The wine and spirituality program at Naramata Centre in B.C.’s Okanagan Valley opens with a free-association activity. Participants write down words they connect with wine: conversation, enjoyment, friends, family. Then they do the same for spirituality; there is “great overlap” between the two lists, says the program’s leader, Rev.
John Pentland of Hillhurst United in Calgary. When the word “church” comes under scrutiny, however, answers are “more rigid, more disconnected.” Pentland observes, “Churches often exclude people or create an image of themselves that is self-righteous. That’s a huge barrier for people engaging in a spiritual journey.”
One way of shaking this image might include allowing wine or other alcohol to make the occasional appearance in the social life of a church. While some congregations do permit it, many more maintain a no-alcohol policy, whether on principle or through habit. The early United Church had a strong link to the temperance movement, and these roots persist today in a general discomfort about mixing church and drink. In 2003, the 38th General Council rejected a petition by London Conference to create guidelines for alcohol consumption at church gatherings, leaving the responsibility at the local level.
Since then, few churches have engaged the question as a community. If your congregation is thinking about revisiting its no-alcohol stance, here are some tips to get the process flowing.
Open a discussion
Last April, Heather Spares, 25, of Walton Memorial United in Oakville, Ont., posted a discussion thread on the United Church’s WonderCafe website asking whether the church should serve alcohol at any of its social events. She thought there could be benefits — “It promotes the idea that a church is a community that trusts one another to choose for themselves. It also shows younger members that it is possible to drink moderately and have a good time.” But she also recognized the potential divisiveness of the issue: “Is this really what we want to be progressive with?”
Responses to the post were mixed. Some people felt introducing alcohol at church gatherings would be unfair to those with addictions, while others saw no harm if handled properly. “People see church and worship as . . . an escape, a sanctuary from everyday life,” says Spares. “But at social events, are we a community or a sanctuary?” Alcohol is a part of most people’s lives outside the church, she says, and by acknowledging that, “You’re reaching out to the community rather than being separate.”
Broaching the subject of alcohol at church events can be intimidating, as it’s still a controversial issue for many congregations. “It’s certainly something to bring up in a small group first,” suggests Spares, who is also a Board member at her church.
Choose your occasion
Going from a dry church to one that tolerates alcohol does not mean replacing the post-service coffee time on Sundays with a cocktail hour. “Opening your church up as a place for people to get drunk, that’s not what we’re talking about,” says Pentland.
Congregations that do permit alcohol reserve it for special events. Montreal West United allows congregation members to bring their own wine to potluck suppers, for example, while Bloor Street United in Toronto serves alcohol at some fundraising events and has a wine and cheese reception after the Easter vigil. The church also offers both wine and grape juice at communion, giving members a choice of stations.
“It’s an occasional and ordinary part of our lives,” says Nenke Jongkind, Bloor Street’s chair of Council. She’s been a member of the church since the early 1980s and doesn’t recall alcohol ever being an issue. “All things in moderation is how I grew up.”
Serve it responsibly
Congregations that allow alcohol at some church functions do so in accordance with liquor licensing laws, and every province has its own set of regulations. Tina Edwards, secretary of Bloor Street United, says that a Special Occasion Permit is required for each event involving alcohol, whether it’s hosted by the congregation or an external party renting the church’s facilities. “It certainly isn’t a blanket licence.”
The permit holder is responsible for ensuring all liquor laws are adhered to and that guests drink safely and moderately. No alcohol may be served to minors, of course, nor is it legal to serve someone to the point of intoxication. Food should be offered at licensed gatherings, and drink service stopped at least half an hour before the function wraps up. While none of the people interviewed for this article reported problems with over-consumption at church events, it’s still wise to have designated drivers on hand who can ferry people home if needed. In addition, many provinces run a program about best practices and legal responsibilities when serving alcohol, and churches would benefit from sending one or more members to the course.
If your church allows alcohol as part of its rental policy, the renter must apply for the liquor permit and is accountable for complying with regulations.
Edwards says her church has had little trouble with tenant functions involving alcohol. Such events are usually wedding receptions, and often the couple has a connection to the congregation. Renters need to provide the church with a photocopy of the permit at least a week in advance and pay a damage deposit of $300. During the event, church staff check to make sure the permit is clearly posted above the bar.
Edwards recalls a dance several years ago at which there was a “particularly boisterous group.” Afterward, the church moved up its closing time to midnight from 2 a.m., and this has helped them to avoid other incidents.
Provide options for non-drinkers
Not everyone drinks, and those who abstain shouldn’t feel excluded or pressured at church events where alcohol is served. Make sure to offer a range of non-alcoholic beverage options, and respect everyone’s choice. Alcohol should be an accessory to a toast or a complement to a meal rather than the main event.
At the Naramata Centre’s wine and spirituality workshop, wine becomes a springboard to meaningful discussion. The Bible talks about wine over 200 times and in a variety of ways, says Pentland. While several references warn against its abuse, others depict wine “as a medicine, a gift, a blessing; it’s talked about as spiritual, as food, as hospitality, as judgment.” He observes, “I’m quite curious how wine and spirituality opens a conversation. For some, it’s an important reminder of life and the richness and fullness of life.”
Other United Church members will have more painful associations with wine or alcohol, and that’s something to bring to the table, too. “In our church, we have AA, Al-Anon. We want to support these people,” says Pentland. “I think we have to be wise about how we do things.”
Would serving alcohol on suitable occasions make the church more inclusive and relevant in the eyes of the general public? Would it add anything to the communal life of the congregation? “It’s a conversation we need to have as a people,” Pentland says.
