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Shining Lakes News

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

Summer Solstice 2001 - Vol. 8, No. 6

Dedicant's Class and Me

[butterfly]I started my trek on the path of the Dedicant's Program almost two years ago. I publicly gave my Dedicant's Oath. Since then, I've floundered a bit. The packet I received with my ADF membership wasn't very clear on what was expected beyond the public oath. I knew there were some written requirements, but not what they were.

I was relieved to have Shining Lakes Grove, ADF, start up a Dedicant's class. Now, finally, I'd have the direction and support I needed to finish the Dedicant's Program. We've had our first class already, on Monday June 11th. We went over the written requirements and for homework we were assigned to work on our daily devotionals and to start reading our first book on the reading lists. I'm looking forward to more classes and to eventually finishing my Dedicant's program. No longer is my attitude "If I finish," but "When I finish."

The Dedicant's Program is ideal for those interested in a deeper appreciation of what ADF is about and what it is trying to accomplish as a religion. It gives one an opportunity to seriously research and experience the core beliefs of ADF. The program isn't just book reports and journal entries, it is about learning what our religion stands for and what all the parts mean as a whole. It gives us tools to gain a better relationship with the Kindreds and to walk in the ways of our Ancestors.

If you have even a tiny bit of interest in the Dedicant's Program then I urge you to set aside the time to go to the classes. You'll be glad you did. I am.

Rodney Cox, Assistant Senior Druid

All Rite & No Play Makes SLuGs into Dull Druids

There's more to being an ADF Grove than just doing our eight High Days every year. Like any church, one of the important things we do is provide a place for people to get together with other like-minded folk and just hang out.[butterfly]

We recently restarted our old Bardic Night tradition, thanks to long-time SLG member David Rozian. Bardic Night gives folks a chance to gather together once a month to share music, poetry and stories in a group setting. Think of it as a pagan "open mike" session, and you won't be too far off! It's given me a chance to continue my personal quest to retell the story of Homer's Odyssey using the songs from the movie Yellow Submarine. If you play an instrument or if you enjoy telling tales, this is the place for you!

We've been doing our Game Night since 1996, when it was called Euchre Night and the only game that was played was . . . (I'm sure you can figure that one out.) In 1997, we branched out into other games, from Iron Dragon (building a railroad system in a fantasy world) to Kill Dr. Lucky (a sort of reverse version of Clue) to the addictive Settlers of Catan. Rod has recently started a campaign of the role-playing game Witchcraft. Anyone who attends is encouraged to bring games of their own-odds are, you have some games that we haven't played yet!

An even older Grove tradition is Coffee Hour, which was started by Janet Adelmann in the very early days of SLG. It gives folks a chance to gather together at a coffee shop and talk about stuff. That's it. Simple, eh?

You can check the calendar here in Shining Lakes News, or on our Web site, for dates, times, and locations for these meetings. And remember, you don't have to be a Grove member to attend these. New folks often e-mail or call me asking which event they should show up to in order to meet Grove members for the first time and more about us. Any of these three events would be a great place to start!

Yours in service to the Kindreds and the Grove,
Rob Henderson, Senior Druid

Congratulations to the Newly Elected ADF Mother Grove Members!

The SLG Election's Coming Up Fast, Too . . .

. . . and we need volunteers for the Grove Election Committee. The GEC is responsible for sending out a call for nominations, preparing and mailing the ballots, and counting the results. Any Grove member may serve on the GEC, except for those running for office of course! If you're interested in serving the Grove in this way, contact Don Clayton (Grove Administrator) at wittke@home.net or via the SLG phone number, (734) 662-5639.

Support the Arts (and Artists

Our own Grove chanteuse, Brooke Ratliff, is performing on Friday, June 29, at the Berkley Front in Berkley, Michigan. Showtime is 10 pm and admission is only $5. For more info, call (248) 547-3331. Stop by and show your support (and you'll get to hear some great music, too!).

SLG Leadership Council

Senior Druid
Rob Henderson robh@cyberspace.org

Assistant Senior Druid
Rodney Cox UberRod@aol.com

Administrator
Don Clayton wittke@home.net

Scribe
Position Open

Pursewarden
Patrick Monagin pmonagin@ameritech.net

Chronicler
Genevieve Stoyak gstoyak@hotmail.com

Outreach Coordinator
Matthew Blair

Youth Activities Coordinator
Kirn Greymalkin servespirit@voyager.net

SLG Guild Leaders

Magicians' Guild
Rodney Cox UberRod@aol.com

Warriors' Guild
Rodney Cox UberRod@aol.com

Healers' Guild
Rodney Cox UberRod@aol.com

Seers' Guild
Maria Valayil mvalayil@voyager.net

Naturalists' Guild
Fred Wark fllwark@htonline.com

Producers' Guild (unofficial)
Gen Stoyak gstoyak@hotmail.com

Those without e-mail access can contact our officers at our snail-mail address or phone number.

Shining Lakes News (©2001) is published eight times a year by Shining Lakes Grove, A.D.F., P.O. Box 1732, Ann Arbor, MI, 48106, (734) 662-5639. For information about SLN, contact the Chronicler at (734) 662-5639 or gstoyak@hotmail.com. For information about Shining Lakes Grove, contact the Senior Druid at (734) 662-5639 or robh@cyberspace.org.

Rob Henderson, SLG Webmaster

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