Date: 10 March 2001
The first national Pagan Summit was held over the weekend of 2-4 March
2001 in Bloomington, Indiana. The goal of the Summit was to allow people
who lead nationally-focused Pagan organizations to meet face-to-face and
discuss issues facing the national Pagan movement. It was also dedicated
to exploring ways we can work together to overcome challenges.
The result was an exuberant two and a half days of sharing, networking,
planning, questioning, and debating! Participants shared their views on
the most pressing needs in the Pagan movement and brainstormed ways to
address them. The results are posted on the updated Summit site at www.bloomington.in.us/~pen/summit.html
The site will continue to
be updated with information and photos as they become available.
As part of the closing of the Summit, each person was given a chance to
state what they would be taking away with them. "Hope" was what many
people stated. Hope for the Pagan movement and its ability to meet its
challenges. Hope that our dedication and steadfast faith will result in
true religious freedom for our people. Hope that we can support and help
each other to create a sustainable, vibrant faith and culture. And hope
that the gods will continue to bless us, our children, and our
communities.
This Summit was a small first step towards greater cooperation within the
Pagan movement. There are already plans in the works to organize local and
regional summits, as well as conferences and workshops on leadership
development, consensus process training, and conflict resolution skills.
Articles on the Summit are planned in many national Pagan publications. We
look forward to sharing our experiences and having them enriched by the
ideas of others in the movement. Thanks to all for your support!
Pagan Educational Network
For: Immediate release
From: Cairril Adaire, Summit organizer and National Coordinator, PEN
Post Office Box 1364
Bloomington, IN 47402-1364
www.bloomington.in.us/~pen
pen@bloomington.in.us