Over the weekend, churches across the Diocese brought a positive expression to Halloween, eschewing scary costumes and monsters in favour of celebrating light and all that is good.
At St James', Tunbridge Wells, anyone out for a walk in the evening was able to enjoy a bright display of lights put up to remind everyone that Jesus brings light to the world:
"Last year on Halloween night, when lots of children were out trick or treating, we opened St James Church, put all the lights on and invited anyone who wanted, to come in for hot chocolate, eat their sweets and join in with games associated with light (trying to put the candles out with water pistols was the favourite!).
"Obviously this year we couldn't do this, however we still wanted to mark the occasion and remind everyone of that same message about Jesus' light and love."
At Hoo St Werburgh, families were invited to enjoy a Covid-safe alternative 'Light' event, complete with happy pumpkins, while the team at St Peter's Hextable & St Paul's Swanley Village had fun making up bags of positvity to be dropped safely to families around the parish.
Some also took their events online, like St John's Welling, who had kids' Light Zoom party!
The word ‘Hallowe’en’ is a contraction of ‘All-Hallow-Even’ - All Hallows’ Eve, the night before All Saints’ Day.
All Saints’ Day is an opportunity to celebrate and give thanks for the lives and examples of people in whom the Church sees the grace of God at work. ‘The saints’ is a term that, in English Bibles, is a translation of ‘holy ones’.