The Salvation Army Chatham

On Saturday 14 October our current Alpha Course held its Day Away. Melanie Scoulding, one of our Alpha leaders (with her husband Steve) sent us the following report.

Steve and Melanie

The Alpha Course is full of wonderful moments but the highlight is the ‘Away Day’, when we devote an entire Saturday to finding out about the Holy Spirit. This special subject needs a special setting, so we leave Chatham and go somewhere peaceful for the day – away from our usual hectic lives.

Early on Saturday morning, 15 of us set off for Groombridge near Tunbridge Wells. Our destination Burrswood, a centre for Christian Healing and Ministry.

Although the weather started off foggy and grey, the sun came out just as we arrived at this oasis of peace in the beautiful Kent countryside. The grounds are extensive and the colours of the trees at this time of year are magnificent!

We started the day with a piece of music which reminded us all that the key to making the most of this special time is to “Have a good time”! We all needed to relax and enjoy the wonderful surroundings. The day is always busy, as we explore three questions about the person of the Holy Spirit, “Who is he?” “What does he do?” and “How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit?”, but it is important to make the most of the tranquillity and peace. Lively discussion followed each of the talks, interspersed with music and copious quantities of tea and coffee!

At lunchtime we had further opportunity to explore the grounds and to visit the Chapel and the Christian bookshop, and of course to enjoy an excellent lunch!

As the afternoon progressed and the discussion drew to a close, we were all given the opportunity to ask God to come into our lives, and to be filled with the Holy Spirit. An amazing time of prayer followed, with some committing themselves to God for the first time, and others renewing their commitment. All of us were acutely aware that we were in the presence of the Lord, and although tears were shed, we were not fearful or apprehensive. We were just incredibly blessed. Everyone prayed with and for each other and we witnessed these prayers being answered before our eyes. Our group had already become friends, but on this day, we became brothers and sisters in Christ.

We then had to finish the day with celebration. Our singing was probably not the best, but it was from the heart as we sang “Our God is a Great Big God”, with no music, but with all the actions! We left exhausted, but with the knowledge that God is with us and is in us, and He will never, ever leave us. There’s certainly no better way to spend a Saturday!

We thank Mel for her report. If you would like to know more about our Alpha Course click here or contact us. If you do not live near enough to make Chatham your Alpha centre and would like to know where there is a course near you visit www.alphacourse.org. If you would like more details of Burrswood visit www.burrswood.org.uk