Hundreds of young adults listen intently to a talk in the backroom of a bar as the sun sets on a muggy Atlanta summer night. Members of the audience enjoy a beer or eat quesadillas or wings as the speaker shares personal stories, tells jokes, offers insights, and, most importantly, shares faith experiences. On any particular night of Theology On Tap, the topic can be anything from dating, sex and marriage to theatre, America, Church and Helen Keller (which is local actor Tom Key’s topic for the upcoming series). The room is always packed with young adults from across the archdiocese; it isn’t surprising to find people who have come from as far away as Athens, Rome or Macon.

Since 1997, the archdiocesan Young Adult Ministry group has been hosting this series to bring young adults together in a casual atmosphere to delve deeper into their faith. The YAM group is excited to announce the speakers for Theology On Tap 2004, which will be held on four Wednesdays in July at Three Dollar Café in Buckhead and four Wednesdays in September at Five Seasons Brewing in The Prado. Gathering is at 7 p.m., and the programs start at 7:30 p.m.

The following programs in July will be held at Three Dollar Café in Buckhead, located at 3002 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta. On July 7, Gene Monterastelli of Baltimore will speak on “Recklessly Chasing Joy: Filling Your Life with What Your Soul Longs For.” Monterastelli is 52 percent of the performance ministry APeX Ministries (www.ApeXMinistries.com) (he outweighs his business partner) and the owner of a small Christian Publishing House. On July 14, Mark Kennedy, the coordinator of the Gainesville/Atlanta Courage Chapter and a catechist at St. Michael Church in Gainesville, will speak on “What Is Truth?” On July 21, Alex and Maria Muñoz will speak on “Real Love for Real Men and Women.” They are a young adult married couple with five children who serve as leaders in marriage preparation. On July 28, Father Francis Mary will speak. He earned a master’s in business administration from California State University and was engaged to be married before being ordained to the priesthood in 1998. He is currently the host of EWTN’s weekly live show, “Life On The Rock.” His talk is entitled “Conversion: No Guts, No Glory.”

The following programs will highlight the September Theology On Tap programs, to be held at 5 Seasons Brewing in The Prado, located at 5600 Roswell Rd, Suite 21, Atlanta. The Sept. 8 program will feature Tom Key, award-winning actor and creator of the off-Broadway hit “Cotton Patch Gospel.” He has been featured on numerous TV films with Ann Margaret, Karl Malden, Lee Grant and George Segal, the award-winning TV series “In the Heat of the Night” and “I’ll Fly Away,” the Mirimax film “Gordy,” and the movie “The Adventures of Ociee Nash.” He will talk on “What Do Theatre, America, Church and Helen Keller Have in Common?”

On Sept. 15, Tammy Evevard of Boulder, Co., a nationally-known Catholic speaker known for her enthusiastic speaking style and storytelling, will speak. She is married with three children. Her talk is entitled “Don’t Call Me Names” and is drawn from Isaiah 43.

On Sept. 22, Tom Clements will present a program on “Responding to God’s Call.” Clements is a devout Catholic who sold his successful Internet company and turned his sights to building the first Catholic college in Georgia. Southern Catholic College is scheduled to open in 2005 with 150 students already enrolled.

On September 29, Lisa Epperson, a graduate of St. Pius X High School and Furman University and currently the director of youth ministry at St. Ann Church in Marietta, will talk on “Glory Bound: Claiming the Victory of Christ.”

Registration for the Theology On Tap programs is not required, but there is a $3 cover charge. For more information, contact Ann Blasi