Our local neighborhood beer-ista (as he calls himself) is great!
Yesterday, he taught me the entire monastic history of each ale they carry.
It was like getting to learn oral church history from someone who is a bit cynical about whether the church mastered spirituality at the level they did beer and cheese. Good critique, i thought.
Always funny, and fun talking to this fellow. I learn so much from those who serve well, and know the stories of what they are serving. Narrative still matters with people, not just products.
I’m still a believer that our personal stories fit into longer and larger ones! That stories still matter, and are not indeterminate, or just used to dominate (but that discussion’s for another day). Identity is ensconced in a meaningful tale, as my mentor put it!
Plus, beer, cheese and wine, not to mention architecture, make church history less boring, if you taste it, and see what worked and didn’t!
I myself was just drinking tea, as i have a slight cold, but i imbibed his message! Thanks friend. He could tell i like to learn what others know. And love learning church history through food and drink! Communion that is.