Reaching Out
Someone cleverly once said that ‘the church is the only organisation that exists for the benefit of its non-members.’ And as we serve God in this 21st Century culture, our greatest responsibility still remains to those who do not know Christ personally. This is something that we must never grow tired of doing, and that we will continue to reach out with the love of God and the good news about Jesus to our community, our nation, and our world.
Southport is a classic seaside town with a population of around 100,000, not to mention the hoards of visitors that the town attracts each year. With a growing migrant community also, the world is very much on our doorstep and so we are surrounded by opportunities to connect meaningfully with those who reside here. We seek to do this through a variety of means.
ALPHA
We believe it’s possible to learn about the Christian faith and have lots of fun at the same time, and the Alpha course is an ideal means of doing this.
Who is Alpha for?
Alpha is for everyone; no question is out of bounds and you are free to discuss as much or as little as you wish. We don’t assume any background knowledge of or belief in Christianity and everyone is welcome.
What is Alpha?
Alpha is held twice a year on a Sunday evening and runs for eleven weeks. It is an opportunity to explore the meaning of life in an informal, fun and friendly environment. The Alpha course consists of a series of talks, looking at topics including ‘Who is Jesus?’ and ‘Why and how do I pray?’, with the option of a day away. We meet for supper and each talk is followed by discussion in small groups.
SOUTHPORT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
This is an annual event hosted and organised by ourselves and sponsored by The Southport Visiter and The Southport Partnership. 2009 was its first year and was hugely successful. The festival is a celebration of the international diversity of Southport. Negative views and fears sometimes affect the international community and the sponsors believe this event is a great way to promote social harmony and integration. It also provides an opportunity to celebrate Southport’s unique character and values and its quality of life as a leading resort in the Northwest. The festival is a community event for all the family.
The festival centre-piece is a walking parade of national flags and music, with participants in national costume, led by Southport’s own Marshside Brass Band. The parade starts at 1pm at the north end of Lord Street and moves to the Town Hall Gardens. It is followed by a brief civic ceremony at which the Mayor will welcome the participants and open the afternoon of cultural entertainments.
The afternoon includes a variety of events with an international theme for the whole family. There are food and goods stalls for local traders, especially those with an international interest; exhibition stands for organisations that represent the international nature of the town and a range of cultural entertainments. There are activities for children, including an international costume competition, face painting and a locally organised African/Caribbean children’s choir.
To find out how you might be able to become involved in this years festival, click here.