In a first-ever joint presentation ceremony, Covenant of the Goddess and Circle Sanctuary honor Military Pagan men and women.

The Covenant of the Goddess

P.O. Box 12193, San Bernardino, CA 92423 

Circle Sanctuary

P.O. Box 9, Barneveld, WI 53517

                                                               

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATLANTA, GA - On Aug. 22, 2014, the Covenant of theGoddess (CoG) and Circle Sanctuary together presented medals and ribbons to a number of Pagan men and women, recognizing them for their military service. For years, both organizations have been presenting separate military service awards to Pagans. Last Friday's ceremony marked the first time that the two national Pagan organizations came together to honor veterans and active duty military. Several awards were accepted on behalf of veteran and active duty service members unable to attend. Three awards were received by family members on behalf of deceased Pagan veterans.

Representing CoG was the National First Officer, Kathy Lezon. She presented each recipient with CoG's new Military Service Award Medal. During the ceremony, Lezon said:

It is an honor to recognize the service of our military Pagans. For your sacrifice of time, safety and service we are grateful, so on behalf the Covenant of the Goddess, I present to each of you CoGs award for military service.

Representing Circle Sanctuary was Rev. Selena Fox, Senior Minister, and Rev. Dawnwalker, coordinator of Circle Sanctuary’s Open Circles on U.S. Military installations. They presented recipients with the Pagan Military Service Ribbon. Rev. Fox said:

On behalf of Circle Sanctuary’s military ministries, the Pagan Military Association, and other endeavors, we present the Pagan Military Service Ribbon to you and thank you for your service. We are thankful to you and to other Military Pagans who are serving and who have served. Thank you for your contributions to our nation and the larger world.

The ceremony was held during CoG's 2014 annual meeting at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia, in Atlanta. Circle Sanctuary members were invited to this year's meeting as guests of Dogwood Local Council, the local Southern CoG chapter hosting the meeting. Once plans were finalized, the two organizations felt it was an opportune moment to honor Pagan military men and women together. Jack Prewett, a Vietnam Veteran and former Sergeant United States Air Force, said:

As a Vietnam veteran, I didn't get much of a homecoming. So I felt both honored and humbled to be recognized by both Circle Sanctuary and Covenant of the Goddess for my service to my country. To have both these organizations recognize servicemen both past and present is truly a gift from the Gods and I know from personal experience how much it means those that do and have served.

Covenant of the Goddess awards its own Military Service Award Medal every year during its annual meeting called Grand Council. The current award was designed by longtime member Amber K in 2012. Circle awards its Pagan Military Service Ribbon at a variety of festivals around the country each year and has also done so via its weekly CircleTalkRadio podcast on Pagans Tonight Radio Network.

For more information about the Military Service Award Medal or Covenant of theGoddess, contact Heather Greene, pio@cog.org.

For more information about the Pagan Military Service Ribbon and Circle Sanctuary's Military Ministries, visit www.circlesanctuary.org/militaryministries.

The Covenant of the Goddess is a nonprofit 501c3 organization that has represented Witches and Wiccans for 39 years. Beginning in 1975, the Covenant of the Goddess has worked diligently to secure legal protection for Witches and Wiccans, provide minister credentials, offer education through interfaith outreach or collaboration, and foster community within its membership. For more information go to www.cog.org

Circle Sanctuary, also known as Circle, is a nonprofit Shamanic Wiccan church and international Pagan resource center serving Wiccans, Druids, Heathens, Pantheists, and other Pagan and Nature religion practitioners and organizations worldwide since 1974. Circle Sanctuary’s services include public education, events sponsoring, interfaith endeavors, publishing, Pagan civil rights activism, and other work. Circle Sanctuary helps people from many spiritual orientations connect with each other as well as with the spiritual dimensions of Nature. For more information go to: www.circlesanctuary.org

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Covenant of the Goddess prepares for its first Merry Meet conference in Atlanta

For Immediate Release

In two weeks, Covenant of the Goddess will be hosting its yearly convention, Merry Meet, in Atlanta Georgia, from Aug. 21-24. The event is not only a festive learning experience; it is also the all-important annual business meeting for the 39-year-old nonprofit Pagan organization.  

The first Merry Meet was held in 1981 in California. At that time, the organization was still young and building its network. Since that time, Merry Meet has been held in a variety of different cities and venues across the country. The exact location is chosen by a bidding process two years in advance. Last year, the event was held in the historic city of Salem, Massachusetts. Next year, Merry Meet will be in Ontario, California. 

The event's organizers are typically members of a CoG local council or simply area members. This year's event is being organized by Dogwood Local Council (DLC), based in Atlanta, GA. Coincidentally, 2014 marks DLC's 20th anniversary as an organized local CoG representative, supporting Wiccans and Witches in Georgia and Alabama.

Merry Meet 2014 will be hosted at the Crown Plaza Ravinia in Dunwoody, a northern suburb of Atlanta. Outside of the CoG business meeting, Dogwood has planned two days worth of workshops, a drumming ritual, a masquerade dance, and a Kirtan concert. Local vendors will be also be on hand with a variety of products ranging from handmade soaps and besoms; to tie-dye clothing and crystal potpourri. 

In addition, DLC is hosting a Leadership Institute, as is traditional, on the day before the conference.  Held at the beautiful Chattahoochee Nature Center, the program, called "Standing on Common Ground," will focus on the importance of interfaith work. During the day, several of CoG's Interfaith representatives (including, Rachael Watcher, Don Frew and Macha Nightmare), along with members of Atlanta's interfaith community, will be sharing their experiences and wisdom.

DLC has also invited special guest, Circle Sanctuary's Rev. Selena Fox, to attend the leadership institute and conference. She will be sitting on the interfaith panel, speaking at the hotel during dinner, and offering a workshop on Saturday called Pagan Death Passages.  

In conjunction with Merry Meet, Selena will also be offering a second workshop on cauldrons at Phoenix & Dragon bookstore in Sandy Springs. Although this is not an official part of CoG's conference, bookstore owner Candace Apple, has invited Merry Meet guest to attend the Thursday night event. She is also giving every registered Merry Meet guest a $10.00 gift certificate to be used in her metaphysical store.

Members and non-members are invited to attend. Passes for Merry Meet are still available through DLC's website. Tickets to Thursday's Leadership Institute are $50.00 and include lunch. Day passes for the conference are $100.00 per day and are all-inclusive. See the site for more details on each day's events.

For more information about DLC or the upcoming Merry Meet Conference, go to its main website. 

For more information about CoG or any of its local councils, go to www.cog.org

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