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Pints of piety?
By TIM GRANT, Times Staff Writer For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20 CARROLLWOOD -- The hum of voices and laughter at O'Brien's Irish Pub suddenly turned to silence. The crowd shut their eyes, lowered their beer mugs and reverently bowed their heads in prayer. As the scent of cigarette smoke permeated the dim bar room, Tim Woodward, a member of St. Timothy Catholic Church in Northdale, led more than 100 people in a prayer, asking the Lord to bless the event. After they all said "Amen," event organizer Sabrina Burton carried her glass of Miller Lite beer to the microphone and introduced the guest speaker. "I'm so happy to see so many happy, smiling people here today," said Burton, director of religious education at St. Mary Catholic Church in South Tampa. It was a most unusual scene for an organized religious gathering. The event was part of Theology on Tap, a Catholic-based program geared toward young adults and launched 22 years ago in the Archdiocese of Chicago. The event Tuesday at O'Brien's Irish Pub was the first of its kind in Tampa. Its emergence on the Tampa scene raises an issue open to debate: Should church be held in a bar? Or do cigarette smoke and neon beer signs cheapen the experience? "This is a way to go where people are comfortable," said Ann Rizzo, who works with the young adult ministry at St. Timothy. "We are bringing the spirituality to them. I think it will become very popular." Others would argue that the group is commiting blasphemy: Rather than exalting God, such events bring the Lord down to their level. Nina Cromwell, 21, said she learned of the event from a church bulletin and came not realizing that it would be held in a bar atmosphere. She looked around the room in disbelief and left abruptly after she expressed her opinion to people at her table. "I was raised Catholic by the book. Drinking is wrong," said Cromwell, who attends Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Tampa. "What if I get out on the road and one of these Christians runs me over after hearing a Christian lecture? I don't ever come in a pub. I don't really feel I belong here." Nor did all of O'Brien's usual customers appreciate the religious event. One woman, who declined to give her name, likened the evangelism to "telemarketing" and said she felt the church group was invading her privacy. The event on Tuesday was authorized by the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Announcements and bulletins were distributed at hundreds of parishes throughout its five-county area, which includes Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus. It was the first of a four-part series that will be held at 7:30 p.m. each Tuesday at the pub, 11744 N Dale Mabry Highway. A new speaker will address a different topic each week until the series ends on Nov. 3. Diane Kledzik -- director of the Office for Small Christian Communities and Evangelization, which is affiliated with the diocese -- led the first seminar, "Everyday Christianity in a Busy World." She gave examples of how Christians can evangelize and share their faith with others in everyday situations at home, the workplace, their neighborhoods and even pubs such as O'Brien's. "Being an everyday Christian is creating an atmosphere where we encounter Jesus in everything we do," Kledzik said. The lecture was well-received. With the exception of Cromwell, most seemed to appreciate the event. Some found it a chance to meet new friends. Amy Weeks, 38, of St. Timothy, and Beth Moya, 26, a member of Incarnation Catholic Church in Town 'N Country, said they plan to stay in touch. "I'm interested in the topics," Moya said. "Sometimes it's hard to bring the Bible into present time in our lives, and that's what they are doing." Weeks said she was comfortable with the atmosphere at O'Brien's. "I think it's about socializing more than just alcohol," she said. "It's a different way to bring God into the formula." The mission of Theology on Tap, a nationwide program usually held during the summer months, is to attract young adults who have become disconnected with the church and provide an opportunity for them to explore their faith. It is open to people of all ages. Most, but not all, drink beer. Anyone who does not bring photo identification cannot drink, but can participate in the discussion. Strong feelings about the atmosphere and the presence of alcohol are understandable, said David Batstone, associate professor of religious studies at the University of San Francisco. "Some people would say you are giving the victory to Satan by holding the event in Satan's workshop," Batstone said. "It would be scandalous enough to hold it at a bar, but a complete violation of a righteous lifestyle to be drinking during a religious service." Still, Batstone said he supports the ideas. "These days, any forum where people will get together to talk about their relationship to the divine is a good thing," he said. "There seems to be an exodus from the church. Young people don't see relevance. The program wants to spread the message in a way that's relevant and comfortable to them." Zack Kalarickal, 29, who attends St. Paul Catholic Church in Carrollwood, learned of the event from a church flier he read at Mass. "It's a dynamic way of learning about perspectives in religion," he said. "It's not all about institutions and ceremonies. It's nice to meet with peers and discuss common values in a laid-back atmosphere. This is real interaction with everyday people." -- Staff writer Connie Drew contributed to this report. Tim Grant can be reached at (813) 269-5311 or grant@sptimes.com
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