What are you doing to keep the "Hallow" in Hallowe'en?

Probably most Anglicans realize that, contrary to the grotesque urban legends promulgated by fundamentalist websites, Hallowe'en is a Christian holiday, the eve of All Saints Day, a Principal Feast. As such it ranks among holy days after only Easter, Christmas, and Pentecost. While Hallowe'en's date may be influenced by a pre-Christian pagan commemoration, that theory is based on fragmentary evidence pieced together by social anthropologists, and may or may not be true. In contrast, the Christian historicity of Hallowe'en is indisputable.

All Saints honours the great cloud of witnesses with whom we have communion through Christ our Lord. This year in particular I am aware of and praise God for the witness of Edward 'Ted' Scott, the former Primate of Canada who died in an automobile accident this summer. As always, I remember Saint Anne the mother of Our Lady, Saint Elisaveth of Thuringia, Saint Faith, Saint Arianne, and the holy Matriarchs Ruth and Rachel: the Saints whose names are borne by my children. And my own patroness Saint Martha, who in Canada is honoured as the patron saint of Engineers.

And, as always, we are racing the winter snowstorms and the exingencies of ballet rehearsals, to make a visit bringing flowers to the city's heritage children's graveyard near the Stampede grounds.