BAE Spring 03 course Report and Feedback:

(To see our suggestion for a good post Alpha Course - A Life Worth Living - click here.)

The Business Alpha Edinburgh Spring 03 course began with a "taster" introductory lunchtime on 13 March when the speaker was Russell Hogan who until recently was the MD of the Asset Management subsidiary of Scottish Equitable/AEGON. At the time of coming to speak to us, Russell was by then studying theology in Glasgow and also training to become a helicopter flying instructor. Russell discovered the Christian faith in 2000. He attended an Alpha course that same year.

61 people gathered in the Melrose Restaurant of the Roxburghe Hotel to hear Russell speak on the subject: "Christianity: Boring, Untrue and Irrelevant?".
He enthused about the course so well that over 40 guests turned up for the first session of the course a week later. People came from businesses in Festival Square and St Andrew Square and several points between.

Over the weeks participants enjoyed each other's company over the fine fare of the Roxburghe and were treated to talks by Peter Neilson of OASIS and St Cuthbert's and also a variety of speakers from the business community.

This time the Away Day was in the newly opened Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, Golf and Country Club just beyond Peebles. As ever, we are grateful to Macdonald Hotels for their generous hospitality to us.

Here is what some participants said to us:

About the course as a whole:

"The Business Alpha course was excellent. It was ideal for me as it related to investigating the concept of faith and what it may mean to me in the modern world and working environment. I found the course open and friendly and it was a great way to spend a lunchtime discussing the more spiritual side of life. I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone interested in life's bigger questions and how these questions may relate to them in their everyday life - well worthwhile!"

M - a man on the course

"I found Business Alpha to be a fantastic tool with which I was able to explore and investigate the many questions I had about the Christian faith. I always felt I could ask any questions I wanted, and my hosts never made me feel that I might be condemned or belittled for asking either stupid or difficult questions. It has been a very positive experience from beginning to end and I actively looked forward to each Thursday lunchtime for the talk, the chat, the questions and the discussions. Even if I hadn't been interested in Christianity, it would still have been enjoyable just for the chance to have an open and intelligent discussion over lunch!"

M - another man on the course

About the Away Day:

"You said in your invitation that no-one had ever regretted going on an Away Day. I am sure that after last Sunday that must remain very true. I found it very helpful in trying to think through how I want to live my life. I found the talks and the group chats particularly useful. I was kept wide awake and interested throughout the day, a definite achievement. Many thanks for all of the energy and effort put into the day."

I - a lady on the course

About the course and the follow up module A Life Worth Living (LWL):

"Business Alpha experiences from the recent course [like the above] strike similar chords with my own experiences from the first run last year. In the aftermath of the challenging discussions and searches, valued friendships have emerged which now make for happy and caring reunions. If you have enjoyed BAE then don't wait to get along to the follow up LWL course where the smaller and less formal format will allow you to share your views more fully... a great tonic to the spirit and mind!"

K - a man who has been coming along since last year

For your information, we shall be running the Business Alpha course again in the autumn. So do tell business friends that the taster session will be on Thursday 11 September 12.45 - 1.50pm. Business journalist and author Antonia Swinson will be the speaker.

For more information and to reserve a place refer them to this website and to http://www.businessalphaedinburgh.com

Our suggestion for a good post Alpha course - A Life Worth Living

You may be interested to know that after each Business Alpha course OASIS, who sponsor Business Alpha Edinburgh, run a Life Worth Living (LWL) course for people who have done Alpha - for Christians and non-Christians alike. The Life Worth Living course also provides an opportunity for anyone at all to join a spiritually refreshing group. Participants meet over a sandwich lunch in St Cuthbert's Church to discuss a most interesting book by Nicky Gumbel. The book - which is provided - is a study of Paul's letter to the Philippians.

(To read the diary of a past LWL course click here.)

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