The Scene Guyana, August 5, 2006...People have different tastes. Some may be religiously inclined while others may not be. But for those who are, there is a programme called 'Alpha' which they may find interesting.

Alpha is an international, inter-denominational Christian video-based evangelical ministry. The sessions are conducted over ten weeks and seek to answer fundamental questions about the Christian faith. Questions such as who is Jesus? Who is the Holy Spirit What does the Holy Spirit do? among others, are answered.

The programme includes video presentations, meal fellowship, small-group discussion - which is regarded as particularly important - and a special one-day or weekend retreat after the seventh week. After learning about the Holy Spirit, individuals go away to experience its power. The primary purpose of the programme is to teach individuals about Christianity, and participants receive a certificate of attendance after the ten weeks.

Alpha began more than 20 years ago in London and has since spread to over 160 countries in the world. Over the years Alpha has evolved, and has been adapted for different situations. Currently there is Youth Alpha, Alpha on Campus, Alpha in the workplace, Alpha for Prisons, and a special Alpha Course for married couples.

Last week, The Scene caught up with June Taklalsingh, an advisor to Alpha in Canada, who was in Guyana for a few days promoting the course and seeking to provide a link to Guyana and to bigger Alpha organisations worldwide.

At present, June Taklalsingh travels at least four times a year promoting the programme, and has undertaken the responsibility of spreading Alpha in the Caribbean. To date she has successfully launched Alpha in Grenada and says her primary goal now is to build a network with all the Alpha leaders in the Caribbean, while still continuing to launch the programme.

During her stay in Guyana, she travelled to Berbice, where Alpha programmes are being conducted. She also conducted a session at the Trinity Metho-dist Church, where individuals from various denominations learnt about the Alpha programme. She said that her main purpose for coming to Guyana is to connect the Alpha programme in Guyana with the umbrella organisation in Canada.

While in Guyana, Taklalsingh was also promoting an International Alpha Conference that is going to be held in Trinidad next October. The conference will see several Alpha officials, advisors and individuals who would have completed the programme, coming together for a special meeting.

She told The Scene, "A lot of people are migrating for a better life but let us look to what we can give to our country to make it the place it can be. Perhaps Alpha may equip us to go forth and touch lives and make a difference."

Alpha, as you may have discovered by now, is not new to Guyana and has been in existence here since 1997. There are four churches currently conducting the Alpha course, including St Andrews Kirk, which conducts Youth Alpha.

The local co-ordinator for the Alpha programme is Father Terry Davis, who is the Dean of the St George's Cathedral. Rev Glenna Spencer and Valerie Joseph are the other local co-ordinators.

Persons interested in joining Alpha or finding out more information can contact Valerie Joseph at telephone numbers 231-5611 or 226-9904 or can e-mail June Taklalsingh at jtrust2000@hotmail.com.