[Magdalen] a bishop speaks

[Roger Stokes]

Utah, and even Salt Lake City, is not a dry state.  A quick Google 
easily comes up with places to drink but the laws are fairly restrictive 
http://abc.utah.gov/laws/law_faqs.html

I have heard all that has been said about those who are dependent on 
alcohol and respect all those who are dealing with their own 
dependence.  That said they, perhaps all others than the relatives of 
such, will recognize the extent to which dependent individuals will seek 
to conceal their use of alcohol.  This will frequently include hiding 
their stache of alcohol from family members and consuming it in secret.

I do not regard that as healthy.  We need to acknowledge that there are 
those among us who do abuse alcohol and seek to love them for the people 
Christ wishes them to be.  After all he apparently had a reputation as a 
drunkard if we accept what the Gospels say. Certainly the miracle at 
Cana does not suggest an abhorrence of alcohol.  As a former prison 
chaplain I also know that those who are incarcerated will use what they 
can to produce alcoholic beverages.

At the most basic level I believe that any church gathering at which 
alcohol is served should also offer attractive non-alcoholic drinks.  I 
am familiar with receptions where similar galsses are used for three 
different drinks - red and white wine and (unfermented) apple juice.  
The last is refreshing and safe for someone who is going to drive.

Roger
On 08/02/2015 21:50, Grace Cangialosi wrote:
> That may be, but it's probably a BYOB state!
>
> We once stayed in a motel in Bristol TN/VA.  Yes, the town sits on the
> state line!   The Holiday Inn was on the TN side and was dry.  However,
> they told us to walk a few blocks down to the VA side and we could buy
> something to bring back.  So we got a six-pack of beer and brought it back
> to the restaurant!
>
> On Sun, Feb 8, 2015 at 3:35 PM, Jon Egger <revegger at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> GC15 is going to be held in Utah.  Not a bastion of booze, given the Mormon
>> hold on the state.
>>
>> +++
>> Grace & peace,
>> jon
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 8, 2015 at 12:00 PM, James Oppenheimer-Crawford <
>> oppenheimerjw at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> On Sun, Feb 8, 2015 at 7:56 AM, ME Michaud <michaudme at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Who is Nick?
>>>>
>>> In the cited article above, you can read responses. Nick is one who says
>>> the bishop is just being smug and self-righteous, and says a few other
>>> things it is probably best to read yourself.  Suffice it to say he things
>>> the bishop's letter is a bunch of BS and he has a lot more to say.  I've
>>> heard this in several contexts, including the Army.  A lot of people get
>>> scared when the possibility arises that they might have to function in
>> some
>>> job or situation without alcohol.  Nick is the poster child for these
>> folks
>>> who fight regulation of alcohol tooth and nail.
>>>
>>> It's useful to skim all of the responses, as you get a taste of how the
>>> thinking goes.
>>>
>>>
>> http://www.episcopalcafe.com/no-thank-you-to-booze-at-general-convention/
>>>
>>> James W. Oppenheimer-Crawford
>>> *"If you have a chance to accomplish something that will make things
>> better
>>> for people coming behind you, and you don't do it, you're wasting your
>> time
>>> on this Earth."  -- *Roberto Clemente
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sun, Feb 8, 2015 at 7:56 AM, ME Michaud <michaudme at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Who is Nick?
>>>> -M
>>>>
>>>> On Saturday, February 7, 2015, James Oppenheimer-Crawford <
>>>> oppenheimerjw at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Cannot help wondering if Nick is denying a drinking problem, or has
>>>> really
>>>>> nasty issues with bishops.  I'm betting on number one.  The folks who
>>>> have
>>>>> any kind of drinking problem, no matter how minor, get very scared
>> when
>>>>> access to their fix gets even potentially threatened.
>>>>>
>>>>> James W. Oppenheimer-Crawford
>>>>> *"If you have a chance to accomplish something that will make things
>>>> better
>>>>> for people coming behind you, and you don't do it, you're wasting
>> your
>>>> time
>>>>> on this Earth."  -- *Roberto Clemente
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sat, Feb 7, 2015 at 7:34 PM, Ginga Wilder <gingawilder at gmail.com
>>>>> <javascript:;>> wrote:
>>>>>> I agree, Catharine.  I appreciate the bishop saying he's a bit
>>> bummed,
>>>>
>>>> and
>>>>
>>>> yet, sees that this is the right time to set a precedent.
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>> Ginga
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Sat, Feb 7, 2015 at 3:34 PM, Catharine Phillips <
>>>>> revcphillips at gmail.com <javascript:;>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> A thoughtful letter to his Diocese. And a good exercise of
>>> leadership
>>>>
>>>>   to
>>>>
>>>>   my
>>>>
>>>> mind.
>> http://www.episcopalcafe.com/no-thank-you-to-booze-at-general-convention/
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>> *Catharine Phillips, MA, MDiv, CADC*
>>>>>>> *All will be well.  Period.  (Thank you, Julian of Norwich)*
>>>>>>> allwillbewellperiod.blogspot.com
>
>