Whilst I am not, like many, into 'communion' (Cannibalism drinking someone's blood?) and I am certainly not TT. However at Coventry we have an AA group who have been coming here for decades. I am also very well aware that some people have serious problems with alcohol so it is in support of them and everybody else that I am happy to support the no alcohol on site policy.

When I was on the committee of the Coventry Beekeepers Association they even declined to have a talk on mead because of the rule (I actually said nothing at all at the time)

The Baptists that I started off with were alcohol free and held communion and used I think then Ribena and so it is possible.

It is after all only 'symbolism'. Little wafer biscuits are even further from 'flesh'.

I gather some Catholic priests were asking for an exemption from the drink drive laws as they were committed to empty the chalice when they had some spare blessed wine. I wonder what Geo Fox would have thought of that?  

In a scurrilous moment I was considering giving someone I knew who went to the recent Woodbrooke Wake a bottle of red wine to drink in the Common (Cadbury) Room and spill a bit on the carpet - not quite at Turin Shroud level. Can you get banned from a place that is closed?

Anyway that is my thoughts and I don't think  Cov Meeting premises committee are aven considering asking for a change to business meeting. (Only been on it almost continuously for 40 years).

On Sun, 10 Sept 2023 at 19:04, Room Lettings <wfmhouse@gmail.com> wrote:

We at Wandsworth have a ‘no alcohol’ policy.  Friends have no problem with that, and it’s written into our T&Cs, which hirers have to agree to. I feel it’s an important part of our witness to the community as well as Quakers and any attenders who might come to our Meetings for worship; that anyone who comes into the building knows that it’s a safe, sober, place and there will be no pressure to drink alcohol or to try and refrain from doing so.  Hirers understand and do stick to the rule. Quaker wedding receptions use fruit juice.  I’ve even reminded Friends to be careful that any bought mince pies they bring in at Christmas time don't contain alcohol (it’s sometimes easy to miss unless you scrutinise the ingredients on the box).  We have, over the years, had numerous Friends and attenders who have been - still are - recovering alcoholics.  The odd glass, can or bottle here or there could so easily lead to stuff being left behind, in the cupboards (like the milk in the fridge!), or become the ‘thin end of the wedge’ so it’s much simpler, and safer for all concerned, to say ‘no alcohol’ at all so that everybody knows that our MH is a place which is free from alcohol.

Having said that …… I think clergy taking communion is probably the one exception that I would be prepared to give way on.  It’s not ‘recreational’ consumption of alcohol, as in parties, weddings or other celebratory or social events that hirers may want to book our premises for. I think you can guarantee that a small amount will be brought and consumed, and that they’ll wash up and dispose of the bottle sensibly - take it home if necessary so that it’s not visibly part of the MH’s rubbish!

Or use non-alcoholic wine just this once?  As clergy they ought to respect the conventions of the place they’re using.

Hope that’s helpful and not confusing?!

In Friendship,

Kate Bone

Bookings Manager

Wandsworth Quaker Meeting House

07765 245 097

On 10 Sep 2023, at 14:27, Clare Barnett <clare@barnettfamily.me.uk> wrote:

Hi all,

We have a standard clause in our lettings policy, as I am sure many meetings do, saying no alcohol.

We have had an enquiry from a group of clergy who wish to hold a gathering at the meeting house and as part of this hold communion. They wanted it know if it would be possible for them to use the communion wine in the ceremony. 

At business meeting today no one seemed to have any objections to this, but we said we would explore further what other meetings do. It feels like it is something which probably doesn't arise very often but I wondered if anyone had any thoughts or indeed any meetings have a letting policy which doesn't say that alcohol is prohibited?

Kind Regards

Clare Barnett

Premises committee, Hartshill Local Meeting 

_______________________________________________
wardenship mailing list -- wardenship@lists.quaker.eu.org
To unsubscribe send an email to wardenship-leave@lists.quaker.eu.org

_______________________________________________
wardenship mailing list -- wardenship@lists.quaker.eu.org
To unsubscribe send an email to wardenship-leave@lists.quaker.eu.org