BROWNTOWN - The Peace Church in Browntown recently voted to become alcohol-free. At the last church council meeting, held January 10, the board voted unanimously to serve only grape juice for communion services and only soft drinks for church dinners. This changes a long standing tradition in Browntown.
As long as anyone can remember, both wine and grape juice were offered at communion, according to Dr. Steve Hale, pastor at Peace Church. Beginning at the next communion, all communion cups will have only grape juice.
The change was made out of concern for those in recovery. It has been reported by some that the smell of the wine, as the tray passed, causes "triggering." Triggering is the term used by the recovering to express a precarious feeling of insecurity and temptation.
The initiative was laymen-led, Hale said. Still, he was pleased with the initiative.
"I am so impressed with the love for others this demonstrates the majority voted against their own pleasure to accommodate the few who might be uncomfortable... this is love the Christian kind unselfish," Hale said.
Hale said he himself is in recovery. He discovered in 2001 that he had a problem with alcohol. He realized that he acquired a dependency; that he could not function without a certain level of alcohol in his bloodstream. If his alcohol level, dropped below a certain point, he would feel extreme anxiety and would involuntarily shake. Then, just one drink would set off the phenomenon of craving; causing him to desire more and more.
He sought help at West Michigan Therapy. After being released from its 20-week treatment program, he drove directly to the local AA chapter. And, he's been active in Alcoholics Anonymous ever since, chairing meetings and sponsoring newcomers. In fact, he and his wife started a church especially for the recovering in Dickson, Tenn.
"This opens the doors now for more to be done for Green County," Hale said. "I'd like to see an AA meeting here in Browntown." Hale said he has four people interested already, and if he had 10 charter members, he could secure a meeting place. Anyone interested in having an AA meeting in Browntown or South Wayne should call Hale at (608) 966-3035.
As long as anyone can remember, both wine and grape juice were offered at communion, according to Dr. Steve Hale, pastor at Peace Church. Beginning at the next communion, all communion cups will have only grape juice.
The change was made out of concern for those in recovery. It has been reported by some that the smell of the wine, as the tray passed, causes "triggering." Triggering is the term used by the recovering to express a precarious feeling of insecurity and temptation.
The initiative was laymen-led, Hale said. Still, he was pleased with the initiative.
"I am so impressed with the love for others this demonstrates the majority voted against their own pleasure to accommodate the few who might be uncomfortable... this is love the Christian kind unselfish," Hale said.
Hale said he himself is in recovery. He discovered in 2001 that he had a problem with alcohol. He realized that he acquired a dependency; that he could not function without a certain level of alcohol in his bloodstream. If his alcohol level, dropped below a certain point, he would feel extreme anxiety and would involuntarily shake. Then, just one drink would set off the phenomenon of craving; causing him to desire more and more.
He sought help at West Michigan Therapy. After being released from its 20-week treatment program, he drove directly to the local AA chapter. And, he's been active in Alcoholics Anonymous ever since, chairing meetings and sponsoring newcomers. In fact, he and his wife started a church especially for the recovering in Dickson, Tenn.
"This opens the doors now for more to be done for Green County," Hale said. "I'd like to see an AA meeting here in Browntown." Hale said he has four people interested already, and if he had 10 charter members, he could secure a meeting place. Anyone interested in having an AA meeting in Browntown or South Wayne should call Hale at (608) 966-3035.
