"Bear Grylls (Host of Man vs. Wild on The Discovery Channel) Did Alpha" Video

Click on the image above to see a Bear Grylls video.

Evening Alpha Fall Semester 2009 Schedule!

Join us for these evenings of

powerful presentation and conversation!

Week 1: Opening Night - Who is Jesus? (Sept.1) Wine and Appetizers
Week 2: Why Did Jesus Die? (Sept. 8)
Week 3: How Can I Be Sure of My Faith? (Sept. 15)
Week 4: Why and How Do I Pray? (Sept. 22)
Week 5: Why and How Should I Read the Bible? (Sept. 29)
Week 6: How Does God Guide Us? (Oct. 6)
Alpha in the Mountains (Oct. 9-11)
Who is the Holy Spirit?
What Does the Holy Spirit Do?
How Can I be Filled with The Spirit?
How Can I Make the Most of the Rest of My Life?
Week 7: How Can I Resist Evil? (Oct. 13)
Week 8: Why and How Should We Tell Others? (Oct. 20)
Week 9: Does God Heal Today? (Oct. 27)
Week 10: What About The Church? (Nov. 3)
Week 11: Alpha Celebration Supper….“Christianity: Boring, Untrue, and Irrelevant?”

Contact by email Scott Myers or by cell at 696-2952 if you are interested in attending or helping.

Lunch Alpha in the Workplace Fall Semester 2009 Schedule!

Join us for lunch with a

powerful presentation and great conversation!

Week 1: Opening Lunch - Who is Jesus? (Sept. 2)
Week 2: Why Did Jesus Die? (Sept. 9)
Week 3: How Can I Be Sure of My Faith? (Sept. 16)
Week 4: Why and How Do I Pray? (Sept. 23)
Week 5: Why and How Should I Read the Bible? (Sept. 30)
Week 6: How Does God Guide Us? (Oct. 7)
Alpha in the Mountains (Oct. 9-11)
Who is the Holy Spirit?
What Does the Holy Spirit Do?
How Can I be Filled with The Spirit?
How Can I Make the Most of the Rest of My Life?
Week 7: How Can I Resist Evil? (Oct. 14)
Week 8: Why and How Should We Tell Others? (Oct. 21)
Week 9: Does God Heal Today? (Oct. 28)
Week 10: What About The Church? (Nov. 4)
Week 11: Alpha Celebration Lunch “Christianity: Boring, Untrue, and Irrelevant?”

Contact by email Jeanine or by cell at 723-0603 if you are interested in attending or helping.

What is ALPHA?

Alpha is for:

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Christian faith. Adults of all ages are welcome.
Learning & laughter. It's possible to learn about the Christian faith and have fun at the same time.
People meeting together. An opportunity to get to know others and to make new friends.
Helping one another. The small groups give you a chance to discuss issues raise during the talks.
Ask anything. Alpha is a place where no question is seen as too simple or too hostile.

Who is ALPHA for?

Alpha is for everyone! It's especially geared to:

People interested in investigating Christianity.

Newcomers to the church.

New Christians.

Couples preparing for marriage, baptism, or confirmation.

Christians who want to brush up on Christianity.

When and Where?

To sign up, call the parish office (723-0603) or E-mail us.

Click here to e-mail your Alpha inquiry

Alpha Opening Night begins with wine and heavy hors d'oeurves with a glimpse of what's to follow in the next 10 weeks. It's simply dinner and a movie! Each Tuesday evening begins with a catered supper and followed by an entertaining and informative presentation by Nicky Gumbel and group discussion that provides ample opportunity to ask questions and express opinions. Midway through the course, all the groups will gather for a “Weekend Away” session, and they'll assemble again at the end of the course for a celebration dinner. The course is $5 a night.

Alpha is open to anyone interested in finding out more about the Christian faith. It originated from the church, "Holy Trinity Brompton" in London over 30 years ago. Alpha is a mid-week study that runs for 12 weeks, which answers questions about Christianity in a non-threatening atmosphere. It's lite, casual, and fun; with free childcare and a wonderful supper. Alpha has been a great success throughout the world...in 167 countries, within 2,200 different denominations, and over 11 million people have taken the course.

The next Alpha Course begins Tuesday, September 1st, 2009 at 6:00 pm in the Kinloch Room. Entrance is 14 St. Michael's Alley.

Click here to e-mail your Alpha inquiry

What if I've already taken the ALPHA course?

If you have completed the Alpha course, we encourage all to take BETA... The Next Step or to be on the next Alpha Team. If interested, please contact Heidi Alexander for more information.

Click here to e-mail your after-Alpha "what next?" inquiry

More information on Alpha

Over 13 million people worldwide have attended an Alpha course, an opportunity to explore the meaning of life. Alpha is an opportunity for anyone and everyone to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed setting over ten though provoking weekly sessions.

Alpha is in over 163 different countries around the world.

Alpha is endorsed by all major Christian denominations.

Alpha courses are being run in churches, homes, schools, night clubs, coffee shops, prisons, workplaces, senior care facilities, and military bases.

Anyone, everyone.

All are welcome at Alpha regardless of religious background or viewpoints.

People attend Alpha courses for a wide variety of reasons. Some want to investigate if God exists or if there is any point to life, others may have attended church on and off their whole life but never understood the basics of the Christian faith. Everyone comes with the same objective: to determine whether Jesus Christ has any relevance for their lives.

Ask anything.

What happens when we die? Why does God allow suffering?

Alpha is a place where no question is seen as too simple or too hostile.

“Alpha was extremely open and lighthearted. It was nice to feel comfortable about any question I had. I was totally at ease” Marilyn

“I knew I had tons of questions about Christianity. I was always too scared or embarrassed to ask them. So I signed up for the Alpha course.” Doug

Relaxed atmosphere.

Learn about the basics of Christianity in a relaxed and fun setting.

“Alpha really got me through (the stages), from being curious about Christianity to understanding the principles of it, to wanting to be part of it. I went from A to Z.” Henzo

“There was no phoniness or holier-than-thou attitudes. No question was treated as stupid or irrelevant. It was a safe place to explore and lean.” Matt

Delicious community.

Sit down for a meal and get to know others who are on the Alpha course.

“It was such a joy to see a physician, a librarian, a housewife, and a construction worker all sitting down together and enjoying fellowship.” Vann

“We had about eight people at our table. Two of the guys are now two of my closest friends.” Hamid

Honest conversation.

Small groups give you a chance to discuss your opinions about the talks.
“Our small group was so welcoming. They listened to our problems and comments with no criticism.” Kameel

“Our group discussion provided me with an understanding of my faith and my relationship with God… I wanted a real relationship with God on a daily basis.” Chuck

Bear Grylls: Host of Man vs. Wild on The Discovery Channel
“The Alpha course is super laid back and it’s fun. You don’t have to do it to impress anyone. You can be yourself and just be very honest… And it’s so low pressure it’s ridiculous… explore those unanswered questions… atleast then you can make an informed decision…”

“If you never ask the questions you’ll never get the answers.”

Alpha Conference

St. Michael's Church sent a team of 12 to the Alpha Converge Conference in Wheaton, Illinois in June of 2008. The group was featured in the Alpha Newsletter. Click on the picture to read the article.