Coffee and spirituality

Julian of Norwich found God’s love in a hazelnut. Augustine of Hippo found theological meaning in fruit trees. Nature great and small has held the seeds of revelation for theologians and people of faith for centuries. Why can’t the coffee bean and all that arises from its cultivation and enjoyment contain the inspiration of our spiritual formation? 

Drom 7–8:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Oct. 29, the Leader Formation webinar for ruling elders and deacons will explore how coffee is an invitation to spiritual practice and formation. The webinar is part of the ongoing series that focuses on the continuing spiritual and theological formation of ruling elders and deacons produced by Presbyterian Life & Witness. Offered several times each year, Leader Formation webinars provide opportunities for church leaders to engage core Presbyterian theology, reflect on personal beliefs and strengthen leadership for congregational life.  and strengthen leadership for congregational life. 

The registration deadline is Oct. 21.

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Ruling Elder Martha Miller, assistant stated clerk for Ministry Education and Support in Presbyterian Life & Witness, said that the shift away from denominational theology and polity toward spiritual formation came from a rich conversation with ruling elders at the 227th General Assembly this year when her office sponsored a lunch (with coffee) for ruling elders and deacons while many teaching elders were dining with their seminary alumni associations. Miller said the lunch centered on discussion about how ruling elders and deacons carved out time and approached spiritual formation. “It was well received,” said Miller, who later connected with the webinar’s future facilitator, the Rev. Amos Joel Méndez Gutiérrez, because she had heard of a multi-unit Bible study he created around spirituality through the lens of coffee. 

Méndez Gutiérrez was ordained as a ruling elder at the age of 16 and then, in 2010, was ordained as a pastor at Iglesia Presbiteriana Juan Calvino (Juan Calvino Presbyterian Church) in Quebradillas, Puerto Rico, where he continues to serve to this day. In 2012, he was elected moderator of the Presbytery of the Northwest in Puerto Rico. 그는 총회 정서기 선출위원회에서 활동했으며, 미국장로교 총회 사무국 위원회에서도 재직했습니다.  Méndez Gutiérrez currently serves as stated clerk of the Presbytery of the Northwest, a position to which he was elected in 2025.

“We all like coffee in our own distinct way,” said Méndez Gutiérrez, who explained coffee can be an experience. “In that way, spirituality can't be something we do out of convenience but it needs to be an experience we enjoy each day."

When a difficult moment in his life presented an urgent need to strengthen his spiritual life, he focused on the simple but sustainable rituals in his life like his love for coffee. Coffee and spirituality can reorder our relationship with time in a busy and burnt-out life. “Not having enough time makes us do things quicker, with less intention and purpose,” said Méndez Gutiérrez. “We end up being burned out and not enjoying what should be a beautiful experience.” 

"In Puerto Rico, making 3 p.m. coffee for guests is a beautiful tradition,” Méndez Gutiérrez explained while making the case that coffee is more than a personal experience, it’s a communal one. He also drew a connection between personal spirituality and service. 

This connection enriches the lives of ruling elders in the PC(USA). “There's no better way to feel alive and connected than through service. Serving others is one way we can feel the Spirit of God working through us. But we must prepare ourselves daily,” he said.

The webinar will help ruling elders and deacons consider ways they can become more intentional about nurturing the spiritual lives of their communities. 

Watch recordings of past webinars in the Leader Formation series.