CORONAVIRUS may have caused the cancellation of the Redlands Easter Family Festival this year but organisers have issued a message of hope for those celebrating Easter at home.
Mr Sutter said since its beginnings about 20 years ago, the festival had been an iconic annual event in the Redlands.
"(It has been) a time of local churches and other ministries gathering together and pooling resources to provide a safe, relaxed, fun and free event. A time to celebrate family and community, a time to share, a time to be at peace, a time to cast away the cares of the world, even if for just a few short hours," he said.
"At its very core, especially at Easter, the heart of REFF and the local churches is to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and to love this city.
"Although REFF 2020 has been cancelled, the spirit of REFF need not be quenched. Especially at this time when we approach Easter, with all the talk of coronavirus and its implications into the community, we want everyone to know that they are loved, they are supported."
Mr Sutter called on previous years' volunteers to consider helping the community in a different capacity.
"Redlands Home Isolation Support page on Facebook is seeking people who are willing to spend some of their time making calls to ones who are in isolation for whatever reason.
"Sometimes just having a chat about anything else except the virus is all that is required.
"From all of us involved with REFF including the local churches standing by our side, rest assured that our prayers are going out to you.
"We will soon begin planning for REFF 2021, which will be even bigger than before and all for free."
