Initial Alpha Course 

On Ash Wednesday 1st March we will be holding the first of six meetings of the Alpha Course in Stoke Damerel Parish Church. 

Millions of people have experienced Alpha in over 100 countries and over 100 languages around the globe.
Developed as a short course at HTB in London, in 1990 Nicky Gumbel took over running Alpha and found that many people outside of the church wanted to explore the Christian faith. Alpha now runs in every part of the global church, including the Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church and all mainline Protestant denominations.

The course will ne held over a simple lunch meal and during which we will have discussions, watch video clips and learn more as to who is Jesus and how he answers the questions of life. 
If you wish to join this initiative please let Fr Keith, the Rector know you wish to join the group (for catering purposes).
The course will run for a further five week and break for Easter.
After Easter the course may then resume.

Endorsements
‘Alpha was the best thing I ever did. It helped answer some huge questions and to find a simple empowering faith in my life.’
– Bear Grylls, TV Adventurer

‘Alpha ... is probably the most interesting and incredible thing going on in our Christian world.’
– Tony Blair, Former UK Prime Minister

‘I fell in love with the whole concept. It is a fantastic tool, which gives me an ability to ask questions, learn a lot more and discuss it all with different people.’
– Ugo Monye, England Rugby International

‘Alpha Courses ... are opportunities to strengthen ecumenical togetherness among Christians, and a joint proclamation of faith in Christ in today's world.’
– Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity

‘In my opinion Alpha accomplishes an incredible task, in making people interested in faith and in making faith relevant to the modern man. I especially appreciate the ecumenical spirit of the Alpha Course: There is no pressure on anybody to join a different denomination, but just to join Jesus and to put Jesus at the centre.’
– Father Raniero Cantalamessa, Preacher to the Papal Household

‘The Alpha Course has now become one of the most reliable and important means of drawing people into the church. It has enormous potential.’
– Alister McGrath, President of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, UK

‘To me, Alpha is an expression of the work of the Holy Spirit… It’s accessible, it’s easy, and it’s user-friendly. It’s extraordinary. It’s leading people into a personal relationship with Jesus and building a community that engages with the world and changes it for the better.’
– Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury

‘I thank God for this Alpha movement… It is a method which I’ve seen with my own eyes so you can believe me when I say: I’ve seen it, it works. I praise God for it.’
– Richard Chartres, Former Bishop of London