Spirited Brunch returns on May 4

For those who aren’t familiar with Spirited Brunch, here’s what you need to know:

WHAT is Spirited Brunch?

Spirited Brunch is a self-guided snack tour of downtown Charleston’s prayerful spaces. Every house of worship on the peninsula is asked to open its doors for the event, and welcome visitors with food or drink representative of its faith tradition or local history. Congregations without downtown locations are invited to join the Spirited Brunch by tabling at the event’s hub on the College of Charleston campus.

WHEN is Spirited Brunch?

The open house-style program runs from 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., or until the food runs out. But the Spirited Brunch is free, and no RSVP or other registration is required, meaning tourgoers can choose when to start and stop their sampling. Your Spirited Brunch might consist of sprinting from one congregation to the next for three hours straight, or it could entail spending 10 minutes at a single house of worship. Both Spirited Brunch experiences are equally valid, and any Spirited Brunch experience is valuable!

WHO is behind Spirited Brunch?

I joined forces with my friend Elijah Siegler, a religious studies professor, to put on the first Spirited Brunch in 2017. Officially, that means it’s organized by The Food Section, the College of Charleston, and the Charleston Interreligious Council, but it’s made possible by the countless congregational volunteers who prepare and serve the featured snacks, and answer tourgoers’ questions about their religious practices and the buildings which house them.

And, speaking of buildings, Spirited Brunch is generously supported by the Preservation Society of Charleston. One of its team members will be stationed at Spirited Brunch headquarters to chat religious architecture and its contribution to Charleston’s distinct character.

WHERE is Spirited Brunch?

The Food Section yearly publishes a tour map online and prints a brochure-type map that Spirited Brunch participants can pick up at participating congregations or the event hub at Arnold Hall (along with a Spirited Brunch hand fan and commemorative Spirited Brunch wristband.) Printed maps will be available at houses of worship and the Preservation Society’s downtown Charleston shop roughly one week before the event.

WHY Spirited Brunch?

Spirited Brunch is organized according to the same principle that guides The Food Section. Namely, what and how we choose to eat reveals our history, culture, and beliefs in a unique and accessible (read: enjoyable) way. This publication and this event both aim to enhance understanding and appreciation of the place in which we live, and those with whom we share it.

Hope to see you there!