What keeps Paganism thriving is not authors. It’s not bloggers, or journalists. It’s not those giving workshops or appearing in television specials or writing academic papers. It’s teachers and community organizers. People who don’t publish, or receive much recognition from the larger community.
These are the people who organize your Pagan Pride days, who show up to meet and greets rain or shine. These are people who patiently teach meditation 101 and basic protocol over and over, year in and year out, to seekers without compensation. People who open their homes so that Pagans have places to celebrate their rites, or who run shops catering to all Pagans while staying out of all the politics and drama. Clergy who say “Call me anytime, that’s what I’m here for.”
So before we start focusing on Memorial Day and our men and women in service, I’d like to give this space to praising those who do the groundwork in our communities.
Who is the unsung hero in your community? The organizer? The clergy? The teacher? The forum moderator? Who would you like to give some well-deserved praise?
The leaders of my coven, Lady Jasmine and Lord Solandrin, have to put up with me, and that’s something they should get props for right there. They give up their free time and open their homes for covenfolk, and they encourage people and build goodwill. They build community and that’s a difficult thing to do. They’ve created a space where people can learn and grow and thrive.
Moonfeather is the organizer of Pagan Spirit Gathering. That lady works really, really hard to pull off that festival and she’s very nice. Having a Pagan event that large keep to schedule is a feat and I applaud her.
Candice Apple runs the Phoenix and Dragon here in Atlanta, and it’s just an amazing store and has been around for ages. Can’t be easy running a store since the 70′s catering to such fractious communities.
I’m sure I will think of more and come back and add to this.
The leaders of my coven, Lady Jasmine and Lord Solandrin, have to put up with me, and that’s something they should get props for right there. They give up their free time and open their homes for covenfolk, and they encourage people and build goodwill. They build community and that’s a difficult thing to do. They’ve created a space where people can learn and grow and thrive.
Moonfeather is the organizer of Pagan Spirit Gathering. That lady works really, really hard to pull off that festival and she’s very nice. Having a Pagan event that large keep to schedule is a feat and I applaud her.
Candice Apple runs the Phoenix and Dragon here in Atlanta, and it’s just an amazing store and has been around for ages. Can’t be easy running a store since the 70′s catering to such fractious communities.
I’m sure I will think of more and come back and add to this.
I would like to give a shout out to Kat @ Crescent Springs, my local metaphysical store. Thanks Kat! You are a great guide!
I would like to give a shout out to Kat @ Crescent Springs, my local metaphysical store. Thanks Kat! You are a great guide!
I think saraa knows just how much she rocks and why. Thank you.
I think saraa knows just how much she rocks and why. Thank you.
You hit the nail on the head there, well said !!!
You hit the nail on the head there, well said !!!
I would like to give praise to Rev. Bonnie Campanello, Jeanette Stingly, and Hattie. They are some of the great women in our community that go to any distance to help those, and to teach those who need be.
I would like to give praise to Rev. Bonnie Campanello, Jeanette Stingly, and Hattie. They are some of the great women in our community that go to any distance to help those, and to teach those who need be.
Fantastic idea. Lady Sophia Kyraphia, who has run People of the Ancient Ways for a decade plus, and the line of Thalia Kyraphia in Portland for just about as long. Just in those, she has taught literally dozens of people. More than that, though, she is also there when others who’ve gone on to take the reins of leadership and teaching need some help.
She has worked incredibly hard with Lord Orion Foxwood in founding and running the House of Brigh, which has reached and helped to transform even more people.
She is the one I give my praise and admiration to. Without her, my life and the lives of many others would have been very, very different. Many thanks, and many blessings!
Can I get an amen up in here? I love my Lady Sophia!
Fantastic idea. Lady Sophia Kyraphia, who has run People of the Ancient Ways for a decade plus, and the line of Thalia Kyraphia in Portland for just about as long. Just in those, she has taught literally dozens of people. More than that, though, she is also there when others who’ve gone on to take the reins of leadership and teaching need some help.
She has worked incredibly hard with Lord Orion Foxwood in founding and running the House of Brigh, which has reached and helped to transform even more people.
She is the one I give my praise and admiration to. Without her, my life and the lives of many others would have been very, very different. Many thanks, and many blessings!
Can I get an amen up in here? I love my Lady Sophia!
Truth!
Truth!
This is a great idea. Too often the hard work of the people who make things happen goes overlooked.
The co-founder and for years organizer of our Hall has worked tirelessly and often without much in the way of thanks. Through good times and bad, he’s made sure the Hall kept going, and he’s good-naturedly handled all sorts of correspondence, goofiness with people from other religions and groups, and newbie after newbie. Even now that he’s stepped down as the official leader of the Hall, he’s stayed active in the running of the group, making sure that our web presence works the way it’s supposed to.
I’ve told him that my life, and the lives of others, are much improved by the work he’s done, but it bears repeating. Thank you, E.
I hope that I’ve been half as good as your words make me seem. Thank you for the tireless job you’ve done since taking over. I couldn’t ask for a better replacement. It’s hard not to butt in after 13 years on the job, but I want you to know it’s only out of habit. You are doing great work.
Thank you, Sorn.
This is a great idea. Too often the hard work of the people who make things happen goes overlooked.
The co-founder and for years organizer of our Hall has worked tirelessly and often without much in the way of thanks. Through good times and bad, he’s made sure the Hall kept going, and he’s good-naturedly handled all sorts of correspondence, goofiness with people from other religions and groups, and newbie after newbie. Even now that he’s stepped down as the official leader of the Hall, he’s stayed active in the running of the group, making sure that our web presence works the way it’s supposed to.
I’ve told him that my life, and the lives of others, are much improved by the work he’s done, but it bears repeating. Thank you, E.
I hope that I’ve been half as good as your words make me seem. Thank you for the tireless job you’ve done since taking over. I couldn’t ask for a better replacement. It’s hard not to butt in after 13 years on the job, but I want you to know it’s only out of habit. You are doing great work.
Thank you, Sorn.
Soooooo…how exactly are they “heroes”?