FEAST (NPNP)

Over the past year, the foundations of FEAST (Friends Exploring And Sharing Together) have been shared across the Northampton Methodist District.
FEAST feedback from Synod to Superintendent's meetings, Circuit and Church staff meetings, Community places, and Café Style worship on a Sunday have resulted in many rich and realistic conversations (and ideas) about creating New Places for New People.

FEAST is not just about gathering, but also about exploring new ways to connect with faith and groups are beginning to form including students in Loughborough, crafters in Peterborough, and adults with additional learning needs In Melton Mowbray.
The Nene Valley circuit's FEAST Creative Mindfulness group continues to meet regularly, with plans for a season of Art Journalling to welcome new participants.
If you have a community event (festivals/parkruns or celebrations) and wish to see what connections FEAST might be able to make please do feel free to get in contact, as we've seen even one-off events bear fruit in meaningful ways.

In The 3B's Circuit they are continuing to explore a number of informal settings, such as Sunday lunch gatherings, which foster deeper conversations and discipleship.
In the Hinckley Circuit, a FEAST workshop helped inspire churches to think creatively about community building, and have now launched a 'Kingdom Builders' LEGO initiative, and a Men's Breakfast group that engages those on the edges of church life are providing spaces for people to share life and explore faith in a relaxed, informal setting.
A Stamford Circuit away day used FEAST principles to guide their leadership team's visioning process, emphasizing community context and church culture.

FEAST has been active in sharing its mission across the Northampton District and the wider Connexion.
In 2023 FEAST Enabler Rev Kim helped offer ideas around community engagement during Advent and Christmas FEAST helped churches and circuits have an "Out of the Ordinary" time and earlier this year she was tasked with creating and recording a Holy Week crafting video as part of the "Unbounded Love" Lent campaign (Did you see it?).
Currently, Kim is working on several ideas for the upcoming "Hush the Noise" Advent/Christmas campaign so that FEAST can provide helpful resources in partnership with the mission and ministry activities across the District.

As we move into a new Connexional year, we expect FEAST to continue to be shaped, and help shape, by the wider mission of the District in "growing a flourishing sustainable network of circuits of worshipping communities", and a key focus for year two will be nurturing local facilitators and building a supportive network of FEASTers across the District.
Through your prayers, the sharing of faith experiences, and collaboration within churches, we are beginning to see the first green shoots of FEAST as it connects with the spiritual and relational needs of those in differing contexts to our Sunday services.
Rev Kim is always happy to hear from those interested in preaching, workshops, or other forms of support to further conversations around New Places for New People.