COG Local Councils support Standing Rock Protest

COG Local Councils support Standing Rock Protest

Touchstone Local Council stand in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Nation

We of Touchstone Local Council stand in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Nation, the Lakota people, and all Indigenous Peoples who are fighting to preserve and protect their homes and lands. We call upon our brothers and sisters of the craft to do likewise and stand in solidarity with all who declare these things sacred: clean water and air, verdant forests, meadows, prairies and wetlands, and ways of life that honor people over profit.

We believe that it is our sacred duty and responsibility that has been granted to us by deity that we must defend the Earth Mother from those that would bring harm to her for greed and profit. In the words of the defenders who have made their stand at Standing Rock, water is life. No amount of money, no profits that benefit a few, can justify a threat to the very means and sustenance of life.

We acknowledge the history of genocide of the indigenous peoples of this continent and the theft of land and resources that began hundreds of years ago and recognize the continuing actions against the Indigenous Peoples of the land whenever profit can be made. We honor the sovereignty and rights of Indigenous Peoples, and demand that no projects that affect their lands, territories, or resources be undertaken without their free, prior, and informed consent.

So Mote it Be

Touchstone Local Council

Covenant of the Goddess

NCLC Statement of Support for the Standing Rock Protests

We of the Northern California Local Council of the Covenant of the Goddess stand in solidarity with the people of Standing Rock, the Great Sioux Nation, and all Indigenous Peoples who are struggling to preserve and protect their homes, lands, and sacred places.  We ask our brothers and sisters of the Craft and of other Pagan, Neopagan, and Indigenous traditions to support the Standing Rock protests.  Clean water, pure air, and unpolluted lands are the sacred basis of all Life, without which none of us may live.  Aquifers, wetlands, and waterways must remain uncontaminated, for water is essential to life. We must preserve wild lands, and protect the plants and animals native to each place.  We must defend our Mother the Earth, the Provider for us all.

We acknowledge the history of genocide against Indigenous peoples worldwide, the theft of Indigenous lands and resources, and actions against their cultures, religions, and languages.  We honor the rights and sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples.  We support ways of life that honor people over profits.

So Mote it Be!

Northern California Local Council of the Covenant of the Goddess

Passed September 10, 2016

Everglades Moon Local Council Statement of Solidarity regarding the Orlando Pulse Nightclub Shootings:

On behalf of the Witches and Wiccans of Florida, Everglades Moon Local Council extends our deepest condolences to all those affected by the recent horrific violence against the LGBTQ+ community at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, FL .

That such an  act of hate could happen in our own back yard has shaken us to our core.

We stand with everyone responding to this violence,  Queer, Questioning and Straight, in solidarity and with love. We offer our prayers and deepest condolences to all the victims of this senseless act, and to their families, friends, and communities.

As a community, we call on our fellow Floridians to step up and help build bridges. Make an appointment to donate blood. Volunteer with interfaith workings. Let the lasting impact of this event be one of positive change – starting in Florida and rippling out throughout the US and the world.  Do whatever you can to bring peace into this world.

As Witches, we will be holding space on the Full Moon on Monday, June 20^th at 9pm.  During this time, we ask that people of all faiths join us to remember the victims and send loving, healing energies to their families and friends, and for our nation as a whole. We invite you to participate no matter where you are.

We Witches and Wiccans of EMLC will continue to assist in any way we can –lending our ministerial services to those in need, and by reaching out to Faith Leaders to build bridges of respect and understanding among the many religions that create the tapestry of our community.

Today, We are CoG. We are EMLC. We Are Orlando.

Signed,

Everglades Moon Local Council

Covenant of the Goddess

Covenant of the Goddess statement on the tragedy in Orlando

The Covenant of the Goddess would like to express its shock and extreme sorrow at the violence and death in Orlando Florida this last week. Our heartfelt sympathy and energy go out to the LGBT community and all those so tragically affected by this event.

To quote a friend, Rev. Victor Kazanjian Jr, of the United Religions Initiative,

If we do not allow ourselves to feel this sadness, to really grieve, then our fears and pain turn instead to grievance. Who is to blame? How can I get my revenge? The world seems locked in an endless cycle of grievance. Grievance is the fuel of terrorists. One act of violence fuels another act of violence and the cycle continues, day after day, generation after generation.

We stand beside all of our brothers and sisters of all spiritual paths who abhor and denounce the atrocities perpetrated upon humanity in the name of bigotry, hatred, and fear of those who believe differently, and we support the sentiments in the following links.

Circle Sanctuary – Selena Fox

United Religions Initiative

The Interfaith Center of New York

Muslim Advocates

The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)

The Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity (MASGD)