AN opportunity to "explore the meaning of life" is on the menu as churches in Felixstowe invite people to supper to find out about Christianity.Surveys have shown that people believe there is more to life than the rat race and materialism, and interest in spiritual matters has grown – especially since world-shattering events such as the death of Diana and September 11.
AN opportunity to "explore the meaning of life" is on the menu as churches in Felixstowe invite people to supper to find out about Christianity.
Surveys have shown that people believe there is more to life than the rat-race and materialism, and interest in spiritual matters has grown since the death of Diana and September 11.
Several churches at the resort are running Alpha courses this autumn to provide a practical and contemporary introduction to the Christian faith, and help people seek answers to questions they may have had on their mind for some time.
In addition, a Youth Alpha course for young people is being run at the Level2 youth project in Hamilton Road.
In the past decade, nearly four million adults in the UK have been on an Alpha course – and it is helping to reverse the trend of decline in church attendance.
The ten-week course was developed at Holy Trinity, Brompton, and is now run in 132 countries and in 46 languages.
Peter Livey, local Alpha advisor and moderator of Churches Together in Felixstowe, said: "Alpha is a wonderful opportunity for anyone to investigate the Christian faith and to look for answers to life's big questions."
Rev Nicky Gumbel, who presents the Alpha material, said: "We have heard so many wonderful stories of people – many of them young – whose lives have been changed by God through the Alpha course in churches of all denominations."
Most Alpha courses begin with a special supper and the showing of a video called "Christianity: Boring, Untrue, Irrelevant?"
The Salvation Army is holding a supper at the Waverley Hotel, Wolsey Gardens, on Friday. Cavendish Community Church have hired a mime artist for their evening on September 20 at the church in Grange Farm Avenue. The River of Life are holding theirs on September 27 upstairs at The Alex, Undercliff Road West. Ranelagh Road Christian Fellowship is also planning a supper.
Organisers stress the aim of the free course is to be a non-threatening environment. It is not sermons and preaching, but a course of information and explanation.
n Those interested should contact: Peter Livey, Cavendish Community Church, on 0777 0536988; Greg Watson, Youth Alpha, e-mail gregjuemjack@hotmail.com ; Heather Cooke, Ranelagh Road, 01394 283904; Mike Trower, River of Life, 01473 406565; Maj Goff Payne, Salvation Army, 01394 284610; Rev Rod Corke, St Mary's, 01394 284803.
WEBLINK
www.alphacourse.org
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here