Stories of Nurture Courses Across the Diocese – Part 2
Last term, as a diocese we had a particular focus on ‘enabling commitment’, one of our seven areas of focus, and over 50 nurture courses took place across the diocese. We have been so encouraged by the many stories that have emerged…
St Helen’s Stapleford
Julie shared “I was confirmed in January at St Helens Church in Stapleford Nottingham by Bishop Paul tand I feel more closer to our lord even more now . I attended the Alpha course at St Helens and it helped me understand the bible even more so, which I thoroughly enjoyed . I am attending the Bible Study classes now too . I had some Healing two weeks ago at the church as my neck wasn’t very mobile , I could feel the warmth of the Holy Spirit within me radiating in my back neck and arms wow it was amazing God is good and doing his work . I help others even though I’m disabled as our Lord guides me . Praise the Lord.”
St Edmund’s with St Chad’s Church
Ian shared:
“I can honestly say that the Alpha Course has had a profound impact on my faith journey. Before joining, I had many questions and doubts about Christianity, but I felt uncertain about where to seek answers. I was always sat on the fence regarding faith and my only experience of going to church was either at a wedding or a funeral, so the decision to give Andrew and the Alpha course a go was my next step.
The Alpha Course provided a welcoming environment where I could explore all my questions without judgment, allowing me to discover more about God in a personal and meaningful way. The course was an incredible blend of thought-provoking talks, open discussions, and a supportive community.
I never felt pressured to have all the answers, and it was refreshing to share my thoughts with others who were also on a similar path of exploration. Each week, I felt more connected to God and gained a deeper understanding of His love and purpose for my life. One of the highlights was the Holy Spirit day, where I experienced a deeper sense of peace and connection to God. It was truly life-changing and helped solidify my faith in a way I hadn’t experienced before.
Through Alpha, I not only found answers to my questions but also built lasting relationships with others in the group. If you’re looking for a space to explore the Christian faith and deepen your relationship with God, I wholeheartedly recommend the Alpha Course. It has been a transformative experience that has shaped my faith and my life for the better.”
Mackenzie shared:
“Growing up in a military family meant moving around a lot. At five years old, I found myself in Northern Ireland, attending a Presbyterian church; this would be my first introduction to faith and I joined the Boys’ Brigade, though, at that age, much of what was taught felt overwhelming and hard to grasp as all I could really grasp was which crayon was better for this drawing of Noah’s ark to colour in.
A year or so later, we moved to Warton in Preston, where I was baptised at six. My family became deeply involved in both the church and the community, making faith a central part of our lives. But once again, we had to pack up and move, bringing me to where I live now. At nine, our family no longer attended church regularly, aside from services like Remembrance Day. Yet, even in that, I never stopped identifying as a Christian and a follower of Jesus.
When my GCSEs came around, I did just okay, not terribly, but not spectacularly either. I didn’t have a clear path forward, only the idea of following in my family’s footsteps by joining the Armed Forces. That plan, however, didn’t work out, and suddenly, at sixteen, it felt like the weight of the world was crushing my shoulders. Lost and struggling with God far from any realm of my mind, I found myself in therapy, receiving much needed help at the time.
I can’t pinpoint the exact moment, but at some point, something inside me just clicked. I realised I didn’t want to continue down the dark path I was on and that there had to be more out there. Then, one day, I walked through the doors of St. Edmund’s Church. Reverend Andrew welcomed me in, and as I sat through the service, for the first time in what felt like forever, I experienced true peace.
After the service, I shared my story with Reverend Andrew, in not as many words as this. And He listened, then asked, “Have you heard of this thing called the Alpha Course?” I had, but only from my online searches for local churches. Intrigued, I started attending Alpha as best as I could, and through it, I experienced some of the most profound, peaceful, wonderful people and eye opening moments of my life.
To this day, I don’t fully know why this new obsession overtook me, nor can I pinpoint the moment my faith transformed in this way. But what I do know is this, with every new conversation, lesson, and perspective, my faith deepens and that faith is not just something we claim. it’s something we live. And today, as I take this step forward, I trust and know that God’s plan is always far better than my own and I look forward to what this new obsession may bring. Praise be to God.”
Nurture Courses are a wonderful way to ask life’s big questions and explore Christianity in a welcoming and relaxed environment. Whether you are searching for faith or looking for community, you are warmly invited to join any of the courses running across the diocese. You can also read more stories here.