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Sacred Ale aims to be church in the most basic meaning of the word

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"The Greek word for church is kyriakos, which means congregation or assembly - we are an assembly," said Travis Smith, founder and facilitator of Sacred Ale. "We all come with different ideas, but a common purpose."

Sacred Ale, which meets each Tuesday night at 7, is a gathering of individuals who might not feel comfortable in a traditional church setting, Smith explained. The purpose of the group is to provide a place for people to come as they are.

In the past the group met at Rumour Has It, and now meets at the future location of The Twisted Pear at 184 E. Main St. in Forest City.

"Meeting in a bar puts up certain barriers, but it also breaks down barriers," Smith said.

Smith had the idea for such a group several years ago. He knew the setting and who he wanted to reach. An ordained Baptist minister, he also knew that Rutherford County was where such a group needed to be held.

"Even though this area is deeply religious, there are many who are disenfranchised - but that doesn't mean we don't have faith," Smith said. "There's not a ministry like this between here and Raleigh."

There are no topics off limit for the group, he added, and the only thing he asks of participants is that everyone has to be respectful to one another.

"It's been over a year and there have been no arguments," he said.

Smith moderates the conversation each week, and begins it with the topic.

"Because I am a Christian, I do come at it from a Christian perspective," he said. "But I may not sound or talk like what you have in mind when you think of a Christian. I lead the group, but I don't control the conversation."

Some of the topics the group has held discussions over include how to define hope, how do you pray and what to do in difficult circumstances.

Leading the group has definitely been a part of Smith's own spiritual journey, he said.

"It propels me to believe there is something to learn from my fellow man and woman," Smith said.

For more information on Sacred Ale, visit their Facebook page under Sacred Ale.

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