Alpha course, will it suit me and what are your thoughts

[wastwinsetandpearls]

I am a Roman Catholic but attend a mixture of CofE and Catholic services.

My local CofE church are running an alpha course. I was thinking of going because I thought it might help me feel part of the community ( we have no neigbours or people on our doorstep) and I think I would benefit from some time thinking about spiritual matters. As a theology graduate and RE teacher I also enjoy this kind of thing, I used to attend Bible Scripture groups at an old church.

I have checked and the local catholic church is not running the Catholic alpha course.

But I am a little unsure of what it is. Sometimes it is marketed as a beginner's guide to Christianity which I will probably find a little too basic. I am also worried that it will be too evangelical for me. I am a very staid high church person and I feel very uncomfortable if I have to do any hand waving or over joyous singing.

Will they also think it is odd that I am going as a Catholic?

If people have been what sort of people go?

I don't think it is for you because it is quite basic and I think you would be frustrated by how 'simple' the questions are that other guests ask.

It is not evangelical as such - more, these are the facts, it's up to you whether you agree.

Oh, and hand waving is not expected either

Really? I was just about to phone and confirm.

There's an interesting article about it here that I read in the Guardian a while ago. I haven't done the course but I have read the book and had mixed feelings about it - the first half I found very convincing and interesting but the second half was too evangelical for me and totally switched me off.

I'm not a very religious person though, so you may think differently about speaking in tongues and all that sort of thing!

I will not cope with any speaking in tongues or anything of that kind.

I went and had a very good evening. One of my better decisions

That is great, wastwinsetandpearls I think, like most things, that you get what you want to out of an Alpha Course. If you already have a concept of God & faith, then the Alpha course can either confirm or challenge those concepts. If you have no belief system, then the Alpha course can present the Christian faith to you & you can explore it. If nothing else, you should meet a nice bunch of people.

Thanks

Glad you found it worthwhile going. Does the church have any house groups you can join?

I've just started a bible study group, and its open to all denominations - we look at the bible readings of the previous Sunday. As we follow the lectionary, these mostly coincide with the RC readings. Its as much about fellowship as study though. We have a RC lady attend.

I am not sure Mary.

my alpha was really good fun i wasnt a christian and loved the easy debate, defo go!