Alpha

Alpha is run throughout the world by Christians of all traditions, providing a common expression of “proclamation, service and witness” (Evangelii Gaudium, 246). It provides:

• Evangelization: Alpha is a tool to introduce people to an initial proclamation of the good news of Jesus - the kerygma. As Pope Francis says, “Nothing is more solid, profound, secure, meaningful and wisdom-filled than that initial proclamation” (Evangelii Gaudium, 165).
• Encounter: Alpha takes people on a journey often leading to an personal encounter with Jesus. It enables people to ask their questions, share ideas, build friendships and experience the love of God through the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Everyone: Alpha is for everyone, all backgrounds, all contexts, all ages.

What exactly is Alpha?

It is a series of interactive sessions exploring the Chrisitan faith. Alpha is run all around the world in all kinds of venues: cafés, churches, universities, prisons, homes, bars, you name it. But they all have the same three things in common: food, a talk, and good conversation:

• Meal: Offering a meal or snack is an essential part of Alpha; eating together is great for building community. The sessions start with food and a chance to get to know each other.
• Talk: After the meal, a short talk on video is given. The talks, which explore the big issues around faith, are designed to engage and inspire conversation.
• Small Group Discussion: The small groups provide the opportunity to share thoughts and ideas on the topic, and to build trust and friendship. The role of the host (leader) is to facilitate discussion, inviting guests to share openly and honestly, without andy criticism or judgment. The groups often develop into small Christian communities within the parish.

Schedule

Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith, typically run over eleven weeks. Each talk looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation. It provides a safe, non-threatening environment for parishoners to come and bring your friends to freely explore the major questions of life, and through this experience, be introduced to God’s love.

Mondays, 6:30pm in St. Michael Hall, starting Mon, Feb 4