The History of the Graduate Theological Union’s Blessing of the Crush

Thursday, October 5, 2006

“Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.”
– Ernest Hemingway

Wine has been a part of world cultures for over 4,000 years; Egyptian records dating from 2500 BC refer to the use of grapes for winemaking. There are frequent references to wine in the Old Testament, and some say that the role of wine for sacramental use in Christian churches helped maintain the industry after the fall of the Roman Empire.

When contemplating how to best celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Graduate Theological Union in 2002, it seemed natural to include wine in the festivities. As our anniversary fell in the latter part of the year, when grapes are traditionally picked and crushed to begin the winemaking process, the GTU settled on Blessing of the Crush for our theme.

The evening was a rousing success, raising over $90,000 to support student scholarships, and an annual event was born. Each year at Blessing of the Crush, we celebrate the role and history of wine in different religious traditions – while enjoying good food and great company. Additionally, the evening provides us with an opportunity to honor an important person in the GTU community. In past years we have honored Henry Luce III, Dr. Huston Smith, and Dr. Charles Townes. This year we are pleased to announce that our guest of honor will be Senator John Danforth, a powerful voice in religion and politics, whose book, Faith and Politics: How the Moral Values Debate Divides America and How to Move Forward Together, will be published this fall.

Galileo said, “Wine is sunlight held together by water.” The Graduate Theological Union is a blend of many religious traditions, held together by the passion and commitment of the students, faculty, and staff. We hope you agree and invite you to join us in celebrating the work of these amazing people.