Reclaiming All Hallows Eve at Wilsden Trinity

How to deal with Halloween in a church setting is increasingly difficult, as shops fill their shelves with all things scary and children see “Trick or Treating” as the thing to do at Halloween.

This year we used our “Cafe” service to ponder the concept. With cuppas and biscuits, we discussed some comments for and against Halloween celebrations. Then came the exciting bit ... Carving pumpkins !! But not as we know it! Smiley faces, hearts and crosses were carefully cut into the pumpkins (those with a steady hand did the cutting, whilst others “gave instructions) and then we lit them. They actually looked pretty good!

This activity was followed by lighting candles on starry cakes for the ordinary saints we have known, people whose love of Jesus has impacted on our lives but are no longer with us.

Hopefully we came away from the service less troubled by the commercial side of Halloween and we have proudly displayed our Light of Jesus pumpkins in church along with this flyer for all our groups to see…....

Sharon F, Wilsden Trinity

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Bradford North Circuit

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