Posted by: carynml
« on: October 24, 2004, 05:48:46 PM »
:wave:
Along the lines of the the above discussion and my thoughts on this. I made an announcement today at the CLG Witan Mtg and before rumors run wild, I will post this clarification.
Late last year some of us began a discussion on rotating Senior Druids in order to keep any one person from burning out or going crazy. As such Deirdre ran for vice-SD in order to learn how "to do it right this time". The position of SD is not one that just be walked into and needs a great deal of support from committed Grove members. I had been thinking about this for the past 6 months and it is not a decision I make lightly. I have been the Senior Druid for CedarLight Grove for the past 4 years. When I started, I did not have 2 teenaged sons living with me and causing me no end of problems. After they both moved back in at the beginning of the school year last year, I have been living moment to moment with just about everything in my life. Lets face it, I have 3 full time jobs and before I completely reach my breaking point and end up spending some quality time in a padded room, I need to step back determine what's really important (the big rocks) and quit trying to carry the mountain on my back.
I have 3 main jobs at CLG. I am the Senior Druid, president of the corporation and responsible to ADF for the day to day workings of the Grove, I am a building manager and landlord responsible for the maintenance of a 4 apartment building and its property, I am an ordained Dedicant Priest in ADF and am responsible for the spiritual growth, public rituals, and training for CLG's members. To put it simply, I just can't juggle all these cats. During the past year I have often times found myself writing rituals the night before, or having to spend time cleaning out the basement of CLC rather than focus on the the quality of the information at the Lore Meeting that week. Personally, I believe this should be 3 jobs performed by 3 different people and together we can work towards that goal.
So, for the record, I will not be running for Senior Druid for 2005. I will remain the ADf Clergy person and spend my energies on a qualified cadre of liturgists able to perform rituals both at the Grove or at other places. I want to help create a scholars guild, with high quality learning happening at CedarLight. I love performing rituals and I am not going to stop leading rituals, just not 'all' of them. I also want time to work on the ADF clergy study program and possibly some of the other paths in ADF. This is my service to the Gods and this is what I am "supposed" to be doing. Deirdre has accepted the nomination for Senior Druid and I will support her in that goal. I promised to be only a phone call away.
There will be those who will think and say, "Caryn left and is mad because of the vote on the Church of the Ancient Ways" And to that I say, "GET OVER IT!" One, I am not leaving and Two, the recent conflict has only served to show me just how thin I have spread myself. It has forced me to do what my guides and gods have been telling me for some time, I just didn't want to admit it. And what happens when you don't do what you are supposed to be doing? The gods thow you a 'zinger' to get your attention.
I need to get back to my service to the gods and let go of the massive list of responsibilities(distractions) I have taken upon myself. This is good thing folks!!! CedarLight will be better, more people will carry the responsibilities and less people will get themselves into the rut I have let myself get into as Will did before me. One or two people doing the majority of the work is not healthy for the life of the Grove. This will be a good thing and next year will be great.
Hugs!