If it were not for the past generosity of all of you, in both money and your hard work, the dining room would still be just a dream. The hard and expensive part is about over. We are more than half-way done with this project, but now that the harsh and unpredictable weather is past, we have to re-start the work so we can get it finished before our building permit runs out this fall. We can’t afford to waste the good weather!

Come spend the day with us! Before our worship circle you can volunteer at a Work Party, join in a Public Education class, or just enjoy the natural beauty of the river, the forest, and the mountains surrounding the Church.

Schedule of Events:

10AM - Work Party
(subject to change, check with ATC Office. Lunch will be provided for Work Party volunteers. Others arriving early but not volunteering please bring your lunch with you! Thanks)

1:00 - 3:00PM - Public Workshop:
SOLAR DEITIES
Sun worshipers rejoice! This is an exploration of solar deities across the world. We will go to Mexico, Greece, Japan, Egypt, and even the Great White North to find those Lords (and some Ladies, too!) who rule the Summer skies. Bring your sunscreen and your shades for some fun in the Sun!
Suggested donation is $5 for ATC Members, $10 for others, all class materials will be provided.

4:00 - 6:00PM - Tradition Study Group
An opportunity for those studying the ATC Tradition to work on assignments and projects, share information and ideas, and have access to the ATC Library resources for research.

6:30 - 7:00PM - Ritual Presenters Rehearsal
For scheduled ritual presenters. If you would like to become involved in ritual presentation, please contact the Ritual Coordinator or the ATC Office.

7:00 - 7:30PM - Orientation for Ritual
Open to anyone who is interested in learning about the ritual being presented this evening. Highly recommended if this is your first time attending one of our rituals!

7:30 PM - Ritual Begins

This is an open public ritual & family-friendly event; everyone is welcome!!
It will be held at the church in Index WA. For further information see the church website at:
 www.aquariantabernaclechurch.org

Please bring a dish to share for our potluck supper following the ritual.

And don’t forget to bring your $10 contribution for the Cauldron of Prosperity

Bring your drums and joins us at the fire as we present our Seasonal Litha ritual, Saturday June 20th at the Main Church in Index.  Ritual begins at 7:30pm.  Come earlier if it is your first time joining us for a brief orientation of the ritual.  Don’t forget your $10-$5 (sliding scale) site fee contribution and a Potluck dish for grounding afterwards.  We look forward to see you there!

ATC Open Ritual Information Notice

Effective May 1, 2009

ATC won’t be collecting donations in Circle, starting May 2009. In the past, those donations haven’t adequately met upkeep expenses, and were disruptive of Circle sacred space. Instead, we are going to “catch up” with the rest of the area Pagan groups, and institute a “support fee” like the ones successfully used for many years by other local groups.

This support fee will be accepted when you sign-in at the Concierge Desk at events at the church and other event locations, and will also assure proper handling of your pot-luck dish immediately on your arrival.

ATC asks for sliding scale of $10 - $5 per adult in support of the church for all gatherings. No one will be turned away for lack of funds, but it is important to understand that your church needs your support in order to continue our mission of returning spiritual support back to you. ATC is fortunate to own the land and buildings, and we all must support, maintain and improve them for future generations to come. We understand and share the current economic burden that affects us all, and by working together, we can survive. If cash is an issue, we can accept credit cards, PayPal, or arrange an exchange of productive volunteer labor. Of course, such arrangements are best made in advance.

Our traditional “Prosperity Blessing” of the donation cauldron containing your contributions will continue to be made in Circle, so that any support you have given will be returned to you many-fold more. Help insure that the ATC can maintain and improve this wonderful land and buildings we are so blessed to own, and support the future needs of our ever-growing community. Please contact the ATC office in Index, WA or call 360-793-1945 if you have any questions.

We need as many volunteers as we can muster to continue with the Dining Hall construction and general grounds maintenance during these warmer, sunnier weekends!  And for your time and effort, we’ll throw in an opportunity to Wic-Nic with the community!!

Wic-Nics are a combination of work party and picnic, and the food & drink is provided for the cook-out, so come on up, lend a hand, and have some fun in the mountains with your friends!

Wic-Nics for grounds maintenance and Dining Hall construction will be held at the Main Church in Index, Wa.  every Saturday (and Sunday, if people are available) in May through September.

Our building permit runs out in November, so we have to make the most of the time we have!!

Start time is 11am each weekend. Please call Pete at the Main Church to confirm there is enough to eat on hand.  The phone number is (360) 793-1945  Regular Office Hours are Tuesday through Saturday  9am to 7pm

Please refer to this post,  the ATC Website Calendar or the ATCAnnouncements Yahoo! Group Calendar for Wic-Nic dates.

Click here to download Issue #107!

Featured articles include:

Spring Mysteries Festival 2009 Pictures!

Ctitical Care for Animals: Be Part of the Solution

Growning Paganism

Fiction: The Once and Future Witch Part III by Blacksun

- Plus -

Musings . . . by Deborah K. Hudson

and

Menhir News by Pete “Pathfinder” Davis

Special Presentation for the Dark Moon Ritual

Location: Index, WA
Notes: This is an open ritual, everyone is welcome!!
Join us for a potluck following the ritual.
Don’t forget to bring your $10 contribution to the Cauldron of Prosperity

The Aquarian Tabernacle Church will present a Beltane Ritual at 7Pm on Thursday, April 30th at Edge of the Circle Books 701 E. Pike St. in Seattle.
This Ritual is open to the general public.
The ATC will provide all items needed for the Ritual.

The following is information about an Earth Day Celebration being hosted by the Bards of the Koad and A Gathering Grove

Earth Day Celebration
April 18th, 2009

Where?

A Gathering Grove
2820 Oakes St., Ste.C
Everett, WA
(425) 512-8845

There will be ,Teachings from representatives of the United Tribes of all Nations, Music and More!

Opening Ceremonies start at 2:30pm.

The first teaching starts at 3:00pm with a musical introduction by Lorraine Bayes and members of the Sacred Fire Choir.

Workshops start at 3:00pm

The Bards of the Koad perform from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

For more information, check out our website at www.bardsofthekoad.com

We will be accepting donations of food stuffs, clothing, blankets, travel sized toiletries, baby food/supplies, and/or money. There will be jars labeled with local charities such at the Ballad Food Bank, Hopelink, Northwest Harvest, etc… There will be related boxes for physical donations.

We will look forward to seeing you there!

Tami states, “Bring any clean, undamaged items to the festival and drop them off at the Cauldron table in the Merchant hall. Please be sure to have each item priced; and no item can be priced over $20.00.

Some things to consider when donating:
• Burnt or used candles will not be accepted, nor will anything that is stained, damaged, or torn
• Items MUST have a pagan theme. Yes, bath salts and candles are considered Pagan items. So is body butter…as long as it’s not used!

Items must be dropped off at the Cauldron table no later than 5pm on Thursday April 9th. Donations will be accepted on Friday April 10 until noon. If you are unable to attend the festival, but would still like to donate something, please email Tami Cushway at  tethyra at yahoo.com or by phone at (425) 971-3270.

The Snack Kitchen is also bringing in some new products this year. Missy, our Snack Kitchen Lead will have energy drinks, vitamin water, fruit, some great fruit-n-nut trail mix, and muddy buddies! The usual offerings of cookies, popcorn, candy, soda and espresso will be available. You can also pick up a commemorative “Journey to Eleusis” bumper sticker here!

So for those of you who stop at the store to pick up some of these items on your way to the festival, we’d love to have you spend your money in the Snack Kitchen! All proceeds go to benefit the Building Fund, so let your munchies be your guide!

Finally, we have just a few beds left. Although registration officially closes April 1st, if you call the church, we’ll see what we can do! Please do not send any emails at this point. We’re 8 days away from the festival, and may not see your request in time. Call the church at 360-793-1945!

See you at SMF!

Click here to download Issue #106!

Featured articles include:

Spring Mysteries Festival Update

Crisis in Faith: A Pagan Story

Irish Trivia

Fiction: The Once and Future Witch Part II by Blacksun

- Plus -

Musings . . . by Deborah K. Hudson

and

Menhir News by Pete “Pathfinder” Davis

The Aquarian Tabernacle Church will present a Ostara Ritual at 7Pm on Friday, March 20th at Edge of the Circle Books 701 E. Pike St. in Seattle. This Ritual is open to the general public. The ATC will provide all items needed for the Ritual.

Note: This event had been posted to our Yahoo! Group Announcements calendar for Saturday the 21st.  That entry has been edited. Our apologies for any confusion!

      We have been told that the Washington Department of Parks and Recreation has to cut its budget 10% right now (don’t we all?) and has placed Fort Flagler on its planned closure list. Fort Flagler might not be there for us to use once again in 2010. 

     If the Retreat Center is shut down and “mothballed” it will deteriorate rapidly. The buildings date back to the early 1940s, and some to the 1900s, and are constantly in need of attention. In the last few years, the state has spent a great deal on modernization. New roofs, all new windows throughout the barracks, and fire sprinkler systems in all the major buildings must have cost a great deal of money. 

     A part of that money came from all of you who attended SMF. Each year the rental fees, which remain with the park, have gone up, and now the cost is almost four times what it was when we began. Every spring, we give the Parks Department a very nice Easter egg in the form of a very large check for rent.

• The Hon. Christine Gregoire, Office of the Governor, State of Washington, PO Box 40002, Olympia, WA  98504-0002.
• Mr. Rex Derr, Director, Wa. Parks & Recreation Comm., PO Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650.   
• Ms. Judy Johnson, Dep. Dir. & COO, Wa. Parks & Recreation Comm., PO Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650.
• Mr. Eliot Scull, Chair, Wa. Parks & Recreation Comm., PO Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650.
• Mr. Eric Watilo, Asst. Dir. for P&S, NW Region, Wa. Parks & Recreation Comm., 220 N. Walnut St., Burlington, WA 98233.

       To find the name of your local legislative representative, go to the roster at http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature

Be well,

Pete Pathfinder Davis

In addition, due to the economic situation, the ATC has extended the final fee increase to March 27th.  That means that the current registration fee of $190 will remain in effect until March 27th.

If you are thinking of coming in an RV, there is space at the Wagon Wheel Campground.  Registration fees for those coming in RVs is $150.  Information on camping fees can be found at the following link.

http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Fort+Flagler&pageno=2

If you have any questions, please contact the church at 360-793-1945.  Thanks!

And each year pre-registration fills up for this event very quickly!  As of this post, the list to attend this rite is Full and the remaining registrants who are requesting attendance have been put into an overflow Waiting List.  This waiting list is ordered as first come, first served based on when your festival registration arrives to the Main Church.  Being on the Waiting List affords you a “Stand By” status for the rite, in case someone else should not be able to attend.  

In order to help you prepare for attending this special rite, separate emails are being sent to those who are on the Main Attendance list as a confirmation that a spot is being held for you.  If you do not receive a confirmation email for the AAoP rite, you are most likely on the Waiting List.  Confirmations will only be sent to those who have managed to secure their place early.  If there is any doubt whether you are confirmed a place, please call the Main Church at (360) 793-1945 during normal business hours Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m

Due to the nature of this rite, it has a very tight time schedule.  Participants need to have arrived On-Site at Fort Flagler AND Checked In with Registration by 8:30pm Thursday night in order to be able to make this event.  The gathering begins _promptly_ at 9:30pm at the Dining Hall.  At that time, attendance will be taken from the pre-registration list.  Should a pre-registered name not answer to the Roll Call, the Waiting List will then be called in the order the list was populated until all available spots are filled.

Some answers to frequently asked questions:

- When will I see a confirmation email?

The confirmations are going out ASAP. You should see them in your inbox very soon!

- I know I registered early, but I did not receive a separate AAoP confirmation. What happened?

Call the Main Church during normal business hours for clarification.

- Can’t more room be made for others? Why does this ritual always fill up so early?

Without going into ritual detail, the group is intentionally kept to a manageable size for the ritual presenters.

We thank you all for your enthusiasm and we wish we could honor all requests to attend this special event each year.  We ask for your understanding and patience while the group of attendees is determined before the rite begins.

See you at Spring Mysteries 2009!!

The Aquarian Tabernacle Church will present a Imbolc Ritual at 7Pm on Monday, February 2nd at Edge of the Circle Books 701 E. Pike St. in Seattle. This Ritual is open to the general public. The ATC will provide all items needed for the Ritual.

Click here to download Issue #105!

Featured articles include:

Why Doesn’t My High Priest/ess Have Time for Me?

Use Your Altar to Grow Your Faith

ATC Family Tree: The Covenant of WISE

Fiction: The Once and Future Witch Part I by Blacksun

- Plus -

Musings . . . by Deborah K. Hudson

and

Menhir News by Pete “Pathfinder” Davis

One of the great parts of the festivals is the Merchant Hall, where vendors of all types display and sell their wares—everything from incense to cloaks, cauldrons to drums, jewelry to books. It’s a great way to make money and network with the larger Pagan community.

Have a little cottage industry in your home? Fantastic! Bring your wares to the festival and build up your business. Meet some great people and make some contacts. You’ll be glad you did! We welcome all merchants—both large and small—so don’t hesitate. Call the ATC today at 360-793-1945 or email us at atcadmin @ aquatabch.org.

This is a placeholder post for the calendar events. Do not remove.

For more details on this event, see our Spring Mysteries Festival page.

This is a placeholder post for the calendar events. Do not remove.

This is a placeholder post for the calendar events. Do not remove.

This is a placeholder post for the calendar events. Do not remove.

This is a placeholder post for the calendar events. Do not remove.

This is a placeholder post for the calendar events. Do not remove.

This is a placeholder post for the calendar events. Do not remove.

This is a placeholder post for the calendar events. Do not remove.

This is a placeholder post for the calendar events. Do not remove.

This post contains all the dates for the Dark Moon public rituals to be held at the Aquarian Tabernacle Church for 2009.

Location: Index, WA
Notes: This is an open ritual, everyone is welcome!!
Join us for a potluck following the ritual.
Don’t forget to bring your $10 contribution to the Cauldron of Prosperity

This post contains all the dates for the Seasonal Celebration public rituals to be held at the Aquarian Tabernacle Church for 2009.

Location: Index, WA
Notes: This is an open ritual, everyone is welcome!!
Join us for a potluck following the ritual.
Don’t forget to bring your $10 contribution to the Cauldron of Prosperity

This post contains all the dates for the Diana’s Bow public rituals to be held at the Aquarian Tabernacle Church for 2009.

Location: Index, WA
Notes: This is an open ritual, everyone is welcome!!
Join us for a potluck following the ritual.
Don’t forget to bring your $10 contribution to the Cauldron of Prosperity

This post contains all the dates for the Full Moon rituals to be held at the Aquarian Tabernacle Church for 2009.

Location: Index, WA
Notes: This is an open ritual, everyone is welcome!!
Join us for a potluck following the ritual.
Don’t forget to bring your $10 contribution to the Cauldron of Prosperity

The recent snowfalls in Index have interrupted Internet access for several days now. At last measure, the snow level was up to 27″ on the church grounds. Pete has to regularly clear the satellite dish of new snowfall, but this has still not allowed them reliable internet access. The snow and ice on the surrounding trees just makes establishing a connection impossible right now.

They would like to let everyone know that they are both otherwise fine and that while Internet access is down, the best way to get hold of them is to call the main office. If you have sent an email to the church and they have not yet responded, please be patient while they get caught up. They will send a reply as soon as regular internet access of any kind is established.

And remember that office hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Calls outside these hours are routed to Voice Mail.

On a related note, E’bet has said she has many photos of the snowy scene up there and will post them as soon as she can get online. Stay tuned for more.

John Calderon
ATC Web & I.T. Admin

Click here to download Issue #104!

Featured articles include:

Snow Magic

Turning the Wheel by Choice

ATC Family Tree: Golden Thread Grove

- Plus -

Musings . . . by Deborah K. Hudson

and

Menhir News by Pete “Pathfinder” Davis

The Aquarian Tabernacle Church will present a Yule Ritual at 7Pm on Sunday, December 21th at Edge of the Circle Books 701 E. Pike St. in Seattle.
This Ritual is open to the general public.
The ATC will provide all items needed for the Ritual.

Should weather conditions prevent the gathering, updates will be posted on the Church Website and Announcements Mailing list.

The ATC Full Moon Circle scheduled for tonight in Index has been
canceled due to hazardous road conditions. Everyone Please stay
safe and warm!

If you are inclined to do any personal Full Moon work tonight, I
would like to share the following excerpt from the Hermit’s Lantern
written by Rev. Paul Beyerl:

” This Full Moon has an excellent influence. It is a time to invoke
blessings for all manner of benefits and goodness into your
life. You are in the early stages of a Neptune transit lasting
several months. Although it typically brings some uncertainty and
even confusion about the direction of your life, it also opens you up
to new possibilities. This will most be felt in the areas of your
belief system, personal philosophy, and desire to learn and
grow. Mars Days the 16th-21st may feel challenging and something you
were hoping for may not turn out as you had hoped, but it is good to
have this over with before the Solstice.”

Many Thanks and Blessings to All -
Kathi De Anda
ATC Full Moon Ritual Coordinator

Keep watching the website and announcement lists for any further updates from Kathi, the Full Moon Coordinator and High Priestess and/or myself. But as of right now road conditions are not favorable for holding ritual this Saturday night.

John Calderon
ATC I.T. and Web Admin

My name is Brian Hatcher. This letter allows me to introduce myself, and to announce Spring Mysteries 2009 Auditions. Many of you know me. Some of you do not. I was your Priest of Hermes during this year’s SMF and Pan the year prior. I have been given the privilege to be your Ritual Director for the 24th annual Spring Mysteries Festival. We have a Brand New Script – which is looking rather awesome, I might say. I am looking forward to this year’s auditions, and to see a grand turn out. So, whether you’re a seasoned regular in cast, someone who has stepped away from cast for a year or more, or a newbie trying out for the first time, I am very excited to see you all in the full glory of your talent as Priests, Priestesses and Actors.

The auditions will be held at the Seattle Center, in the Center House, at Studio I – that’s the letter I, not the number 1. Auditions will be held from 1:00pm till 6:00pm on the 7th of December. Directions to the space can be accessed here: http://seattlecenter.com/transportation/directions.asp.   The theater studios can be found on the top floor of the Center House on the North side. Ask for directions from anyone, once you are on the Seattle Center campus.

Here’s what to expect, and what to bring. I am asking you to present a 3 minute or less monologue. This monologue should be something that resonates with you, both personally and spiritually (this can be
defined by you). It can be either a dramatic or comedic piece, classic or contemporary, known or unknown, written by Shakespeare himself or by you, a song, a poem, a children’s story, a writing on a bathroom wall. What ever it is, make it personal! If it is a song, all I ask is that you “present” it as a monologue and do not sing.  Spring Mysteries is not a musical. I am also requesting that everyone bring with them a photo of their face. This does not have to be a professional theatrical head-shot, just a simple printed photo will do. And, yes, this goes for everyone. Whether I’ve known you for years, you’re in my coven, my friend, my colleague, or my lover, the photos are to help me “place” you in the right context once the casting begins.

Remember, you are not auditioning for a specific role. Only once the Gods have shown through, will I be able to cast correctly. And, nothing is guaranteed. Even my husband – Hottie Scottie – is not guaranteed a role.

Lastly, I just have one simple statement for you all – BRING IT!!!!

Thank you so very much. I hope you all are as excited about the 2009 Spring Mysteries Festival as I am.

Blessed Be!

Brian (aka PanisBuck)

Click here to download Issue #103!

Featured articles include:

The Storyteller Issue!

Food for thought regarding “The Last Harvest”

Pwyll Pen Annwfn: A Story for Samhain

- Plus -

Musings . . . by Deborah K. Hudson

and

Menhir News by Pete “Pathfinder” Davis

Click here to download Issue #102!

Featured articles include:

Stand Up and Vote!

In Memory: Barbara “Gramma Fussie” Fusselman

HSF Registration Form and Info

- Plus -

Musings . . . by Deborah K. Hudson

and

Menhir News by Pete “Pathfinder” Davis