From the Desk of Rev. Michelle…

 

All Hallows’ Eve (known today as Halloween), All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, are collectively known as All Hallowtide. Halloween has a long history in both pre-Christian and Christian realms. In many ways over the years that Christians have used local customs to engage people in the faith and seek to supplant, in effect colonize, local practices.

Halloween has roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. This celebration was one of the most important holidays of the year, it marked the beginning of the “darker half” of the year. It was a time where the Celts believed that the veil between this world of the living and that of the dead was thin. It was a time to honour their ancestors. They would carve turnips and potatoes to make lanterns and ward off evil spirits. There was also practice of dressing up so that the ghosts who could roam the earth for this day would not recognize you.

As the Roman Catholic Church moved into the Celtic lands, the process of seeking to appropriate and adapt the holiday began. By the ninth century the focus of October 31st had shifted away from its original focus of roaming spirits and death to a focus on the soul, the supernatural and the saints. November 1 became known as All Saints’ Day. It was a day to celebrate the martyrs and venerated saints, known as “hallows.” who are remembered and honoured, and prayers are said for all the holy people who have gone before us. The night before became known as the eve of all-hallows or All Hallows’ Eve. Eventually, it was shortened to Halloween.

November 2nd became known as All Souls’ Day when prayers are offered for our deceased loved ones. It is often marked by lighting candles and visiting graves. It is a day for honouring the faithful who have gone before us. And to remember what they have taught us about the faith journey that we continue to walk

The practices of All Halloween made its way to the Americas primarily with refugees from the potato famine where it continued to evolve into what it is today. So this Hallowtide may we remember the origins of this celebration, and the ways in which we have reformed it to tell the story of Christ, to fit the people before us. In doing so let us remember the ways in which our story has been used in positive and negative ways.

Someday I will address colonial practices, how those have shaped other areas of our theology and practice, and how it can be both a support for helping people understand and also how the colonial project has warped our understanding of faith. But that is for another time. For today, may we take a moment to give thanks for those who have touched our lives, and live with the expectation that in the thin places we experience God will show up!

If you have not yet had your picture taken for our new photo directory, the photographer is still with us tomorrow in the Hall, and a few booking times are still available. Don’t miss this opportunity to be featured with the saints of our community.

Also please note that this weekend the clocks fall back, so unless you wish to be at service an hour early don’t forget to adjust your clocks before bed on Saturday!

As we move into this weekend let us pray…

Holy One,

In this sacred season of remembering,

we give thanks for all who have walked the path of faith before us –

saints known and unknown, famous in history or quietly faithful in daily life.

We remember with love those who have shaped our lives,

who now rest in your eternal care.

May their courage inspire us, their compassion guide us,

and their faithfulness remind us that your love never ends.

As we honour the communion of all your people

the living, the departed, and those yet to come

bind us together in hope that transcends time and death.

Help us to live as your saints-in-the-making, bringing light where there is shadow, and peace where there is pain.

Through Christ, who unites us all in love, now and forever.

Amen.