INUVIK - While some people would rather spend their Easter weekend sleeping in or hiding eggs, Minister David Parsons chose to spread the word of God.

Anglican minister David Parsons stands in Inuvik's Church of the Ascension. Parsons took part in the Easter mass services at the church this weekend. He said Easter should be about remembering Jesus and being with your family. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Parsons is the minister of the Anglican Church of the Ascension. This year, his congregation hosted the annual Easter gathering shared by a few of the churches in town.

"Traditionally, the Anglican church has a three-hour mass," said Parsons.

"Each year, a few of the churches in town get together and share the message of Good Friday."

During the service, Parsons said the pastors spoke about the day Jesus was put on the cross and discussed what he died for.

"Jesus dies so we could have a rightful fellowship with God," said Parsons.

The service on Good Friday examines the reasoning behind why Jesus was killed and the significance of his return a few days later.

"On Good Friday we talk about the words of the cross; what Jesus said on that day," said Parsons.

The mass on Good Friday is usually well-attended, said Parsons.

"Some people will come to the sermon, while others come to sing," he said.

Parsons said that for someone to fully understand Easter, they have to have an understanding of the Christian church.

"You have to know who Jesus was and why he came," said Parsons.

The Minister said the cross was the worst way to die in the Roman era.

"It was probably the most torturous way to die," said Parsons.

He said the Roman spelling of the word "cross" is "cruz" which is where the word excruciating comes from.

"There was a lot of controversy in the film by Mel Gibson called the Passion," said Parsons.

Parsons said we all have things to pray for at Easter.

"None of us have done right, none of us are perfect," said Parsons.

"In the end, it didn't make sense. Jesus did a lot of good things for people," said Parsons.

"He helped those whom nobody would touch. Why would someone who did that much good be taken and hurt so badly?"

Parsons spreads the message of responsibility and faith in Inuvik for those who will listen.

"We all have free will, everyone has choices to follow," he said. "We lead ourselves astray."

Parsons asks why someone with children would abandon their child to go out drinking.

"All of a sudden there is a 10-year-old raising that child," said Parsons.

Easter is a time for forgiveness, said Parsons.

"Those who killed Jesus became followers when he rose from the grave," said Parsons.

"People can be forgiven for their sins. Jesus said he served us, now we are to serve others around us."