I talk about what the community needs a lot. And like most people who do this, I spend a lot of time telling you what I think you need to do. Before I start up on that again, I'd like to take the opportunity to praise some people who are actually doing what needs to be done. I need to do more of that, I think, and if you have suggestions for people to highlight, by all means send them to me-- not only will I be glad to give kudos to people who are meeting the community need, but let's face it, I'm not coming up with topics that fast anymore.

I have two groups to highlight-- the second is what actually inspired me to do this, but the first one is in a little trouble.

You've heard me talk about the Witches' Voice on many occasions-- Fritz Jung and Wren Walker have done more for the community than anyone else. They'll argue the point, of course, but the bottom line is that they've provided a forum for voices, a voice of reason, and a positive presence for us. Then, to top that, they added a database of witches who are willing to be contacted, covens and organizations, festivals, and even Witchnooks! I just moved to Virginia, and I know I was glad to get connected to a "Pagan Night Out" group without having to resort to the old methods of networking, which were as much chance as technique.

The bandwidth and server usage on the site has grown immensely. Their provider was being very generous, but unfortunately had to start charging them for their extra server space. Unable to handle the rising costs, they started their own servers, but the bandwidth was not what was promised, and the results were severe, to say the least. This was last week, and as I write this, about three-quarters of the site is down. This is not a tragedy, this is a crisis. The tragedy will come if the site can't come back up.

So once again, I implore you to go for your wallet. If you are connected to any groups, implore them. Losing our Voice is simply something we cannot allow to happen.

This next group is just starting out, but the idea is so important that when one of the founders (who has been dear soulfriend through some of the extremes of dark and strange that I have lived through) approached me about it, there was no chance of my not helping her promote it.

Lacking a full community structure, we as Pagans often miss out on many of the benefits that are provided by Christian Organizations. It's why I'm gung-ho on the pagan community center idea, but it doesn't stop with buildings and social events, or even communal prayer (which should never be underestimated).

Alcoholics Anonymous and its many incarnations are organizations that help people overcome addiction through the help of a "higher power." While in its original form, that higher power was never specified, it was inevitable that it evolved into a Christian Ministry. I use the term "Ministry" with respect... they minister, and quite well, and without a lot of the malarkey that gets associated with the word. But unfortunately, the Christian focus that has developed makes it difficult for Pagans to take comfort in it.

My friends Aradian and Emerald Storm have started PIR (Pagans in Recovery) and FPIR (Families of Pagans in Recovery. They've started a forum for this on eGroups, and you can check it out at http://groups.yahoo.com/
group/ALPagansInRecovery.

These are things we need, as a community. Please join me in applauding the heroines and heroes that are filling that need, both with the heroism and the results thereof.

© 2000 by Cather "Catalyst" Steincamp