MerryMeet is the annual gathering for Covenant of the Goddess (CoG) and includes two days of workshops, rituals, lectures, local vendors and entertainment. Concurrently, during MerryMeet, CoG conducts its annual business meeting known as Grand Council (GC). GC is the forum for its members (covens and solitaries) to engage in a consensus process to discuss issues relevant to the operations of CoG, review national bylaw changes necessary in a changing world, to decide matters which require deliberation by the full membership and elect the national board of officers. Grand Council provides a unique opportunity to observe the process of decision making utilizing the consensus process. CoG has utilized consensus since its inception in 1975, allowing all its members at GC the opportunity to be heard in a non-judgmental, non-authoritarian, non-hierarchal process of decision making.
In recent years, the Covenant has taken part in spiritual and educational conferences, interfaith outreach, large public rituals, environmental activism, community projects and social action, as well as efforts to correct negative stereotypes and promote accurate media portrayals. Its clergy perform legal marriages (handfastings), preside at funerals and other rituals of life-transition, and provide counseling to Witches including those in the military and in prisons. The Covenant also provides youth awards, sponsorship of college and university student groups, and legal assistance in instances of discrimination.
The focus for MerryMeet 2009 is Crossroads 2009: Responsibility, Accountability and Sustainability. These three concepts are especially significant today given the lack of responsibility and accountability demonstrated by the political and economic leaders across the world. The sustainability of our planet, Mother Earth, is in jeopardy. The decisions made by US and world economic and political leaders have taken us down a road that violates one of our most basic tenants as witches: An it harm none, do what you will.
As Witches, we have the power and responsibility to be the change that guides our planet into the future. But without knowledge, information, communication, and the willingness to work together, sustainability is in jeopardy.
Since CoG’s inception, we have visioned and revisioned CoG. This year, it’s time to stop “visioning” and hone the skills necessary to move us forward and take action, to step back into who we really are: the ebb and flow of time, energy and magick. It’s time to share with each other and the greater community of witches and pagans that we are what makes change happen.
MerryMeet this year will have workshops addressing the issues of responsibility, accountability and sustainability affecting each of us as individuals, as families, covens, neighborhoods, towns, cities, nations and the world: where our food comes from; how we participate in the food chain; our changing impact on the planet; our physical health, financial health and political health. What our legal responsibilities are as credentialed clergy. How do we as clergy and witches continue to serve our covens. How do we keep our covens alive and viable. How we can continue to be sustainable as an international organization of witches.
This is an exciting time. Come to MerryMeet and covenant together this August 21-23 in Palmdale, California, and do the exciting, vibrant, thrilling work of being alive and in service. |
