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By DEREK TELLIER
Editor
As Halloween approaches, local church leaders are offering faith-based reflections on how Christians can approach the holiday with understanding, gratitude, and perspective – recognizing both its historic religious roots and its modern-day community role.
Deacon Timothy Dolan, director of the Office of Social Concerns for the Diocese of New Ulm, said that while Halloween has evolved into a largely secular celebration, its origins are deeply tied to the Catholic tradition.
“The name Halloween comes from All Hallows’ Eve – with hallows being Old English for saints – the eve of All Saints’ Day,” Dolan explained. The Catholic Church celebrates All Saints’ Day Nov. 1, honoring all saints in heaven, followed by All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2, when prayers are offered for those who have died in faith.
Dolan noted that the connection between Halloween and remembrance of the dead has faded in popular culture, replaced by costumes, trick-or-treating, and lighthearted scares. Still, he said the season can serve as an opportunity for reflection.
“Understanding its origins reminds us that this time of year was meant to honor those who have gone before us and to see their lives as examples of faith,” he said.
At First Lutheran Church in Glencoe, Rev. Dan Welch, Rev. Michael Ewert, and Deaconess Megan Polzin highlighted that the season carries dual meaning for many Christians. While Oct. 31 marks All Hallows’ Eve, it is also celebrated in the Lutheran tradition as Reformation Day, commemorating the moment in 1517 when Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses and sparked a movement centered on grace and faith in Christ alone.
The First Lutheran leadership said Christians can participate in seasonal festivities while remembering that faith transforms the way believers understand life and death.
“We can celebrate community and the harvest season without glorifying fear or darkness,” they noted, adding that Halloween provides a natural opportunity for connection through events like the church’s annual trunk or treat, which offers families a safe, lighthearted alternative to traditional trick-or-treating.
Hosted the Saturday before Halloween, the event fills the church parking lot with decorated car trunks, none of them scary, where members and visitors hand out candy and small gifts to children from Glencoe and surrounding communities. The early evening hours make it especially family-friendly for those with younger children.
The pastors said one of the joys of the event is seeing families come together, especially those with little ones. “It’s such a delight to see parents bring their babies in costume,” they shared. “Some families might feel awkward going door-to-door with an infant, since obviously the parents will reap all the spoils, but at trunk or treat, we love to see little ones, to connect with those young families, and fawn over their adorable babies.”
Pastor Bjorn Bakke of St. John’s Church in Helen Township offered a perspective rooted in discernment and personal conscience. As both a pastor and a father of four, he said he’s often asked how Christian families can participate in Halloween without compromising their faith.
“There’s a difference between celebrating Halloween and participating in it,” he explained. “Christians shouldn’t celebrate the holiday’s pagan or occult aspects, but they can still take part in community events in good conscience.”
Bakke pointed to several scriptures that guide his approach, including passages from 1 Corinthians 10 about using Christian freedom wisely and Romans 14, which encourages believers not to let their choices become a stumbling block for others. He said the key is discernment: avoiding activities that glorify darkness or fear, while embracing those that foster connection, gratitude, and joy.
“There’s nothing inherently wrong with costumes, candy, or pumpkin carving,” Bakke said. “Those things aren’t sinful in themselves. What matters is the heart behind what we do.”
He encouraged families to use the holiday as a time to model gratitude, moderation, and kindness. “Remind children to say thank you when they receive a treat, to share with others, and to remember that Christ has already conquered sin and death,” he said.
Bakke added that Halloween provides a rare opportunity to meet neighbors and build community. “It’s one of the few nights a year when people are out, walking the streets, and greeting each other,” he said. “Christians can use that as a moment of outreach – to show hospitality and reflect Christ’s love through simple kindness.”
Across the county, faith leaders share a similar message: Halloween can be a moment for both joy and reflection. Whether through honoring the saints, celebrating the Reformation, or simply sharing fellowship with neighbors, the season offers Christians a chance to shine light in the midst of autumn’s shadows – reminding all that faith, gratitude, and community endure beyond the fleeting fun of Oct. 31.