HAVE you heard about the skeleton that walked into a bar and asked for a pint of beer and a mop? OK – enough with the Halloween jokes!

I’m not into spooks and witches and, anyway, I would rather begin the dark month of November celebrating light and goodness.

Talking of light and goodness, would you believe I spent Monday evening (October 31) walking the streets with numerous kings and princesses, assorted adults with lanterns and a large blue hippopotamus?

Yes, I know its not the usual way of Halloween, but in the church we prefer to remember All Hallows Eve by remembering all that is good and true and celebrating the light and glory of Jesus Christ. So instead of dressing as witches and warlocks asking for sweets and treats to “placate the forces of evil”, we dressed our children as kings and princesses and made lanterns and offered small gifts to some of our local parishioners with the message – No Trick, Your Treat (with love from St Margaret’s).

Evil takes. Love gives. It’s as simple as that!

As we look forward to remembering the giving of those who sacrificed their lives for freedom and the One who gave His life for us all, let’s choose to be givers and lovers and lives for others! – John.