Hugh ensures a treat for All Hallows Eve

 

Church Army evangelist Hugh Boorman ensured a treat for All Hallows Eve last week when he turned the traditional “trick or treat” night into a fundraising event for needy Brazilian children. On 31st October, as children all around the UK knocked on their neighbours ’ doors for a treat of sweets and candies in celebration of All Hallows Eve, members of the Ladygrove Church , Didcot where Hugh serves as Minister, decided to do something a little different.

Hugh explains, “In the past, church members have kept all the lights off in the front of their houses, hoping that no one would call, which sounded a little like the apostles pre-Pentecost. So this year, I produced a small handout which they could give to any children who called. In the hand-out, we didn’t condemn “trick or treating” at all. We simply thanked the child for calling and told them about street children in Brazil , on whom it appeared that life had already played some nasty tricks but with a little care and support could be helped back on their feet.”

“The handout explained we wanted to give a treat to those street children - for every child who called on the church member committed to send a sum of money to  Missao VER (a charity which works with the street children).”

This form of trick ‘a treat seemed to work quite well, with children and adults alike. Hugh continues, “On the night of 31st October, some church members found that callers gave them money to send to the charity and the following morning parents have been coming up to our church members saying how touched they were by the hand-out and asking how they could send money to help the children in Brazil.”

Church member Mary Parker explains, “I felt so different about opening the door to the children this year and was actually looking forward to it! One little girl went rushing back down the path to her parents saying 'we're going to help the Brazilian children' and sounded really excited about it. In previous years we've had some children's leaflets from CPO to hand out to the children but this was a much better way of expressing an alternative to Halloween. The wording which you had used on the leaflets was very positive and well thought out. It is something which could 'go far' - I'm sure other churches would be interested in giving it a try in the future.”

In Brazil , there are over 20,000 children living on the streets below poverty lines. The harsh reality of life on the streets means that most of them will not live to see their 18th birthday.  Missao VER is a charity working with street children to give them a good education and necessary life skills.

For more information on the Ladygrove Church, contact Hugh Boorman on 01235 819 036.