MERRY CROWDS FOR EASTER
. . . gatherings resume after two-year hiatus
TODAY, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
For them, this means a new lease of life as they believe resurrection is testimony Jesus is still among them and guiding their lives all the way.
While annual Easter celebrations have been held since time immemorial, this time around, the event means a lot.
Several people are rejoicing in the gift of life!
Yes, many have always done so but the ravaging Covid-19 pandemic — which has to date claimed more than 5 000 lives in Zimbabwe — has given some a new perspective of life.
Every family was directly or indirectly affected by the deaths and infections. Our daily routines, including worshipping, were altered.
The coronavirus pandemic which has affected every corner of the globe shaped the last two editions of Easter celebrations that were largely held virtual.
However, with the number of local fatalities significantly declining due to the successful roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme and lockdowns, bans on gatherings have since been relaxed.
This has brought back cheer among many though the war against the pandemic is far from over.
The traditional Easter pilgrimages, open services or mass resumed this year.
The essence of the Christian faith mainly lies in communal sharing through gatherings
The Holy Week, which commemorates the death and resurrection of Christ, is one of the most sacred on the Christian calendar.
This year’s Easter Holiday is running from April 15 to April 18.
The Easter commemorations opened with Palm Sunday, last week. Families prayed and sang procession songs, including carrying palm fronds.
Caution
Most churches engaged health officers to manage Covid-19 health protocols.
Speaking to The Sunday Mail Society, The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Harare, Fr Robert Ndlovu said their emphasis was on keeping everyone safe.
“We are not yet out of danger hence our masses are being manned by health officers to ensure that congregants observe Covid-19 regulations. They are sanitised, temperature checks conducted while social distancing is a must,” said Fr Ndlovu.
The church is currently going through a series of prayers, fasting and thanksgiving services.
The masses are running under the theme “In the spirit of synodality with the marginalised”.
The message is accompanied by the Lenten Appeal “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.”
“This year’s Easter season comes in the context of the synodal process whereby we extend helping hands to the marginalised, regardless of their religious affiliation.
“Inspired by Deuteronomy 10:18, we are encouraging all members in the Archdiocese to be conscious of child-headed families, widows and foreigners among others,” said Fr Ndlovu.
The United Family International Church (UFIC) said they would have a team of over 200 health personnel today at their Basilica, Chitungwiza branch.
“We are expecting a huge number today considering that it has been long since we had such a physical Easter meeting. Accordingly, we have engaged several health professionals that will be enforcing Covid-19 protocols through the service,” said UFIC spokesperson Pastor Prime Kufa.
He added that they will be preaching a message of hope and encouraging the world to accept Christ and be saved, remembering that one day, He will return.
“The church will also be remembering the basis of their new life in Christ and thanking Him for His love and sacrifice.”
Thankful
Tens of thousands of pilgrims have traditionally thronged the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) Mbungo shrine in Bikita District, Masvingo for the annual Easter celebrations.
Church leaders said they are grateful to have been allowed to physically meet their congregants following a two-year hiatus.
Their conference running under the theme, “Gore rekutenda Mwari wakatiburitsa mu Covid” ends today,
“We are excited to get a chance to gather once again in numbers despite the pandemic hence, for that, we need to thank the Lord,” said Bishop Sanctions Mutendi.
“We are, however, not forgetting that Covid-19 is still in our midst and we need to strictly adhere to the protocols and preach a positive gospel to the congregants, understanding that many of us were affected in a way.”
Accredited congregants
Leaders of the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) are not blowing caution to the wind.
To avoid a potential Covid-19 outbreak at their services, they have resorted to limiting the number of physical gatherings at their Buhera shrine.
Congregants were required to register prior to the celebrations and only those accredited are being allowed into services.
“We used the registration system to be able to control numbers. However, there are some that are bound to disregard thus we will be on the lookout. We need to keep the numbers low so that we maintain social distancing and observe other Covid-19 protocols,” said AFM president Amon Madawo.
Christ”. Their theme scriptures include
Matthew 24:42-44 and Luke 21:3436, which mainly focus on the message of hope.
“We are excited to be gathering again, we may not have gotten over Covid-19 but God has spared us to this day,” added Madawo.
“We believe this is because we still have a huge purpose to fulfill and this is to
prepare for His second coming.”
Embracing technology
The United Methodist Church is holding hybrid Easter celebrations, catering for both physical and online congregants.
“There are activities in our various circuits or clusters with a difference. We have in-person (physical) services and an online pulpit (virtual) as a way to accommodate members that are not comfortable gathering,” revealed Reverend Vienna M Mutezo, the deputy administrative assistant to the Bishop.
Their theme is “The year of Holy substitution, Jesus Christ died for my sins” derived from two scriptures John 1:29 and Isaiah 53:1-12.
“We have taken several measures to keep Covid-19 at bay. Most of our pastors and staff are supplied with personal protective equipment (PPEs) as per the recommendation of the church. We are adhering to all World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines,” she added.
Bindura Shamva cluster Reverend Taurai Maforo added that they encouraged members to get vaccinated prior to the celebrations.
“We know that it is by the grace of God that we are still alive so our biggest message is about healing because we believe with the devastating effects of Covid-19, a message of healing is what everyone wants to hear,” said Rev Maforo.
Anglican priest Reverend Tom Samtereko said the church is focusing on the gospel of resurrection, to give hope to its congregants following the devastating effects of Covid-19.
Anchored on Luke 24, he said: “We believe that with his resurrection our challenges will be washed away. However, let us all remember we are not yet out of the woods.”
Squabbles
Celebrations are not smooth flowing for other congregations.
While in the past, African Apostolic Church (AAC), founded by Mutumwa Paul Mwazha has been known for its multitudes flocking the Guvambwa shrine in Hwedza, this year it has not been the case.
Succession disputes have turned members of the church into frequent visitors of the courts.
Most of their gatherings have since been banned due to violent clashes.
The power wrangle has one of the factions led by Ernest Nhambare while the other is under Alfred Kushamisa Mwazha.
Following several court visits, the Supreme Court reinstated the 102-yearold Paul Mwazha as the leader of the church on the basis that there was no evidence that he was no longer capable of leading his church.
The factions were recently embroiled in a nasty fight in which they all sought court orders to bar each other from holding Easter celebrations at Guvambwa.
“It is unfortunate that there is a lot happening in church. Some of the issues are within the courts hence we cannot gather for Easter as usual,” said Jeshua Mhizha, the AAC general-secretary
The situation is also not looking good for the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA) because of leadership disputes.
There is a faction reportedly pushing the aged founding Archbishop Ezekiel Guti to appoint his successor.
Another faction, led by Ezekiel Guti’s wife, Apostle Eunor Guti is also allegedly in the mix fighting for control.
Resultantly, several of their congregants have opted to take a backseat this year.
“There is no Easter joy for most of us because of these squabbles.
‘‘We cannot celebrate with others because of the confusion being created by power-hungry worshipers,” said one of the congregants who spoke on condition of anonymity.