisis accommodation service for women and children in Tasmania.
“It’s the heartbeat of our church, as we live out our faith in tangible ways for the flourishing of our communities,” Hillsong Hobart’s Bianca Dance said.
Hundreds of items including children’s socks and mittens, hand towels, face washes and towels, tea towels and hair products have been collected and will be delivered to the centre during Easter.
Hobart’s C3 Church Beyond have donated food to the Salvos in Huonville for them to distribute to people in need across the local community and overseas in Sierra Leone, in partnership with Kamara’s Heart, the church feeds a whole community in Rokel.
Neuma Church will be holding Good Friday and Easter Sunday services, both at 10am in their new building at 209 Davey Street, Hobart.
