Denomination has some good advice about observing Halloween The Layman Online Tuesday, November 12, 2002 A Layman Online story about Halloween activities at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville brought criticism from both sides. Mostly, the story quoted what was said on the denomination's Web site and was accompanied by two PCUSA photographs. One showed two women employees dressed like vampires. Another picture showed Jerry Van Marter, sometimes the official spokesman for the denomination, clad as a wizard with pasty white makeup on his face. Van Marter was one of those who responded with a letter to The Layman Online. "My 11-year-old daughter Rachel's only regret is that you didn't include her fabulous manicure in your photo of me – she spent hours on my black fingernails," he said. "My only regret is that you didn't include a word about the heavily attended worship services here on Reformation Day and All-Saints Day." The Presbyterian News Service, which Van Marter directs, did not post a news story about the observances. Some respondents had harsh words for the "pagan" rituals of dressing in ghoulish costumes and sponsoring a "haunted hall" in the headquarters building of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Other writers considered The Layman Online a bit stodgy, suggesting that the Halloween antics were simply morale-building fun. In either event, the PCUSA quickly removed the pictures and text from the denomination's official Web site. And The Layman Online, in view of the commotion the story caused, did a PCUSA Web site search to see how the denomination itself regarded Halloween. The answer came in a PCUSA "Idea" article titled "What to Do About Halloween." "While both heaven and hell are part of our theology, many of the traditional Halloween trappings don't fit well with the purpose of our church," the article said. "We don't celebrate death, the underworld, or spirits other than the Holy One. Ours is a resurrection faith in Jesus Christ, not a descent into hell with ghosts, goblins, and ghouls." The story included some suggestions for alternative Halloween observances – such as an All Saints' Costume Party in which children dress as their favorite Bible character. The suggestions include reading Scripture passages and contests for children – carving pumpkins and bobbing for apples – without resorting to vampires and wizards. Next year, before Halloween and if "What to Do About Halloween" is still on the PCUSA Web site, The Layman Online will prominently post a link to "What to Do About Halloween" – giving the staff a good heads-up about what the PCUSA really thinks about the occasion.

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