Religion

Halloween, when it's done right, doesn't have to be scary.

Despite all the ghosts and goblins stalking the streets cradling plastic bags bulging with candy, this celebration of all things make-believe was once a neighborhood event.

Then, like Cinderella at the stroke of midnight, the idea of neighborhood events magically disappeared, leaving kids to taunt name-tag wearing merchants with "Trick or Treat. Smell my feet. Give me something good to eat."

Parents, worried for their children's safety, are often forced to roam from store to store in the air-conditioned seclusion of local malls rather than standing in the warm glow of a neighbor's porch light.

And for those who braved nearby neighborhoods, after all the goodies were collected, instead spilling their loot across the kitchen table, kids took their candy to hospitals where it was X-rayed for razor blades and needles.

While some neighborhoods survive, the crowds of trouble-makers and bored teenagers can easily spoil what used to a night that was fun for the whole family.

The magic of Halloween was lost.

But First Christian Church is hoping to bring the spirit of community back with its Neighborhood Halloween Project.

"There needs to be a time when neighbors can come together and know that we're all here for the good of our children and to promote safety and fun," says pastor Rebecca Littlejohn. "We want to reclaim our streets by letting everyone know that we're looking out for each other."

From 5-8 p.m. Friday, all costumed princesses and monsters, superheroes and super villains are invited to stalk the sidewalks surrounding houses from 12th to 16th Avenue, Leighton to Woodstock — also known as Rocky Hollow. It's an area that's "very walkable," with lots of street lights, sidewalks and houses tucked close together, Littlejohn says.

Karen Reaves was among the Evangelism Team, who spent the last few weeks knocking on doors around the neighborhood to see who wanted to participate in the Halloween Project.

But Reaves is more than just a church volunteer. She's also the mother of a 6-year-old boy who wants kids to feel like they're growing up in a community that welcomes them.

"We've lost that feeling of belonging," says Reaves, whose son plans to dress up like a Power Ranger, assuming he can find the right size costume. "Our children are really missing out. But this helps reinvent childhood, that nostalgia that adults remember, where we had confidence in the grow-ups around us.

"This goes a long way toward building that bridge that has decayed over the years."

The fellowship hall of First Christian Church, located at 14th and Leighton Avenue, will serve as home base. Trick-or-treaters will be equipped with maps, pen lights and bags for candy while Guardian Angels in reflective vests will be a very visible presence keeping their eyes on the children at all times.

"We're basically promoting an atmosphere of safety," Littlejohn says.

As for the houses — basic Halloween rules apply. Those with hand-drawn pumpkin signs tacked to the door are "open" to trick-or-treaters for as long as the porch lights are on and the candy is available for grabbing.

"We're not making guarantees," Littlejohn says. "We don't know everyone that's on our map. We're just saying that they're handing out candy on Halloween."

But the candy's not necessarily for everyone. Teenagers or anyone who's obviously too old for trick-or-treating will be politely turned away by the ever-present Guardian angels.

"Halloween is for the kids," Littlejohn says. "Let's let them have it."

In an era when most churches and congregations have abandoned Halloween, choosing instead to host "fall festivals," Littlejohn sees nothing wrong with giving kids a chance to play dress-up and calling it what it is rather than pretending otherwise.

"We don't consider Halloween a threat to our faith," she says. "We try to be the kind of church where people can live their whole lives and not push people into leading a double life. We don't want people to have to hide when they go to church on Sunday morning.

"And we feel that building communities is a Christian value. This gives us an opportunity to do that."

But the festivities will not be entirely secular.

First Christian will host its All Saints Day service in Sunday worship on Nov. 2 when the congregation will remember all those who have passed on.

"This is the other side, the religious side of the Halloween traditions," Littlejohn says, "and we honor those traditions as well, and celebrate them in ways that bring our church family together."

Tips for Halloween night

• Trick-or-treating will be from 5-8 p.m. Friday in the area including 12 to 16th Avenue and Leighton to Woodstock.

• Homebase for Halloween night will be the fellowship hall at First Christian Church, located at 14th and Leighton where snacks and refreshments will be served.

• Houses with the pumpkin sign on the door and a front porch light on are "open."

• Teenagers without costumes will be discouraged from asking for candy.

• Guardian Angels in reflective vests will be roaming the sidewalks and guiding trick-or-treaters

Want to participate?

Anyone who wants to be included in the Neighborhood Halloween Project as an "open" house, call First Christian Church at 236-1316 by Tuesday.