The Witch Tower

[Pages:13]The Witch Tower

WiCoM's voice in Paganistan

Official Newsletter of the Wiccan Church of Minnesota? Samhain 2015 #214 Blessed Samhain

HELP WANTED!

The Treasurer has reminded Administration that she will be resigning the position as of the end of this calendar year. WiCoM is therefore seeing an individual who is willing to fill that volunteer position. Interested person should send an email to the General Representative. (GenRep@) Thank you in advance for your willingness to serve our community!

The May Queen and Green Man are still looking for a ritualist for Yule, Imbolc or Ostara. If you are interested, please send an email to MayCourt@.

1

Ritual Announcement

Ritual Announcement:

Date: Sat. October 31, 2015 Time: Gather 6:30pm, Ritual at 7pm Location: Living Table UCC

4001 38th Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55406

Ritualist Name: Travis Thorpe Coven Name: Andrastos Coven Lineage: Triskellion

Items needed to Bring: 2 coins can be a penny or any coin of value. Bring a photo or something you would like to share with your beloved dead for the ancestor alter.

Will be a pot luck: CAUTION ALL FOOD AND DRINK MUST BE PUT IN KITCHEN BEFORE RITUAL STARTS NO FOOD OR DRINK WILL BE ALLOWED IN RITUAL SPACE we will be in Tartarus "Hades". - you don't want to be stuck there like Persephone.

This will be Tiled, Late entry non permissible.

This will NOT be an energy suitable for small Children.

RITUAL OUTLINE: After depositing food / drink in the kitchen ALL church members will go upstairs onto the 1st level

where you will be made ready by the green man to enter into Hades. I will be aspecting Hades (hopefully not a draw down) and call on the energy of Tartarus to draw the

circle down stairs. Chiron will be sent up to retrieve the church and take you to the first gate. He will at this time retrieve from you the two coins for entrance ( all proceeds of coins will be donated

to Church or Lola funeral fund ) Green Man and gate keeper will exchange words for entry. All church members with mobility issues this would be a good time to find a chair and wait on the side

line - this will take a bit. The church will start its decent into Hades. (7 gates widdershins) 2 ellipsis per gate. Once thru the gates, you will meet Hades and persephone, in their Royal Court. At this time the Green Man will ask for the chance to speak to, honor, and dance with your honored

dead, your ancient dead, and remember their names so they do not disappear. This will give an opportunity for each member to shout out a few names. Once the dead are summoned we will dawn masks / to dance with our dead - (get your dancing shoes

on) - a simple waltz. During this time - it is your time with the dead, you may talk with each other, sit on the chairs and

talk with your dead, hug console, dance in joy, visit the alter, or even talk with Hades and Persephone.

Be warned when the time is up, you must return to the land of the living, or be trapped in Tartarus forever.

See you on Samhain.

Travis Thorpe

2

Wiccan Church of Minnesota Membership Information

Wiccan Church of Minnesota Directory

Non? Voting Member $25.00 For those wishing affiliation with the church and uninitiated students. May attend General Moots.

Voting Member $35.00 First degree or higher. May attend General Moots and vote on issues. If member is in good standing (dues paid), member is qualified to run for office (General Rep) and enter Beltaine lottery if the meet the current May Couple's other criteria.

Elder $45.00 Nominated by current elders; or after holding an office for a year and a day; or being elevated to Third Degree; or becoming a Minister. All approved by Elders.

Teacher $45.00 Officially recognized as a WiCoM teacher during a Teachers Moot.

Minister $50.00 The higher dues reflect higher clerical costs and other expenses that are required.

Annie (May Queen) John Stitely (Green Man) Emrys Anu (Fool)

May Court MayQueen@ GreenMan@ Fool@

Executive Committee

Dawn Vorderbruggen ( Elders Rep)

eldersrep@

Lou Gastuch (Acting General Rep)

genrep@

John Stitely (Teachers Rep)

TeachersRep@

Nancy (Treasurer) Lou Gastuch (Acting Secretary) Sky (Newsletter Editor) Nancy (Newsletter Editor) Lou Gastuch (Web Crafter)

Staff

treasurer@ secretary@

editor@ editor@ webmaster@

Church Trustees

Neva Banaei (651) 488-7370

Nevab7@

George Edgar (651) 642-9754

george_edgar@

Maggie Sterba (651) 772-1182

Maggie@

Ministers Rev. Emrys Anu Rev. Cindy Carter (651) 222-2222 Rev. Estelle (612) 377-2972 Rev. John Stitely (651) 488-7370 Rev. Qwill (651) 583-3446 Rev. Valire'brand (612) 724-4396 Rev. Jaimie Zaugg (952) 239-8961 Rev. Keith Vorderbruggen

penny.mixhau@

etuitean@ RV_John_Stitely@

qwill@ twyern@ j3stitches@ keith@

All memberships include the annual e-mail subscription to the WiCoM Newsletter. Subscriptions to the printed WiCoM Newsletter are available to members for an additional $15 annually.

With WiCoM Executive approval, individual non-members may subscribe to the WiCoM Newsletter for $8 annually (e-mail edition), or $23 annually (printed edition).

Mail your dues to:

WiCoM Treasurer P.O. Box 40591 St. Paul, MN 55104

The Legal Stuff

The WiCoM Newsletter is published eight times a year, in conjunction with the Wiccan Sabbats, by the authority of the Executive Council of The Wiccan Church of Minnesota. Content is offered for educational purposes to assist in living a pagan life.

Subscription by e-Mail is available to all members of the Wiccan Church of Minnesota who are current in their dues. A hard copy version is available at an additional cost of $15.00 per year. Other interested parties may inquire concerning availability, please contact the church executive council for further details.

Copyright Notice: All material contained within this newsletter is protected by copyright law unless otherwise noted. All rights are returned to the authors and artists represented after publication. Reproduction or display, in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

3

Announcements

The Rest of the Wheel

Samhain 2015: Oct 31; TBA Yule 2015: Dec 19; TBA Imbolc 2016: Jan 30; TBA Ostara 2016: March 19; TBA Beltaine 2016: April 30; May Court Midsummer 2015: June 23; TBA Lammas 2016: July 30; TBA Mabon 2016: Sept 24; TBA

Unless otherwise noted, all Sabbat dates are on Saturdays. Please read announcement for the location of each Sabbat.

A note from the editors:

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Do you have any announcements? Any ideas? Any poetry? Any articles? Any pictures/drawings? Any arts/crafts that are kid friendly? Anything else you think others would enjoy? (Please see editorial policy.)

Send it to: editor@

Inside This Issue

Announcements......................... 1 Ritual Announcement ............. 2 Membership Info..................... 3 Church Directory .....................3 More Announcements .............4 May Queen's Corner ................. 5 Moot Minutes .......................... 7 Remembering Lola .................. 9 Out & About in Paganistan...... 12 Wonderful Opportunities......... 13 Editorial Policy........................... 14

Upcoming dates:

December 6, 2015 12 noon to 3pm WiCoM Moot

At the Roseville Library

4

May Queen's Corner

Watch the video of the May Queen's Corner on our website:



Hello Everyone,

It is I Annie Zimbel and this is this issues from the May Queen Corner. Here we come upon Samhain or shall I say it comes upon us. The final harvest is in progress. Making ready for the cold dark coming months of winter. The time to put things to rest. The time for retrospect and the time to remember and honor Ancestors that have passed. Many of us have seen family and friends leave for Summerland this year. Trust that they are still with us. Even saying something like that can be difficult to hear so I beseech folks to be kind and understanding with friends and family that may be dealing with passings in different ways. Be there for them.

Because the veil is so close and so transparent we have the opportunity to feel closer still to those behind it. Even more so than at other times of the year. Take the time to go to a mirror and gazing in it be open to seeing those you miss. This is also a good time for closure with issues that have happened with those who have passed. You might create a small ritual encircling yourself with light. Be sure to ground and shield and then write a letter and read it or burn it infront of the mirror. Express your true feelings, rant yell, or whisper. Find your strength and take back your power at this time so that you no longer hold the burden or chains of the past. Acknowledge what has happened know that you are speaking your truth and aiding your inner self or inner child to heal, and finally let it go so you can find your freedom

So as I started offering a recipe for the season I thought I would continue that traditions. Here is something special for Samhain. I offer you I hope you will enjoy. (See Potato Leak Soup on next page.)

This is the end of our year and just the beginings of our next. May we break through all that holds us back and bring forth wonderful blessed opportunities of love, friendships, abundance and anything else that will ease, strengthen, and comfort us in our growth through the seasons of this coming year. Please ask for aid if needed and be there for others if they are in need. Laugh a lot or at least smile...people do respond better to you when you.

Please remember if you are in need do feel free to call on me.

Also, Please let me know if you are interested in hosting a ritual. We still have openings and would love to see what you can do.

Happy Samhain and Brightest Blessings,

Annie AnnieZimbel- 507-301-3269

5

Potato Leek Soup by Jennifer Segal

Servings: 6

Ingredients: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 4 leeks, white and light green parts only, roughly chopped 3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped into 1/2-inch pieces 7 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth (best quality such as Swanson) 2 bay leaves 1 sprig fresh thyme, plus more for garnish if desired 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 cup heavy cream Chives, finely chopped (optional)

Instructions: 1. Melt the butter over medium heat in a large soup pot. Add the leeks and garlic and

cook, stirring regularly, until soft and wilted, about 10 minutes. Adjust the heat as necessary so as not to brown. 2. Add the potatoes, stock, bay leaves, thyme, salt and pepper to pot and bring to a boil. Cover and turn the heat down to low. Simmer for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are very soft. 3. Fish out the thyme sprig and bay leaves, then pur?e the soup with a hand-held immersion blender until smooth. (Alternatively, use a standard blender to pur?e the soup in batches; see note.) Add the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. If soup is too thin, simmer until thickened. If it's too thick, add water or stock to thin it out. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Note: If using a standard blender to pur?e the soup: be sure not to fill the jar more than halfway; leave the hole in the lid open and cover loosely with a dishtowel to allow the heat to escape; and pour blended soup into a clean pot.

6

Moot Minutes

The Wiccan Church of Minnesota

Governance Moot Minutes Noon, September 13, 2015, Como Park Grill, St. Paul, MN

General Moot

Attendees: Keith, Dawn, Lou, Nancy

Meeting Called to Order: 12:28pm

Presiding: Gen Rep

Previous Minutes: Approved

Reports

General Rep: No recent USPS correspondence; minimal email correspondence. Most items deemed inappropriate for action.

Teachers Rep: It's far too quiet.

Elders Rep: No new items of note.

Treasurer: WiCoM Checking Balance: $3,339.31; WiC-Con Checking Balance: $859.99; Cash-on-Hand $45.00; Most Recent RBC

statement not available. Previous Balance: $17,267.52.

Secretary: Minutes have been distributed.

Webcrafter: Web NOT up-to-date; no information was received. Will be updated by evening, as the editors DID receive information.

Old Business

PO Box: The mail has not yet been picked up; no update on status.

Bank Account Signatories: Per previous discussions, Nancy Larpenteur (Treasurer) and Lou Gastuch (Gen Rep) will meet at US Bank on

Wednesday to get the account numbers changed on both checking accounts. The primary account, currently titled "WiCoM Check-

ing" is to be titled "WiCoM Operations," and the second account, currently titled "Wic-Con Checking" should be titled "WiCoM

Reserve Checking." The combined balance of the two accounts is to be equalized, transferring as necessary. Lou Gastuch (full-rights

signatory) will indicate that Dawn Vorderbruggen (Elders' Rep) and Penny Mixhau (Teachers Rep) will be the additional signers for

the Reserve account, and that they have organizational authorization to remove all other current signers from that account when they

arrive at US Bank for certification.

Membership Manual Update: The wording of the update to the membership reinstatement policy was confirmed. A short discus-

sion occurred to confirm that we are accepting a written application which states their willingness to abide by the Church's precepts

as sufficient for Associate-level membership.

New Business

Clarification of Living Table Space Entitlements: Keith spoke recently with the administration of Living Table UCC (our ritual location), and clarified that we do have access to the "Children's Corner" section of the basement. As a result, Keith indicated that their daughter would be interested in providing child-tending services at those rituals for which she is available. An actual schedule will need to be developed, and if it works out, ritualists will be advised so they may design their announcements accordingly. Keith will forward the email confirmation of this arrangement to the Exec Board members for documentation.

Waseca Correctional Facility: Keith's conversation (above) was triggered by a telephone call that Living Table received from the administration of the Waseca Correctional Facility, requesting that WiCoM contact them in reference to providing Wiccan clerical services. As the persons who have historically tended to Prison Ministry, the information will be forwarded to Emrys Anu and to George E for suggestions and/or action.

Next Moot: December September 6, 2015, preferred location, RCL Roseville (to be confirmed) Adjourned: 1:08pm

Teachers Moot

MCTO: 1:19pm

PRESIDING: Green Man

Per standing orders, all minutes and reports from the General Moot are included by reference in this moot.

Coven/Teacher Reports:

Azure Dome: Absent The Ladies: It appears that life has interfered with our continued path and "The Ladies" is on hiatus until further notice.

Torch, Key, and Wing: TKW would like to publicly thank the May Queen for being a Guest Speaker for their recent Coven meet-

ing.

Misfit Toys: Absent

John: Absent.

Old Business: None.

New Business: None.

Next Moot: After General Moot

Adjourned: 1:11pm

7

Moot Minutes (continued from previous page)

Elders Moot

MCTO: 1:12pm

PRESIDING: Green Man

Per standing orders, all minutes and reports from the General Moot are included by reference in this moot.

Old Business:

List of Professionals for Referrals (non-web): Still on hold.

New Business:

Associate Membership Clarification: In the Handbook, it is indicated that a new member enters the membership at the Associate

level, and may petition for a higher level at the next regularly scheduled moot.

Next Moot: After Teachers' Moot (above)

Adjourned: 1:13pm

Executive Moot

MCTO: 1:14pm

PRESIDING: General Rep

Per standing orders, all minutes and reports from the General Moot are included by reference in this moot.

Old Business

New Business

Recurring: Authorization of Treasurer to pay our reasonable and recurring bills. Referrals from Previous Moots:

Membership Reinstatement Policy: Approved the reinstatement policy as described in the Elders' Moot. Membership Refund: Confirmed: The refund of dues for the withdrawn membership has been delivered. Signatories to the bank accounts: Approved: The Treasurer and Exec Officers are directed to make the agreed-upon changes before the next Moot (December 6). The Elders' Rep is currently held by Dawn Vorderbruggen and the Teachers' Rep is currently held by Penny Mixhau. Charges for new checks are approved.

REMINDER: The next moot should include the election of one of the Trustees, the Gen Rep (an annual thing) and the Teachers' Rep. (Current seat was an interim election.)

Reimbursement Requests: None.

Next Moot: After Elders' Moot (above)

Adjourned: 1:16pm

8

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download