Candlelight service brings Slaton together during odd Good Friday

By Melissa McCaghren
Slatonite GM

The coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has lead to a dark time for many, especially during Good Friday weekend and Easter.

Children didn’t get to participate in community Easter egg hunts and the churches didn’t have traditional services.

First United Methodist however created a way to dispel fear – by lighting candles.

People all over the community participated in a candlelight Good Friday Friday (April 10). Some attended outside the church – following social distancing protocols, while others participated at their homes.

The Rev. Judy Shema, pastor at FUMC, said she was sad about not having the traditional service and looked at the bigger impact on the community. “The root of that sadness (not having services) included not being able to provide the service for people in the community but also the thought of essentially abandoning Jesus metaphorically on this night of his suffering for us seemed really wrong,” she said.

For more information, please read the Thursday edition of The Slatonite.