The church has a history of retreating within its walls during All Hallows Eve. Buildings get closed and individuals stay home. A time for precaution and locked doors. Days of eggs being cracked on our doors remain in the memory and fear of ‘celebrations of evil’ pervade.
Meanwhile Halloween in many respects has quickly become a cultural festival to rival Christmas with vast numbers engaging. Quiet streets annually become thoroughfares for troops of kids (young and old), who’ve been working on their dramatic costumes and make-up for weeks in the planning. Neighbourliness and street fun has re-found a place in the calendar as homes and gardens are opened up. Spookily inviting decorations invite people in with sophisticated artistry.
Churches, knowing we cannot by conviction celebrate evil and being considerate of children with ‘FOMO’, have increasingly been inspired to lead Light Parties. These are a good way to express the jubilant victory we have in Christ.
Retreating from evil
But let’s be real, Halloween has become more a moment of retreat for the church rather than an attack on the deep and real forces of evil that surround us. What does this retreat teach our kids about the power and sense of mission that comes with knowing Jesus?
Over this past year a number of us having been praying that Halloween 2026 might be turned on it’s head. We have been praying that evil might be turned for good; that in the darkness the light of Christ might shine much more brightly this year.
Engaging in dark places
We are calling on churches and Christians to be creative, to plan and prepare so that together in the power of Christ, we make a big splash of light up and down the country, by engaging in the darkest spaces. We have been thinking about church buildings and graveyards, about community spaces and parks, about streets, garages and homes. We have been pondering what it means to be ‘in the world, not of the world’, to be ‘a Jew to the Jews and a Greek to the Greeks’, to follow the incarnational model of Christ in our mission to the lost.
And what we have found is that Halloween has become for many of us a time of not only light but joy, fun and laughter. The devil is well-worthy of mocking and a lot of fun can be had when disempowering him on his favourite night.
A new resource
A number of collaborators have come together to pool their varied, tried and tested resources on one website to share with the church at large. Light the Night is the central place to browse for inspiration and ideas -whether for your church, your home or your neighbourhood.
It is full of examples and how-to-guides – including a number from my church, St Mary Magdalene in Gorleston. On the site, you’ll find engaging stories and resources to give away, and an opportunity to mark your spot on the UK community map, so to see how we are lighting up the night nationally together.
Rachael Heffer, of the Evangelical Alliance, said
“Light the Night is a timely initiative, encouraging us as the UK Church to grab the opportunity to engage with Halloween not with fear, but with faith, hospitality and the love of Jesus. When so many are spiritually curious, and coming to our doors at Halloween, what better opportunity to be outside, meet our neighbours, welcome them warmly and make the light of Jesus known in our communities!”
Andy Frost, from Share Jesus International, said:
“Halloween provides a unique opportunity to share about the light and hope Christ offers. Light the Night gives you practical ideas of how best to use this missional moment either as an individual or as a church community.”
Let’s not be back-footed by the devil and find ourselves in retreat this time but take the massive opportunity before us to reach out in some small way this year.
Check out the resources at Light the Night.
Anna Price is Community Strategic Manager at St Mary Magdalene Church Gorleston. She is passionate about how the love of Christ can transform her, the church and their local community.
Discover more from Grace + Truth
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
