Alpha Course in Wimborne

A BISHOP COMES TO DINNER

A Bishop is inviting people in Dorset to sit down and eat with him in a historic building in Wimborne as he kicks off a no-holds-barred course.

When it comes to questions about God and the meaning of life, who better to ask than a bishop?

Dr Graham Kings, the new Bishop of Sherborne, will be the first Church of England bishop to lead a full Alpha Course. It is a series of discussions, usually led by vicars, which looks at questions about the basics of Christianity.

He is hoping to hear “real, honest questions? from people attending the course. “The Alpha course is based around two things - food and questions,” explains Bishop Graham “Food because the central act of worship - the Holy Communion - is a meal and questions because they are so important. No question is out of bounds, no question is silly. It?s a way of exploring and growing together.”

The first evening will consist of a free meal in the Minster itself followed by a talk and discussion. Bishop Graham said this may well be the first dinner in the Minster itself, since St Cuthburga founded up her nunnery there over 1300 years ago.

“It’s an historic event that’s open to everybody in Wimborne and the surrounding areas – to meet the bishop and to discuss the meaning of life. The idea is that friends can give an invitation to those who are on the edge and are interested in exploring the meaning of life and whether there is a God. Coming with somebody is very important. I’ve been really encouraged that other churches in the area want to be involved.” says the Bishop.

“I hope that people will come to faith and to new faith, and that they will come asking questions. But God is a God of surprises – anything could and probably will happen!”

The Alpha course has been running for over 26 years as a means of presenting the basic principles of the Christian faith in a relaxed and informal setting. There are now over 33,500 courses worldwide in 163 countries. . http://uk.alpha.org/

Bishop Graham, who ran Alpha courses as a vicar in Islington, London said: “This is part of being a missionary bishop in Dorset. I want to engage with people where they are and it’s also part of my own learning experience and getting to know Dorset. “It also fits in with Fully Alive, a diocesan programme crucial to revivifying the life of Christians in the Diocese and deeply involved in the meaning of baptism.”

The course begins at 7pm on January 19. The nine subsequent meetings which also involve a meal (not free but with contributions) will take place in Church House, Wimborne.

For more information call Faye in the Minster parish office on 01202 884753 or email wimborneminster@btinternet.com