Norfolk churches fight back on Hallowe'en
 Churches in Norfolk are fighting back after latest research showed that two-thirds of Britons would like a greater range of Hallowe’en products in order to celebrate a brighter festival.
In response to demand from families, churches are hosting a series of alternative Hallowe’en events with the emphasis on light and laughter rather than darkness and fear.
Research by the Opinion Research Business showed that 36% of people believed that the supermarkets and major stores should offer a broader range of brighter products for parents to buy for their children for 31st October, with a 30% saying they are open to the idea. This echoes the appeal made by the Church of England to supermarkets to offer more positive products rather than the usual fare of monster masks and costumes based on characters from horror movies such as Silence of the Lambs.
Almost half (45%) of the parents interviewed feel strongly that there should be a choice of alternative products while among 18-24 year olds, the figure rises to nearly 6 in 10 (58%). Both ASDA and Sainsbury’s have confirmed that they are offering a range of less anti-social goods, such as glow sticks, hair braids and face paints, this Hallowe’en.
Many of Norfolk’s churches are joining in the campaign Hallowe’en Choice, and reclaiming the event as the “Eve of All Hallows” – or the Eve of All Saints Day –a great festival marking the triumph of good over evil.
At Stoke Holy Cross, the Parish Church is holding a light party (31st October 6pm-8pm in the Church Hall). They are going to erect large 6’ crosses outside covered with fairly lights with pumpkins carved with crosses lighting the path. Games, fun and food will follow – and anyone turning up wearing black with be brightened up with tinsel. They will give a short presentation about Jesus being the light of the world and will give out light sticks for the children to take home.
St John's, St Paul's, Ipswich Road URC, and New Hope in Norwich are holding a joint "Light Party" at Tuckswood Primary School in Tuckswood on Wedneseday 31st.from 5pm to 7pm. There is a history of sucessful joint events in the Lakenham community. Working together to minister to the children in the area is a great way to share our concern for the children in Lakenham and to reach out with the Christian message.
At Roydon, the parish church will host a Family Hallowe’en Party (31st October 5pm-7pm). The children arrive in fancy dress and there are games, food and stories, finishing with a candlelit procession in to church for prayers and a song marking the Eve of All Saints. The Rector, the Revd Rob Mellowship says, “The children leave playing a trick or treat on me – but always getting treated. Our numbers rise every year and the mums think it’s a great idea and a positive alternative to traditional trick and treating.”
And in Gorleston, the parishioners from St Mary Magdalene’s will be providing a meal for older people who are worried about being indoors for Trick or Treat. The Vicar, the Revd Linda Ricketts, says, “We collect those who need a lift in a minibus. They come early and we eat Bangers and Mash and chat and enjoy each others’ company until they feel safe to go home. This year we will have 33 people for a sit-down meal.”
Rev Jan McFarlane, spokesperson for the Diocese of Norwich, said, “Increasingly people are becoming more anxious about the darker side of Hallowe’en. Churches in the Diocese of Norwich are doing all they can to provide events with an emphasis on goodness and light for children and teenagers, who have fun without getting themselves worried or frightened and without getting into trouble. And other churches are looking after older people who are frightened at the prospect of “trick or treaters” knocking at their door. We want to reclaim the occasion as a festival of light rather than fear.”
Further information from www.halloweenchoice.org
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