'Light the night this Halloween' 

A new UK initiative is encouraging Christians to see Halloween not as something to fear, but as an opportunity to meet their neighbours with hospitality, generosity, joy and the love of Jesus

The new website Light the Night brings together practical ideas and how to guides to help churches, families and individual Christians engage positively with their communities on 31 October.

The ideas include creating a 'Streets of Light' window display sharing a message of 'Light, Love and Hope', turning their home into a 'House of Light' and offering a warm welcome to visitors, or setting up a Light Beacon in a local park to welcome families with refreshments, a light themed children’s activity and a prayer space.

One of its creators is Andrew Bates, pioneer of the Light Beacons initiative at New Life Church, a Baptist church in Woking. Light Beacons has grown into a community outreach welcoming hundreds of people each year.

He said: “We’ve found that people are really receptive when we’re out on 31 October. It’s a great opportunity to connect with our local community, offer a warm welcome and show something of the love and hope of Jesus. 

"I’d encourage Christians to get involved in whatever way works best for them and their community.”

Nay Dawson, founder of Passion for Evangelism and part of the Light the Night team, said the vision of the website is to help Christians 'see Halloween as a mission opportunity and to give practical ideas for how we can all light up the night.'

"We want to encourage Christians to step towards their neighbours with generosity, hospitality and the love of Jesus,” she said. 

Rachael Heffer, Head of Mission at the Evangelical Alliance, also encouraged Christians to get involved, saying: “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.”
 

To find out more and get involved, visit lightthenight.uk