- Alpha information for Ashtead
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Alpha is a Christian basics course. It started at Holy Trinity Brompton in London, England, who ran their first course in about 1977. The course was developed, especially in the early 1990s into what we see today. We have been running courses here since 1993. Over 7,000 churches in the UK have ran Alpha courses, as have most prisons and ²/3 of Universities. If Ashtead, Surrey, England is too far to travel and you want to find a more local church running an Alpha course try Alpha's own site at: www.alpha.org.uk, or their site with just course details at: uk.alphacourse.org

We've recently finished running an Alpha course, but you are most welcome on the next course starting next year.

If you are thinking of joining the course or would just like to know more about it, please contact our Parish Office

What is Alpha?

Who is it for?

What's involved, when and where is it?

Alpha Application Form
Alpha e-Application Form

What people have said about Alpha

Alpha articles in ashtead at

What is Alpha?

Alpha is a 10 week course looking at the basics of the Christian faith.

Over that time we look at the following topics on Wednesday evenings:
  1. Who is Jesus?
  2. Why did Jesus die?
  3. How can I be sure of my faith?
  4. Why and how should I read the Bible?
  5. Why and how do I pray?
  6. How can I resist evil?
  7. How does God guide us?
  8. Why and how should we tell others?
  9. Does God Heal today?
  10. What about the Church?
And on Alpha Day on the Saturday after talk 6:
  1. Who is the Holy Spirit?
  2. What does the Holy Spirit do?
  3. How can I be filled with the Spirit?
  4. How can I make the most of the rest of my life?

Who is it for?

Alpha is for:

  Anyone interested in finding out more about the Christian faith.
 People of all ages are welcome.
  Learning and laughter.
 It is possible to learn about the Christian faith and have fun at the same time.
  Pasta and pudding.
 Eating a meal together gives people an opportunity to get to know each other.
  Helping one another.
 The small groups give you a chance to discuss issues raised in the talks.
  Ask anything.
 Alpha is a place where no question is regarded as too simple or hostile.

In fact Alpha is for everyone! People of all ages from teenagers upwards have attended the course.

It particularly caters for:

What's involved, when and where is it?

Evening Alpha

The courses are held at St George's Christian Centre, Barnett Wood Lane, Ashtead for ten weeks
We meet for supper after which there is a time of teaching covering various topics. Following this we divide into smaller groups for coffee and to discuss questions people have and to look at a passage in the Bible. We finish by 10.00pm. For specific timing of the next course please see the top of this page.

Morning Alpha

The courses are held at a variety of venues for ten weeks
Each morning will begin at 9.45am and includes a talk, light refreshments and an opportunity for questions and discussion, finishing at 11.45am. Please note that the Morning Alpha course will only meet when numbers permit.

During the course we offer people of both evening and morning groups the chance to go away for a weekend. This has been a great success in helping people to get to know each other better and learning more about the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. [Here are some pictures of Chris Hughes, when Rector here, enjoying himself during the Alpha week-end away.]

Alpha Application Form

Alpha e-Application Form

We will send a confirmation letter with dates and course venue.

What people have said about Alpha:

"It was brilliant fun It makes being a Christian a real thing."

"A place where I was able to wake up to the truth about God."

"Really good teaching directed at issues I wanted to hear and learn about."

"Reassured me that God did love me, not just everyone else but me."

"Alpha answered all the difficult questions I had about Christianity but didn't know where to find the answers."

"A wonderful way to learn about Jesus."

Alpha articles in ashtead at

See also Mark Elsdon-Dew's page

Please check out our new website for all the latest information sgsgashtead.com

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