Alcohol Coalition Inaugurates Work
Episcopal News Service. May 26, 1983 [83100]
WASHINGTON, D.C. (DPS, May 26) -- More than 100 Episcopal laity and clergy were challenged to "influence the norms of society" relative to use and abuse of alcohol at the inaugural ingathering of the National Episcopal Coalition on Alcohol.
Meeting at Calvary Church, Memphis, May 4-6, registrants from 33 states and Nicaragua heard this challenge from Bishop David E. Richards, Office of Pastoral Care, House of Bishops. The group also was addressed by several authorities in the alcoholism field and participated in workshop sessions. At an annual meeting, a national structure was established, based on provincial boundaries, to further the Coalition's goals on a regional basis.
The Coalition was formed in 1982 as an outgrowth of Province III's implementation of the 1979 General Convention Resolution on Alcohol. A primary aim of the organization is to provide a spiritual response to dependency on alcohol and other drugs through specific diocesan policies and programs.
In calling on the group to "influence the norms of our society," and not only deal with use and abuse of alcohol, Richards questioned the fact that it is now "normal" for wine to be served at parish suppers; for church conferences to include "happy hours;" and for wine and cheese to be served at the conclusion of various church events. Richards also stressed that the Coalition is the servant of diocesan alcoholism committees and must be sensitive to local needs and problems.
Keynote speaker at the gathering's banquet was Dr. William Oglesby, professor of pastoral counseling at Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, Va. Preceding him on the program was the Rev. Vernon Johnson, founder of the Johnson Institute, Minneapolis, who received the Coalition's first Samuel Shoemaker Award, named for the late priest who was pivotal in creation of Alcoholics Anonymous. Making the presentation was his widow, Helen, of Baltimore.
Dr. Thomas Shroyer, director of training and consultation for the Johnson Institute, addressed the plenary session of the ingathering. He noted that only 15 percent of the nation's alcoholics are getting help with their addiction, "a disease which costs Americans $124 billion each year."
In workshops designed to identify major Coalition goals, several topics emerged, among them: elimination of denial; education of clergy (especially bishops); creation of chemical counseling positions within the church; curriculum development within Christian education programs in parishes and at seminaries nationwide, covering alcoholism; implementation of the 1979 resolution; and continued theological focus on alcohol and alcoholism.
Further workshops covered specific areas of need relative to clergy education; diocesan progress and policy; community cooperation; awareness and education; youth, parents and the family; parish programs; special populations; and national relationships with alcohol-related organizations and other church bodies.
At the annual meeting, five recommendations were presented to the new board of directors. These concerned adoption of the regional structure; financial planning; membership recruitment; publication of a quarterly; communication with church officials; and coordination with all church organizations regarding alcohol-related problems of their constituencies.