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	ALPHA has started again at St. Philip's


	? Our second Alpha course at St. Philip's began on Wednesday, 27th Feb. It will continue for 10 weeks, meeting from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Wednesdays, and each week will cover a different topic. Our first Alpha course was attended by @ 25-30 people most of whom found it a very positive experience. You may have heard Alpha mentioned a few times in the past six months and if you have wondered what it is and if it is of interest to you. Perhaps you may have gone to church as a child and learnt some of the stories of the bible, heard about Jesus, been confused about what it all really meant and then gone through confirmation classes and still not fully understood. Perhaps you were too shy to ask questions. Possibly when you did have questions, the answers all seemed too serious and some folk never laughed Maybe all you have ever experienced is "going to church'" and wonder if God is really there. Maybe you feel like you have messed up a bit in life and how could God be interested in you. Maybe you met some Christians who seemed to have it all together but couldn't explain their faith to you or weren't able, or prepared, to give you the time you needed. If you can identify with any of the above, then you are in good company with a couple of million other people world wide who have attended Alpha courses and countless more millions who have similar questions, thoughts and anxieties. Many of these questions were also raised during our first Alpha at St.Philip's ALPHA stands for: Anyone wishing to learn more about the Christian faith can come to this 10 week course.


	Learning and laughter go hand in hand and help people relax. Pasta and potatoes. Eating together helps us get to know each other a little better. We will have a shortened version ( Pudding ), dessert and drinks, at the start of the evening. Helping each other. After a video we will break into small groups where everyone has a chance to participate and help each other but you can be silent if you wish. Ask anything. No question is regarded as too simple or too hostile. The Alpha course in its present form started in an Anglican church, Holy Trinity, Brompton, London in the early 1990s and spread throughout Britain in all the mainstream churches. Today it is truly global and has the endorsement of leaders of all the main churches. The Alpha course is also widely used in prisons in the UK. If you would like to come then please fill out one of the forms on the table in the vestibule so that we can plan for food etc. If, after any meeting you no longer wish to attend, then you will not be pressured. Although the course will have started by the time you read this you will still be welcomed if you wish to come and see for yourself If you wish to ask any questions before signing then please feel free to ask Fr. Martin, Marcus Granger -Jones or Francis or Cindy Honey.


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