First ever Wiccan service for Fallen Airmen at EAFB

Written by CoG Member Lisa Morgenstern

Thursday night May 9, 2013 at 5:30pm at Chapel 1, Edwards Air Force Base in California, Elder Priestess and Non-Chaplain Worship Leader Amy Watson led a Wiccan service. To honor the 20 Airmen fallen in 2013, Amy has been leading services on a weekly basis since last April. The group was small but there was plenty of emotion. Memorial Day is approaching and an airman pilot who grew up and attended school in Palmdale, the local area, was lost in a KC-135 aircraft crash this month on May 3rd.  So Amy felt it was time to honor those in the Air Force who have given the ultimate sacrifice to their fellow countrymen and the United States of America.

The circle keened the names of the fallen in Celtic tradition, calling their names loudly. Amy, a member of Dragon’s Weyr Circle, a Covenant of the Goddess Member coven, stated, “Thursday night as I started to set up the sacred space the wind started to whirl around. The sky looked as if there was a storm brewing, The Celts would say that it was the Sidhe showing their knowledge of the events …..when the circle was done so was the whirling and swirling winds.”  The altar held patches of all the squadrons of the men and women lost.

The circle members called in Badb, and the Horned God, and invited the fallen Airmen to join them and be honored. Then they raised healing energy “to send back through their threads of life/energy to help those which are a part of their tapestries of life.” Several traditional poems were read, and as Captain Victoria Ann Pinckney, the local Palmdale High School Graduate and pilot, was a WASP and a tanker pilot, the poem Vectors to the Tanker, along with a WASP memorial poem for female pilots. The Heathens in attendance spoke of the honor accorded to fallen warriors and that those slain in battle are collected by Freyja and Odin and brought to their halls, Sessrumir and Valhalla. They shared mead and lemon cookies on an altar with red roses. The lemon and red roses are military traditions when honoring those lost.

The service included three generations, parents, children, and grandparents. “When I approached the Wing Chaplain to have services scheduled, he insisted that we schedule weekly services,” said Watson, “just like all the other denominations have.” Amy is wife to a Captain, who supports her services and attends as his schedule permits. Their group was small Thursday night, but Watson says that attendance varies, as many of their members have children and weeknight commitments.

Vectors to the Tanker

I’ve got troops in contact Pinned down by the Tali
Made one more pass, way low on gas
“I need vectors for the tanker.”

Tonight my wounded warriors
Need medevac to Landstuhl.
A double A/R out of Kandahar
“I need vectors for the tanker.”

The Kims and their kin are at it again,
In far away Korea
We are looking tough,
with my cell of Buffs
“I need vectors to the tanker.”

Earthquake, flood or famine
The world needs US aid
The air bridge is faster, to any disaster
“I need vectors to the tanker.”

NKAWTG! We take pride in this expression.
Day or night, we fuel the fight.
“I need vectors to the tanker.”

A CSAR helo has been launched
A grim hunt for 3 survivors.
A burned patch is found, now hallowed ground.
“I need vectors to the tanker.”

Today a crew is coming home.
Boom stowed and bound for heaven.
They passed their gas, now haulin’ ass.
“I need vectors for the tanker.”

All SAC aircrews please stand by
This is GOD on “Guard.”
Lemay and I from up on high
“Are giving vectors to the tanker.”

The Covenant of the Goddess reaffirms its long-time support for the internationally-based Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions

  

The Covenant of the Goddess
PO Box 12193, San Bernardino, CA 92423-2193

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

April 4, 2013 San Bernardino, California — The Covenant of the Goddess, a 38-year old non-profit Witch and Wiccan advocacy organization, has reaffirmed its relationship with the international interfaith organization, the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions.  In recent weeks, the Council announced that it has experienced a serious financial shortfall.  The Covenant of the Goddess, as a long-time partner in interfaith work, has pledged a sizeable monetary donation and its continued support for the Parliament and its work.

As reported, the Parliament experienced low-attendance in 2004 due to political events in Barcelona.  Consequently, the Council was unable to meet all of its expenses.   Although the organization has been paying off its debt, a Spanish arbiter has forced the Council to pay its remaining creditors immediately.   

"The Parliament is at a critical point.  The Covenant of the Goddess is happy to be able to continue its support for the organization in a time of financial need,” says Ginger Wood, First Officer of Covenant of the Goddess.

The Covenant of the Goddess (CoG) and the Council have a long history of working together towards the expansion of the interfaith dialog.  CoG was a co-sponsor of the first modern Parliament held in Chicago in 1993. More than forty of CoG’s own members attended that event.  Since that time CoG representatives have attended every Parliament held across the globe. 

“For those of us who are Pagan, or who follow any of the Earth-centered spiritual paths, the Parliament has provided a welcoming place where we could openly share our practices within the community of the world's religions. The Parliament was the first major interfaith organization to give our community a seat at the table,” remarks Andras Corban-Arthen, a CoG member serving on the Council’s committee to choose the next Parliament site and on its Indigenous Task Force.

Over the years, CoG members have had the good fortune of being involved in the Council’s efforts world-wide.  This includes being present at the Assembly of the World's Religious & Spiritual Leaders, signing the Declaration of a Global Ethic, and participating in the interfaith community service program “Gifts of Service.” CoG members have also served as Parliament Ambassadors and on the Board of Trustees. 

Along with the continued support through volunteerism, the Covenant of the Goddess has pledged $2000.00 to assist with the current fiscal crisis.

"We know this is only a small portion of their entire sum needed.  We hope that it brings the Council one step closer to reconciliation so that it may move forward in strength with its message of interfaith peace,” adds Ginger Wood.

The Covenant of the Goddess will remain in close communication with the Council to provide continued support as it can and will keep its members updated so those who would like to assist can do so.

The Covenant of the Goddess is a not-for-profit 501c3 organization that has represented Witches and Wiccans for 38 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 

The Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions was “created to cultivate harmony among the world's religious and spiritual communities in order to achieve a just, peaceful and sustainable world.  The Parliament gave birth to the interfaith movement in 1893 through the vehicle of interreligious dialogue.  Over these many years, the Council has nurtured relationships among people of difference.”  For more information go to http://www.parliamentofreligions.org/

###

Contact:  Heather Greene, National Public Information Officer
Email:  pio at cog dot org
Address:  PO Box 12193, San Bernardino, CA 92423-2193

Covenant of the Goddess thanks Mizzou for its Diversity Work

The Covenant of the Goddess sent a letter of thank you directly to the University of Missouri's Diversity Initiative Office led by Noor Azizan-Gardener as well as to the University's Chancellor. This is the department responsible for the "Guide to Religions" that now includes the eight Wiccan Sabbats.

As an organization that participates actively in interfaith work, the Covenant of the Goddess felt a sincere obligation to directly applaud and acknowledge the progress being made by the School in the name of diversity. We also recognize the difficulties that the it may have encountered during the past week's negative Fox publicity.

Thank you to Mizzou and all the Universities who have recognized the spiritual and religious practice of Wicca and Witchcraft. 

Covenant of the Goddess Military Medallion Arrives

The new Covenant of the Goddess Military Medallion has arrived!

This brand-new medallion, honoring Pagan veterans, will be sent to CoG members who are awarded the Order of the Pentacle by Lady Liberty League and Circle Sanctuary. Any CoG members who have already received this honor can purchase the new medallion for small fee.  

Contact our First Officer for more information.

Covenant of the Goddess: January Local Council Notes

News from Around the CoGosphere

January Local Council Notes

Texas Local Council (TLC) continues its series of "Wicca 101" open classes in two Texas locations. The first is at Wild Sky Studio in Arlington. The second is in Richardson at the Positive Touch Massage Therapy and Conference Center. Go to TLC's website for more information about the classes or their open Sabbat schedule.

Northern California Local Council (NCLC) is readying itself for PantheaCon on February 15-18 in San Jose, CA.   Once again, they will hosting from a suite shared with NROOGD and NWC. I will post the Suite schedule and information under a different header. There will be many CoG members speaking throughout the weekend at other locations in the hotel. I will also post that schedule.   

Live Oak Council's PIO interviewed for Interfaith Documentary

Under One Sky: An Interfaith Documentary

Alison Boland, a film graduate student at the University of Texas, made a short documentary entitled “Under One Sky” about the Austin-based group Interfaith Action of Central Texas (iACT). 

The film shows two different iACT programs: the Hands on Housing home repair program and the Red Bench Interfaith Conversation series.The film includes interviews with several faith leaders who are active in iACT. Tom Davis, the Public Information Officer of Live Oak Local Council in Texas, is one of those leaders.  

A note from Tom:

Several members of Live Oak  Local Council are active in iACT. Our involvement has done a lot to help the people of Austin’s faith communities understand that Wiccans are also people of faith – just a different faith.

Under One Sky: The People of Interfaith Action from Alison Boland on Vimeo.

The 11-minute film can be viewed on-line at http://vimeo.com/55984225.

For more information contact Tom Davis: pio@liveoakcog.org
Follow Live Oak Local Council on Facebook.

Yuletide with the Covenant of the Goddess

Yuletide is here once again.  

The greater CoG community has already begun planning, decorating, crafting and celebrating. Come celebrate with us. Over the coming 20 days, we will be sharing the recipes, songs, crafts and other Yule treats from the festive halls and homes of  CoG  members.  

     

To begin, let’s see what’s going on around the country:

This past weekend, Everglades Moon Local Council, hosted its sixth annual Turning of the Tide Yuletide festival.    

This coming weekend, on December 8^th, Touchstone Local Council will be hosting its Solstice Celebration in Calimesa, California.

On December 22^nd, the newest local council, Hills and Rivers, will be hosting an open Yule Ritual at the Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church in Pittsburgh’s North Side.

Further to the south, Texas Local Council will also be hosting a Mayan Solstice/New Year ritual on Sunday December 23 at the The Center for Change, Discovery, and Support in Fort Worth. 

As a fundraiser, Dogwood Local Council has opened a Yuletide shop through Café Press that features a photograph of Dogwood’s own Holly King.   

CoG's Official Statement on the Name-Change Hearing in Brockton Mass

For Immediate Release

Covenant of the Goddess, a 37-year old national organization representing Witches and Wiccans, reacts to the results of the Massachusetts name-change hearing.

November 20, 2012, Massachusetts — Today, Brockton District Court Judge Catherine Sabaitis heard convicted child murderer and pedophile Charles Jaynes’ petition to change his name due to, what he described to be, a requirement for converting to Wicca.   In court, he claimed that “his old human name was religiously offensive.”

As we stated in August 2012, “The Covenant of the Goddess, a public not-for-profit 501c3 organization representing Witches and Wiccans for 37 years, in no way views the actions of Charles Jaynes, as being even remotely related to the religion that we recognize as Wicca.  Nor do we, as a religion, have any tenet that mandates a legal change of name for any reason.”

“Though it is a common Wiccan practice to take a second name in accordance with spiritual beliefs, it would be considered very unusual to do so legally; as these names are very personal to the individual and unlikely to be shared outside of a select few.”

The Covenant of the Goddess Board and members will be watching closely for the Judge’s ruling which is expected to come in the next thirty days.   

For more information on Wicca as a religion, we recommend the following sources, Covenant of the Goddess, Circle Sanctuary, The Wild Hunt, and The Witches' Voice.

For more information on The Covenant of the Goddess, please go to our website at www.cog.org

Dogwood Local Council Joins Circle Sanctuary’s Operation Circle Care

It was during the "Barr Wars" of the 1990's that Dogwood Local Council, the Georgia-based branch of Covenant of the Goddess, first partnered with Selena Fox, Circle Sanctuary, and Lady Liberty League in the battle for Pagan Military rights.  Later, the Covenant of the Goddess, as a whole, joined with Circle Sanctuary, Lady Liberty League and other organizations in what is commonly known as the”Pentacle Quest.”   Their efforts succeeded in getting the Pentacle added to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs list of accepted emblems of belief available for VA-issued grave markers that honor deceased veterans.

Now, Dogwood Local Council is proudly leading the way towards a new partnership with Circle Sanctuary and Lady Liberty League called:  Operation Circle Care.   Every year, Circle volunteers gather select items from the Pagan community to be packaged and sent to Pagan soldiers deployed in hot zones across the globe.  Dogwood Local Council, as a partner organization, will be simultaneously collecting similar items in their own regions of Georgia and Alabama.

To kick-off its Operation Circle Care drive, Dogwood will have a donation station setup at its annual Spring Picnic on May 19, 2012.   All guests and visitors are encouraged to bring both Pagan and non-Pagan items, as listed below, for the cause.   All items will be shipped directly to the Operation Circle Care coordinators in Virginia for distribution throughout the year with special packages sent at Yuletide. In addition, Dogwood will have a letter writing and drawing station available for visiting children to contribute their own personal messages of support.

As noted by its officers, Dogwood Local Council hopes its efforts in Georgia aid in expanding Operation Circle Care’s reach as well as raising local awareness.  But, most importantly, Dogwood hopes their contributions, however big or small, bring joy to the many Pagan soldiers deployed around the world, who are far from where they call home. 

Suggested Pagan Items include:

Sacred Gem Stones and Crystals

Tarot cards, Oracles, etc.

Magazines

Jewelry

DVD audio recordings of meditations and music

Suggested Non-Pagan items include:

Black socks

Baby wipes (best equipment cleaner)

Sunscreen

Lip Balm

Hygiene items

Unopened pre-packaged food

Notes from home 

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. 

Dogwood Local Council Members Interviewed on Local TV

In late September, two Dogwood Local Council members were interviewed for a local interfaith broadcasting station.   The current first officer, Hawk, and Grove of Phoenix Rising initiate, Cliodhna, sat down with local broadcaster, Audrey Galex, for a personal look at Wicca and Paganism today. 

Audrey's program, AIB Metro, is a 30 minute news program that highlights a variety of local Atlanta happenings.   The show airs on AIB TV which can be seen both on local cable stations and over the internet. 

To view the program:

 

AIB TV is broadcast over the internet via live-streaming on http://www.aibtv.com/.  Click on WATCH NOW (from the top menu) and, then, selecting AIBTV.NET from the drop down menu.   Or go directly to http://www.aibtv.net/

 

For all local viewers, you can also see the program on the following stations:   

• ch. 5 on Comcast 
• ch 22 on charter cable  
• ch 6 on AT&T Uverse

Remember, the internet link above takes you to a live stream which shows just like it would on the TV. You have to watch the program at the time it airs via that link above. The times are as follows (EST): 

• 10a Tuesdays 
• 6:30p Thursdays
• 12pm on Fridays 
• 7:30p Saturdays

The show will be shown through live-streaming until after the 1st of November.  At that point, the program may move into the on-demand format where we can watch it whenever we want.  Until that point, you must tune-in at the designated times.

  

The next airing is tomorrow at 7:30pm est. The next weekday airing will be Tuesday at 10am and so forth.

 

Blessings

Lady Miraselena

PIO, Dogwood Local Council