From: Rev Ed Hird[SMTP:ed_hird@bc.sympatico.ca]
Sent: February 12, 1998 11:02 AM
To: Copple, Tony

From The Times, London, England 11 February 1998

CHRISTIANS SEND AN INVITATION TO EVERYONE

BY RUTH GLEDHILL, RELIGION CORRESPONDENT

AN INVITATION to attend local courses on the basics of Christianity is being sent to everyone in the country. The free ten-week Alpha course is a practical introduction to Christianity designed for non-churchgoers and converts: attendance often results in long-term commitment to a church.

The worldwide take-up of the course has received support across the denominations and has astonished church leaders by its success. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, said: "I think it is superb. I commend it wholeheartedly."

The fact that it is an initiative from the established Church of England, the mother church of the worldwide Anglican communion, has given the course a credibility that other evangelical initiatives have sometimes lacked. The invitations are being sent by Holy Trinity Brompton, in Knightsbridge, West London.

There, the course has led to so many people turning up to church each week that the number of services is constantly increasing to cope with all the newcomers, while established members are often encouraged to join new "church plants" founded by Holy Trinity to rescue a dying or struggling parish.

Holy Trinity, which has an electoral roll of almost 700 but an average Sunday attendance of 2,000, this week disclosed in its annual report an annual income of more than £2.3 million from covenants, collections, donations and other sources, making it the wealthiest parish church in the country. However, the church, which expects to spend £743,000 on Alpha books, conferences and other resources alone next year, appeals in its annual report for a further £1.1 million in donations to fund its ministry.

The course was established at the Knightsbridge church 20 years ago, and there are now 4,000 churches running courses in Britain and overseas. At Holy Trinity, Alpha courses run throughout the year, with 500 people attending each week.

The campaign to invite every person in the country to attend a local course is thought to be an unparalleled initiative from the Church of England. Thousands of churches nationwide will be sent brochures and a promotional video, featuring the Rev Sandy Millar, vicar of Holy Trinity, and his curate, the Rev Nicky Gumbel, the architect of Alpha.

Churches will be invited to donate £100 each towards the campaign to pay for billboard advertising nationwide, posters for church noticeboards, local newspaper advertisements and leaflets for local distribution by churches.

The campaign, to be launched in September, is expected to cost £250,000. However, one "gift day" at Holy Trinity raised £370,000 in donations and pledges. A second gift day is planned for September.

Ruth Gledhill The Times London