HALLOWE'EN is a time of year which arouses mixed emotions.
The old traditions of pumpkins and apple bobbing have been supplemented with US trick or treat which some enjoy, others see as a nuisance.
Based on the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, it originally marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, or the “darker half” of the year. It was also seen as a time when the door to the Otherworld opened enough for the souls of the dead to come outside Feasts were held and they were invited to join the party.
Gothic
To indicate that it is on the eve of feast day of of All Saints, modern times and Christianity gave it the name Hallow'een – but some churches have serious problems with the proliferation of witchcraft paraphernalia.
Many have responded by offering light parties as a Halloween alternative. However, this year, Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral is once again giving a different slant by exploiting its own Gothic charms and the “wild and the dangerous” side of its faith with Night of the Living Dead.
Canon Richard White, who is spearheading the service, said “It’s worship with a difference. Geared towards anyone 16 or over we’re using our magnificent Gothic building to create an amazing atmospheric service.”
“Halloweve” first appeared in the Cathedral in 2010 in a dramatic Eucharist that had a coffin as its centrepiece and looked at fear as a theme. Using the space, lighting and its powerful organ to great effect it came to be recognised as a powerful worship experience.
Canon White said: “Teenagers and young people have a natural fascination with the supernatural. Teen culture is full of the subject. Let’s use this interest in the spiritual world as an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to enable us to share the gospel in fresh and exciting ways.”
While it openly bids to attract younger people into the fold, he dismisses any accusation that this is just a gimmick: “It’s a genuine act of worship. Church isn’t supposed to be tame and safe. We have a wild, dangerous, challenging faith. And we’re much richer spiritually when we realise that.
“Halloweve is different, edgy.”
