Policy Number: 19
Title: Use
of Alcohol in Churches of the Diocese
Date
Approved by Diocesan Council:
March 14, 2003
1. The Diocese has had a long-standing policy of strongly discouraging the use of alcoholic beverages in churches of the Diocese (with the obvious exception of the use of wine for sacramental purposes). This policy reaffirms that.
2. Unless an individual congregation establishes a more restrictive policy, the following guidelines apply:
a. Persons who choose not to drink alcoholic beverages should not be made to feel embarrassment, discomfort, or inconvenience in exercising their preference.
b. Any beverage that contains alcohol must be clearly labeled as such. This applies to any food where alcohol has been used in its preparation and has not been volatilized (burned or cooked off) as in certain desserts.
c. If alcohol is provided it should be limited to wine, champagne or sparkling wines, or wine/champagne punches.
d. Whenever alcohol is served in any form, non-alcoholic beverages (including sugar free beverages) or food, must always be offered and served with the same attractiveness and accessibility as those containing alcohol.
e. Moderation is to be observed in the serving and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
f. The offering of alcoholic beverages at an event should not be advertised and should never be a primary purpose of the event.
g. Care must be taken to insure that the responsible persons are in control of the serving of alcoholic beverages in order to assure moderate consumption. Such responsibility includes providing alternative transportation for anyone whose driving ability might be impaired.
h. All applicable Federal, State and local laws and ordinances, including those governing the serving of alcoholic beverages to minors, must be observed.
i. It is the duty of the Priest in charge of the congregation or, in his or her absence, the Senior Warden or Bishop’s Warden to assume responsibility for the dissemination of and the observance of these guidelines.