Holy Ghost parties offer Halloween alternative By John Coleman Jr.
UMCONNECTION STAFF The Holy Spirit was on the move during the Halloween weekend, Oct. 30-31, as the Baltimore-Washington Conference cosponsored 'Holy Ghost' parties at three churches to offer alternatives to ordinary trick-or-treat outings. Food, music, dancing, fun and games, and inspiring testimonies about the triumph of faith over fear were highlights of each event.  JOHN COLEMAN JR./UMCONNECTION | | Bobbing for apples, above, carving pumpkins, enjoying Christian praise music and hearing Duffy Robbins, left, were all part of the Holy Ghost weekend held as an alternative to Halloween. | Oakdale-Emory UMC in Olney held its party Saturday night, Oct. 30, drawing about 125 children, youth and adults to revel in the energetic Christian rock and praise music of Roger Record and his band. On Sunday afternoon, several performers at St. Matthew's UMC in Dundalk (Turner Station) entertained about 100 people with a musical gumbo that ranged from Christian rap to gospel, jazz, Reggae and R&B. And at Bel Air UMC on Sunday night, FusionCore, another Christian rock and praise-music band, had many of its almost 200 listeners on their feet singing along. Like Oakdale–Emory, Bel Air's Holy Ghost party coincided with its regular contemporary-style worship service. But the zany costumes worn by band and audience members, along with the games and activities, including hayrides, bobbing for apples and pumpkin carving, were anything but regular.  A highlight at each venue was the creative wit and wisdom of speaker and writer Duffy Robbins. Robbins, who teaches youth ministry at Eastern College near Philadelphia, punctuated his humorous quips and stories with insights on faith and surrendering one's life to Christ. At St. Matthew's he delighted the crowd by speed-rapping the books of the Bible in rhyme and rhythm. 'We originally intended to do one big event, but then decided to move the party around to different areas,' said Tom Price, conference youth ministries director. Each party attracted youth from several area churches. 'I hope we can create more partnerships to do youth ministry together,' Price added. 'Kids are literally dying in our streets; but among some adults there's interest and passion bubbling to the surface … to create not just programs but models of ministry that can be replicated to develop youth into agents for change.'  Earlier on Saturday, at Oakdale-Emory, the conference Council on Youth Ministries held its second 'What's Next?' open dialogue to help chart the future of youth ministry in the conference. About 60 youth and adults shared reflections, prayers, testimonies and ideas about nurturing discipleship in the lives of youth and their mentors. Following the dialogue, Robbins provided special training for participants on how to attract young people with diverse interests and develop more effective youth ministries. | 
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