Successful Online Alpha course

We have just run a very successful online Alpha and are looking to start the next course. If you are interested in finding out more about faith the read on and get in touch 🙂

What is Alpha?

Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith, typically run over eleven weeks. Each talk looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation. Alpha is run all around the globe, and everyone is welcome.

A chance to connect

Usually, Alpha starts with a meal together but during this time of social distancing we’ve needed to adapt. Each session still kicks off with a chance to meet new people and connect over video chat!

If you want to know more about Jesus and the Christian faith then please get in touch with us.

Email: united.benefice@outlook.com  or phone 01225 782717

The power of YOUR story

We all have a story to tell of the things that God has been doing in our lives recently. In our services, and online, we have a My Story slot and these testimonies are encouraging and uplifting. Maybe you have one to share, or would like to make the most of meeting with other sin small groups at this time.

Here are some things we can do:

1. Record a testimony of a way you have noticed God being active in your life. We want to keep posting these online, and there are people connecting with us online who would find your particular testimony helpful. If you want help with the process of making a recording, ask Lucy. A prayer that God has answered, a time when He used you to help someone, a way He’s stepped in and changed things for you or someone you care about all make good testimonies. If you feel God isn’t interacting with you like that, spend time daily looking at a bible passage and start to hear what God is saying to you, pose questions to God (write them down so you don’t forget them) and keep asking till you receive your answer.
2. Ask God who He wants you to disciple. This is not beyond you. We have the discipleship series online for you to use. You can watch part of it with someone and then talk it over until it’s embedded in their life (and yours!)

3. Invite someone to do Alpha online. I’m sure we’ve all had a faith conversation with someone in this strange season. If they have some interest in exploring the faith, invite them to start a journey of exploration through Alpha and we’ll put a group together.

If we concentrate on what we can do, when we finally come through this season, our churches will come out stronger, fitter and bigger!

To contact us: email united.benefice@outlook.com

Or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube:

Search @Faithinourvillage

Work at St Mary’s

Work is due to start on the church some time next week, but it appears that there is a heavy workload on contractors at the moment, which means that it is unlikely to finish until we are into the spring next year.  Whilst we have most of the money in place, and we have still to hear about one application for a grant that we have made, it has become very apparent that the grants we have received have been considerably lessened by the Covid-19 pandemic. Many charities have been diverting their money to support organisations that have particularly suffered as a result of this. For example the Lottery Heritage Fund, from whom we might normally expected help, recently announced that it had £92 million available – but not for capital projects. Because of this, we might have a funding shortfall of between five and ten thousand pounds. If you feel that you can help in some way, please contact Sarah (782241) or Christopher (782509).

Home groups meet again

It was with great delight that our Monday afternoon Homegroup in Broughton Gifford met for the first time since lockdown in Julia’s garden. We all had a great deal to share and look forward to meeting again in our gardens during the next few weeks. Nothing quite like being together!