Lake County church leaders expect large Easter crowds in wake of pandemic; ‘We have survived, and we’re still here’

“We offered Communion at the rail for the first time since the (coronavirus) pandemic started,” Rev. Mark Rollenhagen, the pastor of Waukegan’s St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, said. “You could see in their eyes how grateful they were. It gave us hope.”

A year ago, Rollenhagen said sunrise services for Easter took place at Waukegan’s beach, and the other two services were held in the church parking lot.

While services were held inside at Christ Episcopal Church in Waukegan in 2021, the Rev. Jean Beniste said he is expecting a much larger crowd this year in part because people feel less of a threat from COVID-19, and also because of growing spiritual needs. Before the pandemic changed church attendance, Caples said Easter services could draw 900 to 1,000 people. Some individuals remain cautious. Masks will be required when congregants walk into the church, but they can remove them when they get to their seats.

O’Malley said this year his message will be one of peace, and praying for peace and healing, primarily because of the current war in Ukraine. Conditions around the world worry him, and he believes peace is needed more than ever.

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