OPINION: ‘Worship unmasked’ simply quite wonderful
Some wept for those lost, others were simply overcome with joy at having been ill but surviving the virus, others were grateful for having 'dodged' the bullet.
In March 2020 the coronavirus changed the world by its ability to sweep through any barrier across the entire earth.
Who can ever forget the funeral pyres burning night and day in India?
Long queues of hearses outside mortuaries, dead lying in the streets or mass graves dug in haste, mortuaries running out of space and crematoria hardly coping with the sheer numbers of those requiring their services.
Gone were the niceties and rituals of death, a scant moment or two had to suffice to take leave of one’s loved one.
The television stations televised horror stories night and day and the cries of those mourning their dead was heard universally. No country was spared.
The vaccine came into being and the great debate on whether to jab or not to jab split families apart.
However, on a recent Sunday evening, the Margate Baptist Church, held an evening of fellowship and worship to celebrate the long anticipated ‘no mask’ policy.
The church had kept up with services outside under the trees in the grounds throughout the pandemic.
When the ban was partially lifted, Pastor Chris Anderson began to hold indoor services, being extremely careful to adhere to the allotted ’50 persons’ policy, and provided all of the protocols required to ensure that the attendees were sanitized, temperatures taken and that masks were worn by all before entering the church.
Just lately, the long awaited ‘all clear’ to the mandatory wearing of masks was announced by government and on Sunday, July 17, more than two years on, the congregation of the Margate Baptist Church celebrated this life changing decree with an evening of song and fellowship like no other.
Choruses (which had been somewhat muted behind the masks) were sung with gusto and the atmosphere was loaded with thanks giving and praise.
Some wept for those lost, others were simply overcome with joy at having been ill but surviving the virus, others were grateful for having ‘dodged’ the bullet.
But, this was a church on fire and as the congregation closed the evening off with light refreshments, I have no doubt that heaven was an honoured guest.
SUSAN FARRELL
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
