Why we hold Easter Sunday services at dawn: Organiser of sunrise forest gathering explains
With dawn services set to take place on Sunday across the province, a man who has organised one in the middle of the woods has spoken about the “poignant” ritual’s roots in the Gospels.
Peter Scott, a 52-year-old east Belfast man who is an elder at Ravenhill Presbyterian Church, said this is the fifth year his church has held a service in Belvoir Park Forest.
The idea began during Covid when, amid lockdown, he would spend Easters walking around the forest, alone.
They typically get between 20 and 30 people at sunrise, including visitors whose own congregations don't have a dawn service.
“Obviously it's the most important day in the Christian calendar,” he said.
“Following Scripture, the text is there that early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, the women came to the tomb.
“I think it's just very poigniant to meet at sunrise, at the time when the Lord was resurrected, to mark it at that time. It's special.
“I think the actual sunrise time is 6.47am, so the service will start before sunrise, and finish after.
“It's very calm, very peaceful out in the forest. Obviously there's not a lot of people about.
“We gather under a very big oak tree, near the car park.
“We begin with a couple of minutes of quiet reflection, just enjoying nature, listening to the birdsong.”
Mr Scott will lead the service, and retired minister Rev David Maxwell will also speak.
There is singing (aided by a Bluetooth speaker and iPad), readings, and breakfast back at the church hall afterwards.
Today saw Easter walks of witness, including one along the Shankill/Falls peaceline in west Belfast, and another in Lisburn.