The Pagan Federation

28.03.08 - INTRAFAITH MANAGER and COMMUNITY OUTREACH MANAGER (voluntary) vacancies within the PF.

Applicants for either position must be full PF members who are actively involved in either Pagan IntraFaith activities or community work respectively, have good basic knowledge of Pagan paths and traditions, are articulate, diplomatic, open-minded and tolerant. It also helps if they are quietly persistent with a sense of humour. For more details and fuller job descriptions, please contact John Chidlow, PF Community Services Manager. Both positions are voluntary and non-paid.

08.03.08 - Volunteers required for sustainable projects situated in woodland on the beautiful South Downs...come and learn about the Sustainablilty Centre and our activities. For more information on courses and workshops about sustainability please go to our website www.sustainability-centre.org.

Campsite and eco-hostel available, including a yurt and tipi for hire.

Enhance your skills towards a sustainable future.
info@sustainability-centre.org

02.12.07 - Membership Age Reduced!

In another historic Council Meeting at the weekend, a proposal was put forward to reduce the minimum age for membership of the Pagan Federation from 18 to 16. This change was proposed with the full knowledge and blessing of Minor Arcana, an organisation which caters for Pagans from the ages of 12-18, and was carried with an overwhelming majority.

Changes to the existing membership forms will be forthcoming to cater for this momentous change, and work now begins on obtaining the necessary certifications for those officers who will be dealing directly with the younger members.

At the same meeting, a decision was made to create two new posts within Community Services, to cover the areas of ‘Outreach’ and ‘Intrafaith’.

Pagan Federation International announced new members to the ‘family’. PFI now has representation in Mexico, Spain and South Africa.

Committee reported to Council on progress over the past year which included much ‘behind the scenes’ work in progress, the nature of which must remain confidential for now. The new editor of Pagan Dawn was also welcomed and introduced to the meeting.

With regard to ‘Furthering the Aims’ of the PF, a full discussion was held which covered a wide area, including possible improvements to communications, both within and without the Federation, during which several ideas were mooted. The fruits of these discussions should be self-evident over the coming months.

A race against time is under way to try to save a Stone Age settlement found buried at the bottom of the sea in the Solent.

Eight thousand years ago the area would have been dry land, a valley and woodland criss-crossed by rivers.

A swamped prehistoric forest was identified off the northern Isle of Wight coast in the 1980s, but Bouldnor Cliff's buried Stone Age village was only found - by chance - a few years ago.

08.06.07 - Prison Pagan Chaplains Needed!

As part of my prison ministry management role I am putting out feelers and info in order to encourage applications to become a pagan prison chaplain. We am in the process of putting together a map of current pagan prison chaplains and the prisons they visit so that we can see where the gaps in the country are. Currently we need coverage in the Midlands, Kent, Oxfordshire, the North East and North West of England.

It's a really slow process for various reasons so it's going to be a little while before we know our ideal target recruitment areas.

However, please don't let that put anyone off! We cannot guarantee that even if you get CTC (Counter Terrorist Clearance - done by all prisons) cleared that you will have prisoners to see, but should one suddenly need a chaplain, we may need to call on people occasionally at short notice.

Youth Offenders Institutions also required enhanced CRB checks, which can extend the clearance process.

Prison visiting can be tough and daunting at first, but it can also be rewarding once you get past the fact that you are in prison and are talking to "people" just like you and I, who also need to have their spiritual needs fulfilled. Performing rituals in prison can greatly exercise the creative side of us in interesting ways! Improvisation is the key there ;)

And of course there is a special e-list for pagan prison chaplains should you need any help or support.

I really hope we can encourage more applications, we are running thin at present.

Hours are arranged between yourself and the prison, not through us.

And of course, we are still looking for more writing chaplains too if visiting is too much of a commitment at present. Email us at pfpm@paganfed.org if you would like details, or any more info about the prison ministry service.

Finally, you do NOT have to be a PF member to apply! Compassion, honesty and discretion are imperative though.

Thanks
Jo

PF Prison Ministry Manager

PS please pass this info on to anyone who may be interested.... and feel free to copy and paste to websites and forums.

SOME would call it the Devil's work. Two ancient religions have locked horns in a bizarre "freedom of speech" row that is echoing around the corridors of one of Scotland's oldest academic institutions.

The University of Edinburgh has granted permission to the Pagan Society to hold its annual conference - involving talks on witchcraft, pagan weddings and tribal dancing - on campus next month. Druids, heathens, shamans and witches are expected to attend what is a major event in the pagan calendar.

But the move has enraged the Christian Union, which accuses the university of double standards after banning one of its events on the "dangers" of homosexuality.

Matthew Tindale, an Edinburgh-based Christian Union staff worker, claimed some faiths and beliefs appeared to be more equal than others on campus.

"This seems to be a clear case of discrimination," he said. "It's okay for other religions, such as the pagans, to have their say at the university, but there appears to be a reluctance to allow Christians to do the same. All we are asking for is the tolerance that is afforded to other faiths and organisations."

The Union has won strong backing from the Catholic Church in Scotland, whose spokesman, Simon Dames, felt that allowing the pagan festival to go ahead while barring the Union meeting was an example of "Christianphobia".

"This appears to be a clear case of double standards," he said. "The principles of a pluralistic democracy revolve around an acceptance of competing ideas and universities should be enshrining this principle. Anti-racism groups would never be asked to put up posters saying there are alternative views."

The row has its roots in last year's decision by university officials to ban the Christian Union from using campus premises to run a course which claimed that gay sex was morally wrong.

The course was deemed to be in breach of university anti-discrimination guidelines although a compromise measure was later offered to allow the course to take place if posters offering differing views were prominently displayed. Much to the displeasure of some campus Christians and the Catholic Church, no such conditions will be attached to the pagan gathering.

But the pagans point out that, unlike the Christian Union, their followers fully support the university's equality policies and condemn homophobic attitudes as "deplorable".

John Macintyre, presiding officer of the Pagan Federation Scotland, stressed that his faith was based on tolerance and backed the university for opposing "hurtful" discriminatory behaviour. "Pagans, as a rule, don't believe that sexist or homophobic views are acceptable and discrimination on that basis is deplorable," he said.

The conference will feature a range of talks, including Magic and Witchcraft in the 21st Century, Pagan Parenting, Pagan Marriage and Pagan Symbolism and Practice. Taking place at the Edinburgh University Students' Association premises, it will also feature a talk on Ancient Greek magic, a tribal dance workshop and a performance by the Glasgow Labyrinth Theatre Company as well as poetry from "Notorious Mad Mick" and rituals by the Akasha Group.

Macintyre said: "It will be an opportunity for people to listen to talks on various aspects of modern paganism and socialise with like-minded people in a relaxed, tolerant atmosphere.

"Most people now recognise that the old stereotypes about witches and witchcraft are way off the mark and there is nothing remotely sinister about it."

The pagans are not the only organisation to take issue with the Union over its course, which deals with the Bible's attitude to sex and relationships. It has also been condemned by the Edinburgh University Student Association and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Scotland.

Tim Goodwin, EUSA president and himself a Christian, said: "We are strictly opposed to the course. It is essentially homophobic and we have a policy that condemns the course itself."

A University of Edinburgh spokesman said: "The University's offer of accommodation - with certain conditions - stands.

27.05.07 - As some of you will no doubt be already aware, There's a reporter from a well-known Sunday tabloid sniffing around for contacts in the Scottish Wicca/Witchcraft scene just now. He wants to talk to 'young people'. No doubt that will be female young people in particular! And presumably he'll be really interested in asking them about working skyclad!

Obviously Scottish PF has declined to help him in finding victims but he'll no doubt be casting his net widely. Please warn people to be very, very cautious about any approaches from this man, or any persons looking for younger pagans to interview on this particular subject. If in doubt, please refer them to contact the PF media line on 01458 835518 who will handle their inquiry or contact District Managers John and Kitty Macintyre at PF Scotland.

kmudie@cngroup.co.uk

DRUIDS gathered at Castlerigg stone circle near Keswick to celebrate the formation of their new Cumbrian Order.

Head of order Paul Bills led the celebrations – which marked the foundation of the Cumbrian Druidism Order as well as the ancient celebration of Beltane – better known to non-druids as May Day.

More than 100 people turned out for the crowning of the May Queen, and to officially begin the life of Cumbria’s new druidic order.

Carlisle-born Paul Bills paid tribute to the stunning surroundings where the festivities took place.

He said: “We are lucky to live in the most beautiful part of the country.

“I moved away from here for a while and lived in other places like Manchester and Blackpool.

“It was only when I came back to Cumbria that I realised how friendly the people are and how special this part of the world is.

“People help each other out and there is a real sense of community and knowing and caring for your neighbours.”

The ceremony took place on Saturday.

Paul said: “There was no special significance behind holding it there, it is just a really, really, beautiful place with an amazing atmosphere and breathtaking landscape.

“It reminds us that we have a duty to take care of the Earth and show respect to nature.

“I think that sometimes people can forget this and reminding them is one of the most important parts of druidism.

“We are not all about pagan beliefs, we welcome people from all backgrounds who care about the planet and want to celebrate it.”

The order is planning a series of events across Cumbria to mark the summer solstice, one of the key dates in the Druidic calendar.

For more information e-mail Paul at cdo.druid@bt-internet.com.