It was a snowy night….

Those words can put the fear of God into any parent needing to escort their children around the neighborhood. Nobody chooses to trudge through the snow and watch their children beg for candy. Bad weather can take the fun out of it of night of dressing up.

So we asked ourselves how can we serve the community? What can we do as the ‘church’ to recapture the innocence and excitement of running from house to house and getting “free” candy? How could we make this year’s snowy event a memorable family experience?

No. We did not hold an inside trick or treat. No. We did hold a trunk or treat after service. No. We did not hand out full size candy bars.

We did open the doors to The Center. We turned up the heat. We made coffee, cider and hot cocoa. We cranked up the sanctuary speakers with 80’s music. We dressed like cats, flamingos, wonder woman and even Shrek. We invited all the neighbors in to warm themselves, play few games, collect a prize and some candy. AND we did it all for free.

The conspiracy theorist will say it’s a way to trick people into becoming Christians. Doubting Thomas’s will claim its stealth recruitment strategy - give them candy and they will come back for more. Still others think its bait and switch. Be nice to them on Halloween so you can condemn them on Sunday.

Fortunately, none of these are correct. The Center invited the community into the building on Halloween because its a simple act of Christian love. Love for the kids and adults. Love of the neighborhood. Love without strings. Love without judgement. Love for God’s creation. Love for community. Love for new connections.

The scariest part of Halloween is how do serve more next year.