Spring Equinox/Beltaine 2017 Vol. 25, No. 2 Tending a ...

Shining Lakes News

A Newsletter for Shining Lakes Grove, A.D.F.

Spring Equinox/Beltaine 2017

Vol. 25, No. 2

Tending a Daily Flame

There's a lot of worry in the world these days. The future is never certain, of course, but now things are even more uncertain. As a Priest of ADF, I want to help the members of my grove (and as many other people as I can

manage) find creative ways to deal with this uncertainty. There are plenty of direct actions we can take to speak out for ourselves and for others, to protect the most vulnerable among us. But how do we respond in our religious practices as Pagans? How can our spirituality give comfort to those who need it?

I know that some folks online organized some kind of big binding curse against the President, but I had no interest in taking part. While cursing politicians (or even athletes representing other cities) was very much a part of ancient Hellenic practice, it's never had much of an appeal to me. Maybe it's my decades of devotion to a protector goddess, but I've always preferred defending those I love to attacking those I disagree with.

Rev. Michael Dangler, one of my fellow ADF Priests, came up with a simple idea: commit to lighting a candle every day at noon for four years. The symbolism of a sacred fire's light blessing everything it touches is very much a part of our practice, and the small single light fending away encroaching

darkness is a powerful image as well. Michael committed to doing this, several

others of us joined in, and soon it had a name: "Tending the Flame of Hope". I admit I've missed the noon target a few times, but I've written an app for my phone and tablet so I can "light" a candle video when I can't be in my home at noon, and it's helped. (And I will share the app with everyone as soon as I have candle videos I'm actually allowed to publish without violating copyright!) Others have used electric candles, and of course most use real candles when they can.

The main reason I love this concept is that it gives everyone else a chance to join in to whatever extent they choose. There's no forcing of the will upon others, as with a binding curse. Instead, this is a coming together of many of us to share in a common cause, joining our lights (both literal and spiritual) with others, to help support each other and ourselves in these times when we need it most. Fear can most easily overpower us when we feel alone, and the Flame of Hope is a reminder that we are not alone.

For more info on the project: Hope

Yours in service to the Kindreds and the Grove,

Rev. Rob Henderson, Senior Druid

SLG Has A New Start with

a New Nemeton!

This Beltaine, our Grove moves into another chapter of its ongoing story, a new phase of the journey we set out on twenty-three years ago. After many years at the Botsford Preserve and a few memorable years at Cavallo, we begin a new relationship with the land in the form of a new nemeton.

Fox and Marisol have kindly offered us the use of the nemeton on their property for our High Day rituals. Their farm is in Pinckney, which is about as far a drive from Ann Arbor as Cavallo was. They've done a lot of work to install a Fire, Tree, and Well there, as well as a square ceremonial firepit

in the center. The field is open enough to feel sunny but next to enough trees to feel woodsy, with paths in the woods for meditation. There is plenty of parking along the long driveway. (Bonus: it also looks more wheelchair-friendly than the last two places.) There is also a newly built, adorable privy (you didn't think a privy could be described as adorable? Well, this one can!)

We went out on April 23rd to do some initial work, including making offerings to the local land spirits and installing the large Lugh statue that was donated to us last year at Midnight Flame. Our first High Day there is May 7th, and we hope you can join us for many more High Day celebrations in the future!

SLG Leadership Council

Senior Druid Rob Henderson robh@

Assistant Senior Druid Rodney Cox uberrod@

Administrator Noal McDonald dharzhak@

Scribe Position Open

Pursewarden Rodney Cox uberrod@

Chronicler Genevieve Stoyak gstoyak@

Public Relations Coordinator Position Open

Youth Activities Coordinator Position Open

SLG Guild Leaders

Magicians' Guild Rodney Cox uberrod@

Warriors' Guild Rodney Cox uberrod@

Healers' Guild Rodney Cox uberrod@

Bardic Guild Valerie Hartzer vhartzer@

Producers' Guild (unofficial) Genevieve Stoyak gstoyak@

No e-mail access? Contact our officers at our snail-mail address or

phone number.

Shining Lakes News (?2017) is published by Shining Lakes Grove, ADF, PO Box 3901, Ann Arbor, MI,

48106, (734) 277-1897. For information about SLN, contact the Chronicler at gstoyak@ or (734) 262-1462. For information about Shining Lakes Grove, please contact the Senior Druid at (734)

277-1897 or by e-mail at robh@, or visit

.

Grove Calendar: Spring Equinox to Summer Solstice

Rituals

Liturgists' Roundtable--Ritual Planning: Help us plan our Beltaine and Summer Solstice rituals. All welcome. 4/25, 6/6, 7-9 pm at Sweetwaters

Nemeton Work Day: Getting our new nemeton ready for this year's rituals. All welcome. (Bring work gloves!) 4/23, 1 pm at Fox/Marisol's

Dawn Beltaine Rite: Join us on our annual journey to the Huron River as we greet the sun and bless our water for the coming year. 5/7, 6 am, meet at Rob's

Beltaine Rite: Join us as we honor Aren, our god of love and freedom. There will be a raffle and potluck after the rite. 5/7, 2-5 pm at Fox/Marisol's

Summer Solstice Rite: Join us as we honor Bel and Danu, our primal father and mother deities. There will be a raffle and potluck after the rite. 6/18, 2-5 pm at Fox/Marisol's

Helping the Huron

River Roundup: Collect water and insect samples from streams in the rivershed. Sponsored by the Huron River Watershed Council. Please register in advance by contacting jfrenzel@ 4/22, 9 am-3pm or 11 am-5pm, meet at NEW Center

Social Events

Coffee Hour: Join us for our monthly discussion of interesting topics. All welcome. 3/24, 4/28, 5/19, 6/23, 8-11 pm at Sweetwaters

Meetings

SLG Business Meeting: Discussion of general business and setting of the calendar. All welcome. 4/13, 5/9, 6/13, 7-9 at Rob's (online access will also be available, call or e-mail for details)

Festivals

Viking-Themed Swedish Meatball Cookoff Fundraiser: A fundraiser for Michigan Pagan Fest. Tickets $10 for adults, $5 for 12 and under. 4/1, 610pm, Wayne County Fairgrounds, 10871 Quirk Road, Belleville ()

Wellspring: Join ADF members from all over the world for ritual, workshops, and the ADF annual meeting. 5/25?5/29, Tredara Hearth Farm & Shrine, Madison, Ohio ()

Michigan Pagan Fest: "This year will be a four day outdoor gathering featuring authors, musical entertainment, workshops, vendors, drumming and camping! And . . . for our kids we have plenty of children's activities and teenagers too!" 6/22-6/25, Wayne County Fairgrounds, 10871 Quirk Road, Belleville ()

Sunday March 19

26

2

Monday 20

27

3

Tuesday 21

Wednesday 22

28

29

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5

Thursday 23

30

Friday 24

8-11 Coffee Hour Sweetwaters

31

6

7

Saturday 25

April 1 MEATBALL COOKOFF

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9

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7-9

Business Mtg.

Rob's

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9-3 or 11-5

River Roundup

NEW Center

EASTER

EARTH DAY

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24

25

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3 pm Nemeton

7-9 Liturgist RT

8-11 Coffee Hour

Work Day

Sweetwaters

Sweetwaters

Fox/Marisol's

30

May 1

2

3

4

5

6

7 6am Dawn Rite

Rob's 2-5 Beltaine

Rite Fox/Marisol's

14

MOTHER'S DAY 21

8

9

7-9

Business Mtg.

Rob's

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16

22

23

28

29

WELLSPRING 4

WELLSPRING MEMORIAL DAY

5

30

6 7-9 Liturgist RT

Sweetwater s

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12

18 2-5 Summer Solstice Rite

Fox/Marisol's FATHER'S DAY

25 MICHIGAN PAGAN FEST

19

SUMMER BEGINS

26

13 7-9 Business Mtg. Rob's 20

27

Addresses: Fox/Marisol's, 49 Tiplady Rd., Pinckney 734-417-4514 NEW Center: 1100 N. Main, Ann Arbor

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8-11 Coffee Hour

Sweetwaters

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WELLSPRING WELLSPRING WELLSPRING

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June 1

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8-11 Coffee Hour

Sweetwaters

MICHIGAN

MICHIGAN

MICHIGAN

PAGAN FEST

PAGAN FEST

PAGAN FEST

28

29

30

July 1

Rob's, 330 Chidester #812, Ypsilanti, 734-277-1897 Sweetwaters, 3393 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor

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