Alpha

There are so many possibilities and options in life. Perhaps you’re learning a new language or a new skill. You may be interested in understanding some new about the world or yourself. Trying something new can be the start of something wonderful. Why not give Alpha a try?

Alpha is a great opportunity to ask the big questions of life in a friendly, open and relaxed environment. There’s food, a short video and then a chance to talk about what you think in an environment where all views are welcome.

“What Alpha offers... is permission, rare in secular culture, to discuss the big questions: life and death and their meaning.”
— The Guardian

In Alpha, we look at a range topics about Christianity and how faith has impacted different people’s lives.

The best conversations are ones that are open and honest, so everyone’s thoughts are welcome, no matter your background or beliefs. Each one of us will bring different thoughts to the table, and at Alpha we want to create a space that’s open for everyone to find what faith means for them.

All of this is on your terms. Alpha is a safe space, which means you can decide whether to stay, go, share or just listen. We’d really love to see you.

Alpha runs for 10 weeks, on a Wednesday evening from 7.30pm to 9.00pm. Our next course starts on 22nd January 2025. Why not sign up!

  • Alpha is a series that explores the basics of the Christian faith over 10 weeks, with an option of attending an Alpha Day on one Saturday during the course.

    Each session is hosted in a small group of people, just like you. You can just show up on the door, but it would be really helpful if you could sign up (we want to make sure we have enough food!).

    There’s no pressure or follow-up, you can come as little or as often as you like. Each week of the course follow a natural progression, but nobody will contact you if you don’t return.

    Each evening starts at 7.30pm and we will always finish at 9.00pm.

  • No, Alpha is completely free. There is nothing to pay.

  • At the beginning of each evening, we provide a meal of a main course and a simple dessert. We try to cater for all dietary requirements, and there is space to let us know this on the registration form.

  • There is a 30 minute video based presentation, with vox-pops, great locations and explanations on a range of the basic topics of the Christian faith, such as ‘Who is Jesus?’, ‘Why and how should I pray?’ and ‘What about the church?’.

  • Probably the best part of Alpha are the discussions in small groups. This is an opportunity to hear from others and, if you want, to contribute your own perspective.

    The small group will be no more than 10-12 people, and will have an experienced host (who is not there to ‘correct’ or ‘preach’, just to guide the conversation and ask questions). There is no obligation to say anything and there’s nothing you can’t say (seriously!).

  • Once you have filled out the form, you will receive a confirmation email. We will be in touch shortly before the course starts with an email with practical details and also a reminder text.

    During the course, we may contact you (via email or text) to remind you of upcoming sessions and to send you links to the videos for any sessions you may have missed.

    However, you will NOT be added to the church’s main mailing list and once the course has ended you will receive a final thank you email and your details will be deleted (unless you ask to transfer to our main church mailing list).

  • Unfortunately, we are unable to provide childcare during our Alpha course. We can provide some basic toys for very small children, if you cannot source your own childcare.

  • Alpha is amazing for young people, BUT our main Alpha course is for adults (over 18s). However, we also run Youth Alpha which is specifically designed and refocused for those between 11 and 18. Please contact alpha@citychurchcardiff.com, if you want to find out more about our Youth Alpha Course.

  • The Alpha Course takes place in our Function Room, which you access through our side entrance on Lower Cathedral Road. There will be someone to welcome you at the doors and direct you to the room.

    For those driving, there is very limited on street parking, but the Sophia Gardens Car Park (pay & display) is only a 5 minute walk from the side entrance of the church. The postcode for Sophia Gardens is CF11 9FH.

    If you are coming by bus, we are on the routes that go along Cowbridge Road East (13, 17, 18, 32, 61, 96, C1 - bus stop called ‘St Davids Hospital’) and Cathedral Road (24, 62, 63 - bus stop called ‘Cathedral Road’).

  • We’d encourage you to give Alpha a try and we can hopefully answer any questions during the course.

    However, if you have any further questions you want to ask before joining, just email alpha@citychurchcardiff.com and we’ll try our best to answer.