For the first time in their history, Wagga's churches will be completely empty this Easter.
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But instead of a physical presence, the city's faith communities are cultivating a thriving online community.
Wagga Baptist Church pastor David Strong told The Daily Advertiser he was excited to see how Easter would create unity between different denominations.
On Sunday, the church will be hosting a joint celebration with ministers from South Wagga Anglican, St Aiden's Presbyterian, St Andrew's Presbyterian and Living Waters Fellowship. Three of the ministers will share the sermon on John 20.
"I'm excited about it. I think great honour comes to Christ when we come together," Mr Strong said.
"I feel like we're all excited [and] trying to explore all the ways we can be connected even when we're physically apart."
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Mr Strong said it was important that Easter not diminish in significance just because the health crisis has restricted regular services.
"It's a tremendously important time. At Easter, we remember that Christ has taken responsibility for the sins of the whole world and in his rising there is tremendous hope," he said.
"I do believe good things are happening [in Wagga]."
Just down the road, at St Michael's Cathedral, Father Reece Beltrame has also found a creative way to do Easter, having begun his YouTube channel, Father Reece Online.
"They [the parishioners] can't come to us, so we'll come to them," Father Beltrame said.
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Even though the COVID-19 pandemic will keep the faithful scattered this year, like Mr Strong, Father Beltrame is hopeful the isolation will promote new connections.
"The ancient liturgy has had to be amended, but we'll try to keep things as normal as possible," Father Beltrame said.
Thursday night's usual washing of the feet ceremony and Sunday's stations of the cross will be temporarily abolished at St Michael's Cathedral.
"This year, Easter will be in the home. It will be a domestic church, which is not a new thing actually," he said.
"It's time to rediscover the history of the domestic church [and make] the home the place of worship, the place to pray, and to draw closer to God."