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from Deborah Ann Light, EPs and COG National Interfaith
Representative, Since 1986, I have belonged to three Neo-Pagan organizations as a Witch: Covenant of the Goddess--NELGoG until 1989--then I became a National Solitary; Circle Nature Sanctuary and EarthSpirit. In September 1993, I attended the Chicago Parliament of the World's Religions solely as a Witch. I participated in one InterPagan panel and the Full Moon ceremony in the Park, but otherwise had no formal commitments. During the time of the Parliament, I was approached by Phyllis Currott of COG, Selena Fox of Circle and Andras/Deidre of EarthSpirit and asked if I would take the Neo-Pagan single seat that had been allotted to the three organizations in the Assembly of Religious and Sacred Leaders. I did so and signed the document Towards a Global Ethic, which originated in the work of the Assembly, in the name of all three organizations which I represented. In late 1993, as a result of having been both at the Parliament and the Assembly, I was asked to be part of the formation of the New York Interfaith Task Force. This evolved into the Interfaith Council of New York, of which I am on the Council of Advisors. In spring 1994, I was diagnosed with terminal Large-cell Lung Cancer. I did not die within the predicted six-months and continued my New York City Interfaith work. In 1996, I was present at a day-long conference in New York City given by both the Interfaith Council and the Temple of Understanding. The Executive Director of the United Religious Initiative, Charles Gibbs, was searching for people who might be interested in becoming part of the work of the URI. Because I firmly believe that the more interaction those of us in "minority religions" have with the big five or so, the better understanding among us all will evolve, I approached Charles and said that I'd been a Wiccan member of the Assembly of Religious and Sacred Leaders of the PWR (CoG, Circle or EarthSpirit were not mentioned) and would like an invitation to the next meeting of the URI. In 1997, I attended my first meeting of the United Religious Initiative at Stanford University, California. I carried the Wiccan banner in the procession of Religions and Spiritual Traditions at the Public Forum held at that meeting. AND wonderful Catherine and Rowan [of CoG] took me out for a drink afterwards! They will never know how glad I was to be with them, both for themselves and as fellow Witches) In spring of 1998, since the URI met in Stanford, California and Don Frew, the Interfaith Chair of COG, lived in Berkeley, when Charles Gibbs of the URI invited me to the 1998 URI meeting, I suggested he also invite Don. Not only because Don is extraordinarily capable, but since I live in "gifted time," I felt that more representatives of The Craft should participate than just myself. Mr. Gibbs did so and Don carried the Wiccan banner at the Public Forum to the applause of Rowan, Catherine and myself -- among that of the rest of the congregation. Since Don is COG, I could represent the concepts held by Circle and EarthSpirit, organizations of which I am also a member. In the fall of 1998, the Council of the Parliament of the World's Religions held an invitational meeting of the 1993 Assembly members. Because I feel strongly that The Craft in all its richness and diversity needs more than one International Interfaith representative and because of my health vulnerability, I asked Jim Kenny, the International director of the Assembly, if I might bring Don Frew of CoG, Selena Fox of Circle and Deirdre Arthen of EarthSpirit as a Wiccan group. I cited the precedent of Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Council of the Parliament and Assembly member, always accompanied by several of her co-devotees. Mr. Kenny assented and there were four hardworking Witches at that Chicago meeting. In the spring of 1999, Mr. Gibbs of the URI invited me to attend the June meeting. I learned that the guest list was limited for that year due to funding and only 100 were invited. Since he lived in the vicinity and is brilliant at Interfaith, I requested Mr. Gibbs to ask Don Frew to go in my place. He did and Don went, getting to carry the Wiccan banner to Rowan's and Catherine's supporting cheers once more. Also, in the spring of 1999, Jim Kenny sent out the invitations from the Council of the PWR to be part of the Assembly of Religious and Sacred Leaders to be convened at the 1999 Parliament of the World's Religions in Capetown, SA. I requested that he review the vita, forwarded to him by myself, of Don Frew of CoG, Selena Fox of Circle Nature Sanctuary and Deirdre Arthen of EarthSpirit as potential additional Wiccan representatives to the Assembly. He did so and Don Frew and Selena Fox, in addition to myself, were appointed by the Council to represent The Craft in the 1999 convening of that body. OK, from here on is the 1999-2000 "report" material: When I got to South Africa in December 1999, for the Parliament, I had the fun of organizing a Pagan reception at the Holiday Inn where most of us were staying. This was the idea of Deirdre of EarthSpirit and it was delightful to meet and greet many of the USA Pagan attendees such as Selena and Dennis, Sue Arthen, Rowan and Rhiannon, as well as Michael York from England and some from South Africa. We all enjoyed having the words "Pagan Party" outside the door and the staff enjoyed us! The formal activities of the 1999 Parliament opened with a Peace Walk of the Parliament participants through the streets of Capetown following The World Peace Flame. This torch had been lit in July when seven live flames, from five continents, were lit by eminent peacemakers, royalty and indigenous elders. The seven flames were united in Wales, Great Britain to make one light, a symbol of hope, the millennium project of the Life Foundation School of Therapeutics, a professional group of dedicated individuals working in the field of personal development, stress management and postcrisis detraumatisation. The procession arrived at District Six, a former residential district of homes leveled as part of the actions taken under apartheid, there, on a, bare, black-topped stage built in the middle of the rubble, under the high noon African sun, four women: Northern European, Native American, African and Korean, symbolizing the four races of humankind, read blessings honoring the four cardinal directions and the land. I had the incomparable honor to begin the ceremony with the call to The North: We turn to the North
(The evocations were written by Rev. John Oliver of St. Marks. For an Anglican, he's "got it!") After the calling of the directions, each of us women lit a candle and carried it to the center of the stage to add it to the great Peace Flame. It was an awe-ful experience, made even more memorable due to my robe being wool from under my chin, to my wrists, to my ankles. And, I had on stockings! Ah, vanity! At the opening plenary session, International director Jim Kenny asked the folk in the audience representing the various religions and/or faith traditions to be recognized. He called out the African Indigenous, the Mormons, the Unitarians, Hindus, etc., but did not mention either Pagan or Neo-Pagans. Even though we are a small group, we did feel that we should have been recognized. Some personal highlights: All of "our" workshops and presentations, meaning the Pagan ones by the Arthens, Selena and Dennis, Rowan, Don. Rowan and Catherine stepped in to do Don's final presentation since he had to be in the Assembly and did superbly, I heard. Arlo Guthrie's singing, the incredible Drums from Japan, the real African dancing. A day "off" with Sue and Deirdre to visit the Cape of Good Hope. Some yummy meals and companionship with us Witches. A remarkable workshop which has stayed with me on the subject of global colonization by Windows, the Internet, television programs, etc. Seeing, hearing the plenary sessions with the dignitaries from all over including Nelson Mandala and the Dalai Lama. Then the three days of work in the Assembly of Religious and Spiritual Leaders with fellow Wiccans Don and Selena. I endorsed the document A Call to Our Guiding Institutions as the EarthSpirit representative, since Don and Selena represented the other organizations. In the last plenary session, there were forty representatives of the different religions and faith traditions present at the Parliament seated on the stage behind the Dalai Lama. Before the Dalai Lama's address to a very full house, International Parliament director, Jim Kenny, introduced each rep by name and faith tradition. I rose as the Reverend Deborah Ann Light, Pagan. So we were named before them all. In early spring 2000, at the invitation of ex-Witch Queen of the Universe Michael Thorn, I gave a Parliament presentation to a Long Island Council of Pagan Elders. I don't know how many of my hearers were inspired to "go and do" Interfaith, but I know they enjoyed the talk and I had a great time. In May 2000, I attended the 60th birthday celebration of Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati at Kashi Ashram in Sebastian, Florida. I don't think I am connected in her mind or those of those in her organization as a "member or representative" of any "group," but I was announced to the assembled multitude as "my dear friend, the lesbian Witch!" The partygoers included the President Emeritus of the Council of the PWR, Dr. Howard Sulkin, and its International Director, Jim Kenny. O well, out of the cauldron and the closet in one swoop! At least I had the satisfaction of being well-dressed: think smoky-gray, Mother-of-the-Bride! There was a fantastic feast, the Birthday Bhandara, followed by Ma giving Darshan. During that event, to my astonishment and deep gratitude, she bestowed the name Kali-Deva upon me. An occurrence that will take several years to fathom and assimilate. Following that she led a Sanyas Ceremony which was the initiation of two monks into the priesthood (I think.) Their heads were shaved, they bathed in the lake/Ganges, were covered in ash and then transformed into white clothing and their new status. Very, very impressive and I was most honored to be there as witness. Having been invited to the June URI meeting in Pittsburgh, I attended with fellow committee members Don and Rowan. The URI would not have been able to accomplish what they did without the expertise of Rowan Fairgrove who worked nonstop with computer technology prior to the meeting and then throughout the signing of the United Religions Charter which begins: "We, people of diverse religions, spiritual expressions and indigenous traditions throughout the world, hereby establish the United Religious Initiative to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings." As URI Executive Director Charles Gibbs stated in an 7/14/00 e-mail about the Global Charter Signing Ceremony and the Global Summit week: "A highlight of the event was the rollcall of founding Cooperation Circles with representatives of nearly 80 groups from around the world standing to growing applause at the visible expressio of the URI as a locally rooted, globally connected organization." He goes on to say "This commitment was made even more real in the days following the signing ceremony as delegates went to work creating a vision and plans for a growing URI presence around the world. During long working days punctuated by periods of prayer and meditation, and song and dance, they met in regional groups to build networks of support for URI development in particular parts of the world....As the Summit ended, people returned home inspired by the lived experience of a global, interfaith community dedicated to peacebuilding. They returned carrying visions and hopes, and plans to put them into action." At this meeting I got to carry the Wiccan banner at the Public Forum once more. Next year is Rowan's turn! My ongoing URI commitments are membership in two Cooperation Circles: the Spirituality & the Earth CC and the URI Women's Spirituality CC. I am a member of the Planning Committee for the first URI-USA Summit in the year 2001.
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