Andrews – As the sun rose over the mountains and through rain clouds Sunday morning, no one gathered at Hall Park. Easter wasn’t canceled, but the long-held Andrews United Methodist church Sunrise Service in the Park was.
The Rev. Tom Jolly has been in Andrews for less than a year, but has been a pastor for 18 years. The last few weeks have been a much different experience for him. His church, which has the word “welcome” in stained glass over the doors, hasn’t been able to welcome worshippers for a service in a month.
“It’s strange,” Jolly said in the days leading up to Easter. “It’s just odd.”
The church, like many in the area, has been live-streaming services every Sunday morning. Easter Sunday was no different, although signs and paper-plate faces were added to the nearly-empty church.
Jolly knows it’s hard, as a church is a community, and everyone draws their strength from each other. However, he said people do not need to gather.
“Scripture reminds us there is no time or distance in the Spirit,” he said.
“The most important thing to remember is God is with us.”
For those who felt they were “missing something” or anticipated a sunrise service, Jolly advised they watch the livestream from Hinton Rural Center in Hayesville.