As a sometimes homebrewer, I found the following article in Christian Century an eye opener. Congregations are sponsoring brewing classes and competitions as social gatherings and fund raisers. A different kind of ministry. Who would like to try it?:
Faith, hops, and love
The homebrew movement goes to church
Geoff Losee’s homemade beer bears a label with an icon of his Episcopal parish’s patron saint, Paul the apostle, encircled with “God’s Peace, Happy Yeast.” His congregation was one of several that competed in the What Would Jesus Brew? contest in Wilmington, North Carolina, over the past two years.
“It’s a way to introduce Christ or Christian community without the churchiness getting in the way,” said Dena Bearl, rector of St. Paul’s.
“This is not an activity that encourages the abuse of alcohol, but one that is about creating something you’d be proud to say you made,” said J. D. Brown, who started homebrewing classes as part of a young men’s ministry at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Garland, Texas. “The friendships that result in the process strengthen the community—which is the body of Christ.” Brown said he has not seen anyone overindulge at a church event.
Anderson Campbell, who works with online education at George Fox Evangelical Seminary in Portland, Oregon, is writing a book about brewing and spirituality. He sees beer as a metaphor for a common life that honors each individual. The uniqueness of each ingredient and its source—such as the specific mineral makeup of regional water supplies—influences the end product, just as individual stories change the identity of a congregation.
Mar 05, 2014 by Jesse James DeConto
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