This is a copy of my article for the SEPTEMBER 2013 edition of the Billericay ‘Around Town Magazine’

Have you ever wondered what life is all about?  Do you have questions about life, faith and why we are here? Perhaps you’ve asked those questions when you’ve experienced times of frustration, even unhappiness, or when you have lost someone you love.  It maybe that you’ve done so when faced with the threat of redundancy or the reality of unemployment or, especially, when you are watching the news about some of the shocking events taking place around the world.

Perhaps, when you’ve have asked these questions, you’ve also asked: Is there a God?  Is there life after death?  Why was I born?  These are known as the ‘first order questions of life’ because when we find the answers to these (and other similar questions) we begin to find a reason for our existence.  And I know, from my own experience, and that of many in our community, that finding faith and purpose in our lives is one of the most significant things we can ever do.

Churches Together in Billericay take their role seriously in trying to help members of our community to find the answers to some of the above questions and one of the ways they do this is through The Alpha Course. You may have heard about Alpha from a friend or seen the adverts on buses or at the train station.

Alpha is a place to listen, learn, discuss and discover more about the Christian faith. Typically, Alpha involves a meal, a talk and discussion. The talks are interesting and thought provoking (with a multi-media presentation) and address key issues of life from a Christian perspective.  After the talk, we discuss the topic of the evening, ask questions, express opinions and learn from each other.

The next Alpha Course in Billericay starts on Sunday 6th October 2013 at Saint Mary Magdalen ‘The Church in the High Street’ from 6pm (when we begin with afternoon tea) and finish around 8pm (so you have time to enjoy a drink before you go home).  Sunday evening seems to work for many people as it enables you to spend the day with your family rather than having to rush in from work during the week and hurry out again!  We’d love to have you with us, especially for the introductory session on 6th October: ‘Is There More To Life Than This?’

If you are interested, or would like to know more, or are looking for direction in the midst of confusion, please get in touch with me below, or contact us on by email: alpha@billericaychurches.org or leave a message with the Church Office on 01277 658055