For those enquiring about the Christian faith, we run the Alpha Course, which is an excellent, relaxed enjoyable introduction to the Christian faith built round a meal and a video presentation. The Alpha course is for those who have questions and want to ask them, and is also very good for those who have been committed Christians for many years.
The vicar runs other courses on various themes to do with growing in our Christian faith. These are at various times in the year and nearly always in Lent, which is the period of eight weeks running up to Easter. Also there are groups who meet to study the bible together and encourage and pray for each other, because we realize that Sunday services (and sermons) are not usually enough to nurture and grow us as Christians.
Bible study and learning, however, is only part of the equation. Our faith is essentially devotion to Jesus, enjoying his closeness, and allowing him to form us, help us and work through us.
We follow Jesus and allow him to make us a part of his new community: the church, growing in faith, in understanding and in character. We want to become more like Jesus and be used by him in his Kingdom work of hope, salvation, reconciliation and healing. This happens as we experience more of his transforming love and the Holy Spirit working powerfully in us and through us. This experience of God with us, which leads to our growth, often happens as people gather in smaller groups to share life, pray for each other and to worship, as well as taking Holy Communion on Sunday mornings at church. It also helps us tremendously to go to church camps and conferences which some of us manage to attend, like New Wine, worshipping with thousands.
The vicar runs other courses on various themes to do with growing in our Christian faith. These are at various times in the year and nearly always in Lent, which is the period of eight weeks running up to Easter. Also there are groups who meet to study the bible together and encourage and pray for each other, because we realize that Sunday services (and sermons) are not usually enough to nurture and grow us as Christians.
Bible study and learning, however, is only part of the equation. Our faith is essentially devotion to Jesus, enjoying his closeness, and allowing him to form us, help us and work through us.
We follow Jesus and allow him to make us a part of his new community: the church, growing in faith, in understanding and in character. We want to become more like Jesus and be used by him in his Kingdom work of hope, salvation, reconciliation and healing. This happens as we experience more of his transforming love and the Holy Spirit working powerfully in us and through us. This experience of God with us, which leads to our growth, often happens as people gather in smaller groups to share life, pray for each other and to worship, as well as taking Holy Communion on Sunday mornings at church. It also helps us tremendously to go to church camps and conferences which some of us manage to attend, like New Wine, worshipping with thousands.