Jennifer132 Posted October 29, 2016 Share Posted October 29, 2016 Our church isn't having one, and we have plans on Halloween and won't be trick or treating. The kids want to dress up. Would you take your children to a random church's trunk or treat/fall festival if you had no intention of ever going to that church again? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXBeth Posted October 29, 2016 Share Posted October 29, 2016 Yes. Around here they are intended as community outreach, and they are happy to have non-attenders come. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted October 29, 2016 Share Posted October 29, 2016 Yes, if I were prepared to field invitations to attend the church. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebcoola Posted October 29, 2016 Share Posted October 29, 2016 Yes they are meant to be community events. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK_Mom4 Posted October 29, 2016 Share Posted October 29, 2016 Sure. The ones around here even have big Everyone Welcome signs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted October 29, 2016 Share Posted October 29, 2016 It would be fine with the church, I'm sure. Personally I'm not a trunk-or-treat fan. To me it seems like they are sending a message that traditional trick-or-treat is bad. Of course if you live in a place where regular trick-or-treat doesn't happen (too rural or whatever), then yeah. Better than nothing. :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmseB Posted October 29, 2016 Share Posted October 29, 2016 Yes. Our church expects kids from the neighborhood to come even if they don't and won't attend church there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2scouts Posted October 29, 2016 Share Posted October 29, 2016 Yes, our church does Trunk or Treat and it's intended to be community outreach. We have inflatables, hot dog lunch, crafts, games, and the trunk or treat free for anyone who shows up. People who don't attend church are welcome and expected to attend trunk or treat! There's no pressure to ever attend the church. It's intended as a way to show love and have fun with people in the community. At our church, it's not any kind of statement about regular trick or treat, but a time to do a community event. Ours is held at a time when none of the local communities are having trick or treat and the majority of the people who come probably do regular trick or treat too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted October 29, 2016 Share Posted October 29, 2016 You're in costume. Nobody will know it's you. Go! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyLife Posted October 29, 2016 Share Posted October 29, 2016 They are typically for the community. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted October 29, 2016 Share Posted October 29, 2016 please go! Our church is thrilled to have more kids joining in the fun. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted October 29, 2016 Share Posted October 29, 2016 As long as it is supposed to be for the public I absolutely would. Our church always made their trunk or treat public and the whole intent was providing a safe and friendly place for the public in general to come celebrate Halloween. They didn't care if you were a member or even attended another church. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lecka Posted October 29, 2016 Share Posted October 29, 2016 Yes, I have gone. I have been invited, when I have gone, but honestly sometimes it is more fun when there is a bigger turnout and they like to have kids come out and have fun! The church where I have gone does a lot but doesn't have a huge number of kids. So they like to have kids come. That is my strong impression. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 You bet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UCF612 Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 Definitely. They aren't meant for church members only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2samlibby Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 Yes. That's why they do them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 Just be prepared to answer questions from your kids as to why you're not going to such a "fun" church. That happened last night at the town Trunk-or-Treat, which had a heavy presence from one of those "hipster" churches (you know, the ones that have a nightclub-sounding name, the pastor wears skinny jeans and a goatee, etc., etc.) I really didn't want to get into a theological discussion about why we're the denomination we are and why our denomination values Tradition over popular appeal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 (edited) This is good to know! We haven't ever gone to one as our Church doesn't do one (we do a fall festival that is for the community a few weeks before, but this year it got canceled for the hurricane. And today there is a costume party for the kids in Sunday School but my daughter has aged out - older kids do their classes on a weeknight) and I've wondered. Edited October 30, 2016 by ktgrok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 Just wondering what a trunk or treat is. Do people stand by their trunks with candy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 yes they are usually community events. I think they are great if you don't have a walkable neighborhood. Some here have inflatables, games, food, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 (edited) Just wondering what a trunk or treat is. Do people stand by their trunks with candy? Yes. They are usually held in church or community center parking lots. Some people decorate their car in a theme. Edited October 30, 2016 by lynn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 It would be fine with the church, I'm sure. Personally I'm not a trunk-or-treat fan. To me it seems like they are sending a message that traditional trick-or-treat is bad. Of course if you live in a place where regular trick-or-treat doesn't happen (too rural or whatever), then yeah. Better than nothing. :) This isn't my thought at all. I have been to secular truck or treats and the thought was that a small area, where the kids can go trunk to trunk instead of walking the entire neighborhood, particularly for small kids, is better. And while the kids are TOTing you can visit with moms in the center and still see your kids. I liked them when my kids were little. I don't partipate now that my kids are older. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lecka Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 (edited) Here trunk-or-treat is an extra and doesn't compete with Halloween. There are separate "family fun nights" that are more of a replacement possibility (held the same night). I have been to a family fun night, and it was just a fun night. There were not a lot of people standing around talking about how horrible Halloween is. I think this can depend on age of kids. I would say they are aimed towards younger kids here who may not pick up on a lot of subtleties as long as they got to do something fun. But trunk-or-treats are Halloween themed, with traditional Halloween decorations included. (That I have been to.) I have been to a secular trunk or treat at my husband's work, too. It was a lot of fun. Much less clean-up compared to "trick or treat through the building" that has also been done. Compared to "trick or treat through the building" it is also much easier to keep an eye on multiple kids, and much easier to go around a slow toddler or move to a less crowded area. I was skeptical at first but I thought it worked out a lot better than the previous "trick or treat through the building." Edited October 30, 2016 by Lecka Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 (edited) . Edited September 10, 2020 by Æthelthryth the Texan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janeway Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 I wouldn't be comfortable. But it sounds like some churches do it as a community thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 This isn't my thought at all. I have been to secular truck or treats and the thought was that a small area, where the kids can go trunk to trunk instead of walking the entire neighborhood, particularly for small kids, is better. And while the kids are TOTing you can visit with moms in the center and still see your kids. I liked them when my kids were little. I don't partipate now that my kids are older. Just wanted to clarify, I didn't mean those churches are against Halloween for religious reasons. But Trick or Trunk was originally started as an alternative to "dangerous" trick-or-treating in the neighborhood. This bugs me because I don't think trick-or-treat is dangerous, I think it's a great time for young kids to have a positive interaction with their neighbors. So I opt out of Trick-or-Trunk because I don't believe in supporting ideas that are IMO pro-fear and anti-community. I can see how they could be a nice social opportunity in its own right, but I still boycott them because I feel they send the wrong message. Besides, the last thing my kids need is more candy. :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 Most of the churches here do them a different night than halloween, with lots of decorations, etc. I think the only reason we haven't tried one is 1. I wasn't sure if outsiders were welcome, now I know they are, and 2. we get SO much candy on Halloween the idea of extra is scary! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saddlemomma Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 Absolutely. That is the purpose for such events. My DH, DD and I are part of an event each Halloween called "Big Top Bash". It's held at our church as a safe alternative to Trick or Treating. Specifically, we're part of the puppet ministry. Towards the end of the evening, we perform a black-light puppet show which illustrates the Gospel to about 400-800 kids (this is always the highlight of the evening). This is not counting the adults who accompany them. We know the numbers because each of the kids registers to enter our doors so their names can be placed in several prize drawings. At the very end of the evening, we release about 500 balloons for the kids to pop to see if they get a notification inside the balloon to win one of the big prizes of the night. You should hear the roar of those popping balloons. One thing's for sure, we never have to advertise this event! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 Our church has one and it is not because we don't like trick or treating. It is a fun activity for kids in our church and this year we got about 100 kids from the community too. We have regular Wednesday night activities in our church. We have our Trunk or Treat at the time we usually have these activities and this year we included dinner too, Our church is very community oriented and not at all anti Halloween. We just try to make church an inviting place for everyone. (And Crimson Wife we are not the 'cool' church with the hipster pastor with shaky theological beliefs) So I would say, yes, go. You are welcome at their events. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammi K Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 Our church does one as a community event. In fact, several churches in the area do community events ( trunk-or-treat or Fall Festivals) and all are open to the public. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GailV Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 Another member of a community-oriented church here. Our church would be thrilled to have nonmembers come. Our "thing" is to be that church that, if it disappeared, it would leave a gap in the life of the community. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mbelle Posted October 30, 2016 Share Posted October 30, 2016 Yes, and I intend to this year. I haven't done it before, but we usually go to a relatives house for family gathering and then trick or treating. This year that can't take place, so we are taking our little guy to the church around the corner and we are not members and never intend to be members. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lecka Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 We don't get that much candy on Halloween night that I avoid other things. We are not doing much this year though. In past years when I have expected my little kids to last 30 min. tops on Halloween night I have gone to 3-4 other events and not felt overwhelmed. This year my little kids are a bit older and we have done 2 things and I think we will be out over an hour tomorrow. It is a fun time of year for us. I like seeing people at things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne in ABQ Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 Absolutely. Most churches do it as an outreach. They're hoping everyone will show up, like their experience, and come back for a visit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IfIOnly Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 We go to a harvest party yearly at a church we don't attend. This kids have a great time! The church put a lot of time (and money) into the party. Our neighbors who aren't religious go too. It's inside though. It's cold here late October, and we've had snow before. I've never heard of a trunk or treat before this thread, but on the radio today, heard one advertised on the Christian radio station. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 Just be prepared to answer questions from your kids as to why you're not going to such a "fun" church. That happened last night at the town Trunk-or-Treat, which had a heavy presence from one of those "hipster" churches (you know, the ones that have a nightclub-sounding name, the pastor wears skinny jeans and a goatee, etc., etc.) I really didn't want to get into a theological discussion about why we're the denomination we are and why our denomination values Tradition over popular appeal. Crimson Wife, this is for you: Church Planting Teams Running Out of Edgy Names (I personally do like Trunk or Treats.) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Closeacademy Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 We do but then the church we go to is in our neighborhood on our trick-or-treat route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrittanyM Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 We are going to one this year for the first time. Our church doesn't do anything for Halloween and a friend of my Mom's invited us all to their church's trunk or treat. It is open to the community. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 If not opposed to the tracts that are often handed out along with church invites, then yes. These events are usually meant for the wider community. Most of the time these are fairly innocent affairs, but occasionally a church will heavily proselytize. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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