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The Big Lunch is a very simple idea from the Eden
Project that is championed ecumenically by HOPE. The aim is to get as many people as
possible across the whole of the UK to have lunch with their
neighbours in a simple act of community, friendship and fun.
Last year it took place on Sunday 5th June when the best part of
two million people took part.
In 2012 it falls on the same weekend as The Queen's Diamond
Jubilee celebrations on Sunday 3rd June. Your
church could play a major role in making this the biggest Big Lunch
ever, by either hosting or taking part in a Big Lunch in your
parish.
For details on how to register and get in involved visit The Big
Lunch's website.
Useful information from around the Church of England
dioceses containing ideas for organising a Big Lunch will be
included on this page in coming months.
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CHAMPIONING THE BIG LUNCH (click for photos)
"All Souls Church - a local parish church west of London near
Twickenham - first got involved with the Big Lunch launch event in
2009, since when we've helped host the street party alongside our
local residents' association (NSMRA) each year. The roads that meet
at the corner of our church building are closed and we fill the
space with tables and chairs, set up a 'bandstand' on the corner -
for live, locally 'sourced' music - and provide a bouncy
castle, free face-painting and hot drinks in the church
garden. It helps, of course, that the Big Lunch date is always a
Sunday, so the congregation spilling out of the morning service
join with other local residents, young and old, each bringing food
to eat and share. Our experience has been that it's a fantastic way
to engage with our neighbours, bless the community and open up the
doors of church to those who'd never usually make it, even into
church the garden. Next year (2012) the Big Lunch is one of the
official events helping celebrate the Queen's Jubilee. We'd
enthusiastically recommend it for any local church in a residential
area."
Revd Richard Frank - All Souls
Church, St Margaret's
Picture supplied by: All Souls Church
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