Happy All Hallows Eve!

Dear Friends,

I let it slip last Sunday the 19^th that one of my favorite celebrations of the year is Halloween. My favorite question from the children at Grace Early Learning Center was asked by a three-year-old at lunch a couple of weeks ago, “What Disney princess are you going to be for Halloween?” Well, my costume repertoire as an adult includes an Oktoberfest German outfit, a queen bee costume, and Sponge Bob. One of those is likely to turn up when I participate in Trunk or Treat on October 31^st for the GELC children and the community.

What I have always loved best about Halloween, even as a child, was the opportunity to put on a costume that allowed me to pretend to be what I most loved, or most feared as a child. When I dressed as a Dutch girl, or a cat, or a nurse, I felt empowered to grow into the attributes of the character I put on. When I dressed as a ghost, or a witch, it took away the fear that I had about those things. Regardless, wearing a costume, engaging in the fun of the night always deepened my imagination in ways that made space for God and the power of God to deepen our hopes and dreams, and take away our fears.

Coming as it does before the great celebration of All Saints, where we celebrate those we love and see no longer who have formed us in faith, and the saints who are among us, our siblings in Christ, Halloween invites us to face what is fearful and grow our trust in God who vanquishes all darkness by the light of Christ. Halloween teaches us how to put on the most important “costume” we will ever wear, the armor of God to face a world in need of mercy, love and hope. By God’s grace we can face that world and let it know that such gifts of God in Christ are neither trick, nor one-time treat. Rather they are always the offering of a just and compassionate God of love.

God’s peace and keeping,

Mary+