On Tuesday 18th September, Alpha began in Itchen Valley Parish!  As St John’s Itchen Abbas we had 10 guests having supper together followed by the first episode of the dynamic new Alpha Film Series produced by Holy Trinity Brompton Church

followed by some introductory chats in our group discussion.  We hope that our regular number of guests will be 12 going forward.

A particularly special aspect of the evening was that Fr Mark Hogan of St Peter’s Catholic church in Winchester attended as well, as our guest.  St Peter’s ran their own first session of Alpha on Monday evening.  We have many Catholics in Itchen Valley and the Anglicans and Catholics work together on a number of joint projects every year. We hope to be doing more together in the months ahead, including in the run up to Good Friday next year a Scriptural Stations of the Cross in one of our church buildings.

Thank you to Judith Mezger for masterminding the catering and the lay out, for Patrick and Charlotte Appleby providing the food and to Vernon Tottle setting up the tables and (as ever moving the chairs) and Beccy for helping me with the technology and always to Lucy for guiding and encouraging throughout.  Thank you also to Helen, Sonia and Sarah providing our intercessory support and to the Informal Prayer group also.

Alex