Religion

The coronavirus pandemic and smoke-filled skies from California's wildfires have made traditional in-person gatherings a challenge for many churches, but with smoke clearing in recent days one large church in Citrus Heights has resumed offering outdoor services.

A statue of Mary was found beheaded and a large swastika was spray painted on a prominent monument of the Ten Commandments outside Holy Family Catholic Church on Old Auburn Road last week.

Volunteers with Church of the Harvest handed out hundreds of individually wrapped ice cream snacks to a line-up of cars in Citrus Heights Wednesday night in an effort to bring hope during the pandemic.

Churches in Citrus Heights and across California are responding in different ways to Gov. Gavin Newsom's latest health order which includes a ban on indoor worship services to limit the spread of COVID-19.

When the coronavirus pandemic first hit earlier this year, Greg Kaiser, senior pastor of Antelope Road Christian Fellowship, partnered with a local nonprofit to provide a place for setting up tents for the homeless, along with meals and access to bathrooms and shower facilities.

About fifty vehicles pulled into a vacant lot on Auburn Boulevard across from Rusch Park on Easter Sunday, each being directed to park six feet apart.

From a "drive-in" Easter church service to communion and worship at home, Citrus Heights churches are adapting to the unique times with creative ways to celebrate a holiday central to the Christian faith during the coronavirus pandemic.