Brandon Curry, bar manager at the Patio on Goldfinch, presumed that the rollercoaster ride that was Super Bowl XLI would end with the Atlanta Falcons joining the New York Giants (who did it twice) as …
March 29, 2017
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Stories by Joseph O'Brien
Fat-wash did the trick for Patio on Goldfinch’s Sheer Determination
Pastor Parcel is concerned about the state of our nation
First United Methodist Church Membership: 650 Pastor: Brian T. Parcel Age: 42 Born: Taft Formation: Louisiana, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA; Claremont School of Theology Years Ordained: 16 San Diego Reader: How long do you …
March 29, 2017
Top of the Hyatt’s Strawberry Rhubarb Gimlet
The strawberry-rhubarb gimlet is the result of a quest to find the perfect San Diego winter cocktail, says Andrew Guerrera, Top of the Hyatt’s assistant food and beverage manager. “And since we are in San …
March 22, 2017
Elvin Harrison’s service to the church began at age five
Community Congregational Church of Pacific Beach Membership: 40 Pastor: Elvin Harrison Age: 53 Born: El Centro Formation: Jarvis Christian College, Hawkins, TX; Howard University, Washington DC Years Ordained: 26 San Diego Reader: What’s your main …
March 15, 2017
Carnitas’ Snack Shack's Hot & Buttered has a latte feel
While winter has been more wet than cold around San Diego these days, Carnitas’ Snack Shack’s Hot and Buttered — a new take on hot buttered rum punch — serves as an effective stay against …
March 8, 2017
Pastor Sam Nunez warns that Jesus is coming soon. "Be ready."
Fallbrook Seventh Day Adventists Membership: 499 Pastor: Sam Nunez Age: 43 Born: Philadelphia, PA Formation: Seminar Schloss Bogenhofen, Austria; Institute Adventist Collonges Sous Saleve, France; Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI Years Ordained: 11 San Diego …
March 1, 2017
Travel light and fast to heaven
Riverview Church Membership: 900 Pastor: Mel Svendsen Age: 59 Born: Brooklyn, NY Formation: Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Chicago; Northeastern Bible College, Essex Fells, NJ Years Ordained: 35 San Diego Reader: What’s your favorite subject on …
February 1, 2017
A lot of people who assume they’re going to heaven are not
Generation Church Contact: 1106 Whaley St., Oceanside; 760-439-8411; gotogeneration.com Membership: 110 Pastor: Jared Osselaer Age: 41 Born: Tacoma, WA Formation: U.S. Navy (bodyguard for Navy chaplains), Golden Gate University-Gateway Seminary (attending) Years Ordained: 4 San …
January 18, 2017
An interesting time at Alpine Community Church
Alpine Community Church Membership: 110 (with 30–40 friends) Pastor: Thomas Truscott Age: 76 Born: Detroit, MI Formation: Simpson College, Indianola, IA; San Francisco Seminary (Presbyterian), San Anselmo, CA; McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL Years Ordained: …
January 4, 2017
Catania's Canella is an introduction to fall with a taste of summer
Catania’s cocktail menu holds a full offering of autumn nostalgia, including something called the Canella, created by Catania’s head bartender Cesar Sandoval. The Canella was inspired, in name and content, by San Francisco liquor producer …
December 21, 2016
Caesar was too old, it seems to me
Advent The time of the first advent was foretold; the time of the second is not so; because the first was to be obscure, and the second is to be brilliant, and so manifest that …
December 21, 2016
Church for those who got burnt out or burned
Riverview Community Church Membership: 600 Pastor: Todd Tolson Age: 40 Born: Waukegan, IL Formation: Christian Heritage College, Santee (previously San Diego Christian, El Cajon) Years Ordained: 16 San Diego Reader: How long do you spend …
December 21, 2016
Stock up on coconut for Miss B’s Caribe Welcome
Ask for the Caribe Welcome at Miss B’s Coconut Club and the bartender will whip and dump a creamy white concoction into a young shaved coconut with Miss B’s logo burnt into the glistening white …
December 7, 2016
God can be found in a gay bar as well
Membership: 200 Pastor: Dan Koeshall Age: 56 Born: Pipestone, MN Formation: Evangel University, Springfield, MO; Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena Years Ordained: 25 San Diego Reader: What’s your favorite subject on which to preach? Pastor Dan …
December 7, 2016
Drink your charred corn
Campfire’s Charred Corn Cocktail is exactly what its name describes. “We think the drink is delicious,” Campfire’s chief drink master Leigh Lecap says. “You smell corn in the aroma. Its appearance is mysterious — it’s …
November 23, 2016
The strangest place pastor Caleb Lines found God
University Christian Church – Disciples of Christ Membership: 130 Pastor: Caleb Lines Age: 31 Born: Monett, MO Formation: Missouri State University, Springfield, MO; Yale Divinity School, New Haven, CT Years Ordained: 5 San Diego Reader: …
November 23, 2016
Bad behavior leads you to become a hungry ghost
Taoist Sanctuary of San Diego Membership: 75-100 Director: Bill Helm Age: 66 Born: Tucson, AZ Formation: Taoist formal training with John Davidson, Share K Lew and Khiegh Alex Dhegh Years ordained (Lawshr): 40 San Diego …
November 9, 2016
Numbers jump at Santee United Methodist Church
Santee United Methodist Church Membership: 200 Pastor: Christian DeMent Age: 43 Born: La Mesa Formation: San Diego State; Claremont School of Theology, Claremont Years Ordained: 10 San Diego Reader: Why did you become a minister? …
October 26, 2016
A chance to say, “God, I messed up”
Joy Lutheran Church Contact: 810 Buena Vista Way, Chula Vista, 619-262-4444 Membership: 100 Pastor: Deacon Don Heien Age: 56 Born: San Diego Formation: Lay Leadership Program for the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Years Commissioned: 3 San …
October 12, 2016
Leave the fear behind, dare to love
They do say there are only two or three sermons, of course, other than “send money.”
September 28, 2016
It’s not about floating around on a cloud playing harp
College Avenue Baptist Church Pastor: Carlton Harris Age: 59 Born: St. Louis, MO Formation: Dallas Bible College, Dallas, TX; Dallas Seminary Years Ordained: 33 San Diego Reader: What’s your favorite subject on which to preach? …
September 14, 2016
Gil Baloy, as much a shepherd as he is a pastor
Covenant Reformed Church Membership: 40 Pastor: Gil Baloy Age: 65 Born: Subic Bay, Philippines Formation: San Diego State University, San Diego; Westminster Seminary, Escondido Years Ordained: 15 San Diego Reader: What’s your favorite subject on …
August 31, 2016
Beer's essence — without the beer
As inexplicable as it sounds, some folks in this world have no taste for beer. But thanks to the Quad Ale House, even for these poor souls, there’s hope. Nicknamed “Beer Study Hall,” this new …
August 24, 2016
God seen in both gutters and high-rises
Membership: 250 Pastor: Derek DaPena Age: 35 Born: Bellflower Formation: Biola University, La Mirada; Azusa Pacific University Seminary, Azusa Years Ordained: 8 San Diego Reader: How long do you spend writing your sermon? Pastor Derek …
August 17, 2016
Gaslamp Tavern’s Heisman
Since the Gaslamp Tavern is a come-as-you-are watering hole for the local crowd and parched tourists alike, Gaslamp Tavern bartender Marshall Gillen has come up with a way to draw the home team and visitors …
August 10, 2016
The beauty of holiness, plus organ concerts
All Souls’ Episcopal Church Membership: 400 Pastor: Father Joseph Dirbas Age: 49 Born: Lavonia, MI Formation: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church, NY Years Ordained: 6 San …
August 3, 2016
The Bees of Bennett Valley
Inspired by a photograph his fiancée took during a recent visit to Bennett Valley, Bankers' Hill bar manager Zack Gray developed the Bees of Bennett Valley cocktail, a cross-pollination of the lemon-honey-and-gin classic Bee’s Knees, …
July 27, 2016
The language of the hammer
Carlsbad Community Church Membership: 400 Pastor: Alvin Helms Age: 55 Born: Houston, TX Formation: Seven Bible College, Houston; Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK; Yale Divinity School, New Haven, CT Years Ordained: 25 San Diego Reader: …
July 20, 2016
God got second-career guy’s attention
Mt. Olive Lutheran Church Membership: 128 Pastor: Bill Baker Age: 58 Born: Buffalo, NY Formation: Rollins College, Winter Park, FL; Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO. Years Ordained: 8 San Diego Reader: What’s your favorite subject …
July 6, 2016
Pastor Burkey appreciates the wrestling
Membership: 1000 Pastor: Richard Burkey Age: 56 Born: Chicago Formation: Concordia College, Austin, TX; Concordia College, River Forest, IL; Concordia Theological Seminary, St. Louis, MO. Years Ordained: 31 San Diego Reader: How long do you …
June 22, 2016
The Old Fashioned turned Hawaiian
According to Duke’s bar manager Peter Stanmeyer, the mango Old Fashioned made at this Hawaiian haven of haute cuisine has as much to do with Waikiki luaus as it does with Wisconsin supper clubs. He …
June 8, 2016
A lot of people probably see religion as an opiate
4325 Park Blvd, University Heights Membership: 25–30 Pastor: Dale Huntington Age: 33 Born: Visalia Formation: Grossmont College, El Cajon; Southern California Seminary-San Diego Christian College, San Diego Years Ordained: 5 San Diego Reader: What’s your …
June 8, 2016
Maybe we get to work alongside the Creator later on
Hope United Methodist Church Contact: 16550 Bernardo Heights Pkwy., Rancho Bernardo; 858-485-5840; hopeumc.com Membership: 870 Pastor: Brian Kent Age: 60 Born: Greeley, CO Formation: Point Loma Nazarene University, Point Loma; Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley Years …
May 25, 2016
Great coffee to foster the next churchgoing generation
Membership: 380 Pastor: Daniel L. Hagmaier Age: 55 Born: Union City, PA Formation: Florida Bible College, Hollywood, FL; Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, PA; Columbia Theological Seminary, Atlanta, GA Years Ordained: 20 San Diego Reader: How …
May 11, 2016
You want to live in heaven? Or hell?
Membership: “less than 100” Pastor: Kurt Bergquam Age: 54 Born: Grand Forks, ND Formation: Berean Bible College, San Diego; Christian Bible College and Seminary, Blue Springs, MO Years Ordained: 25 San Diego Reader: What’s your …
April 27, 2016
People choose to turn to God or not
Southeast Community Presbyterian Church Pastor: Deb Mitchell Age: 58 Born: Fort Wayne, IN Formation: Perdue University, West Lafayette, IN; Mount St. Mary’s, Los Angeles, Bethel Seminary, San Diego Years Ordained: 4 San Diego Reader: What …
April 13, 2016
The jazz link to God
Christian Fellowship Congregational Church UCC Membership: 140 Pastor: J. Lee Hill Age: 37 Born: Chesterfield, VA Formation: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA; Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC; Emory University-Candler School of Theology, Atlanta, GA Years …
March 30, 2016
Come 3 p.m. it's Hollapeño Atcha Boy time
Andaz bar manager Shannie Lee says, “Our entire cocktail menu is inspired by our bartenders. We give the bartenders free rein.” Hollering for a margarita? The Hollapeño Atcha Boy! is the name of an up-spiced …
March 25, 2016
Nolen's Bee's Knees
If you intend to go to the Nolen Rooftop, you’ll figure out pretty quickly that the only way is up — and Nolen’s lead barman Robert Yumul is leading the way by upping the ante …
March 23, 2016
Folks get caught up in old ways of thinking
"I was called by God. I tried to say no and God didn’t take that as an answer."
March 16, 2016
Scripture served warm
Membership: 34,000+ (entire SDSU faculty, staff and student body) Pastor: Darin Johnson Age: 49 Born: Sioux Falls, SD Formation: Iowa State University, Ames, IA; Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago; Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, IA Years …
March 2, 2016
Why are we here and what is the meaning of all this?
Interview with Pastor Tom Sannar of One Heart One Mind Center for Spiritual Living
February 17, 2016
Church for the religious and irreligious alike
Covenant Presbyterian Church of San Diego Membership: 150Pastor: Patrick KingAge: 34Born: ChicagoFormation: Wheaton College, Chicago; Beeson Divinity School, Birmingham, ALYears Ordained: 4 San Diego Reader: What is your favorite subject on which to preach? Pastor …
February 3, 2016
Newbreak pastor sees God surfing all the time
Membership: 2600 (on five campuses: Tierrasanta, East County, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, Scripps Mesa) Pastor: Mike Quinn Age: 62 Born: Great Lakes, Illinois Formation: Point Loma Nazarene University, Point Loma; Bethel West University Seminary, San …
January 20, 2016
When Jesus was found in the Monkey Place
“Some will ask, ‘How can a loving God send people to hell?’”
January 6, 2016
Bible in one hand, newspaper in the other
Clairemont Lutheran Church Membership: 800 Pastor: Jonathan Doolittle Age: 50 Born: Columbus, OH Formation: Wittenberg University, Springfield, OH; Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, IL Years Ordained: 21 San Diego Reader: How long do you …
December 23, 2015
Two Christmas Poems
Native Scene The beasts of Jerusalem will murder him, but in the meantime the beasts of Bethlehem warm him with their breath. — Giovanni Papini Nights are still cold on the starry hillside; Dew still …
Masters' Vieux Carre goes down like soda
The classic Vieux Carre oozes with the decadence of a New Orleans cathouse even as its name invokes the baroque sophistication of the cast iron rail- and grillwork that entwines the French Quarter. Named for …
December 16, 2015
Church of God's mission: Win. Build. Send.
Something pure and holy about downtown’s streets.
December 9, 2015
Potential to scandalize scotch drinkers
For a cocktail on Humphreys’ newly revised drink menu, bar manager Austin McAdams uses as a base liquor a perfect 15-year-old scotch. But before serious scotch drinkers storm Humphreys with broadsword and targe, McAdams asks …
December 2, 2015