More than two million people UK have now completed the Alpha Course, (could you be the two million and first?) Here at St John's we have been successfully running the Alpha course for a number of years, currently twice yearly. This page tells you a bit about the course, its format, what people say.
The Alpha course is an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed, non-threatening, setting over a period of ten thought provoking weeks. It is informal, friendly and fun - and is supported by all the main Christian denominations (something we all agree on). Why not take this opportunity to explore the meaning of life?
What will it cost?
The Alpha course is FREE although you will be asked to make a contribution to the weekend away.
What Does Alpha Stand For?
ANYONE INTERESTED in finding out more about the Christian faith is welcome on the course.
LEARNING AND LAUGHTER. It is possible to learn about the Christian faith and have fun at the same time.
PASTA AND PUDDING. Eating a meal together gives people an opportunity to get to know each other.
HELPING ONE ANOTHER. The small groups give you a chance to discuss issues raised in the video talks.
ASK ANYTHING. Alpha is a place where no question is regarded as too simple or too hostile
Why Do People Come?
People come to Alpha for wide variety of reasons:
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to find out if God exists?
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to find out why are we here?
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what happens after death?
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some people may have gone to church on and off but never understood the basics.
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some people come just to keep their spouses happy.
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What ever the reason Alpha will help you find the answers.
At the end of each Alpha course we put on a celebration supper meal to celebrate the successful completion of the current course and to mark the start of the new course. This gives current guests the chance of the inviting friends or family who may be interested in attending the next forthcoming course. It gives them a flavour of what the course is like by watching the Christianity Boring, Untrue and Irrelevant Video presented by Nicky Gumbel.
Alpha Course Format
Our Alpha Course is run on Monday evenings over a period of 10 weeks and one weekend away. Don't worry if you don't think you can commit this amount of time, just come to the first two/three, then decide. The format of the evening is:
7:30pm - Each evening begins with a light meal.
8:00pm - Main talk through Alpha Video, speaker Nick Gumbel.
8:40pm - Break for Coffee/tea & loads of biscuits.
8:45pm - Small group discussion of topic discussed in video or anything else apart from the weather.
9:30pm - Formal End. But guests are free to stay and chat.
What People Think Of Our Alpha Course
This section contains a selection of what some people thought of our Alpha course here at St John's.
Paul Field, Software Engineer "Strange though it may seem I actually went on Alpha to spend some time with my wife actually doing something together. I didn't believe God existed, I thought science held all the answers and thought Christians were nice people but a little misinformed. But Alpha appealed not only to my head but also to my heart and made me take a long hard look at life. I never dreamt I would come out the other side a Christian and wanting to find out more and get closer to God."
