NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Smiling jack-o-lanterns. Costumed Bible characters. Candy from church parking lots instead of door-to-door.

It’s trunk-or-treat, a new take on an old tradition. Church members park decorated cars in a circle or rows and distribute candy from their trunks. Children typically come in costume, but they’re more apt to be princesses and fuzzy animals than witches and ghouls.

The emphasis is on outreach, transforming an often macabre holiday into a time of wholesome family fun.

“We’re an alternative to Halloween,” explained Deanna Tannehill, ministry assistant at Friendship Baptist Church in Springdale. “We want something that is uplifting. In this day and age, we need to have a positive focus on good things, not scary things.”

The flyer for the Friendship Baptist Church event asks children to dress as a Bible character or an animal - “no evil characters,” it says. Not all churches are as explicit about costumes. Yet most share the underlying assumption that Halloween is a holiday with sinister roots.

The celebration harkens back to pre-Christian days, when Celts and other ancient people marked the end of the growing season and the coming of winter. The Celts believed the “veil between the worlds” thinned at this time, allowing spirits to pass through. The festival was celebrated with bonfires, sacrifices and divination of the future.

The emphasis on spiritualism counters many scriptural prohibitions against the occult, said the Rev. Jack Maddox, pastor of First Baptist Church in Garfield.

Even more troubling to him is the modern glorifi cation of violence during Halloween.

“The secular holiday of Halloween in many areas is inconsistent with the Christian message,” he said. At the same time, the church recognizes the opportunity for outreach.

“It’s a Mars Hill type of thing,” Maddox said, referring to the Areopagus in Athens where the Apostle Paul made a well-known speech. Instead of arguing with the Romans about the “Unknown God” they worshipped, he identified that god as the Christian God.

In much the same way, a non-Christian holiday such as Halloween can be a way to connect with others, Maddox said.

“Instead of combating the culture, it’s an opportunity to utilize the culture and sharethe gospel. Some of the folks I’ll meet on Sunday night this year are folks I’d never meet on Sunday morning.”

Like Friendship Baptist Church, the emphasis is on the gospel, with Biblethemed games, decorations and messages. A number of churches plan to hand out Bible tracts with their candy.

Other churches tone down the religious message. Traci Fennell, volunteer coordinator for trunk-or-treat at First Baptist Church of Lowell, said the event is oftered as a community service. Between 2,000 and 3,000 people attended last year.

The Rev. Brad Dick, pastor of Rogers Wesleyan Church, said his church is adding a whole-family focus this year. Christian recording artist Recycled will perform. The “Survivor” style games will include parents as coaches.

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GO & DO SEASONAL EVENTS

The following events are offered at no cost. Most are outside, so dress warmly.

Fall Family Festival at the Bella Vista Family Church of the Nazarene, 760 W. Lancashire Blvd., 4 to 8 p.m. today. Activities include games, a carved pumpkin contest (bring carved pumpkins), a silliest hat contest, face painting, horseshoes, a hay ride and miniature train rides for children. There will be a campfire for making S’mores, and plenty of food. Information: 876-6028, www.bvfamilychurch.org.

Trunk-or-Treat at the First Baptist Church of Lowell, 409 Johnson Ave., 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. There will be 50 decorated vehicles, and free popcorn, hot dogs and soda. Some 100,000 pieces of candy will be given away. Information: 770-0151.

Trunk-or-Treat at the Robinson Avenue Church of Christ in Springdale, 1506 W. Robinson Ave., 5 p.m. Oct. 30. Children of all ages are welcome to dress up in their Halloween costumes.

Free family pictures will be offered, as well as candy and food.

Information: 751-4887.

Trunk-or-Treat at Bella Vista Lutheran Church, 1990 Forest Hills Blvd., 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31. Activities include horses to ride and inflatable bounce houses. Information: www.bvlutheran.com.

Trunk-or-Treat at First United Methodist Church in Bella Vista, 20 Boyce Drive, 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. In case of inclement weather, the event will move into Becker Hall. Enjoy food, music, treats and S’mores. Information: 855-1158, www.lovelearnlead.com.

Trunk-or-Treat at United Lutheran Church in Bella Vista, 100 Cooper Road, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Hallelujah Happening and Trunk-or-Treat at First Baptist Church in Garfield, 17784 Marshall St., 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31. The event will feature games, food, candy and hay rides. Information: www.fbc-garfield.org, 359-3496.

Survivor Night at Rogers Wesleyan Church in Rogers, 1003 N.

6th St., 5 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30. The whole family is encouraged to attend. There will be live music by pop Christian recording artist Recycled, food, a trunk-or-treat, “Survivor” games and prizes.

Information: 636-8022.

Trunk-or-Treat at Southside Church of Christ in Rogers, 919 S.

Dixieland Road, 6 p.m. Oct. 31. This will be the biggest in the church’s history. Information: 636-1156.

Hallelujah Festival at Friendship Baptist Church in Springdale, 5395 E. Robinson Ave., 5 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 31. Event features a chili cookoff, pumpkin roll contest, carnival games, pie-eating contest, hay ride and bonfire. Information: 751-7371, www.gofriendship.com.

SOURCE: STAFF REPORT

Religion, Pages 12 on 10/23/2010