This week's Halloween celebrations were everywhere - even in churches. The Christian Post (one of the most comprehensive Christian news sites) even asked whether it is the Best Evangelistic Time of the Year?

The story acknowledges the divisions over just how far we should go in adopting such festivities and turning them into outreach opportunities. USA Today even took up the debate - read it here.

Halloween was probably a welcome break from the US election campaign. It's everywhere. Much of the airtime this week was over the faith, or otherwise, or candidates, for example whether Mormon Mitt Romney is a Christian. Joel Osteen thinks he probably is. Al Mohler responds with a to-the-point blog post titled Does Joel Osteen Not Know, or Does He Not Care? Evangelical leaders will get together this week to discuss the campaign and what they describe as the candidate's  avoidance of core moral issues. Meanwhile, President Obama is reportedly ramping up his God talk.

Other stories to note - St Paul's in chaos over the largely secular Occupy protests, moves to rehabilitate Pelagius in the US, Reformation Day in Europe, the Church of England vetoes services of blessing for same-sex couples and the new craze, speed-faithing.