Egged on to stay connected

The Pilbara community were still able to stay connected and celebrate Easter in non-traditional ways this year despite the COVID-19 pandemic placing limits on gatherings and travel.

Karratha Baptist Church and Tom Price Baptist Church hosted Good Friday and Easter Sunday services last weekend via online meeting platform Zoom.

KBC pastor Nick Martin said they were doing what they could to help people stay connected during the holiday.

“For us, we went with Zoom in particular because it’s got that real-time video element to it and it provides that little extra piece of that sense of connection when you can see one another,” he said.

“That term ‘social distancing’; we don’t use that term. What we are using is ‘physical distancing’ because it is really important to stay socially connected whilst we stay physically distant.”

Mr Martin said running the Easter services online rather than in person was a first for him. “Certainly for us in Karratha, this is without doubt the first time we have ever done something like this, that’s for sure,” he said.

“I think it’s absolutely critical that we do what we can to help people feel that sense of community and even just solidarity with one another.”

Meanwhile, Karratha mother Nyssa Halliday offered to set up Easter egg hunts for families struggling during this time.

Ms Halliday said she set up three hunts for families on the weekend, bringing smiles to the faces of young children.

“I just thought I would see if there were any families out there doing it tough that wanted a little surprise,” she said. “People are losing jobs or losing hours or are worried about losing the company home, so I guess now more than ever, we really need to show our community spirit.”

Ms Halliday encouraged other residents to think outside the box when offering a helping hand to neighbours during the Easter long weekend and beyond. “I think we are going to need each other now more than ever,” she said.