The Alpha Course

"I went on an Alpha course. Brilliant! I may be 74 but I'm still learning..."

Like many people of my generation, I grew up attending Sunday school. It was at 2.30 in the afternoon and after learning about the Bible we would all go for a long walk. We also all studied what was then called 'Christian Beliefs' at school. Going to church seemed the right thing to do on a Sunday and we dressed up proper for it. I remember it being very formal and eventually I grew out of it in the same way that I grew out of short trousers.

I'm retired now and I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren. Last year I went to the Family Fun Day on the Rec. What a great day out! I was surprised to find out that it was a local church event. So taken was I by this that I decided to visit Testwood Baptist Church one Sunday. It wasn't a bit like church when I was growing up. For one thing, there was lots of laughter and fun!

So I got wondering about all the things I had learnt in my childhood. Wondering if they were just stories and what was the purpose of them. At the start of the summer I went on an Alpha course. Brilliant! Lovely food. Lovely people. Fascinating really. I may be 74 but I'm still learning and this time it actually means something to me personally!

Photo: John at the Alpha Course earlier this year.