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.
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