|
Durham N.C. Home Page
|
The Durham, North Carolina, Circle of
who pursue a deep understanding and practice of Paganism
for the betterment of one and all.
The Sacred Order of Living Paganism is a Pagan spiritual order. We are not led by a single authoritative controlling religious body. Instead, we are an amalgamation of independent Circles, Academies, and Solitaries bound by an ideal which is embodied through our constitution.
The Durham Circle of the Order supports an Academy called the School of Living Paganism and a Pagan League of Youth Program which meet Wednesday nights in the CARE building of the Eno River Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship - 4907 Garrett road in Durham, North Carolina. Council of Elders meetings are usually once a month on Sunday evenings
Class |
Day |
Time |
Place |
| League of Youth | Wednesdays | 6:30 p.m. | CARE rm 6 |
| First Degree Classes | Wednesdays | 6:30 p.m. | CARE rm 4 |
| Second Degree Classes | Wednesdays | 7:45 p.m. | CARE rm 4 |
| Third Degree Classes | Wednesdays | 9:00 p.m. | CARE rm 4 |
| Council of Elders Meeting | 1st Sundays | 7:00 p.m. | CARE rm 4 |
| Annual Meeting | around Samhain |
Grand Elder: Brother Gray Wolf
Second Elder: Sister Dragonfly
Scribe: Brother Shanddaramon
Almoner: Sister Erin
NAME |
DEGREE |
CITY |
| Shanddaramon | Elder (ordained) | Durham |
| John O. | Seeker | Saxapahaw |
| Melanie H. | Seeker | Durham |
| Chantress Maddy | Practitioner | Durham |
| Chamelon | Practitioner | Durham |
| Gray Wolf | High Priest (ordained) | Durham |
| Dragonfly | Practitioner | Durham |
| Christin K. | Seeker | Durham |
| Dobrhan | Seeker | Cedar Grove |
| Erin Lynn S. | Seeker | Durham |
| Opal | Seeker | Durham |
| Gwenhwyvar | Seeker | Durham |
| Brack | Seeker | Durham |
| Rhaevyn | Seeker | Durham |
Event |
Date |
Time |
Location |
| Elders Meeting | CARE bldg. |
Summer Classes
starting at 6:30
Month |
Date |
Class |
Topic |
| June | 1 | Tarot Games | |
| 8 | Tarot Games | ||
| 15 | Open class | practice for solstice service | |
| 22 | reading discussion | ||
| 29 | open class | principles and precepts | |
| July | 6 | reading discussion | |
| 13 | open class | building on astrology | |
| 20 | reading discussion | ||
| 27 | open class | yoga in the spiritual life | |
| August | 3 | reading discussion | |
| 10 | open class | Lammas | |
| 17 | reading discussion | ||
| 24 | open class | ||
| 31 | reading discussion | ||
| September | 7 | regular classes begin |
The Durham Circle adheres to the Order's Constitution as a guiding document.
THE
DURHAM CIRCLE OF
THE SACRED ORDER OF LIVING PAGANISM
OFFICIAL BYLAWS
Article One
NAME
B1.01 This religious organization shall be known as the Durham Circle of the
Sacred Order of Living Paganism.
B1.02 For the purposes of these Bylaws, the Sacred Order of Living Paganism
shall be referred to as “the Order” and the Durham Circle of the
Sacred Order of Living Paganism shall be referred to as “this Circle.”
B1.03 This Circle reserves the above name for its own use and no other religious
or educational institution may use that name.
Article Two
LOCATION
B2.01 The Circle shall maintain its principal office in the City of Durham,
North Carolina.
Article Three
HISTORY
B3.01 The Durham Circle of the Sacred Order of Living Paganism was founded
on June 3, 2003 in Durham, North Carolina.
Article Four
AFFILIATIONB4.01 This Circle shall be an autonomous religious and educational
entity but shall retain an identity as a member of the Order.
B4.02 This Circle accepts the Thirteen Principles and chooses to abide by
the Five Precepts of the Order.
B4.03 This Circle accepts the Constitution of the Order as its guiding document
for governace of the activities of this Circle.
B4.04 This Circle may terminate its relationship with the Order by a resolution
indicating the desire of this Circle to terminate its relationship which must
be adopted at a legally called and conducted special meeting of this Circle
by a two-thirds majority of the voting members present.
Article Five
PURPOSE
B5.01 The purpose of this Circle shall be:
a) to support, proselytize, publish, research and teach the Principles, Precepts,
Purposes and Concepts of the Order;
b) establish and maintain places of worship in accordance with the traditions,
rites and practices of the Order;
c) establish other Circles of the Order in other counties of the State of
North Carolina, in other states of the United States of America and in other
countries of the World;
d) establish, maintain and conduct a school of instruction for children and
adults, known as the School of Living Paganism, which will award degrees and
provide courses of religious and esoteric instruction; prepare individuals
and qualify them to be ordained as ministers of the Circle;
e) establish a community of like-minded people who will have similar religious
beliefs; and
f) exercise any, all and every power to which an establishment of religion
is entitled.
Article Six
BUSINESS MEETINGS
B6.01 The Council of Elders shall meet once a month at a time and place designated
by the Grand Elder.
B6.02 Additional meetings may be called by the Grand Elder or by (3) three
members of the Council. At least one week’s notice must be given to
all Elders prior to the meeting.
B6.03 The annual meeting shall take place on the monthly meeting or a nother
special meeting closest to and just before Samhain.
B6.04 Decisions of the Council of Elders shall be carried with a majority
vote. The Grand Elder may note vote except in case of a tie. Only Full Members
of the Circle are eligible to vote.
B6.05 The Circle shall meet yearly between the sabbats of Mabon and Samhain
at a time and place chosen by the Grand Elder. At least (30) thirty days notice
must be given to the current active membership of the Circle.
B6.06 Additional meetings of the Circle may be called by the Grand Elder or
by a majority vote of the Council of Elders. At least (30) thirty days notice
must be given to the current active membership of the Congregation.
B6.07 Decisions of the Circle shall be carried with a majority vote.
B6.08 There shall be no absentee or proxy voting.
B6.09 Circle Meetings shall be open to all Associate and Full Members of the
Circle as described in the constitution.
Article Seven
FINANCIAL ASSESMENTS
B7.01 The Circle shall have the power to assess its membership for support
of the Circle by the following methods: donations, tithes, pledges, fees for
services rendered by the Circle, the sale of books and newsletters, fund raising
projects, the issuance of bonds, borrowing, or other methods approved by the
Grand Elder or the majority vote of The Council of Elders.
B7.02 All donations made to the Cirlce by any member or non member will immediately
become the property of the Circle. The Circle may accept absolutely or in
trust for any of the purposes herein set out, any gift, grant, or devise of
any real or personal property and carry on all other such activities not limited
by section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States of
America, or the corresponding provisions of any subsequent law. Donations
may be used for the purchase of Land, the payment of expenses, or for investments.
Article Eight
AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS
B8.01 These By-Laws may be amended or added to, or new By-Laws may be adopted
by the Council of Elders by a meeting held for such purpose, by the affirmative
vote of the Council of Elders empowered to exercise a majority of the voting
power on such proposal, or, without a meeting, by the written consent of the
Council of Elders entitled to exercise 100% of the voting power on such proposal.
B8.02 Requests to amend the Bylaws of this Circle shall be made in writing
to the Grand Elder who shall call a meeting of the Council of Elders.
B8.03 If a majority of the Council of Elders approves an amendment request,
that request shall be submitted to a vote of the Circle within (3) months
of the approval of the Council.
B8.04 A majority of the members present at the Circle meeting must approve
the amendment. If approved, the amendment will be changed within the Circle’s
bylaws.
Article Nine
DEGREE AND ORDINATION REQUIREMENTS
B9.01 This Circle shall confer degrees upon those active members who complete
the requirements outlined in this article.
B9.02 Requirements for Degrees shall be followed from the General Learning
Requirements (Addendum One of the Constitution).
B9.03 Additional Requirements for Degrees and Achievement Award Requirements
may be determined by this Circle.
Article Ten
DISSOLUTION
B10. 01 Upon dissolution of this Circle, The Council of Elders shall, after
paying or making provisions for the payment of all the liabilities of the
Congregation, dispose of all the assets of the Circle exclusively for the
purposes of the Circle in such a manner, or to such organizations organized
exclusively for charitable, educational, religious or scientific purposes
as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under
section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or the corresponding
provisions of any subsequent law, as the Council of Elders shall determine.
Any such assets not so disposed of, shall be disposed of by the court of common
pleas of the county in which the principal offices of the Circle is located,
exclusively for the purposes or to such organizations as said court shall
determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
last updated 5/09/05