Ideas for encouraging Baptism families at halloween

October 31st has become a significant family celebration. The scary costumes and trick-or-treat are here to stay, but churches can still contact families to offer something supportive for their journey of faith. It’s an opportunity to talk about good and evil and the Christian hope of light in a dark world. Here are some ways to offer a positive message at Hallowe’en.

All Saints’ Day on November 1st has become less relevant in our contemporary culture, but with commercial influence, Hallowe’en (All Hallows’ Eve) on October 31st is now a massive event for children and families.

Should the church have a voice at this time of year, and if so, how can it involve your contacts made through Life Events?

• Better than Hallowe’en by Nick Harding, available on Church House Publishing, offers ideas for a Christian response to Halloween with appropriate Biblical references. Please note that you can read the first section of this book for free as a download on the Church House Publishing website, but activities and resources for children aged 5-11 are only available in the purchased book.
• Consider holding a family or children’s activity day on or close to Hallowe’en. Activities might still include traditional activities like pumpkin carving, but perhaps have a ‘happy face’ design competition instead of scary pumpkin faces. Scripture Union offers an excellent resource page on their website for hosting a light party.