From Sunday church service to ‘Hunky Jesus’ contest, Bay Area celebrates Easter 2022

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Easter Sunday 2022 across the Bay Area was a homecoming for many people, a return to events and activities put on hiatus due to the pandemic.

Easter Sunday services were back at Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco, as only they can, with music and inspiration.

“We have to come back to life,” said Reverend Marvin K. White of Glide.

This Easter marked a return to the cult of the person. For the past two years, services were online only due to COVID. Rodney Harris says he needed it.

“It’s amazing, just walking in and recharging your batteries to see people you haven’t seen in person, instead of seeing people online,” Harris said.

“It’s so nice to be back inside the church, I can’t wait to hug people from a distance or whatever we do,” Jane Grossman said.

WATCH: ABC7 Presents “Finding Faith: Glide’s Easter Sunday Celebration”

Pastor Marvin K. White says, now more than ever, this holiday means renewal and new life.

“If you don’t leave here feeling more inspired, more joyful, we haven’t done our job, we’re in the business of liberation and joy at Glide,” White said.

In Dolores Park another spring celebration was going on and thousands of people were there.

RELATED: Easter Weekend Rekindles Family Traditions, Giving Bay Area Small Business a Boost

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence had “returned to their old habits.” Their Easter event is making a comeback after a two-year pandemic hiatus.

“The sisters’ mission is to spread joy, so being here in person only amplifies that,” Sister Tilda told NextTime.

San Francisco’s only classic, “Hunky Jesus” pageant was back on stage, a crowd favorite.