The Feast

For the last 10 years, Dr Andrew Smith of Scripture Union and Youth Encounter has pioneered Christian-Muslim dialogue amongst young people. Much of this work has taken place in and around the Sparkhill area of Birmingham.

In 2009 The Feast was created to build on this foundation, by expanding the work and encouraging even more positive encounters between Muslim and Christian young people. The Feast now has a full-time Schools Worker in two Sparkhill secondary schools, with a new Schools Worker to start in Broadway School, in Aston on the north side of Birmingham, in September 2010.

The innovative strategy is for these school-based youth workers to develop trusting relationships with local Christian and Muslim young people, and then invite them to regular youth events where they can discuss their faith, form friendships and then set about joining forces to make their world a better place. We are working to see teenagers who are passionate about their faith, and learning to love their neighbour even when real differences exist.

Our values:

The Christian Principles to which we ascribe include

1. A belief that all people are made by God and are equally valuable.
2. Therefore we have a duty to befriend, serve and care for those we meet regardless race, faith or gender.
3. A commitment to Jesus’ teaching that we should love our neighbours as ourselves whoever they might be.
4. In the Bible we read that Jesus promises God’s blessing for those who are peacemakers, consequently we have a concern for the peace and wellbeing of the community of which we are a part and to equip others to be peacemakers.

Our ethos:

1. When people of different beliefs get together the environment should be welcoming, inclusive, stimulating, relaxing and fun.
2. People need a safe place to discuss the similarities and differences between their faiths in an atmosphere of honest friendship.
3. We recognise our dependence on God for all our needs.

The Feast is an Associate Trust of Scripture Union.