A Homemade Halloween!

Halloween. Many Christians have mixed feelings about this holiday. When I was a kid I wasn't allowed to dress up or trick or treat. And I hated that, I wanted to trick or treat or treat so bad. Christians are so afraid of staying away from anything that appears to be evil that we have insulated ourselves into a Holy Bubble of sorts. Instead of trick or treating we have Fall Festivals. Instead of a haunted house we have hell house. When I was a kid we had Hallejuah night on Halloween. Instead of dressing up as a superhero or a princess, we got to wear our dads old bathrobe and turn into Moses. Seriously??? Where is the creativity in that.

Church Fall Festivals aren't a bad idea, but they mainly only attract church people. Or they are used to trick people into going to church! We already have so many progams and activities at our churches. We already spend most of our time with other like minded people who are the same as us. But is that what God has called us to do, live an easy life and only associate with other Christians. Didn't God command us to go into ALL the world and share the good news. It's easy to think we have God and Christianity all figured out when we surround ourselves only with others who think just like us.

Why does Halloween have to turn into a church function too. Wouldn't it make more sense if we instead spent Halloween engaging with our actual neighbors? I know it can be awkward showing up at your neighbors porch to see if they want to "hang out." But Halloween gives you an excuse to go next door. Invite your neighbors family to go trick or treating with your family. What a great way to get to know the kids and the parents.

This year we decided to go into ALL the neighborhood to share candy, costumes, and most of all fun with our neighbors. Jamie and I, together with the help of some of our neighbors planned the best Halloween Party the Hillside neighborhood has ever seen. Our entire purpose was to bring folks in our community together - so we could meet than and they could meet each other. Our party wan't fancy. We made treat baskets from milk jugs and wig out of newspaper. We painted nail and faces. There were kids that came to the party without costumes. When they left they had some sort of costume and a basket full of candy, homemade cookies, and popcorn. Our budget for the party was basically $20.00, we had to use the resources in the community to fund the rest. Two churches and DASH (Ben's service site) donated candy and craft supplies. Neighbors collected milk jugs and newspaper. Out of town grandmothers baked cookies and sent them to us! Our party was going to be in an outdoor space but unfortuantely it was raining. A local neighborhood restaurant offered to let us have the party in their building at no charge.

It was an awesome party. Last year only about 20 people showed up to the Hillside Halloween, this year because of neighborhood and community involvement there were about 130 people at the event. The cool thing about this party was that the attendees were mostly residents of our neighborhood. This wouldn't have been the same if it had been in a church. We my have not shared the gospel in words, but we did share our faith in our actions. "Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words." St. Francis of Assisi. I hope you enjoy the Hillside Halloween pictures! We had a great time!