1. Shine like lights
If your church building is in a prominent place in your community (perhaps on a square or a main road), why not work with your children’s group to decorate the outside of the church with lights and positive images, so that it stands out.
This could be a good project to work on with other groups in church, helping children meet other adults in your community apart from the children’s leaders.
On the evening of Halloween, you could give out hot chocolate to passers-by. If you are holding an All Saints’ or All Souls’ service, hand out invitations to that during the evening as well.
2. Reverse trick or treating
Instead of children going round the neighbourhood asking for treats, you could give out treats to people in your community who might appreciate them. In the days leading up to Halloween, make biscuits, cakes, cards or other simple gifts and put them in nice packaging. You’ll need to make sure children are aware of hygiene guidelines as they make food to give away, and ensure that your team (or at least someone on it) has had the appropriate food preparation training.
Before Halloween, identify people in your community who might appreciate a gift – maybe you could visit people who aren’t well, who are housebound or lonely. Then on the evening itself, walk to their houses together and give out your gifts.
3. A time of remembering
The festivals of All Saints’ Day (or All Hallows’ Day) and All Souls Day (1 and 2 November) were times when people remembered Saints and those who had died. In the Protestant tradition, these two festivals are usually celebrated as one. On Halloween or on the two days after Halloween, you could hold a special service or meeting, where children and their families can remember those in their families or circle of friends who have recently died.
You will need to be sensitive about how you go about this, but create a space where people can bring photos or mementos of those who have recently died. Have a time of thanksgiving and acknowledge that we will still feel sad, and that’s OK.
You might want to widen it to families who have held a funeral at the church in the past year. This will help them remember positively and also let them know that the church community is not just there for them at the time of the funeral, but throughout the year.
