Alpha is designed for anyone who is looking to make friends over a meal with meaningful conversation, and is open to and interested in hearing a variety of perspectives on life and faith.
On Thursday January 22nd from 6:15-8:15pm we’re hosting another opportunity where you can both literally and figuratively get a taste of what this experience will be like.
Drop us a line at hello@wvneighborhoodchurch.org to RSVP, so we know how many to cook for. Please let us know if you have any food allergies or restrictions and we can make sure you’re covered!
This is the first week of the Alpha experience (after the preview night we had last week), but it’s the best week to jump in! We’ll eat a great meal, watch a short film produced by the Alpha Course, and we’ll probably tell a joke or do an ice breaker before getting into the conversation! Since the video each week looks at different elements of the Christian faith, and includes street interviews with people from diverse backgrounds on their perspectives on that week’s theme, participants will have the chance to share our own reactions, perceptions, perspectives, faith/non-faith backgrounds and stories. The more diverse our perspectives, the more interesting the discussion, and the more we can learn from one another.
Please note that while the course is structured to dialogue with major tenets of the Christian faith, this is a beautifully pressure-free safe space for people of all backgrounds and beliefs. While some people who identify as Christian might participate, this is definitely not a "Christian group"—it's meant for people of any background who have questions or are curious.
Expect to bond over the course of the winter as we share stories and experiences. There will also be an optional retreat the weekend of February 21-22 if you’re looking for a change of pace and a chance to deepen friendships.
Alpha is run all around the world, and we love the way it brings people together and creates community!
What can you expect on a typical Alpha night?
Starting with amazing food (Joel’s a PHENOMENAL cook and adept with handling food allergies, so don’t let that hold you back)
A joke and/or an icebreaker
Watching a short film that raises a different question each week. This week’s question is “Who is Jesus?” (according to the Christian faith). He is one of the most well-known historical figures in the world. This episode discusses “Who is Jesus?” and any evidence for his existence. Was Jesus fully human or divine? Was he more than a man, a great human and a religious teacher?
Good, honest conversation, responding to the video with our perspectives, feeling free to share our questions, objections, and diverse experiences, in a safe listening community where we value each other's differences and are open to connecting with others.
Bonding with other participants from different backgrounds, especially if you decide to join the full series. (There's something about coming together over a meal every week and having meaningful conversations that creates friendships faster than we normally do in our adult lives, and more like we might have experienced in college.)
Ending on time. Though you're welcome to linger and chat, we'll have a clear finish by 8:15pm so that you can also head home and get some rest and don't have to feel awkward trying to slip out
Ready to RSVP or have questions?