The Alpha Course will be offered to the Santa Barbara community for free starting on two upcoming dates.

Community Covenant Church will present The Alpha Course at 11:45 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, at 5070 Cathedral Oaks Road, Goleta. Lunch will be served. South Coast Church, and Isla Vista Church will offer the course, 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at 5814 Cathedral Oaks Road, Goleta. Dinner will be served.

The Alpha Course consists of 10 weekly gatherings to discover and talk about an element of faith. Each talk looks at a different question and is designed to create conversation. All Alpha courses are different, but generally have three key things in common: hospitality, a talk, and good conversation.

The first session previews the Alpha format and is a forum for discussion for all views providing an opportunity to make new friends during time spent together. Community members are welcome to join at any time during the course and attend any number of sessions they desire.

Alpha courses are offered worldwide and can be found online, in cafés, churches, universities, homes and prisons. The Alpha course started in Britain in 1977. To date, 11 million people have attended The Alpha Course. For more information, visit https://www.comcov.org/alpha or email Jim Lisi, Alpha coordinator, at alpha@comcov.org.