Turner Family Support Team at Bowdon Elementary School.

Several members of the Turner Family Support Task Force accompanied Stephanie Turner to the December 12, 2011 meeting with school officials.

(Pictured from left to right:)

* Rev. Charissa Iskiwitch, High Priestess, Coordinator of North Georgia Solitaries & Pagan Assistance Fund & Lead Chaplain for Church of the Spiral Tree Pagan Prison Ministry.

* Stephanie Turner, Mother of the Turner children;

* Rev. Ginger Wages (Hawk), National First Officer, Covenant of the Goddess.

* Lisa Palmer, Attorney working with the Lady Liberty League.

* Rev. Michelle Boshears, Major, US Army retired (Dawnwalker), Circle Sanctuary Minister & Military Circles Coordinator, Lady Liberty League Advocate, and Distinctive Faith Group Leader of the Fort Gordon Open Circle at U.S. Army Fort Gordon Garrison.

Other members of the Turner Family Support Task Force who joined the meeting in spirit: 

* Lady Miraselena, Public Information Officer, Dogwood Local Council, Covenant of the Goddess.

* Lady Arsinoe Meri Ma'at, First Officer, of the Dogwood Local Council, Covenant of the Goddess.

* Rev. Selena Fox, Senior Minister, Circle Sanctuary, and Executive Director, Lady Liberty League.

NOTE:  This situation has been resolved as of Dec 13 2011.  The wrap-up essay, entitled "A Week in Bowdon Georgia," is posted on several sites including PNC-Atlanta and Miraselena's Blog.  For more information on the case, go to the Turner Support Fan Page. 

EMLC's Turning the Tide Festival

Everglades Moon LC, which covers all of the Sunshine State of Florida, recently held its annual Turning the Tide weekend festival, which this year celebrated it's 5th year (or as we like to call it, it's PENTACULOUS year!). It was a weekend of ritual, singing, workshops, drumming, and building community. This year also featured a performance by the band Witch's Mark! If you were unable to come and celebrate with us, why not take a look at the outstanding coverage by the Pagan Newswire Collective?

A Recap of the First Day of the Festival: http://florida.pagannewswirecollective.com/2011/12/02/pentaculous-5th-annual-turning-the-tide-festival-begins/
A Recap of the Second Day of the Festival (including main ritual!): http://florida.pagannewswirecollective.com/2011/12/04/pentaculous-2nd-post/

Should your travels in 2012 find you in our state at the beginning of December, we'd be honored to have the pleasure of your company at next year's Turning the Tide! The EMLC site, located at http://www.emlc.net/, always has the latest news of our LC, including meetings and upcoming festivals. You can also follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/evergladesmoon

-Alpandia
Everglades Moon LC - Publications Officer

Turner Family Support

From the PIO of Dogwood Local Council

Turner Family Support
Statement from NGS, CoG, DLC, LLL, Circle Sanctuary:

"After concerns spread about some problems with accommodating Pagan students needs at Bowdon Elementary School (BES), there was an overwhelming show of community support for the Turner family of Carroll County in western Georgia, USA. Many local Pagans and associated organizations reached out to assist the Turners by providing emotional support and offering practical advice. The Turners have been deeply touched by this out-pouring of spirit and wish to express their sincerest gratitude.

In addition, a Task Force of local and national Pagan organizations have come together to help resolve issues between the Turners and BES. The Task Force also hopes to provide the school with Pagan accommodation information and materials with the hopes of avoiding misunderstandings and other problems in the future. Represented in this group are the North Georgia Solitaries (NGS), both the local and national chapters of the Covenant of the Goddess, Circle Sanctuary and Lady Liberty League.

Currently, Carroll County Schools, led by the assistant superintendent, has expressed an active interest in resolving the current tensions and is planning to meet with Ms. Turner. The family and the Task Force are requesting that those with concerns about their situation do not directly contact the school or its employees. It is important that everyone involved have the maximum space needed to focus on resolving this conflict in a positive way. However, all concerned individuals are welcome to show their support for the Turners through the Turner Family Support Facebook fan page or through the simple use of prayers and energy toward a peaceful resolution and healing."

The Turner Family Support Facebook fan page can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Turner-Family-Support/190477514377248
More information:
http://pncatlantabureau.wordpress.com/2011/12/08/turner-family-discrimination-update/
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/2011/12/update-on-georgia-school-harassment-case.html