Midsummer 2002
Spring Retreat
by Roger Powell
I thought the Spring Retreat weekend at
Woolman Hill went quite well; everyone
had a good time. Jennifer and Dan did a
fine job with the food, and Jennifer will
write up some notes for future food
coordinators to help estimate how much
food will actually be eaten.
I didn't catch anyone sleeping through
my workshop on Pagan ethics, so I'm
happy. Many diverse points of view were
discussed with courtesy and respect for
all. Debbie led us creaking and groaning
through some basic yoga. Marin led a
lovely meditation based on passages
from her book.
The weather was excellent all weekend,
and there were about a zillion kinds of
wild flowers in bloom. The chipmunks
were uncommonly bold this year, ranging
freely through the first floor of the house.
On Saturday evening before the feast,
Debbie and Lyn led us in a simple but
powerfully moving ritual, sharing their
vision of world peace and unity. The
rolling hills of the Quaker retreat center
were a perfect backdrop for their
visualization.
The dates selected for next year's Spring
Retreat are Friday May 16 through
Sunday May 18. We hope that even
more of our members and friends can
join us at Woolman Hill in 2003!
First Annual
SEF Volunteer Meeting
By Jen
On May 19, 2002, the SEF held its first-
ever volunteer meeting at the home of
two of our Board members in Grafton,
MA. The purpose of the meeting was
two-fold: first, to introduce members to
the projects currently on the SEF "plate",
and second, to enlist the help of
interested member volunteers.
In attendance:
Board members: Roger, Peg, Ken,
Debbie, Lyn, Dan.
Others: Helen, Joann, Elizabeth, Jeff,
David, Lori, Ann, Mary, Daniel, Jen.
Roger opened the meeting, then handed
the meeting over to Jen as facilitator.
Summaries of each committee's goals
and projects were then given by a
member of each committee, followed by
some discussion of those projects. The
meeting then broke out into separate
groups as volunteers joined up with the
committee(s) of their choice. The
meeting fully adjourned around 4 PM.
Our Committees as they now stand:
1) Promotions: Ken, Elizabeth, Jeff, Lori,
Daniel. This committee will be working
on increasing the visibility of the SEF
through the placement of advertisements
and arranging outreach to the larger
community. This committee is a priority
for the SEF not only because of the need
to promote the organization, but also in
terms of fundraising, and acting as a
potential resource (in some yet to be
determined form) for college student
organizations.
2) End of Life Issues: Debbie, Jayson,
Lyn, Jen, Shawn, Leigh, Doug, Theresa.
This committee is working to put together
workshops for members that would cover
all the general issues of will-making and
funeral planning especially pertinent to
Pagans. We are tentatively aiming to
hold the workshops in the Fall. It had its
first meeting on March 17, 2002. A very
popular project, the committee has picked
up several new volunteers.
3) Land Use: Shawn, Dan, Jeff, Joann.
The SEF will soon be given a plot of land
in Western MA near the future site of the
new AzureGreen facility. Current plans
are in the early formative stage, but
include discussion of erecting a stone
circle and possibly a memorial garden.
Due to the scale of any land project, this
committee will not be in full swing until
next year some time.
4) Liturgy: Debbie, Peg, Helen, Lyn, Ann.
This committee will discuss and begin to
create a standard Circle opening and
closing for all SEF-sponsored rituals. The
Apprentice/Mentoring concept for "new"
folks offering to lead public SEF rituals in
new venues will also come under the
purview of this committee. This committee
held an initial meeting on the spot and is
currently arranging its next meeting.
5.) Autumn Retreat: Helen, Joann, Dan,
Ann, Jennifer. Each year the SEF holds a
weekend retreat celebrating the general
theme of "Journey into Spirit". This
year's retreat will be held October 11 -
October 14. This committee will be
developing rituals, workshops and
presentations as well as coordinating the
weekend's schedule and logistics.
6) General Volunteers (for short projects
such as envelope-stuffing, etc.): Mary,
Jeff, Liz, Donna. The Volunteer
Coordinator will be keeping a list of folks
interested in donating time to short-
duration projects. If you are interested in
being added to this list, please feel free to
contact Jen at jlstiles1@juno.com.
News from our
Members
Gale LaViolette now offers cleaning and
organizing services: weekly, bi-weekly,
monthly, sporadically, special occasions –
no need to de-Paganize your home! If
you're putting off entertaining or starting
new projects until you feel that your home
is more organized, she will help you
through the organizing process with
coaching, support, ideas, and labor.
Encouragement and an extra pair of
hands can help you to create space in
your life for the things you want to
achieve. Call (508) 485-2546 for a free
consultation!
Quest for Pants
The organizers of the 10th Annual
Lammas Games need your help in
scouring thrift shops (and other low-cost
sources) for men's pants in very large
sizes: waist 54" and up! They're an
important part of one of the innovative
competitions being planned. Curious?
Come to the games and see the Big
Pants in action!
The following clergy are available through the Society of Elder Faiths:
A licensed Wiccan Elder, with ministerial credentials from the Covenant of the Goddess and the Society of Elder Faiths (SEF), authorized to perform legal weddings and handfastings. Also available for other religious services and Rites of Passage. Debbie Fields-Berry P.O. Box 335, B.U. Station Boston MA 02215 dberry@bu.edu 508 839-3457
I hold legal credentials through the Covenant of the Goddess and am ordained though the Society of Elder Faiths. I am willing to travel within New England and will work with people of any Neo-Pagan tradition or non-Pagans with an earth centered focus. I require an initial face to face meeting with a couple at least 2 months before a wedding. I have also performed Wiccanings and am available for other rites of passage. Peg P.O. Box 485 Upton, MA 01568-0485 meagan@control.com 508 839-3457
SEF Messenger: The Community Newsletter of the Society of Elder Faiths
Midsummer 2002
Editor: Jennifer
Staff: Morwynna
© 2003 Society of Elder Faiths
SEF Members may submit news to:
news@elderfaiths.org
;
or
PO Box 30, Marlboro, MA 01752;
or
508 839-3457