INUVIK
On one of the holiest days of the year, the masses were fed.

Winston Moses and his wife Martha were among the many elders enjoying a community Easter lunch following services at the Inuvik Anglican Church April 5. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

Anglican Church pastor Stephen Martin opened the church doors to the community April 5 following Easter church services as part of its celebration of the holy day.

It's a spin-off of the community meals offered at Thanksgiving and Christmas, he said.

"Usually at the end of the month, we have a congregation feast," Martin said, "but it was delayed in March because of the Muskrat Jamboree, and then it was Easter this weekend.

"Usually it's just for fellowship and background on the church, but we thought Easter should be celebrated as a community event and a communal thing," he added.

"We thought we should throw the doors open for anyone that didn't have somewhere to go or someone to be with. It's worth doing and it's worth doing right. Easter should be a gathering day."

More than 60 people attended the services, and more came for the feast that followed. Martin said he was very gratified by what he saw.

"I truly believe that the two days of the year the church should do something like this is Christmas, especially Christmas, and Easter, the two biggest feast days of the church, and the two holiest days, and they should be open for everybody for celebration, for the community to come in and just to be here."

Winston Moses, a respected Gwich'in elder, said such feasts used to be traditional in the region, but have fallen off somewhat.

"I'm very much enjoying it," he said, pecking at his food while he talked.

"This kind of thing is a tradition."

His wife Martha nodded as she too savoured the meal, heavy on traditional foods as well as more contemporary offerings such as turkey and mashed potatoes.

Martin, who has been ministering at the church for about two years, said he isn't sure if this is something that has been traditionally offered, but added he'd like to see it become a tradition.

"I'm not too sure whether it has been offered like this before, but it's something I'd like to keep going," he said.

"I like to see the food and fellowship and laughter and communal atmosphere."

"We've been going hard at it with services since Wednesday, and between that and family it's been a good week."

Simon Jozzy, a congregation member who helped organize the day's festivities, including the music for the church service, said he was very pleased with the turnout and festivities.

"Turkey is about the only poultry I eat," he said around a mouthful of an enormous drumstick, "and I'm very happy to see so many people here."

"It's a special Sunday celebration and an excuse for fellowship. It's something we should try to do every year as we come together as a family."

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