Every year, on the 31th October, all the Churches in my hometown synergise together and put on an event called the “Light Party”. Yes, this event has been occurring for some ten years and is on the same day as Halloween. Why is this festivity on Halloween? Well, I’m told that “it’s the positive alternative to Halloween”... and “it’s a way to keep the kids safe by keeping them off the streets away from harm’s way!!”
However, after this expensive local Selwyn Park carnival, I usually encounter new families within the week, where I ask the kids what they liked about the “Light Party”, and every year it’s always the same: “Halloween was amazing!!! Food, fun, games, rides, face painting… I get to dress up as a Witch (contrasted to Johnny: I get to be a Vampire!!!) Oh boy, I can’t wait to do Halloween again next year!!! Gosh, I LOVE HALLOWEEN!!!”
And so there is the problem: in the families and children’s eyes, the Church has just funded an awesome day of Halloween. In fact they don’t even know that the Church funded the event at all!!! It was just another part of the Halloween celebration… and if you want to know my response: “What the…!!!???”
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