This year, Holiness Tabernacle did things a little differently.
Hallowed One’s Day is celebrated each year at Holiness Tabernacle as an alternative celebration to secular culture’s Halloween.
As Pastor Pruitte put it, “We don’t celebrate ghouls, goblins and witches. But there is nothing wrong with candy, and the most important thing is to have fun.” To this end, he gave space to the teens and young adults to plan and create a Hallowed Ones day event that would be exactly what they wanted, and would expand to reach the surrounding community.
For several weeks leading up to the event, flyers were created and distributed, and the younger members of Holiness Tabernacle could be seen huddling in corners between services planning and delegating various aspects of the event.
When October 31st arrived, God blessed in a way no one could have expected. Nearly 100 members of the Woodbridge community attended Hallowed One’s Day at Holiness Tabernacle! Children and adults of all ages and backgrounds came to participate in the multiple activities that were offered. In one section of the parking lot, excited attendees could be seen having their faces painted, and in another corner, several rousing games of bingo were being played. One of the ultimate prizes was a foot long box of candy! A large area near the center of the parking lot held one of Hallowed One’s Day more popular attractions- the cakewalk. As numbers were called out, cake winners jumped, celebrated and made their way to the cakewalk prize table, which was loaded down with brownies, cookies, cakes and other frosted confections.
Not too far from where the cakewalk competition was held, a long line of members and visitors stood waiting at the food table, where burgers, hot dogs, nachos, funnel cakes and hot drinks were served to one and all, completely free of charge. Those who wanted to sit and enjoy their food were invited sit at the “movie theater” where a family friendly movie was displayed against the outside wall of the church facility. Many more activities were included, such as free play basketball, potato sack races, tic tac toe bean bag toss, crafts and much more.
As Hallowed Ones Day drew to a close, a large brown bin was opened and large bags filled to the brim with candy were pulled out. Every guest who attended walked away with a smile on their face and a bag of candy in their hands. When the last bits of food and paper were cleaned and swept away, Pastor Pruitte declared with pride what all the members were thinking – “This was one of the best Hallowed One’s Day events we have ever had.”
To God be the glory!