Wicca is Liberating!

 After watching the elections and contemplating their terminology on whether one is conservative, moderate or liberal on beliefs, I came to a conclusion about my self. Not about political position; but overall in pertaining to my Faith. I've all ways believed that traditional Wiccan values and tenets are a central point of the religion. Our religion is very much steeped in tradition, Mythology, and pagan lore, and I practice basic traditional structure. However I also believe that a tradition that doesn't evolve and grow will eventually die out. It becomes to exclusive and intolerant.
 For years there have been fractions within the Church trying to get me to set our traditions down into writings for strict adherence guidelines. I have resisted these suggestions; because it seems to me that if Wicca was to have a future in this modern era it needed to be more acceptable to the true Seeker and I have always believed that all traditions are valid. Plus to me it is a spiritual path that is uniquely individualized to each person. This became clear to me at our Mayday Festival 2000, in Memphis, when I was talking to Rev. Pete Pathfinder of the ATC. We had just completed our Main Ritual, in which he attended, and he said to me, "Terry, you completely lost me on the Chant you were doing." "The progression of the elements was completely reversed from the way we do it in Washington." I said, "Really. Well that's the way the chant was taught to me by the Pagans in New York when I visited with them in 1993." Pete smiled at me, leaned forward and with a little bit of a mischievous voice said, "And that's the beauty of this religion, we're both correct."
 Therefore I sat our training system up with a basic outline; but it is more geared towards to each individual, based on their perspective of where they are at, spiritually, and where they perceive themselves going. Our job as Clergy is to help facilitate them upon their journey. Our Ordains from the ATC tell us, when we make decisions concerning the operation s of our Church, there is a 3 part priority of questions to be considered. 1. How is this going to affect the religion of Wicca. 2. Does if interfere with individual rights. 3. Does it follow Tradition.  This means to me, that sometimes what's best for the Faith overrides Tradition. 
 So I guess if I had to classify myself on my viewpoint and my beliefs, as it pertains to Wicca and it's future I am a "Progressive Liberal"

Modern Wicca in the Bible Belt "Unveiled"

http://wiccanseminary.edu/

"For too long.... have Wiccans been in hiding!"
"For too long.... have our nature loving ways been shunned!"
"For too long.... have we trod in the shadows!"

 I have personally experienced oppression because of my Faith. I have fought with city governments and school boards over separation of Church and State. I have seen children taken out of the home because of witchcraft and stood toe to toe with DHS. I have lost jobs and been kicked out of rental property because I'm Wiccan. At our Yule Celebration in 2001 we were even shot at! Through all of this in the past twenty years I have never given up or quit promoting the religion of Wicca as the life affirming, peaceful, loving, nature based spiritual path that it is. Now we are seeing a change of era in the Southeastern part of the U.S.
 Today there are seven legally established Pagan Churches in our tri-State area. A lot of them have Tax-exempt status from the IRS. They are gaining respectability in the community because they are involving themselves in the community. Most of the press we are receiving is not about "Witches" but rather how much the Pagans are giving back to the community through their Out Reach programs and working within the community. Wow, just like all the other Faiths out there!
 Here's another example of how Wicca is gaining popularity in our area. Our Church, Southern Delta Church of Wicca, is an affiliate congregation of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church in Index, WA. I am very proud to be apart of the ATC established in 1979 by Rev. Pete (Pathefinder) Davis. The ATC has opened many doors for us here in the Southeast. One of the most beneficial exponents is their founding of the Woolston Steen Theological Wiccan Seminary. An a credited Seminary where one can receive a Bachelors and Masters degree. Another aspect where the religion of Wicca is becoming more recognized in equality with the other major Faiths of the world.
 So in summoning up, Yes I'm proud to be a Wiccan/Pagan in these modern times. I'm very please to see the grow of our Faith in the Bible Belt! And I for one will continue to work for the general acceptance of Wicca, and promote it's tenets to assist its evolutionary growth into main stream religious society.
"So Mote It Be!"
 

Big deal for Wicca!

 The Southern Delta Church of Wicca - ATC is picking up their first load of building materials from Home Depot this week. When I first started setting this up with Good360.org. I kinda thought this would good for Wicca in general, not just the SDCW - ATC. Well I was right. It seems to have gotten everyone excited. Because for the first time a National organization has recognized Wicca as equal to the other major Faiths in the U.S.

 This became more evident to me when I got phone call from my Arch Priestess from our Mother Church, the Aquarian Tabernacle Church. She asked my to write up a e-mail that explained how I got the Home Depot deal started. Her local church contacted good360 and found out that since the Mother Church and SDCW - ATC had been pre-appoved, all ATC affiliates were also pre-appoved. She said this is a big deal for Wicca and she wanted other Pagan organizations she knew to be aware of this opportunity.

 For the past nineteen years we at SDCW - ATC have struggled to find our place in our local community beyond our own congregation. Well as a result of this Home Depot partnership our local news paper is running a article about our Community Out Reach Program, and it's going to be in the CHURCH section of the Jonesboro Sun. First time a Wiccan Church has ever been included with the other Churches in our area.

 I feel like we have succeeded to some degree in fulfilling our mission statement: "To support and teach the tenets of the Wiccan Religion, to encourage and foster tolerance and interaction between the many differing Faiths of the world, to provide and disseminate information regarding the Faith to the general public in order to educate, inform and promote Wiccan worship, religious education and religious tolerance."

 To that end we continue our work and ministry.

Blessed Be!

Modern Wicca Today Evolving and Growing

There seems to be some controversy among Pagans about Wicca/Paganism becoming to organized. The fear, I believe, is that if Wicca and other Nature Based religions get to focused on running Legal Churches and maintaining a non- profit status that the Spiritual aspect of the religions will suffer. I hear the cry, "Nature is my Religion," Which seems a bit ironic, when I see this posted everywhere on social networks from PC's where the "Nature" Pagan is typing, in a artificially heated and air-conditioned environment, who probably drives a vehicle to and from their place of employment that is a organized institution designed to produce, sell or distribute a product or service , all, for the ALL mighty dollar, in order to survive in the community in which they live. Unless you live in a cave you are a part of an organized community

Pagans are suppose to worship Nature, to me, it's one of many parts of what I consider my community. I have a Circle in my yard and I'm out there no matter what the weather communing with my Gods. Does that mean I can't commune with them if I'm in a building? And what about those who are disabled, who have great difficulty in getting into Nature? Most Circles I seen outside in our community, aren't handicap accessible. So, yeah I see a need for Pagan/Wiccan Temples and Buildings. I've always believed that Eclectic Wiccan/Pagan Churches were necessary and provided fellowship and  assistance to those who practiced a more solitary path. It gives them a place to join without having to follow a pre-set Tradition. But the Church is more than just it's congregation. It is a part of the community in which it exists. Therefore it is not just there for the Pagans, it is there a a vital part of the community as well. To do this Pagan Churches have to get involved within their environment. In this way they have the opportunity to inform and educate the people to the sacredness of Nature. You can not do this without involving your fellow human beings.

Now in saying all this brings me to what's happening at SDCW - ATC. The Church has struggled for the last twenty years trying to serve the larger pagan community; but now we are about to receive some of the fruit of our labors. Home Depot in Jonesboro, AR has nominated the SDCW - ATC as their local charity. They will donate $5000 a month in building materials to the Church. The Church then gives back to the community in helping the Elderly and Aging and low income families with home repairs. A labor of love. This is our Community Out Reach Program. C.O.R.P. To get this established and under way the national organization  GOOD360 is the partner with Home Depot.  There is a one time administration fee of $600, once paid Home Depot will continue to donate from now on to the Church! We are in the process of raising this money. We have done well so far with about $200 in donations to the Church; but our window of opportunity is shrinking. I'm requesting all who wish to help with our project please send your donations to your through paypal to sdcwatc@yahoo.com or mail checks, money orders to 104 Main St. Lake city, Ar. 72437.

Thank you and Blessed Be!  

SDCW - ATC's C.O.R.P.Program

http://www.pleasefund.com/pages/305 Please Check out our C.O.R.P. Program and Pass it on! Help us help the Community!

Home Depot accepts SDCW - ATC as local Charity

O.K. The Home Depot deal had a glitch; but it has been rectified! Had to call in the big dog, Pete Pathfinder Davis!! Home Depot in Jonesboro, AR has accepted the SDCW - ATC as their local Charity. They will donate $5000 a month in building materials to the Church! Now we still need the $600 one time administration fee. So Please send your donations on your paypal account to sdcwatc@yahoo.com or mail your checks , money orders, made out SDCW - ATC to 104 Main St. Lake City, AR 72437. This is a big deal folks in our area. For the first time a national organization has recognized Wicca as equal to the other Faiths in our area. Plus it allows us to give back to the community at large through our C.O.R.P Program. This assist the Elderly and Aging on fix incomes with home repair in our community. I've already got a request from the E. ARK. Area Agency on Aging. We've got 8 members ready to go to work. So please help us by sending any amount of donations you can!
Blessed Be!
Terry

My netlog Page!

http://en.netlog.com/Wiccanterryriley