Paula’s story
A number of years ago, when I was a leader in our Girls’ Brigade company, it happened to be 31st October and we were really thin on the ground. Hardly any of the girls had attended, and I wondered why.
Someone explained to me that it was Halloween and that lots of children now went trick or treating. I was pretty shocked, as it wasn’t something that had been common when I was growing up.
Then I read an article in our local newspaper about a lady from a church in Liverpool who had started a Light Party
A celebration of Jesus and His light on a night when many people celebrate the darkness in our world.
She had dressed as a pink fairy — I guess the complete opposite of the scary ghosts, skeletons, Draculas, witches and monsters that are often associated with Halloween.
It really caught my attention.
I started thinking about how we could create something that was the complete opposite of Halloween: a night where children could have fun, feel safe, hear about Jesus and celebrate His light.
So, the following year, we held our very first Light Party.
In Bethel Church Liverpool.
The whole evening was centred around celebrating Jesus and His light. We invited the children to come dressed in bright or white clothes ( no scary costumes) and we had a party with songs about Jesus, fun games, an evangelistic talk, food and drinks.
Around 60 children came, which was amazing!
And, of course, they all went home with a treat bag; proving that you don’t have to go trick or treating to get a bag of treats!
The Light Party still continues in our church today. Yes, there is now a different leader — because passing the baton on and giving others the opportunity to lead is really important.
But the message remains the same:
We celebrate Jesus and His light when the world is celebrating darkness and evil.
What started with a handful of missing Girls’ Brigade girls on one October evening has grown into something that continues to point children towards Jesus and remind them that His light shines in the darkness.