What can you do in twenty seconds? People who attended the fourth week of Alpha had a chance to find out in the “twenty second game”, which saw the group members swapping clothes, dancing like chickens and feeding their referees whatever food they could lay their hands on (even if that was a teabag!).

The skit that followed saw Adam taking on the mantle of the conflicted Jim, whose passionate feelings for his objet d’amour appeared somewhat less convincing when we found out he had yet to talk to the girl in question. Exasperated, his interlocutor, played by the beguiling Julianne, asked how he could possibly have a relationship with someone he never talks to. The theme of this short sketch, penned by Rick, led seamlessly on to Hannah’s talk, which dealt with the issue of faith.

Hannah likened faith to a marriage relationship. How do you know whether you have faith? Well, like a marriage certificate, the Bible is written proof of God’s promises to us. Just as a marriage takes place on a certain date in history, so history tells us how Jesus died and rose from the dead so that we might have new life. And just as a husband and wife experience marriage – the wedding vows lived out – so the Holy Spirit works in us realising the promises of God. Hannah also shared powerful stories of how God has worked in amazing ways in her own life, and the lives of others. A number of people attending commented that Hannah’s examples really spoke to them, especially since everyone has had experience of relationships, whether with other people or with God.

The Alpha weekend is coming up soon, when we’ll travel to the seaside for a couple of days to learn about the Holy Spirit in particular. Many of the non-believers attending have expressed interest in going. This will be a fantastic opportunity for them to experience more of what it means to follow Jesus, and for us to spend time getting to know them. Please pray that many people can make it, and that they really encounter God’s glory and love on this weekend.