Alpha in the CBD, facilitated by Uniting Church in the City (UCIC), is starting up again in 2020, with a new round of courses beginning in February. This follows successful courses in 2019, including an Alpha Parenting Teenagers course and an Alpha Prayer course.
Alpha courses are designed for anyone interested in finding out more about Christianity. They provide opportunities for people to ask any questions they might have about the faith in a welcoming and safe space.
Robert Greenhalgh participated in an Alpha course at UCIC recently, and now volunteers with the program. He said each week focuses on a different question relating to Christianity. Participants watch a short video followed by a time of discussion.
Each week, participants are invited to learn more by taking up some recommended reading.
“I learnt a lot,” Robert said. “I learnt about myself and I learnt how being a Christian fixes things up.
“The more spiritual I’ve become, the less materialistic I’ve hopefully become. It’s good to have toys and all the gadgets and stuff like that, but that’s not the important thing anymore, it’s the spiritual side of it now and serving the Lord.
“I used to harbour grudges and I used to play things back over and over in my mind. Now, if someone offends me, I turn the other cheek. Now when I turn the other cheek, I pray for that person instead.
“I pray for the benefit for that person, and I also pray for myself; I ask for forgiveness.”
Robert encourages others to come along and try the Alpha course out.
“It will answer a lot of questions,” he said. “I recommend it to anyone. Even if they don’t become Christians, it’ll still answer questions. And it’ll benefit them in their life somehow.”
Alpha courses will be held at Uniting Church in the City on Wednesday mornings from 5 February, 7.30am to 8.30am in the Trinity Lunch Room, and Mondays and Thursdays from 9 February, 12noon to 1.00pm, at Uniting Church in the City Wesley Perth.
For more information email alpha@ucic.org.au or visit perthunitingchurch.org.au/mission.
Heather Dowling