Photo: SJI
'Firstly the Pentecost festival is a missional event, secondly it is a celebration of the birthday of the Church and thirdly the church can see ways of engaging with culture and society.'

Emma Morrice is the events and partnership manager at SJI, the organisation set up by Andy Frost, which is behind the Pentecost Festival. Andy Jackson found out more

1) What the Pentecost Festival and why was it created?

The Pentecost Festival is a celebration of the Church's birthday and seeks to demonstrate the diversity of the church that is usually hidden inside walls.

2) Explain what SJI is and what they do beyond the festival?

3) What does the Pentecost Festival hope to achieve?

We hope that firstly the Pentecost festival is a missional event, secondly that it is a celebration of the birthday of the Church and thirdly that the church can see modelled other ways of engaging with culture and society.

4) Tell us more the science stream of the festival, the Faraday London Lectures that focus on science and faith in Darwin’s anniversary year

The Faraday London Lectures have lined up three leading scientists to expound on controversial topics and enable their audiences to explore in depth the science under debate.

5) What does the 'I Will Tell' film festival set out to do?

The 'I Will Tell' Film festival is a chance to sit back and watch three films that seek to raise questions about the world around us today with the people behind the scenes.

6) A lot of the events seem very untraditional, such as The Laughter Lounge. Is that a deliberate way of making the festival appeal to a wider audience?

We believe that the Church is diverse and as different organisations and groups have got involved the programme has expanded and the diversity is highlighted. Church is often misconstrued as pews and hymns on a Sunday morning and the festival shatters this so yes there is an enormous range of events from the traditional through to the very different!

7) Street teams are also used, by the festival and by SJI. What are their aims and are they chuggers?

Their aim is two fold: they are a welcoming face to the festival, signposting people to events and to getting them involved. Other street teams will be there to pray with people and answer questions about their faith. They will not require your bank details so definitely not ‘chugging’ and clipboards are banned.

8) You’re in charge of the ticketed events – what will be you looking forward to in this year’s festival?

I have the dilemma of wanting to go to so many things!! Personally I will be at the 'Hope for Planet Earth' event over the weekend and hope to get to as many of the others as possible for a snapshot of everything.

It's so frustrating after working with all the partners who passionately care about the message of the festival and the work they do to be physically unable without some sort of time machine not to get to see every event taking place.

I love the fact that the festival takes place in such a range of venues, from boats, to squares, to nightclubs, pubs, churches and cafes and this just adds to the vibe!

9) Finally, can you tell more us about 'Festival Feel', taking place in Saturday, May 30^th?

The festival feel is the chance to grab your mates, arm yourself with a programme, work out a route, and meet some great people. There truly is something for everyone, mostly free, from the normal, through to the truly bizarre.

It think it's exciting as it gives me the opportunity to take all my mates to something which they will not be required to sing at, and will be amazing!

• Visit the Pentecost Festival website

• Surefish is Christian Aid's community website for ethically-minded Christians. Click here to visit its home page