Peter Dybing Goes A-Roving

Pagan Road Trip – 365 Days Riding With A Goddess

Over the last year as First Officer for Covenant of the Goddess I learned much, became aware of many issues within the Pagan community and made many new friends. This experience has led me to a desire to get to know the wider Pagan community better. With this in mind it is my plan to travel the nation in 2012 and meet as many members of the community as I can. As I do this I have some specific goals in mind.

As First Officer Emeritus of CoG, it is my intent to gather the views of as many CoG members as possible and share them with the National Board. I have learned is there is a large body of the membership that does not attend Grand Council and I would be pleased to serve as a conduit for their voices.

As National President for Officers of Avalon it is my intent to spread the message far and wide that Pagan First Responders are there for the community. Specifically, the subject of establishing Standard Operating Procedures for First Responders in service at Pagan events interests me. It is my hope to host discussions on this issue.

Currently I am in the process of developing presentations on a number of other Pagan subjects to include:

Transformative Pagan Leadership

Pagans and Disaster Response, a new model.

Pagan fund raising and social networks

Honoring our Elders while leaving the drama behind.

Tentatively the plan is to offer my services as a panel facilitator on these subjects and also individual presentations. My interest ranges from small group discussions to large festival presentations. Obviously I will be seeking established voices in the community to join me in these efforts.

Logistics,

An undertaking such as this takes considerable time and expense. Over the last few months I have transitioned from homeowner in the Virgin Islands to RV owner on a shoestring budget. Along the way I intend to teach some CPR classes, help my partner vend her hand made jewelry and generally do odd jobs. So if you need cheep labor feel free to let me know. (Labor that gets my hands in the dirt is preferred)

As I spend this year in Service to the Goddess it is my hope to in some small way make a difference in our community, our country, our world. Please Join me and speak up, reach out, and participate in the evolution of our community.

In Her Service,

Peter Dybing

The Celtic Library Contest

This contest is sponsored by Rogue Priest + Temple of the River.

Today I have some very happy news. It brings me great pleasure to announce an essay contest to give away 41 books on Celtic studies.

Temple of the River, where I used to teach, closed its doors in June. However, over the seven years it was open it amassed a significant library. The temple’s book collection was built to help people study Celtic religions, traditions and myth. Rogue Priest and Temple of the River are now teaming up to sponsor an essay contest to give the entire library to one lucky winner.

I helped found Temple of the River in 2004. Our temple practiced the Old Belief, a tradition of Irish polytheism. We want to see the books go to someone who will put them to good use, either in their own study and practice or as part of a larger organization.

To that end, the Celtic Library Contest is soliciting essays. Each essay must be no more than 6 pages long and should describe a specific project (personal or organizational) that the books and the knowledge they contain will be used for.

I’ve assembled a small panel of judges who will help me review the essays. The judges include Humanistic Paganism editor B.T. Newberg, and Druid Order of Three Realms priest/co-founder Bob Patrick. All of us have a strong interest in historical authenticity, accurate reconstruction of ancient practices, and keeping tradition alive.

Based on the projects described in the essays, we will choose one visionary winner to receive the collection of books free of charge, with free shipping. Essays are due in by January 15, 2012 and we hope to announce a winner by Imbolc (Jan. 31).

The library includes a moderate collection of respected, high-quality books on Celtic Studies, Celtic lore and traditions, Indo-European religion, and related topics. A total of 41 books and sets are included in the library.

To enter, read the contest rules and get an application cover sheet here. Please follow the rules carefully to make sure you are considered. Good luck everyone and please spread the word far and wide!