A New “Spin” on Alpha…
Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at 3:00AM 
Fitness Alpha is an example of thinking 'outside the box' in efforts to reach out to others in their environment.
Clarenda Price runs Alpha at a fitness centre in Fredericton, NB. Participants spin/bike while watching the Alpha talks on a TV monitor. Clipboards are provided for taking notes. After the talk there is a stretching session, followed by a break with fruit and vegetable trays, and bottled water is supplied. Participants eat their snacks during the small group discussion time.
When Clarenda advertised the first course in the fall of 2010 she hoped for a full class of twenty. Forty-three people registered, leaving many on a waiting list. Guests shared some of their thoughts following that first Fitness Alpha course…
"I now read the Bible, now know to have a ‘relationship’ with God and I'm wanting to help others."
"This course gave me a positive outlook on spirituality."
"My attitude is better. I've been looking for more meaning in my life. I actually pray now." (15 year old)
"I've had 2-3 major issues to deal with since starting this course. Usually I'd turn to alcohol, but this time I turned to God and just talked to Him like you said. Problems are still there but I feel like I'm coping."
On January 4, 2011 Clarenda emailed another invitation to the next Alpha course beginning January 10th and within 24 hours the course registrant list was full, with a waiting list of five!
February is Heart Month! (more info) Here are 4 resources to help you provide healthy and scrumptious meals for your Alpha course (and family!):
1/ Canadian Alpha Cookbook ($10.99): Alpha churches across Canada contributed to this unique cookbook which includes suggested weekly menus, tasty recipes and practical cook’s tips. They share from their experiences in putting together meals for groups of 10, 30 or 100.
2/ UK Alpha Cookbook (different recipes from Canadian version) – available free on Alpha Tools
3/ The Lazy Chef website (hosted by Susan Cockburn)
4/ Healthy Recipes on the Heart and Stroke Foundation website