Saturday, April 16, 2011

Church leaders launch The Big Lunch in Northern Ireland

Representatives of Northern Ireland's four main churches joined forces this to launch The Big Lunch project, which will take place later this year.  

Fr Michael Sheehan from the Catholic Church was joined by the President of the Methodist Church Reverend Paul Kingston, Presbyterian Moderator Norman Hamilton and Archdeacon Philip Patterson from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Down & Dromore as well as the Lord Mayor of Belfast Cllr Pat Convery (SDLP) to launch the event. 

The idea behind The Big Lunch, which is run by the Eden Project, is a very simple one; to get as many UK citizens as possible to have lunch with their neighbours on June 5. 

Speaking at the event, Cllr Convery said, “a recent survey showed that only half of us in Northern Ireland are on first names terms with between one and five of our neighbours despite the fact that more than half of us would rather socialise at home than elsewhere.” 

He added, “We know that as a result of The Big Lunch, book clubs babysitting circles and websites have been set up and that people start to share things from lifts and lawnmowers to tools and toys.” 

His calls have been supported by the church leaders.  

According to Fr Sheehan, “The Big Lunch offers a wonderful opportunity to reach out to all those who experience isolation and provides a platform to explore other local cross-community projects.  It is yet another visible sign of the progressive normalisation of our society where neighbours can socially interact and celebrate together without fear of violence and destruction.” 

More information can be found at www.thebiglunch.com.