Page
11 Form 1023 (Rev. 9-98) 11:50 PM 8/8/2000 LC draft
Schedule A. Churches
1 Provide a brief history of the development of the organization,
including the reasons for its formation.
Lady
C, etc. to provide additional info.
The
effort to form this church began with the Pagan Awareness Coalition (PAC):
A
History of PAC
The
Pagan Awareness Coalition was mobilized in the winter of 1990. Our inspiration
came largely from the holiday lighting displays on Cleveland’s Public Square.
These displays included such religious images as a traditional Christian creche
and a Chanukah menorah. No other religious traditions were included, so a
handful of Pagan individuals began networking, (or “webworking”, as we like to
call it).
We
organized a meeting, spreading information by word-of-mouth to covens,
solitaries, and others who might be interested. Among the decisions made at
that meeting was that we, too, wanted to celebrate a holiday on the Square. As
of June 2000, we have since celebrated 10 Samhains and 4 (?) Beltanes on Public
Square, attended by as many as 150
pagans, witches, and Earth religionists. <Smaller Yule events have occurred
as well. >
The
Pagan Awareness coalition is a grass roots, consensus run, networking
organization: a web for Pagans, Witches, Druids, Asatru, and Native spiritual
practitioners in the Cleveland area. We sponsor open celebrations on Beltane
and on Samhain on the Square, as well as working with a
number of organizations to facilitate pagan dialogues and events within
the community.
We
have no leader. We are all leaders.
The
Pagan Awareness Coalition is not a coven or training group. We can link
interested individuals with practicing groups, through our network of
referrals. We maintain a mailing list with postings timely to event planning,
operate a phone-tree to update members, and we regularly update the PAC website
kindly hosted by the Reverend Angelle
of Universal Ministry.
For more information, please
visit our site at:
http://www/geocities.com/athens/sparta/4367/pac.html
Current updates of PAC
scheduling and projects can be found at:
http//www.ameritech.net/users/teleri4411/teleriweb1.html
or E-mail: Teleri at teleri4411@ameritech.net
or Angelle
at revangelle@geocities.com
Conventional mail inquiries
may be addressed to:
Pagan
Awareness Coalition
POB 111292
Cleveland,
OH
As PAC
evolved, it developed the following mission statement:
<<We are a diverse
group of Pagans dedicated to dispelling the popular misconceptions about multi-theistic,
nature oriented or Earth-based religions. We do this by Networking in the Pagan
community and organizing public rituals. We also provide support systems and
information for individuals and groups.
Our aim is to achieve religious tolerance by educating the general public about
our beliefs and religious practices. We seek freedom from harassment. We wish
to build bridges of understanding amongst ourselves and with the community at
large.
We are your Family, Friends, Neighbors and co-workers;
please remember this as we explore our diversity>>
While
many members of PAC are solitary practitioners, some of those most active lead
religious groups that meet several times per month for full and new moons,
Sabbats (see section 5) and on other occasions to worship and or study. Many are already
ordained through various non-denominational churches.
In
addition, many solitary practitioners and Pagan religious group that practice
their religion frequently and that attend PACs public rituals do not have the
benefits provided under the law to such religious practices. As a result, in March 2000, PAC
initiated discussions aimed at forming a Church to help extend the benefits
available under the law to its activities and those of associated entities.
By
March 2000 general theological, organizational and
ethical principles for the formation of such a church were agreed to by members
of PAC’s board and participants at its meetings.
These
principles were posted on Pagan e-mail lists and elsewhere. By
June 2000 members of other Pagan Congregations, study groups, religious
rights organizations, and churches joined in the Church planning process. A decision was made
by participants to create a Church with a broader scope than PAC alone, that
will help to serve the religious needs of many existent groups, that can be brought under a common
Church umbrella as standing committees, along with solitary practitioners.
Among
the key reasons for forming a church are
Increasing
the opportunities for religious practice and sharing of information, training,
cooperation, and opportunities to worship among members of our religions,
Providing
new mechanisms for pooling, protection and creation of
religious resources
Helping
to assure that the rights and benefits available under the law to our religious
practices, places of worship, etc. are appropriately extended under mechanisms
available under the law.
2 Does the organization have a
written creed or statement of faith? Yes
No
If
“Yes,” attach a copy.
We
have many.
DRAFT
ARTICLES OF BELIEF
We believe
that all spiritual paths leading to the benefit, health and enrichment of all
living and natural things are equally valid. No one person or group has the right
or “wisdom” to claim that any particular spiritual
path is any more or less valid than any others.
No person, group, religion or personified deity
has a monopoly on truth.
We
do not recognize an authoritarian hierarchy, but we do honor those who teach
and share their knowledge, wisdom and experience. We acknowledge and respect those who generously
and courageously give of themselves and their time as leaders.
We
acknowledge greater powers, but we also believe that power should be sought and
can be found within each individual
We
recognize that a spiritual force of great power imbues all nature. It is this field
that makes magic and life itself possible. We undergo rituals and practices to
develop our understanding of this force in its multiple manifestations and
personifications in order to become wise and prudent navigators of its ways. We see religion,
magick and wisdom-in-living as united in our worldview.
We
perceive, among the creative powers of the universe, the polarity of and
interaction between the principles known as “masculine” and “feminine”, yin and
yang, etc. We understand divine pairs (complementary opposites) to be mutually
supportive and equally valuable.
We
believe in an ongoing cycle of birth-death-rebirth which represents the
continual renewal-the evolution and development -- of both consciousness and
Spirit. This
ever-repeating cycle provides a meaningful context for the Universe, guiding us
towards definition of our individual roles within it.
We
actively seek to understand and control the forces and powers within ourselves
which make it possible to live wisely and well without harm to others and in
harmony with all existence.
We do not seek power over or control of other people.
Our
major thrust and focus is on positive action in the present (despite whatever
history and teachings, ancient or modern from which we draw). Our mutual concern is to provide a
healthier, happier and more functional future for
ourselves, our Earth, and those who will inhabit it after we are gone.
We
perceive nature as endlessly and diversely erotic, sensual
and spontaneous; and we value and find beauty in all consensual eroticism,
sensuality and spontaneity. We see such acts of pleasure as symbols, sacraments and embodiments of sacred life, and as one of the
sources of energies used in magical and religious practices. In general, we believe that life was meant to
be filled with joy, beauty, love, pleasure, learning and humor.
We
seek all that is contributory to health and well-being from nature; and
consider food, environment, attitude and one’s
interactions to be inextricably linked to one’s health. We practice a variety of traditional and
non-traditional healing methods with the understanding that health, like
happiness, needs to be fitted to the individual.
We
affirm and celebrate the diverse nature of all peoples and cultures and respect
the rights of individuals and societies to live their lives according to their
own sincerely held beliefs, as long as they do not infringe on the right of
others.
We embrace
and celebrate the beauty of Nature in all its forms. No race or sexual orientation is
superior or inferior to another. Each is an expression of Nature’s
Beauty and is essential to one another. Therefore, we welcome, honor and respect the whole
3 Does the organization require prospective members to renounce other
religious beliefs or their membership in other churches or religious orders to
become members? No Yes
Conditional
No
The
church as a whole does not, except when the ethics
promoted by such a church are clearly contrary to the ethical code of this
Pagan church, presented in the next section of this application. .
We
neither acknowledge nor worship the Christian devil, "Satan" who is
not in our Pagan pantheon
Its
standing committees reserve the right to place additional restrictions on
membership
4 Does the organization have a formal code of doctrine and discipline for
its members? Yes No
If “Yes,” describe.
The
church adopts the following ethical codes as among its doctrine.
The Earth Religion
Anti-Abuse Resolution:
We,
the undersigned, adherents of Pagan and Neo-Pagan Earth Religions, including
Wicca, or Neo-Pagan Witchcraft, practice a variety of positive, life affirming
faiths that are dedicated to healing, both ourselves and the Earth. As such, we do not
advocate or condone any acts that victimize others, including those proscribed
by law. As one
of our most widely accepted percepts is the Wiccan Rede's injunction "to
harm none", we absolutely condemn the practices of child abuse, sexual
abuse, and other forms of abuse that harm the body, mind
or spirits of individuals. We offer
prayers, therapy, and support for the healing of the victims of such abuses. We recognize and
revere the divinity of nature in our mother the Earth; and we conduct our rites
of worship in a manner that is ethical, compassionate and constitutionally
protected (sentence on Satanism moved to section 2) We will not tolerate
slander or libel against our churches, clergy or congregations; and we are
prepared to defend our civil rights with such legal action as we deem necessary
and appropriate.
Enhanced Free Spirit
Alliance Code of Honor:
I
will consider my word sacred
I
will respect all others' rights to freedom in all areas, and their safety, privacy and opinions.
I
will respect the life of this planet.
I
will take personal responsibility for my actions, and if I err or am wrong, I
will be quick to apologize and make restitution.
Honesty
is valuable. I
will remember this in thought, word and deed.
Our
primary focus is on helping practitioners of ethical, non-racist, and
non-sexist nature religions that promote understanding and tolerance of other
religions and their practitioners
"An it
harm none, do what thou Wilt" is the Wiccan Rede, although it may be
stated with slightly different wording in some traditions and in various contexts
with varying interpretations.
To clarify how the church
interprets this, we accept the interpretation in CONCEPTS OF WICCA by Jehana
Silverwing:
“This is more than an excuse
for license. It
contains several concepts discussed below (ethics, Will, among others).
Ethics: Not seen as being
imposed from "outside", from external dogma. They are integral,
however, because they are based on common sense and respect for others (see
microcosm = macrocosm), including the environment around us.
Ethics respects the need for
others to make their own choices in life, though we may provide guidance.
Ethics means not hurting others unnecessarily, or for what we perceive as
"their own good". The Golden Rule applies. Manipulative, coercive magic has no
part to play in a responsible, respectful approach to the Craft.
Will: The concept of doing
YOUR magical "Will" involves finding out exactly what it is ?? one of
the things Wiccan exercises help for. Just any passing fancy is not necessarily
your "Will". Needing to dominate or decide for others is also not, in
this sense, an expression of Will. Many times, what may be mistaken for
Will turns out to be in actuality a knee-jerk counterreaction to something (for
instance, a vengeful counterreaction). In one important sense, however, Will
is finding that thing (or things); that mode of being, which
"centers" you ?? and living it.
>>
In addition, many of our members believe that what you put out comes back three times, although some do not take the take the three times part literally, while recognizing that people get back what they put out, often amplified.
Our
standing committees reserve the right to adopt additional ethical codes and to
discipline their members as necessary and appropriate
5 Describe the form of worship and attach a schedule of worship services.
Our members include, but are
not limited to, Witches, Druids, Shamans, Mystics, and other Earth
Religionists. Definitions of these terms include but are not limited to:
Pagan is a member of an eclectic,
mostly modern, religious movement encompassing a broad array of religions that
revere the Divine in nature and/or draw upon the myths and symbols of ancient
faiths.
Neo-Paganism: Collection of diverse contemporary religions
rooted in indigenous traditions or deriving inspiration therefrom,
characterized by a belief in the interconnection of all life, personal
autonomy, and immanent divinities. Often nature-centered and supportive of
gender equity.
Witch is a practitioner of a
religion that honors the Divine in nature and uses magic as a tool for personal
and global transformation.
A Witch typically worships Deity in both female and male forms
(although most Dianics worship/work with only Goddesses) and celebrates
creation at the changing seasons.
Druid is typically a member of
one or more of several Pagan groups that started in the 1960s through 1980s,
who place an emphasis on excellence in research, art and liturgy, and who
provide open public rituals, education and service to their local communities.
Shamanism is a solitary spiritual
practice honored in cultures around the worked and throughout history. Shamans journey
into the world of spirit to find wisdom & healing for themselves and their
community.
Mystic is one who believes or
works with the principle that any being can have direct personal knowledge of
the Divine without intervention of an outside authority. While the Divine is
commonly thought of as godlike or spiritual, we include in the definition of
mystic those whose beliefs, ethics, and practices include sophisticated forms
of transcendental secularism involving consciousness at a non-localized level
unifying with individual's surroundings and that which is.
Earth
Religions
include Pagan religions (Wicca, Druidism, Shamanism, etc.), traditional
religions of indigenous peoples, those variations on indigenous religions
(Voodoo, Ifa, Santeria, eclectic Native American Inspired medicine societies,
etc.) and on variations of widespread
religions (Christian, Moslem, Sufi, Jewish, Buddhist, Bon, Hindu, Taoist,
Shinto, Unitarian Universalist, etc.) that honor nature and the Earth and our
place in it, along with similar mystic beliefs and practices.
MAGICAL RITUAL FORMS
Witches
typically work magic in circles between the worlds to influence the world. Rituals usually
involve purification, centering, casting a circle, calling the four elements,
calling Goddess and a God, raising energy in the circle that is released to the
objective, grounding, cakes and wine, and thanking
powers invoked and closing. Witches
typically do rituals at Full and New Moons, Solstices, Equinoxes, and cross
quarter points of the year (Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, Lammas).
ADF
Druids typically work magic in a space that they define as the center, and call
into the center what they are looking for. ADF Druid rituals generally involve
a procession, invoking a Gatekeeper to open the doors between the worlds,
centering, invoking triads (ancestors, nature spirits and the gods, and/or
other triads), raising energy through creative offerings to the Goddess/Gods
invoked, release to the deities, who return it, often to a purpose, reading an
omen, passing a cup, thanks and formal closing
Shamans
often use drumming or other methods to access the other worlds, find spirit
allies (power animals, etc.) and return with the ally, who then does tasks,
healing. etc. when sent.
Some
Witches use Shamanic technique and work with their spirit allies in their magic. Others use
ceremonial magickal forms in which entities are invoked or created and sent to
do work.
Traditional
indigenous peoples and other Earth Religionists use a variety of techniques
which may include some of the above as well as techniques that may be unique to
their religions.
GENERAL UNDERLYING
VARIATIONS IN PRACTICES AND GROUPS
Traditional,
which follows very closely specific forms of practice and belief that are
handed down by clergy and/or teachers and usually have strict hierarchy and may
have lots of restrictions to preserve the purity of the tradition.
Eclectic,
in which people explore a variety of paths and find out what works for them. The origins of many
eclectic paths may include such influences as the Women’s movement, the
Counterculture of the 60s, New Age practices, traditional Wiccan practices,
practices of indigenous peoples and the needs and tastes of the individuals
involved. Groups
tend to be egalitarian and consensus oriented. Eclectic groups may evolve into
traditions, as people find a body of practice that works well for them, and
they adopt these as standard operating procedures.
Most
Pagans are Pantheistic and Polytheistic, with some exceptions--such as Asatru,
which prefers the term Heathen to describe themselves over the term Pagan. Asatru is a family
of religions honoring the Norse/Teutonic Gods (Aesir) and nature spirits (Vanir).
EXAMPLE
RITUALS
Examples
of our rituals include our Beltane and Samhain ceremonies
(someone
in PAC to provide)
Further
information on the correspondences used in seasonal rituals and an example of
Wiccan ritual format are included below:
EXAMPLE
GENERAL WICCAN RITUAL FORMAT
Prepare space
Welcome & explanation
Quiet time
Procession & chant
Purify & Establish Space
Personal Purification
Tree meditation
Name chant (everyone intones name, and people intone it
back, sending good energy)
Call Quarters (Candles and Pentagrams inside, rattle,
invoke, whistle outdoors) <casting circle in the process>
Invocation/praise of the God & Goddesses
Presentation of Focus
Main Work (Connect with target, raise energy, send to
target while visualizing objective achieved; or Shamanic journey; or Drawing
Down the Moon; etc.)
Cakes & Wine
Grounding
Thank Goddess & God
Close Quarters
Group Hug &
Formal Closing
CYCLE
OF THE EIGHT SABBATS
Selected Correspondences
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Imbolc Baby
Sun, Life spark, Inspiration, Bring skill, Bridgid's Birth Initiation,
Naming
Increasing
light Germination Bridgit Lugh Bed, Start a purpose growing,
Peak
cold begins Lamb, Gaelic
fire festival-feast
Candle of flame
and waxing light
Vernal Balance of Sprouting Maiden
comes Return of Seeds, Child Welcome nature spirits,
Equinox Light
& Dark Budding from underworld/ Green Man Narcissus, Charge
seeds, decorate/charge
awakes
to meet Crocus eggs,
Celebrate Spring,
young
lover Symbolic
Breaking of Bonds
Beltane Strongly Flowering Fertility, Return
of Maypole, Sexual Maypole
dance, Nature
increasing Maiden
comes of Summer Gods, Penis Maturity spirit work, Aid in
light,
Age, Fertility, regeneration of Earth,
Balanced
heat Sexual, Sexual Love & caring, Feed each other
Marriage Marriage Handfastings, Choose May Queen
&
King
Summer Peak
light Growth Full adult Sun King Sun, Parent Nurture
crops, Appreciate
Solstice Darkness
to come Mother
aspect embraces Fairies Nature, Celebrate
nature's
Goddess
of sacrifice & renewal, Make
Summer
so changes and adjustments
strongly that he
is reborn as God
of Waning Year
Lammas Declining
light First Harvest Leadership, Teaching, Make
corn Children up Bless first fruits, Weeding prior
Peak
heat Prep for rest of Goddess becomes Green Man in dolly and about, to
next harvest, Bless tools,
Harvest reaper Full Adulthood Attain Invoke
skill, knowledge &
Maturity healing,
Initiations. Brewing,
Sacred
cooking fires, Competitive
games
Autumn Balance
of Primary Harvest Goddess mature, Underworld
Sickle Middle Age Going away party for
Green Man
Equinox light
& dark Underworld Gods return Children Celebrate
harvest, Earth healing,
Goddess
return weaned
Charge seed for next year's crop,
Samhain Strongly Last Harvest Goddess as God
as Pumpkin, Crone, Spiritworld
contact, Festival
falling
light Falling leaves, Crone Gatekeeper Pomegranate,Elder, of life and death, Celebrate
Balanced
heat Transition Apple Universal harvest
completed, Divination,
Knowledge Past-life
regression,
pomegranate/apple
mystery
Winter Death/birth
Sun Hibernation Goddess gives Sun
God Yule Log, ConceptionGiftgiving, Rituals to help
Solstice peak
darkness, Dormancy birth to SunGod Reborn Evergreen
Time in good
causes charity, Solar beacon
Promise
of Light tree, Summer- cone
of power, Saturnalia, Magical
Holly,
Ivy, land oaths,
Go through portal, Give
Mistletoe, birth to
new projects, Mythraic
Oranges ritual,
Kindle Yule log
We may need to expand this
to include specific dates, a lunar calendar and a basic astrological
discussion-along with the fact that the specific dates may be modified to as
needed for various reasons.
In
addition, something about the schedules of study groups, covens
and other groups likely to become standing committees meeting on other
schedules should be provided, along with some examples.
6 Are the services open to the public? No Yes
If “Yes,” describe how the
organization publicizes its services and explain the criteria for admittance.
At
present, our Beltane, Samhain, and Yule rituals (put on by our Pagan Awareness
Coalition Standing Committee) and the rituals of at least one of our monthly
study groups are open to sympathetic and interested members of the public who
are not disruptive.
For the last ten years, our Samhain rituals
have been performed on Cleveland Public Square, and Beltane for the last three
years at Cleveland Public Square. The public gathers at the square and
joins in the ritual, although our security team has occasionally had to exclude
verbally abusive, intoxicated and/or otherwise disruptive individuals.
Our
public events are publicized by fliers distributed to various Occult Stores,
coffeehouses and events frequented by our members, as well as by e-mail,
conventional mail and word of mouth. In addition, they are often listed by other
organizations in their calendars or newsletters, and we have encouraged (but
not always obtained) publicity in newspapers, radio
and TV through press releases, etc. We
also have sign up lists at our events for inclusion in our mailing lists.
Our
study groups are publicized by word of mouth, and occasionally by fliers or
listings in other publications.
In
addition to public events, members of our standing committees perform many
rituals that may or may not be publicized or open to the public
7 Explain how the organization attracts new members.
Generally,
through publicity about our public events or word of mouth
8 (a) How many active members are currently enrolled in the church?
Including
affiliated study groups, we need to provide list here - making the distinction
between affiliated members and voting members)
(b) What is the average attendance at the worship services?
About
175 at our public Samhain and Beltane ceremonies. Our standing committees (covens, study groups,
etc.) vary typically from three to thirty. In addition, individual members often
worship alone or with very close friends or family
members
9 In addition to
worship services, what other religious services (such as baptisms, weddings,
funerals, etc.) does the organization conduct?
Our
Wiccan standing committees typically perform Wiccanings (equivalent to
baptisms), Handfastings (equivalent to weddings), handpartings, dedications,
initiations, clergy investitures, Fertility rites, Cronings, Saging, rites of
passage (such as funerals), healings, exorcisms, blessings, purifications,
etc. Similar rites may be performed by
druids, shamans and other earth religionists.
10 Does the organization have a school for the religious instruction of
the young? Yes No
At
least some of our study groups are intended generally open to the young, along
with most of our rituals.
. Section 10 on Training children. We added the word intended concerning
at a church study group and children. We also agreed to have Dutch draft
text to the effect that parental permission will be required for minors to be
involved in church sponsored study groups when not in a public venue. The main reason discussed for thus was
minimizing the chance of legal hassles from irate parents that we are not
prepared at this time to deal with. We all agreed that we need an attorney
advisor and that somewhere in what we write the Church should be empowered to
make exceptions to such policy, if it should decide
otherwise.
11 Were the current deacons, minister, and/or pastor formally ordained
after a prescribed course of study? No
Yes
Ordination
in this church is conferred when at least three functioning Clergy in the
church deem the person by reason of training and experience to be competent at
the type of work for which the person is ordained. In many cases, such clergy status is
given to people who have for considerable amounts of time lead congregations or
otherwise clearly demonstrated their competence.
Within
our standing committees, nomination for ordination typically requires at least
a year and a day of training and clear demonstration of the necessary
competency for which the person is trained, along with a clear need for the
person to be so ordained.
However, we reserve the right to recognize divine inspiration and
the ability to manifest it as sufficient grounds for
ordination, etc.
There
will be a variety of ordained clergy positions, including
Priest
or Priestess of Wicca
Ordained
Clergy-Counselor (Seith, Oracle, etc.) -- mainly for Pagans who need clergy
status to avoid legal hassles over doing divination and/or who are recognized
as skilled in counseling)
Other
titles as necessary and appropriate
Section
11 on Clergy will require some work. Regarding the grandfathered Clergy list,
more of our clergy need to get to know Copper, who is relatively new to our
community. It
may also be appropriate to make it clear that clergy in our church are expected
to be responsive to situations that in most religions would warrant clergy
counseling, at a minimum by providing appropriate referrals. At a previous meeting we discussed the
possibility of the church sponsoring and/or encouraging training in this area.
12 Describe the organization’s religious hierarchy or ecclesiastical
government.
Our
standing committee’s hierarchy varies from one committee to another, varying
from rule by consensus, to rule by volunteers, to rule by the High priestess
and/or high priest of the committee.
The
church government is designed to minimize the potential for matters related to
ordaining clergy and other traditional matters related to churches or
incorporation to interfere with the internal affairs of its Standing
Committees.
The
Church’s central government has just
enough centralized, formal, corporate structure and power to:
Provide and maintain a 501C3
umbrella
for donations and grant applications for a broad range of independently funded
and organized projects and associated standing committees serving the Pagan
community and consistent with a broad interpretation of the purposes of the
church. . Such standing committees would include PAC, ____, ______, _______,
______< an Ordination Committee, NeoERAA, the Ohio Events Calendar, and a
variety other potential projects.
Ordain a wide variety of Clergy
Recognize and extend the legal protection and rights of
the church
to a wide variety of privately owned Pagan Chapels and activities, as well as
potential new facilities and activities, like the proposed storefront church/ coffeehouse -- in so far
as reasonably possible
Assure that the necessary
financial reporting, etc. required by law are met (including compliance with
bylaws, contracts, etc.), and that information on how such funds were spent be
readily available to members of each committee and those making donations
Assure that different
standing committees within the church do not interfere in the internal affairs
of other standing committees or put them at financial risk, except when decided otherwise
by mutual consent between the standing committees, in so far as reasonably
possible
Mediate disputes and act as
a supreme court regarding compliance with bylaws and procedures (or arrange for such
procedures)
Carry out the financial and
other responsibilities required of a church and a corporation
All
other powers and duties of the church are reserved for its standing committees.
At the
center of the church are the Board of Trustees, consisting of the six people
who signed the articles of incorporation, who have the duty to serve as a
supreme court concerning matters of interpretation of corporate bylaws,
charters, etc. in event of a dispute over their interpretation (when
necessary), and who have the power to remove corporate officers for gross
malfeasance, misfeasance or neglect of duty.
Trustees are subject to a vote of confidence every five years within the
church. If they
lose such a vote, trustees may be replaced by election by voting members of the
church. The six
candidates for trustees getting the most votes would be elected, in event of a
vote, and the persons with the seventh through tenth most votes would be alternates, if an existing trustee is unable to function or
resigns. In addition, a trustee can be
removed for gross misconduct or neglect of duty by a 2/3 majority of the
trustees, the board and the membership.
In
addition, the church has a Board of directors, consisting of a president, vice
president, secretary, treasurer, publicist, members advocate, membership
coordinator, and legal advisor, unless changes are approved in corporate bylaws. These positions are
filled initially by volunteers doing the work, and are subject to annual
election by voting members of the church (by a majority vote), as well as
recall by the board of trustees, board of clergy, or voting members by a 2/3
majority.
While
a variety of levels of church membership are available, ranging from
affiliation due to membership in a standing committee that is part of the
church and agreement to its code of
ethics, to patronship by making substantial donations of property or money,
voting membership is reserved for the volunteers who:
Occupy
specific positions with specific job descriptions that have been approved by
the other voting members,
Provide
quarterly reports on their progress and plans for the next quarter to the Board
and Members
Do
the work in their job descriptions and demonstrate a pattern of keeping
commitments whenever reasonably possible
Maintain
reasonable compliance with the Church’s standards of ethics
Gross
failure to meet these criteria are sufficient grounds
for loss of voting membership, as determined by the Board of Directors or their
designated agent, subject to appeal to the Board of Trustees or the other
voting members.
In
general, all decisions by the trustees, the board of directors and the
membership shall take place by consensus when reasonably possible or a two-thirds
majority when necessary.
If a decision is formally proposed to the membership and/or the
board, and no member objects within a week (if all members are on-line) it
shall be considered to be passed by consensus. Up to two weeks may be needed, plus a phone
or US mail notification system if all members are not online.
In
general, the voting bodies of the church define policies and budgets, and the
details are worked out by the people doing the work, unless a voting body
decides otherwise
At
least one church ordination committee
defines and implement fairly
loose ordination requirements that require that anyone ordained
Agree
to a basic code of ethics (consistent with church requirements)
Be
leading a Pagan group or have demonstrated loosely defined minimum skills
necessary to design, lead and perform the types of work for which the person
needs formal ordination to meet state requirements.
It
takes the support of at least three already ordained clergy for the church to
ordain an applicant. All
members of the ordination committee shall be ordained.
Ordination
would be for life, unless the person has clearly demonstrated a pattern of
behavior that seriously violates the basic ethical requirements of the church
and the church decides that removal of such status is necessary and appropriate
(a can of worms).
13 Does the organization have an established place of worship? Yes No
If
“Yes,” provide the name and address of the owner or lessor
of the
property and the address and a description of the facility.
If the organization has no
regular place of worship, state where the services are held and how the site is
selected.
Public Square at Samhain and
Beltane owned by City of Cleveland.
Various Standing committees
and members may list their temples, groves, selected power spots, etc. as
established places of worship, so that they enjoy the protection of the church,
legislation against desecration of churches, tax deductibility, etc.
In
addition, we may need to add discussions of how we select temporary sites. I am tempted to
include my Working with Nature Spirits article as an example.
14 Does (or will) the organization license or otherwise ordain ministers
(or their equivalent) or issue church charters? No Yes
If
“Yes,” describe in detail the requirements and qualifications needed to be so
licensed, ordained, or chartered.
See
previous discussion
15 Did the organization pay a fee for a church charter? Yes No
If “Yes,” state the name and
address of the organization to which the fee was paid, attach a copy of the
charter, and describe the circumstances surrounding the chartering.
16 Show how many hours a week the minister/pastor and officers each devote
to church work and the amount of compensation paid to each of them. If the
minister or pastor is otherwise employed, indicate by whom employed, the nature
of the employment, and the hours devoted to that employment.
This
will have to be provided by the ministers and officers, most of whom earn their
living by working. Details
on who they are employed by, the nature of the employment and the hours devoted
to that can be provided to the IRS only in event of an acceptable written
agreement by the IRS on confidentiality of this information-unless an
individual minister, etc. decides to release more of her or his personal
information.
17 Will any funds or property of the organization be used by any officer,
director, employee, minister, or pastor for his or her personal needs or convenience?
No Yes
If
“Yes,” describe the nature and circumstances of such use.
Currently,
except for possible reimbursement for expenses directly
related to the work with the church, the answer is no. They are all unpaid volunteers. However, the
church reserves the right to pay for the services of specialists (accountants,
attorneys, etc.) when necessary and appropriate. In addition, the standing committees,
which are generally independently funded, along with the Board reserves the
right to have full time paid staff or consultants should it be necessary and
appropriate-subject to the limitations necessary to retain 501(c)(3) status.
18 List any officers, directors, or trustees related by blood or marriage.
To
be determined
19 Give the name of anyone who has assigned income to the organization or
made substantial contributions of money or other property. Specify the amounts
involved.
To
be provided on tax forms by those persons deducting associated expenses from
taxable income, subject to normal rules of confidentiality concerning such
matters. Most
church expenses and paid by passing a hat. etc. and are not otherwise
identifiable. . For others, the
individuals can only be identified if they grant permission. However, church income and
expenditures, and those of associated standing committees, shall be accounted
for and reported to the extent required by law.
Instructions
Although a church, its
integrated auxiliaries, or a convention or association of churches is not
required to file Form 1023 to be exempt from Federal income tax or to receive
tax-deductible contributions, such an organization may find it advantageous to
obtain recognition of exemption. In this event, you should submit information
showing that your organization is a church, synagogue, association or
convention of churches, religious order or religious organization that is an
integral part of a church, and that it is carrying out the functions of a
church.
In determining whether an
admittedly religious organization is also a church, the IRS does not accept any
and every assertion that such an organization is a church. Because beliefs and
practices vary so widely, there is no single definition of the word “church”
for tax purposes. The IRS considers the facts and circumstances of each
organization applying for church status.
The IRS maintains two basic
guidelines in determining that an organization meets the religious purposes
test:
1. That the particular religious beliefs of the
organization are truly and sincerely held, and
2. That the practices and rituals associated with the organization’s
religious beliefs or creed are not illegal or contrary to clearly defined
public policy.
In order for the IRS to properly evaluate your organization’s activities and
religious purposes, it is important that all questions in Schedule A be
answered.
The information submitted
with Schedule A will be a determining factor in granting the “church” status
requested by your organization. In completing the schedule, consider the
following points:
The organization’s activities
in furtherance of its beliefs must be exclusively religious, and
2. An organization will not qualify for exemption if it has a substantial
nonexempt purpose of serving the private interests of its founder or the
founder’s family.