On Sunday, the grounds of the New Rectory in Quedgeley – home to the Revd Dr Mark Siddall and his wife Erica – were transformed into a Mardi Gras food festival, a lively and joyful celebration that brought together neighbours, friends and visitors from across Quedgeley before the beginning of Lent.
“The Quedgeley Mardi Gras Street Food Festival was a missional event to connect with folk in Quedgeley that we have not connected with before,” Mark, who is Priest in Charge at St James, said. “It was inspired and planned by teens, children and their parents as part of Team StJs, the intergenerational worship at St James. We call events like these ‘Team StJs on a mission’.”
Team StJ helped to organise, prepare and serve the food, offering a wide choice of dishes from around the world. In recent weeks, the group had been exploring Paul’s missions around the Mediterranean, and were inspired to host the festival as their own local adventure in witness and welcome.
“In the lead up there was unprecedented interest beyond the congregation as folk asked what food would be available. We hoped to offer Kingdom hospitality and a Kingdom vision, as people shared the joy of street food together,” Mark said.
Visitors were able to enjoy Jollof rice, Indian street food, Mediterranean grilled vegetables, smash burgers, Polish hunter’s stew, and a selection of home-made cakes. Prices were kept at the level of a typical chip shop to make the festival welcoming and accessible to as many families and individuals as possible.
“The festival proved to be a huge success. The selection of food was amazing and the smells were divine,” said Jackie Hall, a member of the worshipping community at St James. “From 12pm to 2pm the stall holders were working flat out serving tempting dishes. The chill in the air only helped to sharpen people’s appetites.”Mark continued: “It was a blessed day, one that was carried on prayer and which opened up our faith to many in Quedgeley – friends, neighbours and strangers alike. My favourite question was, ‘That’s amazing that you are able to offer all those different types of food from around the world, are you bringing in traders?’ The simple answer I could easily give was ‘no, all the stalls are run by church members. That is what church is like. We are from all around the world, with all sorts of gifts and blessings to bring’.
“It certainly felt like that on the day as we had conversations about our faith, shared food together around common tables and enjoyed worship music.”
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. Find out what’s happening at your local church by visiting www.achurchnearyou.com
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