Ever wondered what it's all about?  Over 20 million people worldwide have now attended an Alpha course, an opportunity to explore the meaning of life, running in tens of thousands of churches of all denominations across the world.

Alpha is an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed setting over ten thought-provoking weekly sessions, with a day or weekend away. 

The Alpha course is designed primarily for people who aren't churchgoers and each course is open to everyone who would like to attend.  Most courses attract a diverse range of guests of different ages and backgrounds, holding many different viewpoints.
People find out about the Alpha course in a number of ways - a recommendation from a friend, a poster, flyer, newspaper article or advert, or through the website or an internet search.
Guests attend for a wide variety of reasons - some want to investigate whether God exists; others are concerned about what happens after death. Some people have particular questions that they would like to discuss; others want to understand other peoples' beliefs or would like to explore what the purpose of life is. Many guests have never been to church, others may have attended church occasionally but feel they have never really understood the basics of the Christian faith.
 

The course is based around small groups of about 12 people, hosted by one or two leaders whose role is to facilitate and encourage discussion, and will last for 8 weeks, with a half day on a weekend toward the end.
Each session begins with a meal or refreshments - a chance to get to know other in the small group.
There is then a short talk (on video), which looks at different aspects of the Christian faith each week.
This is followed by a time of discussion in the small groups, where everyone is welcome to contribute their opinion, ask questions and discuss with the rest of the group.
Whatever the group size, people tend to remain in the same small groups for the duration of the course so they can get to know each other, continue discussions and deepen friendships.
The emphasis is upon exploration and discovery in a relaxed and informal environment.
There is no charge for attending the Alpha course, although courses may ask for a contribution towards the food (for in person courses only, this is usually a "bring a plate to share" type contribution).

We'd love you to join us for our next Alpha.  For more information or to register, email us.