All Souls Church; Big Lunch experience

"All Souls Church - a local parish church west of London near Twickenham - first got involved with the Big Lunch launch event in 2009, since then 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.

"In 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 - Vicar, All Souls Church, Twickenham
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Story provided by Church of England, Picture supplied by: All Souls Church