It is hard to believe we have been hosting the Fall Festival for 36 years. We started back in 1985. It has become a part of our culture. Again, let me walk through the vision and the mission of Fall Festival. We started this outreach event as a positive alternative for families. I know there are lots of people, JIBC families included, that love Halloween. It can be a fun day for families. Any way you look at it, the origins of Halloween has a dark side to it. Realistically, I know one could make the case that Halloween has evil origins connected with it. I also know one could make the case of how the Roman Catholic Church tried to influence and change the day into a day to remember their dead. This became connected to All Saints Day. I realize this is a very simplistic explanation. I could go much deeper into the specifics. I at least admire the Roman Catholic Church for trying to overshadow a day they viewed as evil or at least not helpful. Sacrificing to deities is a good way to bring down wrath!
When some of us were growing up, we made no association with Halloween except as the bonanza day for getting enough candy to last the rest of the year! In my neighborhood, you basically dressed up as a ghost or a mummy…or anything else a sheet could be used for. As the years went by, there were horrific crimes done on this particular day: candy being spiked, treats that were meant to do harm, children being harmed in various ways. It no longer seemed safe to send children to the homes of strangers to ask for treats. I know, I know, this is such an extreme position for what so many see as a harmless day of fun.
So, let’s get biblical: This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. We do not have to surrender any day to the devil or to evil. And we do not live in fear. We go head to head with Halloween by offering a positive alternative for families. There is no doubt that any child wanting to get candy can get more than enough at the JIBC Fall Festival. In addition, they can have a couple of hours of fun playing games, enjoying the atmosphere, winning candy and prizes, having a meal, listening to great music…all in as safe an environment as we can provide.
This is the largest community outreach event of the year for JIBC. It is an opportunity to love on the community and to meet a need for positive, wholesome fun! To make this year a success we need three things: prayer, volunteers and lots of candy! If you have never been to one of our Fall Festivals, please come and check it out. Volunteer at one of the booths for one or more shifts. We still have several slots to be filled. Pick up a bag of candy this week…especially if you see a “BOGO”.
Thanks for loving the community! See you Sunday, good Lord willing,
Pastor Tom
