Join us at 7 pm on the following evenings in December for our series, “Things that Gladden the Heart: Wine, Music, & Friends” at the Rattlesnake Bar and Grill with the presentations beginning at 7:30 p.m. We’ll see you there!

In this series we explore the beauty of the natural world and human relationships, taking our inspiration from the author of Ecclesiasticus, “Wine and music gladden the heart, but the love of friends is better than either” (40:20).

This Theology on Tap series has been designed by St Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church in Quincy, MA and by their rector, the Rev’d Eric Hillegas, and by the Church of the Advent in Boston, MA.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

“Companions and Conspiracy: the Lord’s Supper & Human Relationships”

Richard Stuver, LICSW, DCSW
Staff Clinical Social Worker, Student Health Services, Boston University

This talk will explore the intersection of relationships and our celebration of the Eucharist. From the corporate nature of our worship to the core struggles in our relationships is the recurring theme of interdependence.  We gather at the dinner table and at the celebration of the Lord’s Supper sometimes looking for the same things – to be connected, healed and understood.  We also need to be open to seeing things in ways that may be different from our typical orientation and traditions.

Richard is a clinical social worker who has worked in community mental health clinics, in the primary care department of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and is on staff at Boston University where he counsels undergraduate and graduate students and is responsible for disaster planning.  He was on faculty at Harvard Medical School and taught in the third year medical education sequence. He is a Diplomate in Clinical Social Work.  In his private practice, he provides consultation to the Mass Medical Benevolent Society.  He is a graduate of Boston University School of Social Work and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Monday, December 9, 2013

“The Nose Knows:  Selecting Wines & Enjoying the Fruit of the Earth”

Alex Murray
Assistant Director of Beverage Strategy, Legal Sea Foods, LLC

Have you ever noticed how certain wines just hit the mark for you, and others just don’t?  When you find a wine you really like, do you like it because you prefer wines of a certain style, or because this particular wine is great quality?  Join Wine Expert Alex Murray as he not only helps you make sense of the fascinating and perplexing world of wine, but also helps you understand wine as a sign of God’s grace. During his presentation Alex will discuss:  identifying your preferences; recognizing quality; and expanding your horizons.

Alex Murray first became interested in wine as a Tufts University undergraduate spending his senior year in Paris.  Having the good fortune to be living with a family that made it’s living buying and selling wines, Alex had numerous opportunities to sample a wide range of fine French wines.  When Alex returned to the US, he began working in the wine trade as a retailer, restaurant sommelier, wine distributor, educator, and most recently in the Beverage Department at Legal Sea Foods.  Nothing makes Alex happier than helping someone discover ways to make wine become a daily pleasure in life.

Monday, December 16, 2013

“Music as Conversation: Prayers to God & Instrumental Appeals to the Heart”

Thomas Bowers
Harpsichordist and Early Keyboard Technician

Melodies have brought new life to prayers and the psalms for millennia, and the rhetorical principles that underlie the music of the 17th and 18th centuries continue to move our affections even today. This talk will explore music as a conversational medium through the vehicles of chanted Christian prayer as conversation with God, and Baroque instrumental music as conversation with the heart. Join us for an evening of musical dialogue over a few drinks.

Thomas Bowers received his B.A. in Music and Philosophy from Florida State University. There he developed interests in early music, Christian chant, and instrument building, and he completed an internship in harpsichord building at Zuckermann Harpsichords in 2009. Thomas currently works as a harpsichord technician in the Boston area, and he is pursuing a Master’s degree in harpsichord performance at Longy School of Music in Cambridge. He leads Anglican chant from the organ of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church in Quincy during a Thursday night sung Evening Prayer and Eucharist.