Halloween Outside Church Walls

In thinking about what to discuss on this Halloween Day, and connecting it with our consistent message of being church outside our walls, it was easy to decide what to present. Our own church, St. Mark’s in Montesano, Washington has for the past 8 years or so opened its doors to all of the trick-or-treaters in our neighborhoods. Our church sits within a long established neighborhood (close to three other churches) and also is near the local high school (which has its own fun house). The area is loaded with hundreds of kids and their parents walking around to get treats this day each year, and a while back we decided to join in the fun. For a couple of weeks before Halloween we ask everyone to bring in treats to give out, and we end up with several large bags to serve the large crowd. At this very moment as I write this, the walkway and the entrance to the church parish hall has been decorated with several large blowup items (a large pumpkin, a scary black cat, a large ghost), and the doors opened to to greet everyone to get their treats, to sit for a short rest in the warm hall with coffee or tea, and even to use the restrooms as needed. Even the dogs and cats which come by get a treat. The parents enjoy the short rest (if the weather is poor), and many take pictures of their kids with the decorations. And, many years this evening falls on a night when our local AA or Gamblers Anonymous group meets at our church hall, and they continue on with handing out treats and coffee for a short while as we finish at 7pm or so, so it is a shared time of giving for us all.

It’s just one way to meet your church neighbors—I highly recommend it! Some pictures from a recent Halloween event are at:http://www.stmarksmonte.com/article/285/about-us/upcoming-events-recent-news/2011-events/halloween-for-kids-2011

Jim