Alpha at Holy Innocents'
Alpha has heightened my relationship with God and my life has not been the same since.
I have a peace and joy in me which words cannot really express -
participant in our most recent adult Alpha
New online Alpha course underway!Our first Alpha Online course, sees the final meeting on Friday 17 July at 8 pm.
Alpha is a key part of our parish life. We have run six successful Alpha courses for adults, as well as two fabulous Youth Alpha courses. our adult courses have been attended by over 200 people and our Youth Alpha courses by over 50 young people. On this page, you can learn about the new course and how you can join in. You can find out more about Alpha generally and the adults course in particular. To read about Youth Alpha, check out our Youth Alpha page. Everyone is welcome at Alpha. That means you! |
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The new course and how to join it
We were busy planning our seventh adult course when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Much of that planning has gone out of the window, because we can't meet in person. But we can meet on Zoom - so that's what we're going to do!
There are ten weekly sessions, meeting on Friday evenings from 8 pm to 9.30 pm. Our second session is on Friday 8 May. Generally we'll meet every Friday; depending on what happens with schools going back, we might decide to have a break for half term (if there is one!).
There's also a "weekend away" - we're working on the details of how we'll do that online, but it will probably involve a single longer weekend morning or afternoon session.
You can register for the course here. Once you have registered, we will send you further details, including some tips on how to use Zoom if you're not used to doing that. If you need any further information or help, you can always contact Stephen Walsh on orpingtonalpha@rcaos.org.uk or 07778 612050.
One thing worth saying at this stage - participants don't need to live in Orpington or the surrounding areas. Even as, let's hope, things get back to normal in the period between now and early July, we'll stay on line for the remainder of the course.
See below an invitation to this online Alpha course - ideal for you to use if you'd like to invite someone along.
There are ten weekly sessions, meeting on Friday evenings from 8 pm to 9.30 pm. Our second session is on Friday 8 May. Generally we'll meet every Friday; depending on what happens with schools going back, we might decide to have a break for half term (if there is one!).
There's also a "weekend away" - we're working on the details of how we'll do that online, but it will probably involve a single longer weekend morning or afternoon session.
You can register for the course here. Once you have registered, we will send you further details, including some tips on how to use Zoom if you're not used to doing that. If you need any further information or help, you can always contact Stephen Walsh on orpingtonalpha@rcaos.org.uk or 07778 612050.
One thing worth saying at this stage - participants don't need to live in Orpington or the surrounding areas. Even as, let's hope, things get back to normal in the period between now and early July, we'll stay on line for the remainder of the course.
See below an invitation to this online Alpha course - ideal for you to use if you'd like to invite someone along.
| invitation_-_alpha_online.pptx |
WHAT is Alpha?
Alpha is a course - ten weekly sessions and (normally) a weekend away, exploring life and the Christian faith in a friendly, open and informal environment.
But more important, Alpha is an experience - of being welcomed, well-fed, informed, challenged, listened to and respected. Of meeting new people, sharing meals, enjoying each other's company and having fun. Of deepening relationships with each other and, if you'd like to, with God.
But more important, Alpha is an experience - of being welcomed, well-fed, informed, challenged, listened to and respected. Of meeting new people, sharing meals, enjoying each other's company and having fun. Of deepening relationships with each other and, if you'd like to, with God.
It is the most invigorating, incredible experience and a true blessing -
participant in one of our 2018 Alphas
WHO is Alpha for?
It can be for anyone. It might be for you.
Millions of people around the world have taken part in Alpha. People from every church background and none. Non-believers, seekers, regular or occasional churchgoers, Catholics or other Christians who haven’t been to church for a while. All of them have experienced something special.
We started running Alpha at Holy Innocents' in 2017. We have welcomed over 250 people to our courses. Here's what some of them have said about Alpha:
Millions of people around the world have taken part in Alpha. People from every church background and none. Non-believers, seekers, regular or occasional churchgoers, Catholics or other Christians who haven’t been to church for a while. All of them have experienced something special.
We started running Alpha at Holy Innocents' in 2017. We have welcomed over 250 people to our courses. Here's what some of them have said about Alpha:
Far exceeded my expectations!
I have never laughed so much in my life!
I have never felt community like it in the church… I found a Catholicism I can get on board with
Before Alpha I had five to ten friends. Now I've got 70!
Helped me to 'join the dots' in my head about my faith
I would recommend it to everyone
WHAT happens at an Alpha weekly session?
There are ten weekly sessions on the adult course. This time round, we'll be online, on Zoom, starting at 8 pm. On previous courses, they have all taken place at Holy Innocents' itself on Fridays, with sessions at 12.30 pm repeated 7.30 pm. There is also a weekend away - or this time, a virtual weekend away (see more on that below).
The sessions are free.
When we're meeting in person, we share a meal together.
We watch a talk or a film, about an aspect of the basic message of the Christian faith. Is there a God? If so, does He love us? Why did Jesus come? Is faith rational? Should we pray? And so on.
We talk about it in small groups, with an emphasis on listening to and respecting the views of everyone who has something to say.
The sessions are free.
When we're meeting in person, we share a meal together.
We watch a talk or a film, about an aspect of the basic message of the Christian faith. Is there a God? If so, does He love us? Why did Jesus come? Is faith rational? Should we pray? And so on.
We talk about it in small groups, with an emphasis on listening to and respecting the views of everyone who has something to say.
Every church needs a space where people can be welcomed, known and loved.
Alpha provides that space
WHAT happens at an Alpha weekend?
In normal times, we go away together, usually on the adult course to Aylesford Priory near Maidstone.
We get to know each other better over a few days, rather than just a few hours.
We enjoy some time for ourselves; to give God the chance to speak to us in the midst of our busy lives.
We watch talks and discuss them in our small groups.
And we hear about the Holy Spirit and are given the chance to receive the gifts He has in store for us.
To be honest - we haven't worked out yet how to replicate this online. But we'll have some ideas and share them with you as soon as we can!
We get to know each other better over a few days, rather than just a few hours.
We enjoy some time for ourselves; to give God the chance to speak to us in the midst of our busy lives.
We watch talks and discuss them in our small groups.
And we hear about the Holy Spirit and are given the chance to receive the gifts He has in store for us.
To be honest - we haven't worked out yet how to replicate this online. But we'll have some ideas and share them with you as soon as we can!
The weekend away! I loved all of it.
It was so beautiful to feel the love of God in such a tangible way through the prayer sessions -
participant in one of our 2017 courses
HOW can I learn more?
Contact Stephen Walsh (07778 612050) or e mail orpingtonalpha@rcaos.org.uk
Visit catholics.alpha.org
View some Alpha stories
Visit catholics.alpha.org
View some Alpha stories
If the only thing I ever did in my life was to invite one person to Alpha,
my life would have been worthwhile -
Alpha participant quoted by Nicky Gumbel in one of his Alpha talks