Aurora church to offer 'Trunk-or-Treat' Oct. 29

"Trunk-or-Treat," an annual safe alternative to traditional Halloween door-to-door trick-or-treating, will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church, 14 N. May St. in Aurora.

From 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, church volunteers will offer Halloween-themed food and games from their car trunks in the parking lot.

The public is invited, said Rev. John Bell, church pastor. Admission and parking are free. Children are encouraged to dress in costumes.

Church members reserve designated spots in the church parking lot, decorate their vehicles and give candy to children - costumed or not.

Some add delicious food, apple cider, games and gift bags to the candy collecting.

Trunk-or-Treat is among several church outreach programs Bell said.

He added that the United Methodist Church does not have an official statement or position regarding Halloween. Church members are free to make their own decisions about participating in Halloween activities.

"More and more churches," Bell said, "are offering alternatives to traditional activities, choosing events that celebrate life rather than death, offer safe fun for children or make the day one to give as well as get."

While some churches offer safe alternatives, others turn the focus to more on giving than receiving. Collecting for UNICEF or giving fair trade chocolate are ideas for using the occasion to "treat" or give to others Bell explained.

Call (630) 896-1033 for more information.