[Magdalen] National TEC policy on Alchol in the Church

[Ginga Wilder]

Ginny+ Wilder hosts Beer and Bible Study on Mondays in the loft of a Pub in
Wilmington, DE.  Mostly they eat supper and do lectio divina. It's
definitely not about the beer or wine.  She has celebrated Eucharist around
the table there, too.  I think 21 people attended this past Monday.

On another subject, Ginny and Barbie will be married on Sunday, February
15, during the 10:30 am Eucharist service.  They will be chalice bearers
and the coffee hour will be their reception.  John and I are furnishing the
Proseco.  Please pray for them at this wonderful time.

Ginga

On Wed, Feb 4, 2015 at 8:36 PM, Grace Cangialosi <gracecan at gmail.com> wrote:

> Theology on Tap has some local following in this area, as well, though I'm
> not aware of any Episcopal churches sponsoring it. I first heard of it when
> I was living in Richmond. A local pastor was holding it at a pub in the
> Shockoe Bottom neighborhood. Free pizza was provided, participants bought
> their own beverages. It seemed like a good idea at the time.
>
> > On Feb 4, 2015, at 2:14 PM, Marion Thompson <marionwhitevale at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >
> > I host a monthly Theology on Tap session at a pub.  I guess this pub
> will throw me out for abberant behaviour. :-)
> >
> > Marion, a pilgrim   ... today my sail I lift ....
> >
> >> On 2/4/2015 11:56 AM, Lynn Ronkainen wrote:
> >> Here is the info in the post that was on the HoB/D list, all public
> knowledge.  I found it quite telling in light of the extensive experiential
> discussion in the pub and what we know in general about the church... and
> all of these 'outreach' evangelism  events or bible studies at bars....
> hmmmm.
> >>
> >> I am reminded of thinking over the years that TEC is much like the
> original 13 colonies in their attitude toward rule breaking <gdr>
> >>
> >> Lynn
> >>
> >>
> >> In 1985 the G.C. (1985-A083) adopted a "Church Policy on Alcohol and
> Drug Abuse" In the section on "Alcoholic Beverages in the Local Parish", it
> states. "-- The service of alcoholic beverages at church events should not
> be publicized as an attraction of the event."
> >>
> >> Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this 68th General
> Convention adopt the following policy statement:
> >>
> >> AN EPISCOPAL NATIONAL POLICY ON ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE
> >>
> >> The Episcopal Church acknowledges the need for exercising a healing
> ministry and for offering guidance to problem drinkers or chemically
> dependent persons and to members of their families.
> >>
> >> Alcoholism and other drug abuse are recognized as treatable human
> disorders which are manifested by a three-fold impairment of the body, mind
> and spirit. The Church concurs with health authorities that alcohol and
> other substance abuse is a major health concern of our society. It affects
> not only the alcoholic or abuser's health and self-concept, but also
> interpersonal relationships with family, co-workers, friends and
> counselors. It may affect any individual, regardless of financial
> situation, education, employment, race or creed.
> >>
> >> The Church calls on all clergy and lay people to take to heart the
> seriousness of the illness of alcohol and drug abuse and its manifestations
> as a disrupter of family, economic and social life; and urges all
> churchpeople to do everything in their power to offer forth the love of
> Christ in his healing ministry to those afflicted persons and families.
> >>
> >> Diocesan Committees on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency
> >>
> >> The General Convention of 1979 encouraged each diocese to appoint a
> Diocesan Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency to implement a program
> on alcohol and drug abuse. Such committees are responsible for developing a
> diocesan policy and planning a diocesan resource center for education,
> information, counseling and training. Clergy and lay counselors are
> encouraged to pursue continuing education in these fields. Congregations
> are encouraged to provide members with educational opportunities to learn
> more about the nature, prevention, techniques of treatment and pastoral
> care of alcoholics and drug abusers and their families. Trained consultants
> should be made available to interested clergy and congregations to
> facilitate this education process. Through education and usage of
> appropriate resources, intervention is made possible to stop the progress
> of the disorder before it runs its full destructive course.
> >>
> >> The Church commends and encourages the many programs offering treatment
> and support to persons suffering from the illnesses of alcoholism and drug
> addiction. Clergy and vestries are encouraged to further their assistance
> to the National Episcopal Coalition on Alcohol (NECA), Alcoholics
> Anonymous, Al-Anon, AlaTeen Groups, Adult Children of Alcoholics Groups,
> Narcotics Anonymous and to chemical dependency programs and halfway houses
> as well as becoming knowledgeable concerning all local resources offering
> intervention, treatment and continuing care for these persons.
> >>
> >> Employees of the Church
> >>
> >> Alcoholic or drug dependent employees of the Church should be treated
> with pastoral love and concern. Church health insurance policies should
> include provision for the treatment and care of persons afflicted with
> these illnesses. Treatment intervention for the person and family along
> with counseling and continuing support during recovery should be
> coordinated by the clergy and other support groups in the parish. Every
> effort should be made to offer job protection and re-employment, with
> salaried sick leave during hospitalization, to alcoholics and drug abusers
> accepting treatment. Those refusing treatment will not be offered this
> protection.
> >>
> >> Alcoholic Beverages in the Local Parish
> >>
> >> The Episcopal Church has never endorsed prohibiting the use of
> beverages containing alcohol among adult members. Scripture offers Jesus'
> example of the use and serving of wine in his first miracle at Cana and in
> the institution of the Holy Eucharist. If an adult member elects to use
> alcohol, however, moderate usage is expected. Church members should be
> educated regarding those conditions that might consequently compromise the
> health and safety of oneself or others. The Church also supports and has a
> responsibility to those people who abstain from the use of alcoholic
> beverages for whatever reason. Many churches do not serve alcoholic
> beverages at social functions, but, for those which do, the following
> guidelines are given:
> >>
> >> -- All applicable federal, state and local laws should be obeyed,
> including those governing the serving of alcoholic beverages to minors.
> >>
> >> -- Alcoholic beverages and food containing alcohol must be clearly
> labeled as such.
> >>
> >> -- Whenever alcohol is served, non-alcoholic alternatives must always
> be offered with equal attractiveness and accessibility.
> >>
> >> -- The service of alcoholic beverages at church events should not be
> publicized as an attraction of the event.
> >>
> >> -- The group or organization sponsoring the activity or event at which
> alcoholic beverages are served must have permission from the parish for
> this plan. Such groups or organizations must also assume responsibility for
> those persons who might become intoxicated and must provide alternative
> transportation for anyone whose capacity to drive may thus be impaired.
> >>
> >> -- Recognizing the effect of alcohol as a mood-altering drug, it would
> be advisable to consider the nature of the function at which alcoholic
> beverages are proposed to be served.
> >>
> >> -- Chemical usage other than alcohol is clearly controlled under
> federal, state and local laws and, as such, should be forbidden at any
> function.
> >>
> >> Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention
> of...The Episcopal Church, Anaheim, 1985 (New York: General Convention,
> 1986), p. 135.
> >>
> >> My email has changed to: houstonKLR at gmail.com
> >>
> >> website: www.ichthysdesigns.com
> >>
> >> When I stand before God at the end of my life I would hope that I have
> not a single bit of talent left and could say, "I used everything You gave
> me." attributed to Erma Bombeck
> >
>