Easter is one of the biggest annual celebrations across the globe.
But this year it will be unlike any other before, with churches closed, families doing crafts in lockdown and cancelled activities and events around the country.
For many, it will be a struggle to not celebrate in groups or at large gatherings, with many resorting to social media or chat forums to communicate with one another.
Across Merseyside, communities have banned together to support each other and make the most out of the strange situation.
We spoke to a number of people across the borough of Knowsley to hear what it is like celebrating Easter in these circumstances and how their community has come together - and is as strong as ever.
Reverend Jayne VanDenBerg-Owens, originally from Kirkby, has been at St George's Church and community hub in Huyton for six years.
An Easter weekend for the church would usually consist of a traditional Good Friday service, family church on Saturday with fun activities for the younger members, an Easter Sunday service for resurrection and much more.
But for the past few weeks, interaction, activities and day to day practices of the church have been held via social media, email and over the phone - and this will also be the case for the Easter celebration.
Reverend Jayne said: " As a vicar or as priest, you have to adapt quickly.
"We could be doing a service with children on a Saturday which is really fun and lively and later on you have to go see a bereaved family.
"People are sad they can’t come into the church but they understand and respect it. They understand that when we get back to being a community in this place it will be busy.
"The children and all of the congregation members are really missing coming into church and the fun and worship we have. It is strange but it’s the reality of where we are."
Reverend Jayne said everybody in the congregation is safe and well and remain active in the community.
Distributing food donations to those in need, keeping in regular contact so older or vulnerable members "don't go under the red line" and posting gospel magic videos to keep the younger generation entertained are but a few things taking place to keep the community strong.
St George's and St Mary's in Knowsley Village, St Luke's in West Derby and St Jude's in Stockbridge Village are working as a team to offer different services and activities online to reach more people - and so far this has had a huge engagement.
Reverend Jayne said: " We still have all the Easter eggs and treats for the children and we have said we will still celebrate Easter when the church building reopens.
"I t will be different, don’t ask me how, but it will be different.
"When Jesus resurrected not everybody recognised him straight away. But after he rose from the dead they saw his scars and wounds and then they recognised him."
In these circumstances, funerals are still taking place elsewhere with social distancing measures and a limited number of attendees.
Reverend Jayne said celebrations of their loved ones lost will go ahead for families at a later date and whilst members are still engaging with one another, they are all looking forward to being back together in person and at weekly clubs and events such as bingo, lunches, toddler groups and more.
She said: " As a church we'll have to pick up the pieces, families will be broken after the pandemic. They will have lost loved ones and will be grieving.
"But the message of Easter is the assurance we have of a new life after death.
"In my Christian faith the most important thing it to love God and your neighbour and we are continuing to do that."
'It's the highlight of our year'
Marie Cain, 73, moved to Huyton from Edge Hill as a child and has been a member of St George's for decades.
She said she can't compare the circumstances this year to any other previous Easter celebration.
Marie said: "I've been at the church for many years. This is our first time in all the years we’ve been doing it that we haven’t been able to celebrate Easter together.
"I know we have Christmas and it’s lovely for everyone and the children have a lovely time, but it is the highlight of the year. It’s the resurrection and the message from God that he will always be there."
For many in the congregation, the social aspect of the church will be greatly missed.
Marie said there are multiple groups throughout the week who are based in the church and that for some it is the only time in the week they are out in the community.
Marie said: "We have a social life there as well as a spiritual life.
"We can speak to each other on the phone like every other family in the country does but we have a relationship with members. We speak to each other most days to make sure we’re okay and to keep that contact.
"It will be different, we will be carrying on, but not everyone is online or has computers or broadband.
"I know an awful lot of people who don’t have access to broadband or computers and the church provides that for them."
Marie said many members of the community come to use and learn how to use computers with help from The Big Help Project and that she's thankful to have access to virtual services during Holy Week.
She said simple things like sharing Easter cards, flowers or the kids being able to make Easter bonnets will be missed this year, but that it is great to be able to take part in virtual meetings and regularly speak to other members.
Marie said: "Everyone in the country is in the same boat, we will be together again.
"A celebration is still going to go ahead and I hope we'll have a big party when this is all over."
Christine Oakley is the Girlguiding Assistant County Commissioner for Merseyside and also oversees the 3rd Huyton Guides and Brownies.
There are a number of different groups across the town and more widely in the borough who operate during term time.
Under normal circumstances, the week before Easter break would have been a time for the kids to celebrate, do crafts, participate in fun activities and more.
Christine said: "We are off over the Easter break but we would meet up the week before to do Easter crafts, like making Easter baskets and doing hunts outside.
"We’d also fly the flags at the churches. The girls would parade the flags inside the church and the church would accept the flags.
"We’ve just been sending everyone activities to do at home and asking people if they need anything at all because we’ve got loads of resources in the cupboards so it would just getting them out to them."
"It can be an escape from home or school for them"
Christine said the volunteers have been sharing activities with parents via a Whatsapp group for the kids to do at home as a way for everyone to stay in contact.
But that it has been difficult for the groups being apart as the girls are unable to socialise and do the activities with their friends.
Christine said: "The parents have been really grateful on the Whatsapp group. We’ve already had so many thank yous.
"I think the really hard bit is that they’re away from the group and they’re doing the activities at home and not with their friends.
"It can be an escape from home or school for them, so it’s really different at the moment."
Christine said there are multiple groups of all ages and backgrounds across the borough, from Rainbows starting at age five to Rangers who are 14-18.
Volunteers are also missing their group members too, but are excited for when they can go back and go on an activities trip which had to be postponed due to the pandemic.
Christine said: "We’re all volunteers, we have about 700 volunteers across Merseyside.
"They’re all really dedicated to the groups so it has been difficult. Some are key workers in their day jobs, some are working from home, some have relatives that are sick.
"I think it’s the not having the interaction with the kids. When we’re together we get to be silly and the kids are laughing and giggling, so for me personally that’s the hard part."
On the Girlguiding Merseyside website, there are multiple activities to do, both Easter themed and otherwise and Christine said she hopes they continue to bring a smile to members faces whilst still in lockdown.
For Easter themed activities to do at home click here. For other family-friendly activities click here.
