It was indeed sad news to learn that attempts have been made in the Springfield Pagan community to bring people together before, and all of those attempts have failed. It's also just as sad that even in the 21st century, some people have not grasped the concept of common community respect for other organizations.
Sad, but not disheartening. NASA's first attempts at launching a rocket into space didn't quite work out either. So one must ask themself, "why did these attempts fail?" In the majority of instances failure comes when one organization or group or person creates something and then expects all of the other related organizations to come join something when the leaders, the rules, the policies and procedures are already in place - a call to "conform" to a preset ideal of one's own design. The whole organization is programmed for failure by design. There are people who like to run things; people who like to be in power - to exert control, to "make the rules" and then expect everyone around them to passively join in and feed their egos. Our church is not only not like that, but we reject that kind of practice in the strongest of terms.
There are also people that feel the need to be a part of everything around them. They join most all of the groups in town, they get their hands into the inner workings of the groups, they always have an opinion, set themselves up as defacto "authorities" on paths, causes, what is right and wrong, what is acceptable in the community, et al. They also get very angry at anyone who comes along to try to heal the fractures between the groups, not because healing fractures is a bad thing, but because they don't have a hand in it. They do not want the organziation to succeed because that would mean it happened without them being involved - a crushing blow to their ego if there ever was one. Behind them will be a long trail of failed attempts at creating organizations, and dare I say, possibly even some very questionable if not illegal practices. These people are not hard to identify. They make themselves known quite easily and usually leave a lot of hurting people in their wake who readily testify to the damage these people have caused in the past. Our church not only tries to identify these people, but we will tactfully, yet politely, decline their participation.
The Corporate Board has created a starting framework from which the Church Board can begin working. The framework is a temporary set of policies and procedures in place that will allow the Board to start acting as a legal entity while building their own structure, policies and procedures for the church. The church as a whole will be made up of a Board consisting of representatives from any organization that wishes to be represented, and an equitable number of Solitary Practitioners who have developed a practice of their own design. No one Organization, Group or Individual will set the rules nor write the church policies and procedures. Everyone gets together and does that together. In this way, everyone is coming into the group with equal input, equal say, and equal influence over how the church develops as an entity. The church evolves and matures as a direct result of those who choose to participate, not as a preconstructed entity to which all the other organizations and practitioners are invited. Once the Church Board has completed drafting and adopting their Bylaws, the starting framework set up by the Corporate Board becomes obsolete.
At some point the church will be an established, self sufficient entity entirely capable of supporting itself and maintaining its own 501(c)3 status as Church, and it shall be separated from the parent organization and will stand alone. In the meantime, the Corporate Board is there in an advisory role, as well as to fulfill the legal requirements for ordination and licensing, tax status documentation, and Not For Profit status for the church.
These are things which must be undertaken by the church and the appropriate programs and courses of study will need to be developed by the Church and approved by the Corporate Board before the Church can assume the legal liability for them required by the government. The concept is that of a parent birthing and raising a child until he matures and is able to stand on his own as an adult. At that point the parents are no longer responsible for the child - the child is a self-sustaining adult. This is the Corporate Board's interim goal for the church.
The Corporate Board's initial goal is to see the Church Board fully seated and up and running by January 1, 2011. We would like to see the Bylaws written and adopted by June 1, 2011. We would also like to see a fully functioning membership by Jan 1, 2012. These are the short term goals.
In the long-term, the Church should plan for, at some point, purchasing its own land and/or building. This is not going to happen anytime soon, and in fact, may take a decade or more to achieve. Ultimately we would hope to see an established Pagan church in the community with its own Sanctuary built on its own land. This is something that has to be carefully planned for, and it will take a great deal of time for that plan to come to fruition, unless of course the church finds a wealthy benefactor in the interim.
Erin asked me an interesting question, to which I'll admit I answered with a bit too much enthusiastic hope. After thinking about her question however, I have come to a more realistic answer. Her question was, what would I consider a success - what goal, having reached, would I consider to have proven our efforts a success. My first response was that we could involve at least 60% of the Springfield Pagan community. A bit TOO enthusiastic for reality...I do apologize for my exuberant "standard." In reality, we have already been successful. We already have representatives from 3 Pagan/Wiccan Organizations on the Board, and several inquiries from Solitary Practitioners. I get emails every day from people wanting more information and membership applications. We had an initial organizational meeting at which 12 people showed up and many filled out membership applications. That's a very successful start. Growing the church is of course an ongoing goal, but even in our infancy we have shown that there IS interest, and there ARE people willing to set aside their differences and come together for a single purpose. I am sure we will have detractors as well, for whatever reason.
To diverge on point just a bit, it was brought to my attention that there are Practitioners in the area who require the utmost of privacy concerning their membership, in whatever capacity, in the Pagan community. There are Solitary Practitioners who practice in secret not wanting parents, relatives, friends or employers to know of their involvement in their craft. The Corporate Board has already assumed a stance against "outing" anyone to the public. That's one reason why access to Middleworld Woods will be restricted to members only, and even then, we have in place a no cameras policy, and while we know that cellphones have cameras these days, we will enforce a policy on Middleworld Woods property that no pictures of any kind be taken of anyone without their express written consent. We also have a policy in place that the exact location of Middleworld Woods will never be published in any form to the general public. All members should enjoy the freedom of practicing their craft in private without fear of being "exposed" to anyone other than those of their own choosing.
We look forward to meeting many new friends this evening at the Witches Meetup, and don't forget the Druidry classes beginning tomorrow night. See our previous post for information on those events. Have a great day!
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Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Busy busy week.
There is a lot going on this week. Meeting with Erin from the Witches Meetup this evening, will meet Kate from Oakshade Sanctuary at the Witches Meetup tomorrow night, and Tim is conducting the first of many classes on Druidism with Order of the Standing Oak on Wednesday evening. Thursday I spend the day printing 180 wedding programs for a huge wedding I am Officiating this weekend at Drury Stone Chapel, and I have a wedding rehearsal Friday evening.
Spent most of the day working on memorizing the wedding ceremony for this weekend. It was beautiful outside with the strong breezes and blowing leaves.
Step by step we are reaching out to the different Pagan groups in Springfield, not to recruit, but to share our vision for a united Pagan community. The feedback has been very positive thus far. We are still needing people who are interested in being on the Board of Directors, so if you are reading this and want to be a part of the organizational process, please feel free to email me at info@interfaithfellowship.net .
I hope everyone has a great evening, and I'll see some of you tomorrow night.
Spent most of the day working on memorizing the wedding ceremony for this weekend. It was beautiful outside with the strong breezes and blowing leaves.
Step by step we are reaching out to the different Pagan groups in Springfield, not to recruit, but to share our vision for a united Pagan community. The feedback has been very positive thus far. We are still needing people who are interested in being on the Board of Directors, so if you are reading this and want to be a part of the organizational process, please feel free to email me at info@interfaithfellowship.net .
I hope everyone has a great evening, and I'll see some of you tomorrow night.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
To Sleep, Perchance to Dream
"To sleep—perchance to dream. Ay, there's the rub! For in that sleep of death what dreams may come, when we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause—there's the respect that makes calamity of so long life. " Hamlet - Act III, Scene I
Anyone that has spent any amount of time as a Pagan/Wiccan knows that there is an innate kindness to the power of nature, the God and Goddess, and the Wiccan Rede. Following the credo of "Do what ye will and harm none" isn't as easy as it sounds. Most people never give a second thought to the things they unleash and bind in the daily workings of their craft.
One of the very first things I learned about spellcasting early on was the ability to view the wielding of the natural energies in perspective. I learned and understood several things:
(1) Surrounded by the energy of light, darkness is weak.
(2) Shadow can only exist in the presence of light.
(3) The smallest of light can pierce the thickest of darkness.
(4) Even the faintest light can disperse an abundance of darkness.
(5) One candle among many mirrors exponentially multiplies the light, but darkness among mirrors remains exactly the same strength.
(6) People don't possess power - they learn to wield the power of the natural energies.
When I was in the military we would frequently train in "blackout" conditions - meaning absolutely NO light of any kind was permitted. To illustrate the danger of light in a combat situation, our Commander would have a soldier posted a mile and a half away smoking a cigarette. In the dark of night, we could see the "cherry" on the end of the cigarette very clearly everytime he inhaled. Benevolence operates on the same principle.
Karma doesn't have respect for the status of humans - it operates equitably among us all. What one releases will come back, in abundance, whether it be positive or negative. It is dangerous to cast a spell on another Wiccan. In doing so, we turn nature's energies against itself. One of the most common misconceptions about spellcasting is that the one doing the casting is "powerful." As Einstein demonstrated, power can neither be created nor destroyed. The person learns to focus the natural energies, but as far as possessing the energies, that's a myth - and it's a myth that most self-serving practitioners do not want you to understand. Fear is only powerful in perception, not reality. Fear is a motivator. Fear can only control you if you let it. It's an emotional response. If you go to a haunted house, you expect to experience fear, yet the reality is that when you exit you will be physically unscathed - the danger isn't REAL - if it were, you wouldn't go in the first place, unless of course you really did have a deathwish.
The one type of spellcasting you can do to protect yourself from a malevolent practitioner is called a reflective binding. In essence, it's a spell that reinforces Karma - at lightspeed. The basic premise is that when a person does good they will reap the benefits of Karma. When they cast to harm, the repercussions are swift and magnified. This spell is based on a natural law as well, one that goes back many millenia. While the "normal" return is "3" - the reflective binding invokes the law of "3 times 3." In this way, the person casting a spell of harm is actually focusing that negativity against themself. As long as they don't try to hurt others, there is no negative Karmic consequence. It leaves the individual to be responsible personally for what they reap based upon their own actions.
When dealing with practitioners who are "less" than honorable in their respect for Karmic return, it is best to leave them to suffer by their own hand rather than to direct negative energies or direct bindings their way. If your heart and conscience are clear, and you live by the Wiccan Rede, or for that matter, the "Golden Rule" then your light will always dissipate the dark energies that may approach you. One cannot hide the natural energy of a benevolent heart, or the purity of goodness that eminates from the soul of one so inclined to "do what ye will and harm none." Light will always be exponentially more powerful than darkness. There always remains a balance - nature. The majority of space is filled with darkness, yet the lights that pierce the darkness are easily seen, sufficiently illuminating, and readily abundant. With magnifying glass in hand, we can focus the energy of the sun into a burning beam that can set the leaves ablaze. When is the last time anyone took a magnifying glass and did the same with darkness? Why do we sometimes fail to understand that we as benevolent practitioners are the magnifying glass in the light of spiritual energy?
Anyone that has spent any amount of time as a Pagan/Wiccan knows that there is an innate kindness to the power of nature, the God and Goddess, and the Wiccan Rede. Following the credo of "Do what ye will and harm none" isn't as easy as it sounds. Most people never give a second thought to the things they unleash and bind in the daily workings of their craft.
One of the very first things I learned about spellcasting early on was the ability to view the wielding of the natural energies in perspective. I learned and understood several things:
(1) Surrounded by the energy of light, darkness is weak.
(2) Shadow can only exist in the presence of light.
(3) The smallest of light can pierce the thickest of darkness.
(4) Even the faintest light can disperse an abundance of darkness.
(5) One candle among many mirrors exponentially multiplies the light, but darkness among mirrors remains exactly the same strength.
(6) People don't possess power - they learn to wield the power of the natural energies.
When I was in the military we would frequently train in "blackout" conditions - meaning absolutely NO light of any kind was permitted. To illustrate the danger of light in a combat situation, our Commander would have a soldier posted a mile and a half away smoking a cigarette. In the dark of night, we could see the "cherry" on the end of the cigarette very clearly everytime he inhaled. Benevolence operates on the same principle.
Karma doesn't have respect for the status of humans - it operates equitably among us all. What one releases will come back, in abundance, whether it be positive or negative. It is dangerous to cast a spell on another Wiccan. In doing so, we turn nature's energies against itself. One of the most common misconceptions about spellcasting is that the one doing the casting is "powerful." As Einstein demonstrated, power can neither be created nor destroyed. The person learns to focus the natural energies, but as far as possessing the energies, that's a myth - and it's a myth that most self-serving practitioners do not want you to understand. Fear is only powerful in perception, not reality. Fear is a motivator. Fear can only control you if you let it. It's an emotional response. If you go to a haunted house, you expect to experience fear, yet the reality is that when you exit you will be physically unscathed - the danger isn't REAL - if it were, you wouldn't go in the first place, unless of course you really did have a deathwish.
The one type of spellcasting you can do to protect yourself from a malevolent practitioner is called a reflective binding. In essence, it's a spell that reinforces Karma - at lightspeed. The basic premise is that when a person does good they will reap the benefits of Karma. When they cast to harm, the repercussions are swift and magnified. This spell is based on a natural law as well, one that goes back many millenia. While the "normal" return is "3" - the reflective binding invokes the law of "3 times 3." In this way, the person casting a spell of harm is actually focusing that negativity against themself. As long as they don't try to hurt others, there is no negative Karmic consequence. It leaves the individual to be responsible personally for what they reap based upon their own actions.
When dealing with practitioners who are "less" than honorable in their respect for Karmic return, it is best to leave them to suffer by their own hand rather than to direct negative energies or direct bindings their way. If your heart and conscience are clear, and you live by the Wiccan Rede, or for that matter, the "Golden Rule" then your light will always dissipate the dark energies that may approach you. One cannot hide the natural energy of a benevolent heart, or the purity of goodness that eminates from the soul of one so inclined to "do what ye will and harm none." Light will always be exponentially more powerful than darkness. There always remains a balance - nature. The majority of space is filled with darkness, yet the lights that pierce the darkness are easily seen, sufficiently illuminating, and readily abundant. With magnifying glass in hand, we can focus the energy of the sun into a burning beam that can set the leaves ablaze. When is the last time anyone took a magnifying glass and did the same with darkness? Why do we sometimes fail to understand that we as benevolent practitioners are the magnifying glass in the light of spiritual energy?
Friday, October 22, 2010
Questions, Queries, and Quandries...
"I was wondering what the difference is in 'reserving for a family or individual' and 'scheduled celebration for individual organizations' was, are they th...e same thing? Are reservations by families or individuals treated the same if they want to scheduled a celebration? Or do they need to schedule a celebration as well as reserve? And what kind of conflict might there be if a few families and individuals scheduled/reserved celebration the same time as individual organizations scheduled celebration?...Ehh...MAKE ME STOP !!!"
I've always liked questions, and here are a few a friend recently sent to me about the Church. I thought I would answer them here for everyone's benefit. These are ALL hypothetical answers, remember that.
(1) "I was wondering what the difference is in 'reserving for a family or individual' and 'scheduled celebration for individual organizations' was, are they th...e same thing?
Organizations will need to submit some type of schedule concerning the regular meetings, events, etc... that they plan to hold at Middleworld Woods. For example, Group A plans on holding their private celebration here the 2nd weekend every other month. They were one of the organizations that came out and helped work on the woods intitally and were allowed to choose and set up their own exclusive site. A family or individual can still make a reservation for the same weekend. The organizational sites and individual camping areas are separate so there should be no conflict.
(2) "Are reservations by families or individuals treated the same if they want to scheduled a celebration? Or do they need to schedule a celebration as well as reserve?"
A "reservation" is treated like any other you would commonly think of. The Individual or Family calls or emails us and wants to know if there is availablitity for such and such date(s) for them to come out either for a day, or to camp and use the common worship sites. It is on a first come-first served basis. If an organization wants to come out and it isn't a time on the schedule they submitted when they joined the church , we check availablity and handle it in the same way.
(3) "And what kind of conflict might there be if a few families and individuals scheduled/reserved celebration the same time as individual organizations scheduled celebration?..."
The number of Families or Individuals coming out at any one time will only be limited by how many camping spaces we have open at the time. Use of the common worship areas will be determined by a sign up sheet here at the office. They will be able to "reserve" the common area for a block of and hour at a time, depending on how many people sign up to use the common area. The REAL problem develops when Organizations that have never come out to help develop Middleworld Woods (and therefore do not have a designated, private organizational area) all want to use the woods at the same time. That's why it is so important for interested Organizations to get involved quickly, come out and help cut trails and establish celebration sites, etc... those that do can choose their own privately designated celebration site and do not have to worry about someone else using it when they want to come out.
At the same time, Individual or Families that come out and help to develop the woods get a voucher for a free day pass or free night of camping for every day that they come out and spend at least 3 hours helping to develop the woods.
The way that we have set up the designated area program, those organizations that invest time and effort into helping to cut trails and establish celebration sites guarantee their organization a standing reservation for use as they see fit. Those organizations that want to benefit from using Middleworld Woods but who have never contributed to the development can make reservations on a first come-first served basis, but if an organization with a designated area wants to use the woods on the same date(s), they get priority.
The number of campsites will greatly depend on how many people come out and help cut trails and clear campsites, as well as how many people are wanting to be here at the same time. Since the campsites and designated celebration areas will be separate, we can still have Families and Individuals out here when organizations have scheduled activities.
I hope that answers some of those questions. As stated before, these answers were hypothetical. The exact administrative documents outlining the rules and regulations of Middleworld Woods have not been drafted yet. The answers here are as close to the proposed standards as we can get at this time.
I've always liked questions, and here are a few a friend recently sent to me about the Church. I thought I would answer them here for everyone's benefit. These are ALL hypothetical answers, remember that.
(1) "I was wondering what the difference is in 'reserving for a family or individual' and 'scheduled celebration for individual organizations' was, are they th...e same thing?
Organizations will need to submit some type of schedule concerning the regular meetings, events, etc... that they plan to hold at Middleworld Woods. For example, Group A plans on holding their private celebration here the 2nd weekend every other month. They were one of the organizations that came out and helped work on the woods intitally and were allowed to choose and set up their own exclusive site. A family or individual can still make a reservation for the same weekend. The organizational sites and individual camping areas are separate so there should be no conflict.
(2) "Are reservations by families or individuals treated the same if they want to scheduled a celebration? Or do they need to schedule a celebration as well as reserve?"
A "reservation" is treated like any other you would commonly think of. The Individual or Family calls or emails us and wants to know if there is availablitity for such and such date(s) for them to come out either for a day, or to camp and use the common worship sites. It is on a first come-first served basis. If an organization wants to come out and it isn't a time on the schedule they submitted when they joined the church , we check availablity and handle it in the same way.
(3) "And what kind of conflict might there be if a few families and individuals scheduled/reserved celebration the same time as individual organizations scheduled celebration?..."
The number of Families or Individuals coming out at any one time will only be limited by how many camping spaces we have open at the time. Use of the common worship areas will be determined by a sign up sheet here at the office. They will be able to "reserve" the common area for a block of and hour at a time, depending on how many people sign up to use the common area. The REAL problem develops when Organizations that have never come out to help develop Middleworld Woods (and therefore do not have a designated, private organizational area) all want to use the woods at the same time. That's why it is so important for interested Organizations to get involved quickly, come out and help cut trails and establish celebration sites, etc... those that do can choose their own privately designated celebration site and do not have to worry about someone else using it when they want to come out.
At the same time, Individual or Families that come out and help to develop the woods get a voucher for a free day pass or free night of camping for every day that they come out and spend at least 3 hours helping to develop the woods.
The way that we have set up the designated area program, those organizations that invest time and effort into helping to cut trails and establish celebration sites guarantee their organization a standing reservation for use as they see fit. Those organizations that want to benefit from using Middleworld Woods but who have never contributed to the development can make reservations on a first come-first served basis, but if an organization with a designated area wants to use the woods on the same date(s), they get priority.
The number of campsites will greatly depend on how many people come out and help cut trails and clear campsites, as well as how many people are wanting to be here at the same time. Since the campsites and designated celebration areas will be separate, we can still have Families and Individuals out here when organizations have scheduled activities.
I hope that answers some of those questions. As stated before, these answers were hypothetical. The exact administrative documents outlining the rules and regulations of Middleworld Woods have not been drafted yet. The answers here are as close to the proposed standards as we can get at this time.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Main Trail Update
The main trail through Middleworld Woods has be completed up to the CA boundary. Most of the trail has been lined with timber and the only thing left to do is rake the trail. I also marked another campsite off the main trail. We now have 3 campsites and 2 celebration areas cleared. As I stated before, assignment of the designated areas for organizations will be on a first come-first served basis.
Since the NWS is calling for possible severe weather Saturday, we will not be having a work weekend this coming weekend.
Saturday, November 6 is the next scheduled work day (weather permitting.) We will be working on trails from noon - 5pm that day. Bring your rakes, loppers, chain saws, etc... Everyone that comes out to work on Middleworld Woods for at least 3 hours will receive a certificate for a free day pass or night of camping for each workday they attend.
Everyone have a great day!
Since the NWS is calling for possible severe weather Saturday, we will not be having a work weekend this coming weekend.
Saturday, November 6 is the next scheduled work day (weather permitting.) We will be working on trails from noon - 5pm that day. Bring your rakes, loppers, chain saws, etc... Everyone that comes out to work on Middleworld Woods for at least 3 hours will receive a certificate for a free day pass or night of camping for each workday they attend.
Everyone have a great day!
Organizational Meeting 10/20/2010
We had our first organizational meeting last night and it went very well. There were a dozen people there for the meeting and we had communication from others who are interested but could not attend last night. We picked up 2 more candidates for the Board of Directors and I will be processing those applications today. We discussed some very important topics and fielded a lot of questions. There was a good sense of enthusiasm and participation among those who attended.
I'm going to go out and work on the main trail today for a while. Looks like this will be the last day of nice weather for a few days as they are predicting severe storms for Saturday and rain for tomorrow. The weather is turning cooler - perfect weather for me to be in the woods.
For now, we need to start getting the word out about the Church. Some of the members came up with a list of places to contact and I will start compiling that this afternoon. So far everything looks good and things are progressing nicely. I'll keep everyone updated.
I'm going to go out and work on the main trail today for a while. Looks like this will be the last day of nice weather for a few days as they are predicting severe storms for Saturday and rain for tomorrow. The weather is turning cooler - perfect weather for me to be in the woods.
For now, we need to start getting the word out about the Church. Some of the members came up with a list of places to contact and I will start compiling that this afternoon. So far everything looks good and things are progressing nicely. I'll keep everyone updated.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Workday 2 of 2
John and I accomplished quite a bit today - trimming trees and installing a new gate between the yard and the barn. I took some time this afternoon to work on the membership application and a fact sheet for the Organizational meeting Wednesday night. Listened to Tim on Pagan Perspectives and heard about a couple of books I think I'll add to my library - it was a very good show.
Raked some leaves, went around gathering different kinds of leaves for a kid's school project, and picked a large box of Bartlett Pears for my folks. I'm looking forward to Spring but am going to greatly enjoy fall and winter. Will work on some more of the trail this week as well.
John took a flier to Renaissance bookstore yesterday announcing the Organizational meeting, which by the way is Wednesday, October 20 from 7-830pm in the Santa Fe room at Library Station on N. Kansas Expressway. Once the meeting date passes, we will replace that flier with another more permanent one.
Here's hoping we have a nice turnout on Wednesday. It's been a long but productive day.
Raked some leaves, went around gathering different kinds of leaves for a kid's school project, and picked a large box of Bartlett Pears for my folks. I'm looking forward to Spring but am going to greatly enjoy fall and winter. Will work on some more of the trail this week as well.
John took a flier to Renaissance bookstore yesterday announcing the Organizational meeting, which by the way is Wednesday, October 20 from 7-830pm in the Santa Fe room at Library Station on N. Kansas Expressway. Once the meeting date passes, we will replace that flier with another more permanent one.
Here's hoping we have a nice turnout on Wednesday. It's been a long but productive day.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Workday 1 of 2
GOOD MORNING MIDDLEWORLD WOODS! Ok, so I'm NOT Robin Willams, but it is a good morning. Getting ready to head out to the woods and begin re-clearing the main trail to the Conservation Area border fence. Come on out and give us a hand and reserve your own private camping/celebration area. Should be a beautiful day out in the woods.
We have hotdogs and smoked sausages to grill for lunch. Bring your rakes, loppers, chain saws, etc... and meet some new friends in the process. Hope to see many of you here today! Have an awesome day.
We have hotdogs and smoked sausages to grill for lunch. Bring your rakes, loppers, chain saws, etc... and meet some new friends in the process. Hope to see many of you here today! Have an awesome day.
Friday, October 15, 2010
4th and 10. Will you punt or play?
Spent the day finishing up the front gardens and John chopped wood getting ready for our first official work weekend. Our organizational meeting is next Wednesday at 7pm in the Santa Fe room of Library Station on N. Kansas Expressway. So far it looks like we have a good response. I spent some time this evening designing a couple of new fliers as well. I have to keep reminding myself "small moves, Sparks." [Contact, Jodi Foster]
Bought some hotdogs and sausages to grill tomorrow. I have lined out the next part of the trail to clear - it should be an easy section. It will be interesting to see how many people come out to help, but in any case, I plan on clearing the rest of the pathway up to the Conservation Area border. Once the main path is clear, we can plan out the camping areas and celebration areas as the membership grows. Organizations will have input about the location of their own personal celebration site in the woods. Of course, the sooner an organization becomes a member, the more choices they will have.
Right now, I have to get ready to listen to Pagan Perspectives http://www.blogtalkradio.com/voicesofthesacredfeminine/2010/10/16/vandana-shiiva-on-voices-of-the-sacred-feminine
Have a great evening.
Bought some hotdogs and sausages to grill tomorrow. I have lined out the next part of the trail to clear - it should be an easy section. It will be interesting to see how many people come out to help, but in any case, I plan on clearing the rest of the pathway up to the Conservation Area border. Once the main path is clear, we can plan out the camping areas and celebration areas as the membership grows. Organizations will have input about the location of their own personal celebration site in the woods. Of course, the sooner an organization becomes a member, the more choices they will have.
Right now, I have to get ready to listen to Pagan Perspectives http://www.blogtalkradio.com/voicesofthesacredfeminine/2010/10/16/vandana-shiiva-on-voices-of-the-sacred-feminine
Have a great evening.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Plow plow, plant plant, a little here, a little there...
Got all of the accounting tasks done...finally! Been tilling and planting here for the last couple of days trying to make the yard a bit more presentable for what I expect to be a nice Spring opening of Middleworld Woods. I still have a full day of work in the yard before I can turn my attention to the woods, however, I did manage to clear a new campsite earlier in the week.
This weekend is going to be our first work weekend, so if anyone is interested in coming out and helping to cut trails, clear campsites, etc... this would be a great weekend to do it. It's supposed to be nice. If anyone has rakes, tree loppers, chain saws, etc... feel free to bring them along. Hopefully we'll be able to get together and talk about the organizational meeting as well. There's a lot to be done before Wednesday.
Don't forget to mark your calendar and tune in Sunday to Pagan Perspectives. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/pagan-persp
Hope everyone is having a great week.
This weekend is going to be our first work weekend, so if anyone is interested in coming out and helping to cut trails, clear campsites, etc... this would be a great weekend to do it. It's supposed to be nice. If anyone has rakes, tree loppers, chain saws, etc... feel free to bring them along. Hopefully we'll be able to get together and talk about the organizational meeting as well. There's a lot to be done before Wednesday.
Don't forget to mark your calendar and tune in Sunday to Pagan Perspectives. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/pagan-persp
Hope everyone is having a great week.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Accounting 101
Received the Church's accounting software today, Peachtree Pro Accounting 2010. I spent the evening setting up the accounts and entering in the first transactions. Now as we add Board members, Organizational members, family and individual members the datafiles can be updated. We also received the Church membership cards today - I had them printed by a commercial printing company. They turned out very nicely.
There are some interesting programs on PBS this evening on religion so I am going to take some time to watch them as I finish up studies before I begin writing my Doctoral thesis. Given that, this entry will be short. Hope all have a wonderful evening.
There are some interesting programs on PBS this evening on religion so I am going to take some time to watch them as I finish up studies before I begin writing my Doctoral thesis. Given that, this entry will be short. Hope all have a wonderful evening.
Organizational Meeting Set
We already have 3 members of the Pagan/Wiccan community on the Church Board of Directors who will be attending to answer all of your questions. We want to have representatives from the different organizations and Solitary Practitioners on the Board as well. Our organizational meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday October 20, 7-830 PM at Library Station on N. Kansas Expressway in the Santa Fe Room. There will be membership applications, information, and copies of the organizing documents available at that time.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Comparisons and Contrasts - Research in Progress
First, I want to apologize to Tim for missing his broadcast yesterday. I got busy outside and lost track of time - NO EXCUSE! I'll do better next Sunday. :) And while I'm on the subject, Tim does a great job hosting Pagan Perspectives on talk radio. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/pagan-perspectives This is an interactive show, so please listen to the show, call in and participate!
I've always believed that one can tell the nature of an organization by how the Articles of Incorporation and/or Bylaws are written. Last night I took some time to look up the bylaws of several pagan groups and churches around the country. Some were very good - others belied a deep, dark secret that seemed to be more common than not.
Whenever an organization has a set of organizing documents that contains a rigid administrative organizing structure, be very very wary. For instance, in many of the documents I researched there were a few that had common provisions that indicated that these organizations weren't much more than a clique set in stone.
(1) The organizing board membership is perpetual, has no provisions for removal or replacement, and the organization's existence hangs solely on the participation of the organizing board.
(2) The Board of Directors is hand picked AND there's no provision for the general membership to altar the Board.
(3) There's "levels" of membership in the organizing documents and everyone on the Board is automatically given the highest level of membership while the general membership that come afterwards has to "earn" that same level of membership through fulfillment of acts, achievenments, etc...
Ok, there's no doubt that when organizing there has to be a Board, and without a doubt that Board has to be given the authority to act on behalf of the organization. Organizatons, like people, change and evolve however. In time the Board needs to change and evolve as well. If one finds an organization where the leaders are specifically named and their positions are static (meaning they are not voted into office), RUN. This isn't a benevolent organization, it is a power trip. A true beneolent Nonprofit has provisions to vote their Board and officers into and out of office.
Organizing Board Members should be representative of the community in which the organization establishes itself, and they should have a proven, verifyable track record that would qualify them for the position just as if they had been nominated and elected by the general membership. There should be a provision in the organizing documents for the replacement of those same Board members based on a specific timetable or set of circumstances. For instance, with our Board of Directors, it has been proposed that the Board consist of a representative from each of the Wiccan/Pagan organizations, and that person shall serve until recalled or replaced by their respective organizations.
In this way, an organization doesn't suddenly find itself not being represented on the Board, and it also has personal control over who represents them on the Board. The Board itself is not allowed to "throw" someone off the Board (except for extreme misconduct) nor is it able to pick and choose from each organization's membership to decide who will be on the Board. This type of setup empowers each organization to not only have a voice, but also have a vote on all matters coming before the Board.
Some of the Bylaws allow for a "proxy" to cast a vote for a Board Member. I personally don't like proxy votes. Usually the Board will know beforehand of the agenda for the meeting (pre-determined agendas are a must) and if there is to be a vote, a Board Member who cannot attend should be able to cast a vote via a sealed envelope to be opened in their absence at the time of the vote. In my experience, all such votes were sent via US Mail and remained sealed until the vote was taken. The written vote was then entered into the permanent record and kept on file with the minutes of the meeting.
Some organizations allow for the appointing of representatives based on the number of members in each community organization. For instance, if an organization has 1-50 members, they get one representative on the Board; 51-100 gets 2 representatives; 101 and above gets 3 representatives and so on. This is a provision our Board will have to discuss and the membership will have to decide upon. While there should be at least 1 representative on the Board from each organization, the general membership may feel such a tiered structure is appropriate.
Our organization is slightly different in that we have an organization within an organization. The Church Board will be nearly totally independent of the Corporate Board. For the time being, the Corporate Board reserves the exclusive right to ordain and license ministers in the church. The reason for this is that the IRS requires ministers to have completed a course of study before being legally ordained and licensed. Since that curriculum hasn't been established within the church yet, the church cannot legally fulfill the requirement of that law. The Corporate Board however already has in place legal equivalencies that allow for the fulfillment of that law and the legal ordination and licensing of ministers. In time, the Church will assume the legal authority to ordain its own ministers.
The other overlap is in regard to the Treasurer of the Church. The Treasurer will be elected by the Church Board intially, but will not be a voting member of the Church Board. The Treasurer will, however, become a sitting member of the Corporate Board of Directors. In structuring the position in this way, it allows the Treasurer to also act as the auditor of the Church who reports directly to the Corporate Board. Unlike most organizations, we will require 2 signatures on a check (or transaction of any type) for the financial instrument to be valid. One of those signatures will be either the President or Vice President (Priest or Priestess) of the Church. The other signature MUST be the Treasurer's (or if the Treasurer is not available, the CEO of the Corporation's signature but only in rare circumstances will this ever happen.) In this way, there's a check and balance aspect to the Church finances and we avoid any conflict of interest. There will be a physical form that must be signed by both authorized parties for all electronic transactions (including debit card transactions should the Church decide to procure debit cards.) This may seem like overkill, but past experience has shown that this is the best and safest way to ensure the security of Church finances.
I will have several hard copies of various Bylaws from similar organizations for the Board to review when the time comes to start drafting the Church Bylaws. It is important that the Board take its time in drafting the administrative documents. I would like to see a full Board (or nearly full) seated before we begin this process. One of the keys to the success of organizing the Church is that there be ample representation of the individual organizations that will be involved. Compiling a set of Bylaws and THEN inviting organizations to join is neither productive nor conducive to participation.
I will continue with my research today to find more examples of how others have structured their organizations. Don't forget the meeting tomorrow evening of Oakshade Sanctuary at 7pm at Phelps Grove Park in Springfield. Have a great day folks!
I've always believed that one can tell the nature of an organization by how the Articles of Incorporation and/or Bylaws are written. Last night I took some time to look up the bylaws of several pagan groups and churches around the country. Some were very good - others belied a deep, dark secret that seemed to be more common than not.
Whenever an organization has a set of organizing documents that contains a rigid administrative organizing structure, be very very wary. For instance, in many of the documents I researched there were a few that had common provisions that indicated that these organizations weren't much more than a clique set in stone.
(1) The organizing board membership is perpetual, has no provisions for removal or replacement, and the organization's existence hangs solely on the participation of the organizing board.
(2) The Board of Directors is hand picked AND there's no provision for the general membership to altar the Board.
(3) There's "levels" of membership in the organizing documents and everyone on the Board is automatically given the highest level of membership while the general membership that come afterwards has to "earn" that same level of membership through fulfillment of acts, achievenments, etc...
Ok, there's no doubt that when organizing there has to be a Board, and without a doubt that Board has to be given the authority to act on behalf of the organization. Organizatons, like people, change and evolve however. In time the Board needs to change and evolve as well. If one finds an organization where the leaders are specifically named and their positions are static (meaning they are not voted into office), RUN. This isn't a benevolent organization, it is a power trip. A true beneolent Nonprofit has provisions to vote their Board and officers into and out of office.
Organizing Board Members should be representative of the community in which the organization establishes itself, and they should have a proven, verifyable track record that would qualify them for the position just as if they had been nominated and elected by the general membership. There should be a provision in the organizing documents for the replacement of those same Board members based on a specific timetable or set of circumstances. For instance, with our Board of Directors, it has been proposed that the Board consist of a representative from each of the Wiccan/Pagan organizations, and that person shall serve until recalled or replaced by their respective organizations.
In this way, an organization doesn't suddenly find itself not being represented on the Board, and it also has personal control over who represents them on the Board. The Board itself is not allowed to "throw" someone off the Board (except for extreme misconduct) nor is it able to pick and choose from each organization's membership to decide who will be on the Board. This type of setup empowers each organization to not only have a voice, but also have a vote on all matters coming before the Board.
Some of the Bylaws allow for a "proxy" to cast a vote for a Board Member. I personally don't like proxy votes. Usually the Board will know beforehand of the agenda for the meeting (pre-determined agendas are a must) and if there is to be a vote, a Board Member who cannot attend should be able to cast a vote via a sealed envelope to be opened in their absence at the time of the vote. In my experience, all such votes were sent via US Mail and remained sealed until the vote was taken. The written vote was then entered into the permanent record and kept on file with the minutes of the meeting.
Some organizations allow for the appointing of representatives based on the number of members in each community organization. For instance, if an organization has 1-50 members, they get one representative on the Board; 51-100 gets 2 representatives; 101 and above gets 3 representatives and so on. This is a provision our Board will have to discuss and the membership will have to decide upon. While there should be at least 1 representative on the Board from each organization, the general membership may feel such a tiered structure is appropriate.
Our organization is slightly different in that we have an organization within an organization. The Church Board will be nearly totally independent of the Corporate Board. For the time being, the Corporate Board reserves the exclusive right to ordain and license ministers in the church. The reason for this is that the IRS requires ministers to have completed a course of study before being legally ordained and licensed. Since that curriculum hasn't been established within the church yet, the church cannot legally fulfill the requirement of that law. The Corporate Board however already has in place legal equivalencies that allow for the fulfillment of that law and the legal ordination and licensing of ministers. In time, the Church will assume the legal authority to ordain its own ministers.
The other overlap is in regard to the Treasurer of the Church. The Treasurer will be elected by the Church Board intially, but will not be a voting member of the Church Board. The Treasurer will, however, become a sitting member of the Corporate Board of Directors. In structuring the position in this way, it allows the Treasurer to also act as the auditor of the Church who reports directly to the Corporate Board. Unlike most organizations, we will require 2 signatures on a check (or transaction of any type) for the financial instrument to be valid. One of those signatures will be either the President or Vice President (Priest or Priestess) of the Church. The other signature MUST be the Treasurer's (or if the Treasurer is not available, the CEO of the Corporation's signature but only in rare circumstances will this ever happen.) In this way, there's a check and balance aspect to the Church finances and we avoid any conflict of interest. There will be a physical form that must be signed by both authorized parties for all electronic transactions (including debit card transactions should the Church decide to procure debit cards.) This may seem like overkill, but past experience has shown that this is the best and safest way to ensure the security of Church finances.
I will have several hard copies of various Bylaws from similar organizations for the Board to review when the time comes to start drafting the Church Bylaws. It is important that the Board take its time in drafting the administrative documents. I would like to see a full Board (or nearly full) seated before we begin this process. One of the keys to the success of organizing the Church is that there be ample representation of the individual organizations that will be involved. Compiling a set of Bylaws and THEN inviting organizations to join is neither productive nor conducive to participation.
I will continue with my research today to find more examples of how others have structured their organizations. Don't forget the meeting tomorrow evening of Oakshade Sanctuary at 7pm at Phelps Grove Park in Springfield. Have a great day folks!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Tending to the Homefront.
Spent the day clearing the front fenceline, transplanting Iris, and installing a 3rd set of 8 solar light outlining the circle drive. I forget how much diabetes can effect day to day chores outside. Had to go to the barn and get the Tiller to make a new strip along the driveway in which I transplanted the Iris. Tomorrow I will finish raking up the grass and cuttings and have a little bonfire in the driveway. The ash is very good to use around the plants in preparation for winter.
Will probably spend the weekends working on the property around the house, and the weekdays working on the trails, campsites, etc... I can always use the help if anyone has nothing to do and wants to lend a helping hand. I still have a lot of brush to clear along the front fenceline and several logs from the trees to move that the storms took out. They are already cut in 14" sections, but these were 80+ year old oaks and 36+ year old white pines so they have quite a diameter and are quite heavy. Eventually we will split them all (by hand) for firewood. We've already split some 10 similar trees using only a splitting mall and iron wedges - no logsplitting machine here.
There's several tress in the woods that were killed by the storms and need to come down and be cut up for firewood for the campsites. There's also many trees already down that just need to be cut up. I'm wondering if there isn't enough out there already to build a modest size cabin - there are so many possibilties for the property that the church can take advantage of.
The accounting software hasn't arrived yet - looking forward to being able to finally sit down and program everything in. Have the Board's appointment documents all printed and ready to go - nice frameable certificates on heavy parchment. The church membership cards should be here this week as well. Just got an email from a Board member suggesting we include a family section on the membership application. Awesome idea! This is just one example of why it is so important to have a Board in place - no one person can possibly think such an undertaking through on their own.
Well, time to eat some supper. Will be working outside again tomorrow if anyone wants to spend some time in the country. :) Thanks to all.
Will probably spend the weekends working on the property around the house, and the weekdays working on the trails, campsites, etc... I can always use the help if anyone has nothing to do and wants to lend a helping hand. I still have a lot of brush to clear along the front fenceline and several logs from the trees to move that the storms took out. They are already cut in 14" sections, but these were 80+ year old oaks and 36+ year old white pines so they have quite a diameter and are quite heavy. Eventually we will split them all (by hand) for firewood. We've already split some 10 similar trees using only a splitting mall and iron wedges - no logsplitting machine here.
There's several tress in the woods that were killed by the storms and need to come down and be cut up for firewood for the campsites. There's also many trees already down that just need to be cut up. I'm wondering if there isn't enough out there already to build a modest size cabin - there are so many possibilties for the property that the church can take advantage of.
The accounting software hasn't arrived yet - looking forward to being able to finally sit down and program everything in. Have the Board's appointment documents all printed and ready to go - nice frameable certificates on heavy parchment. The church membership cards should be here this week as well. Just got an email from a Board member suggesting we include a family section on the membership application. Awesome idea! This is just one example of why it is so important to have a Board in place - no one person can possibly think such an undertaking through on their own.
Well, time to eat some supper. Will be working outside again tomorrow if anyone wants to spend some time in the country. :) Thanks to all.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Thoughts over Earl Grey...
It's been a slow day. I caught up on the entries to the accounting transactions for the corporate books, and added the informatation needed for intercompany transfers for the church. Still waiting on the accounting software for the church to arrive so I can set that all up. Finding myself rather dyslexic today. :(
While I am thinking about it, we already have 3 members of the Pagan/Wiccan community on the Church Board of Directors. We want to have a representative from the different organizations on the Board as well. Our organizational meeting will be October 20, 7-830 PM at Library Station on N. Kansas Expressway - I will let everyone know which room when I find out. I'm going to get a rough draft of a membership application form out to the Board this afternoon for approval. I will eventually make the membership application available for download on the Church website.
Oakshade Sanctuary will be holding a Study Group Tuesday, October 12 at 7pm at Phelps Grove Park in Springfield and will be discussing "Parting the Veils: Journeys to the Other Side," a discussion on death and rebirth. They will also be sharing some details about the formation of the Church so this is your chance to get a first glance at this project.
Oh, and if you use Facebook, you need to be aware of something. On the upper right of the screen, click Account, and then Edit Friends, then on the upper left click Phonebook. You may be shocked to see that both home and cell phone numbers are being published there. To protect yourself, click Account, Privacy Settings, then at the bottom click Customize Settings. Scroll down to your contact information and click the dropdown box on the right next to you phone numbers and address. Go down to the last choice, customize, and click it. Change those setting to "Only Me" and it will prevent anyone from being able to see your home phone, cell phone, or home address information. I was shocked to see all my friends' information out there for everyone to see.
Going to do some work outside. I will keep everyone informed of our progress. Have a great afternoon!
While I am thinking about it, we already have 3 members of the Pagan/Wiccan community on the Church Board of Directors. We want to have a representative from the different organizations on the Board as well. Our organizational meeting will be October 20, 7-830 PM at Library Station on N. Kansas Expressway - I will let everyone know which room when I find out. I'm going to get a rough draft of a membership application form out to the Board this afternoon for approval. I will eventually make the membership application available for download on the Church website.
Oakshade Sanctuary will be holding a Study Group Tuesday, October 12 at 7pm at Phelps Grove Park in Springfield and will be discussing "Parting the Veils: Journeys to the Other Side," a discussion on death and rebirth. They will also be sharing some details about the formation of the Church so this is your chance to get a first glance at this project.
Oh, and if you use Facebook, you need to be aware of something. On the upper right of the screen, click Account, and then Edit Friends, then on the upper left click Phonebook. You may be shocked to see that both home and cell phone numbers are being published there. To protect yourself, click Account, Privacy Settings, then at the bottom click Customize Settings. Scroll down to your contact information and click the dropdown box on the right next to you phone numbers and address. Go down to the last choice, customize, and click it. Change those setting to "Only Me" and it will prevent anyone from being able to see your home phone, cell phone, or home address information. I was shocked to see all my friends' information out there for everyone to see.
Going to do some work outside. I will keep everyone informed of our progress. Have a great afternoon!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Merrily we plod along, Merrily We'll Meet!
So, here I sit at the computer after having done some work outside and I realize that I've not yet eaten anything today. Turkeyburger to the rescue. But seriously, I spent a couple of hours this morning compiling a rough draft of the organizing policies and procedures to use in moving the church forward. I reached out to a couple (ok 3) other people who have shown interest in the church with the offer to sit on the organizing Board of Directors. Everything must have balance, which includes the organizing documents and it takes more than one mind to make sure that the church is on track in regards to policies and procedures. Of course, the full Board will have the daunting task of drafting and adopting a set of Bylaws, but until that time we need some structure to work from.
I outlined six (6) areas that needed some initial structure to build from: Organizational, Administrative, Recreational, Worship, Membership, and Education. This is important because when we go public with our first organizational meeting, we need to have a well thought out plan in forming and growing the church. Ideas are a dime a dozen, plans can be exciting and infectious, but unless they are well thought out they are merely smoke and mirrors. This is a MAJOR undertaking - not like establishing a social club or hobbyist organization.
In forming the church we have to structure it so that it will benefit all of the organizations involved without imposing policies, procedures, and "rules" upon how they choose to run their own organizations. In short, they won't be coming under the all-encompassing control of the church. There are, however, certain areas that must be governed by the Church Bylaws, such as use of Middleworld Woods, Ordination, licensing and credentialing of Clergy and Elders (teachers), church finances, membership, and who may legally represent the church to the public at large, etc...
One thing we wish to offer the individual organizations is the ability to use Middleworld Woods for their individual celebrations as well as offer all of the membership a place to hike, camp, meditate, and relax away from the chaos of the city without having to worry about intrusion by strangers, unwanted onlookers, and the gawkers and gadflies that generally occupy the public parks and interrupt or distract from rituals. With an "organizational" membership for instance, may come the ability to choose and maintain a designated area specifically for that organization. They can clear it, set it up, build a stone altar...and as part of their membership, nobody else would be allowed to use that designated area. It will be there for them for the entire year to use as they see fit. One of the benefits of Middleworld Woods is that it literally grows rocks - nice sized rocks. Spend 8 bucks on a couple of bags of mortar, gather as many rocks as you like, and build a permanent stone altar.
Another benefit of membership is that not just everyone will be allowed on the property. Because Middleworld Woods is private property (not owned by the Church) access can and will be regulated. No more drunken college kids hanging around gawking at the rituals. All members will be issued a membership card which they must carry to get in and display at all times while on the property. These aren't just inkjet do-it-yourself membership cards. They have been professionally printed, and they will have a little "extra" in case someone gets the idea of trying to duplicate one (or more.)
I'm waiting to hear back about the availability of a meeting location, but as soon as it is confirmed I will be posting that information. We have also printed fliers for those who do not have online access (or limited access) announcing our plans including the time, date, and location of the organizational meeting.
So far everything is moving along smoothly. By the way, if you are following these blog entries, feel free to comment, post your suggestions, questions, concerns, etc... I'd be glad to give you feedback. Thanks, and have a great day!
I outlined six (6) areas that needed some initial structure to build from: Organizational, Administrative, Recreational, Worship, Membership, and Education. This is important because when we go public with our first organizational meeting, we need to have a well thought out plan in forming and growing the church. Ideas are a dime a dozen, plans can be exciting and infectious, but unless they are well thought out they are merely smoke and mirrors. This is a MAJOR undertaking - not like establishing a social club or hobbyist organization.
In forming the church we have to structure it so that it will benefit all of the organizations involved without imposing policies, procedures, and "rules" upon how they choose to run their own organizations. In short, they won't be coming under the all-encompassing control of the church. There are, however, certain areas that must be governed by the Church Bylaws, such as use of Middleworld Woods, Ordination, licensing and credentialing of Clergy and Elders (teachers), church finances, membership, and who may legally represent the church to the public at large, etc...
One thing we wish to offer the individual organizations is the ability to use Middleworld Woods for their individual celebrations as well as offer all of the membership a place to hike, camp, meditate, and relax away from the chaos of the city without having to worry about intrusion by strangers, unwanted onlookers, and the gawkers and gadflies that generally occupy the public parks and interrupt or distract from rituals. With an "organizational" membership for instance, may come the ability to choose and maintain a designated area specifically for that organization. They can clear it, set it up, build a stone altar...and as part of their membership, nobody else would be allowed to use that designated area. It will be there for them for the entire year to use as they see fit. One of the benefits of Middleworld Woods is that it literally grows rocks - nice sized rocks. Spend 8 bucks on a couple of bags of mortar, gather as many rocks as you like, and build a permanent stone altar.
Another benefit of membership is that not just everyone will be allowed on the property. Because Middleworld Woods is private property (not owned by the Church) access can and will be regulated. No more drunken college kids hanging around gawking at the rituals. All members will be issued a membership card which they must carry to get in and display at all times while on the property. These aren't just inkjet do-it-yourself membership cards. They have been professionally printed, and they will have a little "extra" in case someone gets the idea of trying to duplicate one (or more.)
I'm waiting to hear back about the availability of a meeting location, but as soon as it is confirmed I will be posting that information. We have also printed fliers for those who do not have online access (or limited access) announcing our plans including the time, date, and location of the organizational meeting.
So far everything is moving along smoothly. By the way, if you are following these blog entries, feel free to comment, post your suggestions, questions, concerns, etc... I'd be glad to give you feedback. Thanks, and have a great day!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Caution traversing the belt buckle of intolerance
Rome has St. Peter's Square and Springfield has the Blue Vatican. It also has a lot of let us say "people rough around the edges." In planning the Church, it has got to be remembered that the property we're proposing to open up to the Pagan Community is our home. It's private property and that needs to be respected. We will go quietly about our business, enjoying the freedom and privacy and safety in celebrating our faiths but the one thing we must not do is advertise there whereabouts to the general public. Access to the property will be restricted to the Church membership - there will be not gadflies, gawkers, sightseers, or "half drunken college kids" standing by watching any of our celebrations.
While right now it is not a major concern, we do have to face the reality that there is always the chance of vandalism when one lives in an area such as ours. People don't like change, and people fear what they don't understand. We are situated in an area where one doesn't just "happen to drive by." To get here you must purposefully drive here. While there is no way to competely prevent people from the general public from knowing we exist, there's also no need to offer them directions on how to get here. We are hoping that those who would become members of the Church will respect that. In facilitating that, any advertising we do within the Pagan community will simply refer to "Middleworld Woods" without any directions, GPS coordinates, helium balloons or search lights pointing the way. The last thing we want is to have a Murfreesboro, Tennessee type scenerio right here in good old Springfield, Missouri.
Of course there has been talk of building some sort of building - a sanctuary, a temple, whatever one would call it. Yes, that's an eventual goal, but the Church must plan for a time when it as an entity can buy its own property and build, or buy a prebuilt property somewhere to fulfill that goal. Part of what we are doing will allow the Church to start raising funds to that end. None of this is going to magically pop up overnight - it is going to take some real work and real dedication to bring it all to fruition. Each journey starts with a single step - we have now done that. As with any infant, the first few steps are always tentative and awkward until we achieve a balance.
In organizing the Board, we need to discriminate between those who truly wish to have the privacy to worship freely and safely, and those who would have a platform from where they could flaunt it in the face of all of Christendom. We as human beings have forgotten the value of piety. This is not a "we" versus "them" organization. This is "we" among "them" organization. The goal of the Church is to peacefully coexist with other people of faith, regardless of what that faith may be, to be able to express ourselves in worship in an organized, peaceful, and lawful manner. It is also meant to be a retreat where one or all came get away from the daily stressors, spend some time out in nature, and re-energize their spiritual batteries.
Here's hoping to have a wonderful and productive autumnal season.
While right now it is not a major concern, we do have to face the reality that there is always the chance of vandalism when one lives in an area such as ours. People don't like change, and people fear what they don't understand. We are situated in an area where one doesn't just "happen to drive by." To get here you must purposefully drive here. While there is no way to competely prevent people from the general public from knowing we exist, there's also no need to offer them directions on how to get here. We are hoping that those who would become members of the Church will respect that. In facilitating that, any advertising we do within the Pagan community will simply refer to "Middleworld Woods" without any directions, GPS coordinates, helium balloons or search lights pointing the way. The last thing we want is to have a Murfreesboro, Tennessee type scenerio right here in good old Springfield, Missouri.
Of course there has been talk of building some sort of building - a sanctuary, a temple, whatever one would call it. Yes, that's an eventual goal, but the Church must plan for a time when it as an entity can buy its own property and build, or buy a prebuilt property somewhere to fulfill that goal. Part of what we are doing will allow the Church to start raising funds to that end. None of this is going to magically pop up overnight - it is going to take some real work and real dedication to bring it all to fruition. Each journey starts with a single step - we have now done that. As with any infant, the first few steps are always tentative and awkward until we achieve a balance.
In organizing the Board, we need to discriminate between those who truly wish to have the privacy to worship freely and safely, and those who would have a platform from where they could flaunt it in the face of all of Christendom. We as human beings have forgotten the value of piety. This is not a "we" versus "them" organization. This is "we" among "them" organization. The goal of the Church is to peacefully coexist with other people of faith, regardless of what that faith may be, to be able to express ourselves in worship in an organized, peaceful, and lawful manner. It is also meant to be a retreat where one or all came get away from the daily stressors, spend some time out in nature, and re-energize their spiritual batteries.
Here's hoping to have a wonderful and productive autumnal season.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
What really constitutes hypocrisy?
Yes I know, 2 posts in one day. I felt this was important enough to post however. In working towards my PhD in Religion, I have had the opportunity to study quite a few different faiths, including the Earth-based faiths. I am amazed at the number of "believers" from any number of faiths that point to one or more belief system and either outright condemn them or at the very least have disparaging remarks about them. I have also learned that arguing religion with people is almost universally fruitless. It's difficult to change the mind of someone who knows that they know that they know that their perspective is the ultimate gold standard of truth. One of the most common examples can be found in examining the world of the everyday Christian when it comes to Islam.
Most everyone has heard of the Pastor in Florida who had planned a Koran (more correctly, Al Qur'an) burning on September 11 of this year. Still others have heard of the town of Murfreesboro, Tennessee where a large number of the residents were protesting the building of a small Mosque in their town. In addition, most are familiar with the plans to build an Islam cultural center near Ground Zero. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I don't feel that this is the proper venue to argue for or against any of these examples.
What I will say is that I have adopted a position, which basically stated, goes something like this: If a Christian (or a member of any other faith) feels the need to discuss the belief system of Islam with me, my first question is going to be, "Have you read the Koran?" If they haven't then the discussion is over even before it starts. There is no way to have an intelligent discussion about the principles of a belief system unless everyone involved has a working understanding of that belief system. I hear so many Christians make the statement that "They (Muslims) do not share our values." Yet in reality, the only "values" they are familiar with are what they have seen and heard on the nightly news and in the newspaper. I quite often remind people that there's a big difference between doing the will of God and doing one's own will in God's name. The 9-11 terrorists were doing their own thing in the name of All'ah - but in reality, what they did was as far from what the Koran teaches as one can get. Just as some Christians use scripture (out of context) to justify hatred and bigotry, so there are factions in just about every other faith who do likewise.
It truly grieves me that there are a handful of Pagans that refuse to work with anyone or any organization that is willing to work with Christians or Christian principles. I'm not exactly sure what principles they are referring to. Having read the Bible several dozens of times over cover to cover, the only principles I have found there are summed up in the directives of loving your neighbor as yourself and doing unto others and you would have them do unto you. These are totally comparable to the Wiccan creed of "Do what ye will and harm none." If they are referring to the actions of some Christians based on some private interpretation of the Scriptures then they obviousoly do not understand faith or paths or calling, or personal accountability.
While it is true that there are Christians who rage against the Pagan community and anything it may stand for, there are also those who accept everyone's personal path of faith for what it is - a personal path. There will always be the Dogmaticists who, in common arrogance, claim that their way is the ONLY true way and everyone else is damned. The reality is, when members of the Pagan community refuse to associate with Christians or anyone even remotely adhering to "Christian principles" they are guilty of the very thing that they abhor. Whether someone follows Christianity, or Wicca, or Paganism, or Islam, or Catholicism, or Druidism is their own business, their own personal path and NOBODY has the right to tell them that their path is wrong. We should be worried about our own paths - about following our own faith and calling.
We should also be able to come together for common goals, setting aside differences and infighting. In the end, it's the person who can adhere to their own calling and faith (while showing love and tolerance for the right for every other human being to find their own calling and faith) that will ultimately bring honor to the Higher Power of their choosing. I'm not here to prosyletize anyone. I am a solitary Wiccan - my path isn't your path and your path isn't my path. The point, however, is that we are all heading for a common destination through study, enlightenment, dedication, and fellowship. What I am trying to do is not create a specific belief system in creating the Church, but create a system whereby individuals of different paths can come together and celebrate our commonalities while maintaining the right and ability to celebrate our individual and collective paths and belief systems. The Church gives the different groups a chance to show the entire "congregation" (using that term very lightly) something about their path, methods of worship, and knowledge about their belief system.
More will come out as time goes on - scheduling an initial organizational meeting for sometime this month is in the works - but for years the Pagan/Wiccan community has been fractured, feeling isolated from one another with the misconception that the individual groups are SO different that there's no common ground to be found. We have two choices - live with the status quo and remain separate and fractured, or come together under a common organization that allows not only the ability to excel in each individual path, but share that path with all of the other groups. In doing so, we find that common ground and fellowship. We find that social strength and unity that has been lacking for so long. There's nobody among those who have already come together to discuss the Church that has come with the agenda of "running everything." This isn't a Church of factions or cliques, and in all honesty, that kind of nonsense will not be tolerated. The governing board will consist of representatives from each organization that wish to participate. Conflicts of interest will be virtually non-existent. The whole organization will be built on checks and balances, accountability, and good faith.
The success of the Church will hinge solely on those willing to come together, set aside their personal and organizational differences, and work toward a common goal. Everyone stands to benefit in many ways. Those who are intolerant or have a personal agenda will find the Church a very difficult place to operate. My personal role in all of this is to facilitate and mentor, not govern. My personal calling is in counseling and mediation but also in developing courses of study required by the civil authorities to certify, ordain, and license our ministers and teachers. Our ministers (Priests and Priestesses) will be fully licensed to perform marriages, baptisms, dedications, funerals, et al - enjoying the rights and priveleges that clergy are legally and lawfully permitted to do. The governance of the Church will be left in the hands of duly elected representatives to include a High Priest and Priestess and a Board of Directors. This is the beginning of what could ultimately be a very strong and prosperous Pagan community. Everything hinges on participation.
Most everyone has heard of the Pastor in Florida who had planned a Koran (more correctly, Al Qur'an) burning on September 11 of this year. Still others have heard of the town of Murfreesboro, Tennessee where a large number of the residents were protesting the building of a small Mosque in their town. In addition, most are familiar with the plans to build an Islam cultural center near Ground Zero. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I don't feel that this is the proper venue to argue for or against any of these examples.
What I will say is that I have adopted a position, which basically stated, goes something like this: If a Christian (or a member of any other faith) feels the need to discuss the belief system of Islam with me, my first question is going to be, "Have you read the Koran?" If they haven't then the discussion is over even before it starts. There is no way to have an intelligent discussion about the principles of a belief system unless everyone involved has a working understanding of that belief system. I hear so many Christians make the statement that "They (Muslims) do not share our values." Yet in reality, the only "values" they are familiar with are what they have seen and heard on the nightly news and in the newspaper. I quite often remind people that there's a big difference between doing the will of God and doing one's own will in God's name. The 9-11 terrorists were doing their own thing in the name of All'ah - but in reality, what they did was as far from what the Koran teaches as one can get. Just as some Christians use scripture (out of context) to justify hatred and bigotry, so there are factions in just about every other faith who do likewise.
It truly grieves me that there are a handful of Pagans that refuse to work with anyone or any organization that is willing to work with Christians or Christian principles. I'm not exactly sure what principles they are referring to. Having read the Bible several dozens of times over cover to cover, the only principles I have found there are summed up in the directives of loving your neighbor as yourself and doing unto others and you would have them do unto you. These are totally comparable to the Wiccan creed of "Do what ye will and harm none." If they are referring to the actions of some Christians based on some private interpretation of the Scriptures then they obviousoly do not understand faith or paths or calling, or personal accountability.
While it is true that there are Christians who rage against the Pagan community and anything it may stand for, there are also those who accept everyone's personal path of faith for what it is - a personal path. There will always be the Dogmaticists who, in common arrogance, claim that their way is the ONLY true way and everyone else is damned. The reality is, when members of the Pagan community refuse to associate with Christians or anyone even remotely adhering to "Christian principles" they are guilty of the very thing that they abhor. Whether someone follows Christianity, or Wicca, or Paganism, or Islam, or Catholicism, or Druidism is their own business, their own personal path and NOBODY has the right to tell them that their path is wrong. We should be worried about our own paths - about following our own faith and calling.
We should also be able to come together for common goals, setting aside differences and infighting. In the end, it's the person who can adhere to their own calling and faith (while showing love and tolerance for the right for every other human being to find their own calling and faith) that will ultimately bring honor to the Higher Power of their choosing. I'm not here to prosyletize anyone. I am a solitary Wiccan - my path isn't your path and your path isn't my path. The point, however, is that we are all heading for a common destination through study, enlightenment, dedication, and fellowship. What I am trying to do is not create a specific belief system in creating the Church, but create a system whereby individuals of different paths can come together and celebrate our commonalities while maintaining the right and ability to celebrate our individual and collective paths and belief systems. The Church gives the different groups a chance to show the entire "congregation" (using that term very lightly) something about their path, methods of worship, and knowledge about their belief system.
More will come out as time goes on - scheduling an initial organizational meeting for sometime this month is in the works - but for years the Pagan/Wiccan community has been fractured, feeling isolated from one another with the misconception that the individual groups are SO different that there's no common ground to be found. We have two choices - live with the status quo and remain separate and fractured, or come together under a common organization that allows not only the ability to excel in each individual path, but share that path with all of the other groups. In doing so, we find that common ground and fellowship. We find that social strength and unity that has been lacking for so long. There's nobody among those who have already come together to discuss the Church that has come with the agenda of "running everything." This isn't a Church of factions or cliques, and in all honesty, that kind of nonsense will not be tolerated. The governing board will consist of representatives from each organization that wish to participate. Conflicts of interest will be virtually non-existent. The whole organization will be built on checks and balances, accountability, and good faith.
The success of the Church will hinge solely on those willing to come together, set aside their personal and organizational differences, and work toward a common goal. Everyone stands to benefit in many ways. Those who are intolerant or have a personal agenda will find the Church a very difficult place to operate. My personal role in all of this is to facilitate and mentor, not govern. My personal calling is in counseling and mediation but also in developing courses of study required by the civil authorities to certify, ordain, and license our ministers and teachers. Our ministers (Priests and Priestesses) will be fully licensed to perform marriages, baptisms, dedications, funerals, et al - enjoying the rights and priveleges that clergy are legally and lawfully permitted to do. The governance of the Church will be left in the hands of duly elected representatives to include a High Priest and Priestess and a Board of Directors. This is the beginning of what could ultimately be a very strong and prosperous Pagan community. Everything hinges on participation.
Prep Work - what to do, what to do...
It's good to have resources, and maybe even some experience. I sat down yesterday and wondered what I could do for the group that would make a huge impact but not take a lot of money. Having an extensive background in accounting and organization development I started thinking about the accounting structure for the church. I researched some of the most common commercial accouting software packages - the most inexpensive I found was $199. Ok, admittedly that's retail price. But from experience I know that there's a place I could go to get the same software packages for a fraction of the cost - EBAY.
I've been using EBAY for years and have accumulated a list of vendors whom I have done business with and have networked with over the years. In short, I found an accounting package from a company that I currently do business with. This same accounting package was $229 online, a 2010 version no less. It comes unopened in its original packaging and unregistered. I went ahead and bought it. Total cost with shipping and handling? $4.
In dealing with several local, small nonprofits over the years, I have found that the accounting aspect is one of the most neglected area in the organization. That's how organizational money goes missing. The accounting system or any nonprofit should make that nearly impossible. Another of the almost universal "failures" of most small nonprofits is the signatory structure. I have a checks and balance philosophy that on the surface seems redundant, perhaps even unnecessary, but in the end it circumvents all of the typical problems of misappropriation of funds that plagues a lot of nonprofits.
I will spend the next couple of days working on a skeleton proposal for the accounting system for the Church. Someone may ask at this point, "You mean you are setting up the accounting structure that the church will run on?" My answer is, no. What I will do is come up with a proposal that is a starting point for the church to work from. It will be up to the Board to design and implement the final structure. This just gives the Board an idea about how to start, and what should be included in the financial structure of the organization. It also gives the Board a commercially recognized software program with which to do it without having to buy one later down the road.
I've been using EBAY for years and have accumulated a list of vendors whom I have done business with and have networked with over the years. In short, I found an accounting package from a company that I currently do business with. This same accounting package was $229 online, a 2010 version no less. It comes unopened in its original packaging and unregistered. I went ahead and bought it. Total cost with shipping and handling? $4.
In dealing with several local, small nonprofits over the years, I have found that the accounting aspect is one of the most neglected area in the organization. That's how organizational money goes missing. The accounting system or any nonprofit should make that nearly impossible. Another of the almost universal "failures" of most small nonprofits is the signatory structure. I have a checks and balance philosophy that on the surface seems redundant, perhaps even unnecessary, but in the end it circumvents all of the typical problems of misappropriation of funds that plagues a lot of nonprofits.
I will spend the next couple of days working on a skeleton proposal for the accounting system for the Church. Someone may ask at this point, "You mean you are setting up the accounting structure that the church will run on?" My answer is, no. What I will do is come up with a proposal that is a starting point for the church to work from. It will be up to the Board to design and implement the final structure. This just gives the Board an idea about how to start, and what should be included in the financial structure of the organization. It also gives the Board a commercially recognized software program with which to do it without having to buy one later down the road.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Met with Kate, Tim and Lisa this evening.
Had a great meeting with Kate Tarrant of Oakshade Sanctuary, Tim Workman with Order of the Standing Oak, and Lisa Milakovich with A Circle of Witches. I gave them a tour of the property and a brief history of what we have done, including the 3 major storms we have had here. Then we sat down at the table and went over my proposals for organizing a Church and opening the property up for camping, celebrations and a possible festival venue.
I shared my philosophy, credentials, corporate credentials, and background. We discussed some of the needs of the Pagan/Wiccan community and briefly talked about the history of some of the organizations in the area. It was a very positive exchange. We also spoke at length about how the church would be organized and the need for diversity on the governing board.
I believe everyone left with a sense of hopefulness and enthusiasm for sharing my proposal with the rest of the community. I will eagerly await the feedback and hopefully we can move forward with the church organization here in the near future.
Father D
I shared my philosophy, credentials, corporate credentials, and background. We discussed some of the needs of the Pagan/Wiccan community and briefly talked about the history of some of the organizations in the area. It was a very positive exchange. We also spoke at length about how the church would be organized and the need for diversity on the governing board.
I believe everyone left with a sense of hopefulness and enthusiasm for sharing my proposal with the rest of the community. I will eagerly await the feedback and hopefully we can move forward with the church organization here in the near future.
Father D
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Bringing Together the Pagan/Wiccan Community
Kate Tarrant, site owner of The Oakshade Sanctuary hit the nail on the head when she posted, "So is the concept of community truly important enough to put forth the effort in creating a "sanctuary?" And are we truly capable of putting aside various differences and moving forward as a whole towards this goal? Besides personal issues, I have run across a few Wiccans and Pagans over the years that subscribed to the "my-way-or-the-highway" school of thought – while we are asking for tolerance of our beliefs from the world at large, shouldn't we also be asking for tolerance within our own people?"
We are in the process of expanding to include a church specifically designed for the Wiccan/Pagan faiths, especially the earth-based paths. Services will follow the 8 annual Sabbats and the 12 monthly full Moon Esbats. Additionally we will offer classes covering basic skills and tools for beginners, workshops for more advanced practitioners, and Ministerial Certification classes for those seeking ordination and licensing. We also offer certification for Interfaith Ministerial applicants. Everyone who completes the Ministerial Certification program and classes will be licensed to perform all duties typically granted to clergy including legally officiating weddings, handfasting, baptisms, funerals, symbolic unions, and dedications. We also own 40 acres of woodland on private property which we are wanting to develop to include hiking, camping, and open-air celebration areas for the Pagan/Wiccan community.
Initially we are seeking experienced practitioners to assist in the organizing/development process. But before I get ahead of myself, I have to say that all of this is in the infancy stages of planning. There are a couple of goals I really want to accomplish in all of this - the first and most important being to provide an opportunity for Pagans and Wiccans in this area to set aside differences and work together for a common goal, and second to organize a board of directors comprised of people from different paths who can come together and develop a plan to use our property for hiking, camping, celebrations, etc...
The one thing I don't want is to run things... The way I have proposed the organizational setup I, personally, serve only as an advisor and arbitrator. The organization will be run by a board headed by a Priest and Priestess and 8 Sabbat Directors. In preparation, I am currently finishing up my PhD in Religion as well as developing a course of study that will be required to ordain and license ministers in the church (required by enhanced IRS laws). We will also be required to develop training courses for members - something that will be in the works once organization is complete. There's a LOT of work to do, and the success of the organization will depend solely on how well the Pagan/Wiccan community here is willing to work together for a common goal.
With best intentions aside, there is of course no way I can build the Pagan/Wiccan community a temple. I wish I could. We need one. But I am trying to offer what I do have; trying to take my 40 acres of woodland and see how that can be used to help our community. I'm a solitary practitioner - and I know a few other solitary practitioners who would love to have a "sanctuary" where they can get away, take a walk in a safe place out in nature, camp and meditate in a safe place without having to worry about being disturbed or offending someone's puritanical sensibilities. I have also been involved in the past in large organizations where cliquish politics fractured the entire membership time after time. That's not what we want, and frankly, I think the Pagan/Wiccan community has grown tired of that kind of selfish stupidity. Acceptance and tolerance has to start from within. I'm trying to take this first step. I'm hoping others will join me.
We are in the process of expanding to include a church specifically designed for the Wiccan/Pagan faiths, especially the earth-based paths. Services will follow the 8 annual Sabbats and the 12 monthly full Moon Esbats. Additionally we will offer classes covering basic skills and tools for beginners, workshops for more advanced practitioners, and Ministerial Certification classes for those seeking ordination and licensing. We also offer certification for Interfaith Ministerial applicants. Everyone who completes the Ministerial Certification program and classes will be licensed to perform all duties typically granted to clergy including legally officiating weddings, handfasting, baptisms, funerals, symbolic unions, and dedications. We also own 40 acres of woodland on private property which we are wanting to develop to include hiking, camping, and open-air celebration areas for the Pagan/Wiccan community.
Initially we are seeking experienced practitioners to assist in the organizing/development process. But before I get ahead of myself, I have to say that all of this is in the infancy stages of planning. There are a couple of goals I really want to accomplish in all of this - the first and most important being to provide an opportunity for Pagans and Wiccans in this area to set aside differences and work together for a common goal, and second to organize a board of directors comprised of people from different paths who can come together and develop a plan to use our property for hiking, camping, celebrations, etc...
The one thing I don't want is to run things... The way I have proposed the organizational setup I, personally, serve only as an advisor and arbitrator. The organization will be run by a board headed by a Priest and Priestess and 8 Sabbat Directors. In preparation, I am currently finishing up my PhD in Religion as well as developing a course of study that will be required to ordain and license ministers in the church (required by enhanced IRS laws). We will also be required to develop training courses for members - something that will be in the works once organization is complete. There's a LOT of work to do, and the success of the organization will depend solely on how well the Pagan/Wiccan community here is willing to work together for a common goal.
With best intentions aside, there is of course no way I can build the Pagan/Wiccan community a temple. I wish I could. We need one. But I am trying to offer what I do have; trying to take my 40 acres of woodland and see how that can be used to help our community. I'm a solitary practitioner - and I know a few other solitary practitioners who would love to have a "sanctuary" where they can get away, take a walk in a safe place out in nature, camp and meditate in a safe place without having to worry about being disturbed or offending someone's puritanical sensibilities. I have also been involved in the past in large organizations where cliquish politics fractured the entire membership time after time. That's not what we want, and frankly, I think the Pagan/Wiccan community has grown tired of that kind of selfish stupidity. Acceptance and tolerance has to start from within. I'm trying to take this first step. I'm hoping others will join me.
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