Everything Comes Clear..Er, Clearer.
Sep. 11th, 2005 09:09 pmWell...after all the drama and all that I drummed out last week (I apologize for any theatrics), and after talking to a few people...this doesn't feel like nearly as big a deal anymore and for whatever it's worth, here's the story.
I need to start on a course of study to serve as clergy within my faith. This is not a new thing...it's something that's been rolling around in my head literally for over 5 years now. I tried to put it out of my mind for the longest time, because I felt that I didn't have a clue about anything, and I just wasn't ready to even entertain the thought, and I went through a phase where I was just against organized religion...and much as I ignored it or put it off, it's never gone away. And then last November, I wandered into Cedarlight Center. Next thing you know, I'm attending "church"* on a regular basis (I think I've missed 3 sundays all year) and taking off work, citing religious observance for the days of the 8 high rites.
So yeah.
Today at the Grove, I talked briefly to Deirdre, and then later to Caryn about this. Both were happy to hear it. So the plan of oction now is this...I officially joined the Grove and ADF tonight. Before I can do *anything* else, I have to go through the Dedicants Program, which will take about a year and it a basic foundation study either on its own if one chooses not to purue farther official study withing ADF, or the beginning point for anything further. ADF has a 3-degree clergy teaching program which Caryn tells me that completing this is about the level of work one would complete in a Master's degree program in a seminary. At this point, I do plan to proceed into ADF's clergy training program, but all those details are still at least a year away.
Not something to approach lightly.
(If you don't know and have never caught my previous posts, "The Grove" or "Cedarlight" refers to Cedarlight Grove, Which is a chapter within the organization Ár nDraíocht Féin (ADF) which is descibed on the website as "...is an international fellowship devoted to creating a public tradition of Neopagan Druidry."
Now, I feel like I can breathe much better.
*Legally, officially and all that other fun stuff, this IS a church, but I'm still not quite associating this with the idea of "going to church, although it is what I'm doing.
I need to start on a course of study to serve as clergy within my faith. This is not a new thing...it's something that's been rolling around in my head literally for over 5 years now. I tried to put it out of my mind for the longest time, because I felt that I didn't have a clue about anything, and I just wasn't ready to even entertain the thought, and I went through a phase where I was just against organized religion...and much as I ignored it or put it off, it's never gone away. And then last November, I wandered into Cedarlight Center. Next thing you know, I'm attending "church"* on a regular basis (I think I've missed 3 sundays all year) and taking off work, citing religious observance for the days of the 8 high rites.
So yeah.
Today at the Grove, I talked briefly to Deirdre, and then later to Caryn about this. Both were happy to hear it. So the plan of oction now is this...I officially joined the Grove and ADF tonight. Before I can do *anything* else, I have to go through the Dedicants Program, which will take about a year and it a basic foundation study either on its own if one chooses not to purue farther official study withing ADF, or the beginning point for anything further. ADF has a 3-degree clergy teaching program which Caryn tells me that completing this is about the level of work one would complete in a Master's degree program in a seminary. At this point, I do plan to proceed into ADF's clergy training program, but all those details are still at least a year away.
Not something to approach lightly.
(If you don't know and have never caught my previous posts, "The Grove" or "Cedarlight" refers to Cedarlight Grove, Which is a chapter within the organization Ár nDraíocht Féin (ADF) which is descibed on the website as "...is an international fellowship devoted to creating a public tradition of Neopagan Druidry."
Now, I feel like I can breathe much better.
*Legally, officially and all that other fun stuff, this IS a church, but I'm still not quite associating this with the idea of "going to church, although it is what I'm doing.
no subject
Date: 2005-09-12 02:20 am (UTC)I think that you'll do a great job, and I think that this will be a new experience that you could really enjoy. You sound like you're re-dedicated to the faith (after attending "church" for the past year or so), and that things seem to be clear to you about what your next step is.
Good luck with your "year and a day ;)" and may all things become more clear on your journey to enlightenment!
Wow, that was profound! ;)
Kari :)
Happy for ya
Date: 2005-09-12 02:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-12 04:58 am (UTC)*hugs*
no subject
Date: 2005-09-12 07:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-12 08:00 pm (UTC)you my sweet may call me anyhting you want ;-)
no subject
Date: 2005-09-13 04:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-09-13 05:32 pm (UTC)