Alpha
Join us for dinner and conversation. Come and see what Alpha is all about!
What is Alpha?
Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith, typically run over eleven weeks. Each talk looks at a different topic around faith and is designed to create conversation. The discussions are fun, open and honest. No question is too simple or too complex - we learn from each other with no judgment. Alpha is run all around the globe, and everyone is welcome regardless of religion and level of faith.
No two Alphas look the same, but they generally have three key things in common: food, a talk, and good conversation.
We invite you to join us and check it out, just come and see!
We are eager to see you at Alpha this winter!
We're excited to welcome you to the winter sessions, starting in February. Please register here! We will start with dinner the Saint Juliana parish office building at 7:00 p.m. on February 27th. Sessions run for eleven weeks. We will reach out with specific direction closer to the start of our winter session!
We can't wait to welcome you, meet you, and get to know you!
FAQs
What is Alpha?
Alpha is a series of gatherings where guests have the opportunity to explore life and the Christian faith in a friendly and inviting atmosphere where no question is seen as too simple or too complex. Today, more than 29 million people have attended Alpha in more than 169 countries. It runs in every part of the worldwide church. Alpha first started in 1977 in England and it first started at Mary, Seat of Wisdom before Covid and we are excited to bring it back to the communities of Our Lady of Hope and Mary, Seat of Wisdom!
Who is Alpha for?
Alpha is for anyone at any point in life – no matter what you believe or don’t believe! Those who attend Alpha come from all backgrounds, religions, ages, and viewpoints. Whether you consider yourself a skeptic, curious about faith, a growing Christ-follower, or a life-long Christian, Alpha is a place to interact with others and learn from different perspectives. Alpha is where you can grow in your understanding and knowledge of who God is, and what the Bible communicates about His purpose for all of us.
What happens at Alpha and how many times will we meet?
Alpha meets once per week for eleven weeks (this includes an optional day "away"). Every 1-1/2 hour session has three key elements: welcoming, greeting and a meal or snack; a thought-provoking video; and a small group discussion.
What kind of video will we watch?
The videos are designed to engage and inspire conversation. Generally 25 minutes long, they explore different aspects of the Christian faith and unpack the basics of Christianity, addressing questions that apply to our current lives such as: Is there more to life than this? How can I have faith? How does God guide us? Who is the Holy Spirit and what does the Holy Spirit do? Does God heal today? How can I resist evil? The Alpha films are engaging and feature inspiring stories and interviews with people from across all denominations all around the world.
What happens in a small group discussion?
This is the best part of Alpha! Alpha is a safe place to explore all your questions! It’s the chance to share thoughts and ideas on the video topic and simply discuss it in a small group. There's no obligation to say anything (you may listen and remain silent the entire time if you wish) and there's nothing you can't say. This is a judgment free zone. It’s simply a platform where you can express yourself, question beliefs, and find answers. It’s an opportunity to hear from others and contribute your own perspective in an honest, friendly, and open environment. Questions that might come up during a small group discussion may revolve around forgiveness, suffering, temptation, life struggles, life’s purpose, or having faith
What's this about "No commitment. No follow up. No Pressure."?
That's right. There's no commitment. Just 'come and see.' If Alpha is not for you, no worries. There won't be any follow-up
What if I have a conflict and have to miss a session occasionally?
No worries! If you miss an Alpha session, you can catch up with the videos online. You won’t be behind or lost when you are able to rejoin us. Anyone is able to register up until session 3 (week 3); after that we would encourage you to check back on this website and sign up for our next Alpha course and start from week 1.