Dear Parents,
A couple of weeks before Hurricane Michael made landfall, I began attending an Alpha Course.
Being very much an introvert, I can remember walking into the room full of people and feeling
very uncomfortable. The uncomfortableness was the result of the worry of having to share
something about myself or not knowing the answer to a question. All I could think is, “Is Alpha
right for me?” Afterall, being an employee of the Church doesn’t necessarily mean I like sharing
personal thoughts or feelings or that I know everything!
The first video in the Alpha series is titled, “Is There More To Life Than This?” I will give you a
couple of hints on what the video talked about – have you ever thought this: Christianity is
boring, untrue, irrelevant, or maybe you have asked yourself one or more of these questions:
What am I doing on earth? What is the point of life? What is the purpose of my life? Where am
I heading?
The video was very engaging- it presented things in a unique and practical way and there was
even humor. Not only did I learn (writing down lots of notes and anecdotes) from the video
presentations, but I also learned from my small group. Our discussion question was not
intimidating at all, instead, it was the perfect conversation starter. I couldn’t believe it, but at
the end of the evening, I was looking forward to the next gathering and the next and the next.
In 2020, here at St. John Catholic Church, I began being part of Alpha as a lead and helper. That
is the impact Alpha has had on me. Since the Fall of 2020, we have offered Alpha every season-
Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The number of guests has grown each time we offer Alpha.
This has happened, because like me, others have found the treasure in the Alpha Course and
invited family and friends to come and see!
What is the treasure? “Community! Connection!”
Why are you receiving this letter? Because I am inviting you to Alpha. If you are thinking “Is
Alpha right for me?” I ask you to just “Come and See!” There is no need to feel obligated to
commit. Our first session begins on Tuesday September 6, 2022, at 6:00pm in the School Media
Center and you can decide from there. If you can’t make it to our first session- that is ok. Each
video covers a different element of faith and at home you can watch what you missed.
Oh, I forgot to mention, I did not speak until the third week of the Alpha course.
Blessings,
Charlotte Dickey
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