Why am I blessing a bar? A fair question for those who care.

Terra has had a more European experiecne with alcohol than an American one. We are not prohibitionists. We believe in moderation, a glad hearted experience with drinking, and avoiding piggish excess that makes people drunk, out of control, and leaves a wake of damage to self and others. Any one who accuses Terra of being a “drunkard church” clearly speaks out of their…ignorance.

We have had a great relationship with the bars on our street. We have a monthly meeting @ Ryan’s Wake- the Irish bar that anchors the south side of our block. If you go, take time to enjoy the ornate wood recovered from closed churches. We often have lunches and meetings @ Brown’s. FYI, Brown’s is home to best micro brew in the northeast. Yep, we are that confident. Phil loves the cherry raspberry ale. I prefer the porter.

Brown’s is also a meetng place for lover’s of fine beer , aged to perfection and fine theology seasoned with time. Theology @ the Tap Room is the ministry dream of Phil Taylor. It is a discussion of great books, sharing of great company, and drinking of great beer. Their motto is “think responsibly, drink responsibly.” [you can get time and place info by emailing phil@terranovachurch.org]. They are currently discussing Augustine’s Confessions.

On March 17 a nexus moment of church, ethnicity, and pub life will happen @ Brown’s. Bagpiper’s, beer, and toasts of “slainte” will be the order of the day. There will also be a blessing of the bar. Now, I do not really bless inaminate object, and I really don’t think that is what Gary and Kelly Brown want. The blessing is of the people, of life, of community. It seems a good fit on St. Pat’s day. After all it was the Scot turned saint of Ireland who lived among the people to bring his heart, mind and life for the Three in One (the Three Lords as he said) to visibility before the Irish. He was once held hostage and mistreated, and became the peace making apostle of Ireland.

So when Kelly asked me to bless the bar, I said yes. (or more accurately when she asked Phil when I was on vacation, he said yes for me). By “coincidence” my beach book wsa the short volume of Patrick’s writings (the Letter to Coroticus, the Confessions, and the Lorica – the authorship of the last is disputed).

I hope you will join us to pray, eat and drink, and celebrate more than just an ehtnic group, but a man who represented that God loves all the nations.

peace
E

D