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English Halloween trouble Sunday 5 November 2006
by St Nicolas, Cranleigh, GB

Our Light Party was a huge success. Lots of children want to be invited to a party but have no party to go to. One little boy came round Trick or Treating with his mother all by himself. We are going to go large next year and invite the whole community to the event. Halloween is becoming a real nuisance in England, with tricks including anything from eggs thrown at windows to full-blown arson attacks.

Avoids trick or treating Sunday 5 November 2006
by Maghull Baptist Church, Maghull, GB

It was a great party and the parents were all too happy to do something that avoided the usual trick or treating.

Churches working together Sunday 5 November 2006
by Feilding Baptist, Fielding, NZ

It was fantastic to see the Churches in Feilding combining and working together to make this such an awesome event!!

A stream of kids Sunday 5 November 2006
by Tamarau Community Church, Gisborne, NZ

It was neat seeing all the stream of kids walking to the Light Party many first timers to the church

Awesome atmosphere Sunday 5 November 2006
by New Lynn Bible Chapel, Auckland, NZ

Awesome atmosphere! The best thing was seeing everyone in our Church do what they do best - together for the same aim.

Key event of year Sunday 5 November 2006
by All Saints Church, Hamilton, NZ

The Light Party is a key event in our year, and it has been amazing to see how God has used it to bless families in the community

Huge success Sunday 5 November 2006
by St Margaret's Presbyterian Church, Bishopdale, Christchurch

A huge success, meeting an obvious need in the community. Already people have said we heard you had a party and we'd love to come next year

Com'ty outreach/team building Sunday 5 November 2006
by Terry St Bible Chapel, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland, NZ

As a first effort for a small assembly we think our Light Party was a great success. With most of our Assembly taking part in some way we felt our Light Party was not only a great community outreach it was a real Team Building exercise. We are already talking about what we will do next year!

Overwhelming com'ty response Sunday 5 November 2006
by Beachlands Baptist Church, Auckland, NZ

[The] Community response was over whelming. Non attenders [said that they] noticed a lack of children roaming the streets. [Attendees said:] What a fantastic friendly atmostphere. I can't believe all the games and activities are free. Lets do it again next year! How can my child get involved in Childrens church on Sundays?

Warm & inviting Sunday 5 November 2006
by Waiheke Combined Churches, Waiheke Island, NZ

A fantastic idea with a huge ammount of fun and enthusiasm had by all who attended. A real uniting of all the churches on Waiheke Island and wonderful working together. The first ever Light Party on Waiheke Island was a wonderful success, the church was so warm and inviting. . . The words of an 8yr old boy next day at school sums it all up: I told you, you should have come . . . it was awesome!

Wholesome & safe for kids Sunday 5 November 2006
by Northcross Community Church, Browns Bay, Auckland, NZ

So we just would like to say a BIG thank you for all your amazing done, and the team of course, for all the efforts that you guys made so that the kids can have such a fun night. Another Mum said to me that we must please have another LP next year as it takes the pressure off by providing something wholesome and safe for the kids to do

Obvious desire for alternative Sunday 5 November 2006
by Cornerstone New Life Church, Invercargill, NZ

Was a great sucess - many positive responces. Great to see all the ages enjoying themselves. Excellent support and attendance - there's an obvious desire for an alternative to Halloween in the community (NOT just for Christians.) We had a response of cheers and applause when I announced we would be having a Light Party again next year, - there's obviously a desire to run such an event for the community

Motivation all round Sunday 5 November 2006
by Flaxmere Baptist Church, Hastings, NZ

Grandparents of children attending are now arranging to have their children join the Children's church and after school programs. An adult helper enjoyed himself so much he has kept his T-shirt and nametag for next year and intends to arrange time off so that he can be more involved in the arranging of the Light Party and assist more in the running of the evening.'

Great turnout & involvement Sunday 5 November 2006
by Banks Peninsula Presbyterian Church, Akaroa, NZ

Great turn out and involvement of so many families

Heaps of wonderful comments Sunday 5 November 2006
by River of Life Church, Waitara, NZ

We catered for 200 and ended up with double that! It really stretched the workers but they rose to the challenge and pulled the night off with heaps of wonderful comments from parent who really enjoyed the night

Less dorr-knockers Sunday 5 November 2006
by Welcome Bay Baptist, Tauranga, NZ

Everyone had a fantastic time. The neighbours had very few door knockers and thought this was due to the children being at the Light Party

LP safer and more fun Sunday 5 November 2006
by Mt Wellington Community Church, Auckland, NZ

We closed off the road and held a street party on a main intersection in Mt Wellington. We had many parents say that the Light Party is a fantastic idea, a lot safer and far more fun than Halloween. Their beliefs and reasons for disliking Halloween varied greatly.

People were raving Saturday 5 November 2005
by Titirangi & Glen Eden Baptist Churches

People were raving about what a great event it was to bring their family to. More people turned up than we planned for - because of good advertising in the two local primary schools. Word also got around. Good to work with 2 churches to use combined strengths and facilities.

Valuable opportunity to help Saturday 5 November 2005
by Tamarau Community Church Gisborne

Excellent and exciting night. Don't hold back the expenses as it is a valuable input into young lives.

Church's largest community event Saturday 5 November 2005
by Pakuranga Baptist, Auckland

The Light Party is the largest community event that we hold as a church and we get a lot of positive feedback. It is also a great way to get the church family involved in doing something together. We had almost 70 people helping and got some new recruits to our Children's Min from people who were impressed with the party last year. We may never know what happens to the seeds we sow and who will get to harvest them, but we do know that the Lord of the harvest has that in His control - we are just doing our part!

Great link building opportunity Saturday 5 November 2005
by Oasis

Great opportunity to continue to build links with the unchurched families.

Another huge success Saturday 5 November 2005
by Northpoint Baptist Church, Taranaki

The whole event was another huge success. Always fine tuning and looking for more ideas. The website was a huge help - thank you what an awesome job you do in organising this!Need more Churches in the Taranaki to host a Light Party!

Great way to connect Saturday 5 November 2005
by Ngaire Ave Bible Chapel, Epsom

This is a great way to connect with members of the church family and the community. I would encourage everyone to make it very clear on flyers and advertising that this is an ALTERNATIVE to Halloween and that it CELEBRATES LIFE, and good things - like a thanksgiving celebration for families. Unless this is stressed a Light Party could easily turn into just a party for kids like any other Halloween get together. Remember also to have the gospel readily available through tracts, relationship building, a talk, colouring pictures etc.

Road closure for 300+ Saturday 5 November 2005
by Mt Wellington Community Church, Auckland

Closing the road and holding the event on a major intersection was excellent. Everything was free except the food items that we sold for $1.50 each. This was a huge success and we will definately do this again next year. We also had lots of good quality free entertainment which the children really enjoyed. Having 300+ people attend was fantastic.

Amazing prayer support Saturday 5 November 2005
by Methven New Life

We had a fantastic group of people supporting each other and amazing prayer support. Thoughts are taking place for the next one and themes that will be possible!!

Give-away activity sheets Saturday 5 November 2005
by Melton Uniting Church, Victoria, Australia

The games were fun, good fellowship time for the adults with the BBQ, entertainment was lively and interactive. the activity sheets were a great give-away (along with a grab bag of lollies, stickers and tracts)

Great team atmosphere Saturday 5 November 2005
by Lower Hutt Baptist

It was a good night with church members who are not generally involved taking part. A great team atmosphere. Kids responded well to our entertainment. A christian puppeteer and standup comic. Rays Road show. After a break of a few years of not doing anything in the community, it was good to break the ice again. The light party gave us a great basis to work from. Thank You.

Blown away with turnout Saturday 5 November 2005
by Lincoln Baptist

Way more children than anticipated! This was our first Light Party event so unsure about how many from community would come. We were blown away when we had over double the expected turnout which showed us that there is a need in the community for positive alternatives! The Light Party was such a wonderful way to connect with people in a fun, non-threatening way. The website provided wonderful planning ideas & made it much easier to get something off the ground & the e-mails were so encouraging -a big thanks!

Learned heaps Saturday 5 November 2005
by Greyfriars, Epsom, Auckland

1st party so nervous about it all, Learned heaps! Thank you Lord for the beautiful weather!!! & for this outreach.

Shared Christian message Saturday 5 November 2005
by Grey Lynn Community Church, Auckland

When praying about what the wee talk should be on I felt that I was meant to encourage the children that they are created by a huge God that made them just the way they are (hair colour etc). That he has an amazing plan of fun and adventure for their lives. Also for the parents to thank them for parenting, acknowledging that it is a tremendously hard and often thankless task. We thanked them for their committment and offered our help in anyway we could to support them as parents. We also reminded them that God was the ultimate expert on their children and is only a conversation away.