Here is some information about our upcoming Family Alpha weekend away and ways you can support!
Over the past year or so we have had quite a few families come to faith and many families would have shown an interest in either exploring faith or have seen something different here and want to be part of community in some way. This year 3 of these parents have been baptised which is so exciting and we are so glad they are part of our family and I want to say thank you to all the people that have played a part in discipling them and making them feel so loved and welcome.
As a result of all this we have been thinking about how we can disciple and support all of the families who are starting to explore faith. For some families a 10 week Alpha Course could work or for some they become relationally connected very quickly and so receive discipleship through this. However, for many families there are barriers to this including not being able to get babysitters, not being confident to make friendships, and life often just gets in the way doesn’t it?!
So, we have decided to trial something new! We are taking away a small group of families away for a weekend which we have called the “Family Alpha Weekend Away”. It is running from Friday 17th-Sunday 19th November and is at the Pioneer Centre. The weekend will include some sessions for the adults on the foundations of faith where there will be input, discussions and lots of opportunities to ask questions. During these sessions we have a team to provide activities for the children. Additionally, there will be some family sessions where we do activities together to encourage working together as a family and listening to one another well. And lastly there will be some fun activities including archery and an inflatable challenge.
We have a lovely mix of families coming including a couple of families who have recently become part of the church family, some families that have been exploring faith and some that have an interest but still have lots of questions and so want to explore some more. For those that already have a faith and are part of the church family it will be brilliant to build on their foundations of faith and really encourage them but also to give them opportunities to encourage those newer to faith!
How you can support:
We really need all your prayers, love and support in this. I hope what you have heard so far excites you, because for me, seeing people discover Jesus is just incredible!
So, here are some ways we need support:
- Please pray for the weekend. Pray in your own way, or join our family outreach prayer team – contact Heather Bennett. Find praise/prayer points below.
- Finance – it is a big cost for families. An adult place is £120, a teen is £90 and a child is £60. Some families are able to pay but most cannot afford the full cost. If you are able to pay for someone’s place or even contribute towards it would be a HUGE help. To give you can either bring a cash/cheque into the office in an envelope labelled ‘Family Alpha’ or you can pay through online banking. The details are:
Amblecote Community Church | Sort Code: 40-43-17 | Account Number: 72309661. We could do with all donations by Monday 30th October, if possible.
Praise/Prayer Points:
- Praise God that we have a wonderful group of families booked in!
- Praise God for an amazing team able to run the weekend and support the families.
- Pray for the team who are currently planning content for the adults and children. Pray that God guides them to know what to prepare and how to deliver it.
- Pray for families to encounter God. We know really we can only do so much, we need God to break down walls and to work in a powerful way at the weekend.
- Pray against anything that may prevent families coming – practicalities/illness…
– Roxy Tether