Rob & Lynne Brooks | alpha@stmarysottawa.ca
The Alpha Experience at St. Mary’s
Alpha is a series of interactive sessions exploring the basics of the Christian faith. Each session looks at a different question and is designed to create conversation.
There’s no pressure, no follow-up and no charge; it’s just an open, informal, and honest space to explore and discuss life’s big questions together.
Upcoming Alpha
Monday Evenings Starts September 25, 2023 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM St. Mary's Parish - Hall 100 Young Street, Ottawa, ON
The Alpha Experience is for those aged 18 and up. Each session has a teaching film, and a chance to ask questions.
Is Alpha for Everybody?
Alpha is intended for those who do not yet have a relationship with Jesus and for those who have never yet felt the amazing and ongoing deep warmth of God’s Love.
For those who are hurting, Alpha provides the opportunity to meet and share with others who are ready to listen and share their experiences too. Most hurts arise from a misunderstanding between family members and friends, or of God’s Love.
For those who challenge, reject, or are confused by the Christian Faith, it is possible that misconceptions have arisen, perhaps by errors postulated by a believer. Others may agree or disagree, but together, by observing revealed truth (easily fact-checked), one’s understanding may be bolstered or mitigated.
For those who already know that God is Love, our needs and roles are different. We may know the truth, but can we gently express it? If we have not ever, or recently, felt the tangible warmth of God’s Love, how can we encourage someone at the start of their journey? That is why Alpha was created to be gentle and to encourage seekers to ask the questions they have.
Everyone deserves to be exposed to the Son, and it is the hope of all that have experienced Alpha for themselves that their family, friends, and colleagues, and even strangers be offered the invitation to participate themselves.
Encounter Him. He will say, “Spend time with Me. If you want the Truth, come as a child”.
What to Expect
Each Alpha session begins with connections, to become acquainted with others, to start to establish a relationship. We receive teaching from a film which we watch together, and in a group setting, we dialogue on what this means, respectfully and actively listening to one another. We are free to agree or disagree without argument, or further teaching, because over time, our own views may change and become more finely tuned. Alpha covers the essentials which all Christian Churches agree on; so it’s a starting point, a beginning to build upon.
The Alpha Experience requires time and commitment. The experience purposely starts slowly, ostensibly, and initially, without prayer.
Register
Register below to attend the next Alpha Experience at St. Mary’s. There is no cost to attend Alpha. We will be meeting in the lower hall, accessible from the door nearest to the rear parking lot. Please arrive just before 7:00 PM for a snack, dessert, or beverage before we start.
You will receive an email confirmation that your application has been received. We are accepting the first 50 people who register.
Contact us for more information.