At Christ The King Anglican Church in Almancil this past weekend they were all constituent parts of the joyful Sunday Morning Service to mark the end of the Alpha Course which has been running since January in Tavira.
Over 50 members of the Congregation, attendees of The Alpha Course their families and friends packed the Church in the Park next to the Lake in the Jardim das Comunidades, Almancil to celebrate and congratulate all the Alpha attendees who completed the 15 week course. This Alpha had been organised primarily for the Nepalese community in Tavira and the Church was overflowing with people wearing the beautiful traditional Saris of Nepal, hymns were sung in Nepalese and the Bible Reading and prayer were led by the Nepalese Alpha members.
Yet more reasons to celebrate were that this Alpha was multi-ethnic, multi-generational and featured language multi audio visual material – this Alpha Course was in 2 languages – English and Nepalese, and was attended by 4 generations, from 8 years to 80 years, all watching the video presentations in English with Nepalese subtitles.
The Alpha Course is growing in popularity across the Algarve, and has been attended by over 28 million people worldwide and in the past 20 years, and has been translated into over 100 languages and dialects. Alpha is a Christian Outreach program which allows for people of all ages and faiths to get together for open, frank and questioning discussions about Christianity in an easy, friendly, environment . Often these programs are held in secular places away from the constraints of a traditional church building. . The basis of the weekly program is a series of video presentations which pose a number of questions which then open up to discussions – discussions which can lead to challenging questions such as “What is life all about” and “Is this all there is – what happens next?”
Following the service coffee and cake were served in the local café, the cake featuring a huge red question mark – the logo for Alpha.
Speaking after the service Terry Blackman one of the leaders said “The full impact of this outreach has yet to be realised, but the warmth of the affection both communities hold for each other was fully present today and we look forward to further developing these ties as Christ The King goes forward. It was wonderful today to be able to welcome our new brothers and sisters into our Church Family, and celebrate together.
Alpha Courses are ongoing in the Church of Christ the King – to find out what Alpha can do for you, come and join the next course. Contact info@ctk.pt or ring or WhatsApp us on 932 841 943 to find out more.
Photographs by permission from Terry Moore and Terry Blackman
For details about services, times and directions to The Church in the Park , Christ The King Anglican Church, Almancil:
Website : www.ctk.pt
Facebook : facebook.com/ChristthekingAlgarve/
Tel: (+351) 932 841 943
Email : info@ctk.pt
