v Who am I?
v Is there purpose or meaning to my life?
v Why do bad things happen to good people?
v Why is there so much suffering?
v Why is the world in such a mess?
v Is there a God and if so, what's he/she/it like?

Grappling with these issues is not easy and each of us must make our own way.

Unfortunately, life doesn't get any simpler. In fact, it seems to get more and more complex and the pressures we face in the 21st century on our time, our emotions and other resources can sometimes be intolerable. In our high-tech fast paced society there's not much space for meditation or contemplation, let alone real debate on the big questions. Consequently, it's not surprising that most people don't find enough time to really explore the deeper issues of life. That's a real shame, as most would agree that the answers to these questions are foundational to the way we live and the way we feel about ourselves and others.

Bearing all this in mind, just how do we get started? Wouldn't it be great if there was a text book we could read or a course we could sign up to down at the local college? This is where Alpha comes in, except it's not run by colleges but by churches. It's a course designed for those who wish to explore life's deep questions. The course gives you an opportunity to hear what Jesus taught and to discuss with others what they think. You benefit from the experiences of others and their journeys as you make progress on your own. It's amazing what you discover about yourself as you voice your own thoughts and listen to the thoughts and questions of others. There is no pressure and no opinions are forced. There is no cost (except an optional £2 to cover food). It runs over twelve weeks with a day away in the middle. Alpha courses are run by churches all over the world, including several in Maidenhead and Marlow. If you are interested in the next course, please contact the River Church office on 01628 640000 or go to the Alpha registration page and sign up on-line.