The idea of promoting the use of alcoholic beverages in the life of United Church congregations (Church-wise, October) is both naive and foolhardy. I have been to the United Church’s retreat centre in Naramata, B.C., and one thing that stands out in my mind is that when the Alberta group went out for supper, only two of us did not have beer. The ministers all imbibed.
When I was young, I worked on a seismic crew. I was dismayed at the condition of some of the young families living in cramped trailers while the “boys” were at the bar getting smashed.
If Rev. John Pentland, who leads a wine and spirituality program at the Naramata Centre, pursues promoting alcohol usage within the United Church, I will never give to Naramata again and will ask my congregation to discontinue support as well.
Hugh Jones
Ponoka, Alta.
November 28, 2008
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