Alpha course comes to Larne

Thursday March 12th 2009

Members of Larne Alpha Steering Group are [left to right]: the Rev Paul Reid [Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church], Linda Keys, the Rev Colin McClure and Sylvia Gourley [Presbyterian], Pastor Gordon Graham [Elim], the Rev Roger Thompson [Church of Ireland], Sr Catherine Kealy [Catholic], Rev Andrew Kingston [Methodist] and Sr Olcan Watt [Catholic]. Church leaders from across the denominations in Larne have teamed up to run a 10-week Alpha course in the town.

This will be held in the new Curran Court Hotel on Tuesday nights from 7.30pm – 9.30pm starting on April 21.

If God did exist what would you ask?

• are you happy?
• can you hear me when I pray?
• will I pass to the other side?
• How can I keep strength when the situation is really difficult and confused?

These are just some of the questions people are asking at Alpha Courses all over the globe. Over two million people in the UK and 11 million worldwide have now attended an Alpha course, an opportunity to explore the meaning of life, running in tens of thousands of churches of all denominations.

Alpha is an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed setting over ten thought-provoking weekly sessions, with a day away.

The Larne course kicks off with a dinner on the first evening and guests then meet in the brand new hotel Conference Suite for the next nine nights. Each night opens with refreshments, a speaker will then introduce a topic, and there will be the opportunity for discussion around tables. There will be an optional overnight day away in Corrymeela on Friday/Saturday June 26/27 before the course concludes with a celebration meal back in Larne.

Andrew Kingston, chair of the Steering Group, said: “I think this will be a really good experience for all who attend. It would be a real shame to miss out. We have an enthusiastic team drawn from churches throughout Larne. I have been very impressed with the food and facilities at the new Curran Court. We have some really top speakers who will stimulate good discussion.”