Make Halloween Crazy Good for Others in Worcester, Mass.

Fun and Fantastic Advice For the Phantasmagoric Holiday of Halloween 

Do you love Halloween? If you live in Worcester, Massachusetts, the answer is most likely a loud and resounding, "Yes!" 

If you want to see a day where more New Englanders willingly and excitedly step out their doors to spend time with their neighbors, look no further than when Halloween hits. 

In spite of the holiday's unique and corkscrew history, people love dressing up, and/or dressing their kids up, and participating in the spectacle, fear, and laughter of it all. And here's a fun fact for you: It's the second highest-grossing commercial holiday after Christmas. Let the crazy loose!

But maybe you want to be a bit more chill. Or maybe you're the Scrooge of Halloween. You're wondering if there could be a bit something more to make of this day when all the people around you are coming to your door. If so, check out this exceptional video about All Hallows' Eve:

Halloween: Trick or Treat?

" ... On the cusp of the customary All Saints Day 

The Christ-i-an kinsfolk made mocking display. 

These children of light both to tease and deride; 

Don darkness, doll down as the sinister side. 

In pre-post-er-ous pageants and dress diabolic, 

They hand to the damned just one final frolick. 

You see with the light of the dawn on the morrow, 

The sunrise will swallow such darkness and sorrow. ... "

And here's a link to FREE GUIDE: How To Be Missional This Halloween. Also, check out the posts and quotes for some food, er candy, for thought after the snazzy banner below.

3 Simple Ways To Be Missional on Halloween | " ... There is a sociological fact that cannot be denied: Halloween is the one day which neighbors are outside of their homes and engaging in something together. There is not another day during the year that we see so many faces and family in our immediate sphere of influence, together. We need to ask this question: 'In light of this understanding, how does God want me to put this day to use ... ?'" + Jeff Mangum

Halloween: Trick, Treat or Missional? | " ... We’ll be kicking off the holiday season, watching it rise with a thankful heart in November, and find transformation and hope in a manger in December. And through it all we’ll be looking for the people of peace that might want to talk a bit more, that might want prayer, or simply need a listening ear. Looking for people to love, to bless to, befriend. Yes, it's that time of year again. And no, its not my favorite celebration, but it is a missional opportunity. It’s a chance to build relationships and reach out. And if I have to do that dressed as Cleopatra – then so be it." + Jo Saxton

Halloween Is For Mission | " ... Just to be overly clear, the very people you (should) want to be growing in relationship with will be walking up your driveway, and ringing your doorbell. They will be coming to you. So, open the door. Smile. Be friendly. Talk to people. Ask them their names. ... " + Brian McCormack

3 Practical Ways to be Missional This Halloween | " ... Be THAT house. We have been blessed to be a blessing. Think about how this shows people the Father. Everyone is expecting to get a small fun size bar. It’s what they’ve earned by dressing up and having the courage to knock on your door and say “trick or treat.” What they know they haven’t earned is a full size candy bar … it speaks to this idea of grace and blessing. You don’t need to tell the kids this, but it starts to tell the story of what your house is about to the neighbors.  It tells a different story than what they expect or are used to ... " + Seth McBee

12 Simply Ways To Be On Mission This Halloween | "This coming Halloween offers a great opportunity for many to engage in new relationships with those around us or to revisit some old relationships with new missional intentionality. Regardless of what you think of the holiday and it’s roots, the culture we have been sent by Jesus to reach is going to celebrate Halloween. We all have in front of us a wide open door for missionary engagement in our neighborhoods. ... 

1. Give out the best candy
2. Think of the parents
3. Be present
4. Be encouraging
5. Party
6. Learn the stories
7. Attend the party
8. Join the community
9. Head to the 'watering holes'
10. Pay attention
11. Stay dependent
12. Open doors

+ Jeff Vanderstelt

What Christians Should Know About Halloween | " ... For those who are still bothered by Halloween's historical association with evil spirits, Martin Luther has some advice on how to respond to the devil: 'The best way to drive out the devil, if he will not yield to texts of Scripture, is to jeer and flout him for he cannot bear scorn.' Perhaps instead of fleeing the darkness in fear, we should view Halloween as an opportunity to mock the enemy whose power over us has been broken." + Justin Holcomb

I hope you were intrigued by some of the quotes and maybe even clicked on a few of the articles above. This Halloween, my family will be out and about on our street, and we will be giving out full size candy bars, grilled hot dogs, and water bottles to whoever comes by our fire pit in the driveway. As my friend, David, notes:

Tonight is the only night of the year your neighbors will come knocking on your door. Take advantage of the opportunity and be asking, "What is lacking on this night?" and bring that. It might be water, hot drinks, or even a sofa on your lawn. Maybe make a campfire. And of course, give the best candy, but give the best gift, a place to rest for weary travelers, a friendly conversation and a place of acceptance.

May our hallowed Jesus' grace and shalom transform this October 31 in Worcester, Massachusetts into something far beyond what those who celebrate Halloween could ever expect, imagine, or think.

Wouldn't that be "scary"? 

Christ is all,

Pastor Mike "Sully" Sullivan

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