Q: When should I arrive? Come whenever you wish, and stay as long as you like. I'll be here, enjoying the evening out back from about 6:30 until at least 11:00, or until the last friend departs.
Q: What should I bring? We have beer, wine, soft drinks, food, cigars (and plenty of fresh air), and even a spare pipe or two. You needn't bring anything, but if you wish, feel free to bring a few beers, a bottle of wine, a bag of chips, pico, salsa or some other simple appetizer, some tobacco, etc. The spa and pool are generally ready and available, too, so bring a swimsuit if you wish. (Few takers yet, except me, afterwards, often.)
Q: How many attend? There are about 70 who have attended from time to time. On particular nights, there have been as many as 25 of us (once) and as few as 2. The average group is about 6. (For you engineers, mu & sigma are 5.6 & 4.3, respectively.)
Q: What if it's cold, rainy, or hot & muggy? We stay comfortable. The patio where we meet is covered and fairly well protected from wind & rain, and heated if necessary. If it's too hot & muggy outside, or in case of blizzard, hurricane, or tornado, there's plenty of room inside. Quite a few hot evenings we have started inside and then moved out after it was cooler.
Q: What's a Holy Smoker ?
smok-er 
(smō′kər)
n. An informal social gathering, often but not necessarily for men only, promoting social activities typically associated with men-only parties, such as cigar and pipe smoking, beer drinking, vigorous debate and discussion, back-slapping, hooting, hollering, brawling, etc. (No brawling yet. 
)
Ho-ly Smok-er (Hō′lē Smō′kər) n. A periodic gathering on the back patio of my house in Northeast Dallas, inspired by and loosely modeled after a weekly gathering that I enjoyed for many years in Austin.
Q: Why do you call it a Holy Smoker? (1) I started these events primarily because of the model, inspiration, and encouragement that I've received from various Presbyterian church friends in Dallas and Austin, and (2) I like the play on words.
Q: What's the point? Our goals are (1) to relax and enjoy a pleasant evening with good company, and (2) to encourage and edify each other via good, honest, hearty, engaging discussion.
Q: Discussion? Of what? Oh, I don't know. Nothing in particular. Whatever seems worthwhile, interesting, and fitting -- big ideas, great books, philosophy, film, theology, music, ethics, life ...
Q: Philosophy? Theology? Beer? Cigars? Well, maybe this isn't for me! Maybe not, but please don't be unnecessarily put off. It's ok if you don't know
Plato from
Plutarch,
Paulaner from
Pabst, or
Partagas from
Padron. You're not required to read, say, drink, or smoke anything. In fact, we welcome you even if you are an illiterate, nonsmoking teetotaler, as long as you don't mind that most of us DO enjoy these things. (Actually, I was a nonsmoking teetotaler most of my life, but eventually I repented.)
Q: I hate smoke! Please let me at least try to alleviate your concern: (1) Smoking is always optional at our "smokers." Sometimes nobody smokes, and usually no more than 2 or 3 do. (2) Those who smoke usually don't start until 8:30 or later, so if you come relatively early in the evening, you should be able to enjoy a good smokeless hour or two, at least. (3) If we know you're coming, we can certainly plan to abstain, or to smoke only before and/or after your visit. (4) We meet outside, so smoke (if any) never accumulates. (5) And always remember: Smoking is actually good for you.