Temple Zenith

A Non Traditional Pagan Temple of Guidance

Stacy Marie

Temple Zenith Bylaws

Information

Temple Zenith Bylaws

Posted coven bylaws- all official members must join; by doing so they are stating they have read and are in agreement with coven bylaws. Amendment suggestions are also to be posted here.

Members: 9
Latest Activity: Oct 11

Section I. Statement of Purpose
A. Our Purposes are as follows:
1. To serve as guidance and structure for those seeking a Non Traditional path of Paganism.
2. To train competent functioning Solitary Witches, functioning study groups and Pagan clergy to function in and serve the greater Pagan community.
3. To serve as a safe place for people who identify them selves as Pagan and their families to meet, celebrate and learn from and with each other.
4. To observe and celebrate Sabbats, Esbats, Sumbles, Blots, High Holy Days and Rites of Passage.
5. To serve as a general Pagan church for Holy days of various Pagan paths and traditions.
6. To explore, study, research, develop, document and practice the art of magick, witchcraft, seidhr and other various occult practices.
7. To support one another and our families (both present and past) in healing, growth, self-discovery and aiding each other in setting and attaining personal and collaborated goals.
8. To honor the Goddess' and Gods equally and strive to obtain union with Godself.
9. To protect, better understand,help and heal (when needed) the environment, our mother Earth and all those within and on such who have no other voice; in our backyards, our community, our nation and abroad to the best of our ability. This includes but is not limited to: our children, animals, plants and minerals.
B. Commitment: All members of this Temple must fully commit to these purposes in their beliefs, their activities and their lives where appropriate; in addition to their support and aide in those of group purpose.

Section II. Membership and Affiliation
A. Qualification: Membership shall be offered upon recommendation by the High Priestess and majority vote of all members of the Temple council. No person shall be denied membership on the basis of gender, race, ethnic background, sexual preference, physical handicap or age (provided they are over 18 or have written parental consent.)
B. Degrees of Participation and membership
1.Guests- Interested individuals who are invited by a Temple member are welcome to all Holy Days.

2. Friends- Interested individuals who wish to attend additional Temple activities with the approval of all initiates and final approval of council.

3. Children- anyone under the age of 18 are welcome only with permission of their initiated parent or guardian. Exception to the parent having being initiated can be made with appropriate legal documents giving permission for the child’s participation on an individual basis by council vote. (such as a godparent having guardianship and natural parent wishing the child’s involvement as one example). Children are welcome at all Celebrations. When necessary alternate activities will be provided for Temple children.


4.Membership in the Temple is limited to:
a. Inner Circle- Shall hereby be defined as the Temple members that regularly and physically meet together.

1a. Seeker- A year and day of dedicated self study guided by the Temple in at least one of the various realms of Paganism, magick and or Mythology (mostly intense reading) should be attained by the dedicated prior to petitioning for full initiation so that they may make an educated decision if this is indeed the path for them, of course this time is not a stead fast rule and each individual should be interviewed by the high priestess to ascertain prior learning. For example, a Temple child that has had their Ascending ceremony, for obvious reasons does not need to have a dedication at all and may be initiated whenever the Temple sees it fitting to do so. Dedicates must attend no less than 3 rituals.

2a. Initiate- Persons who have petitioned for full initiation. Petitioning for full initiation means studying with and participating in the Temple fully, for one year and a day. All potential initiates need to obtain majority council vote prior to Initiation ceremony.

3a. Wielder- Persons who have successfully completed initiation. A Wielder must have completed full participation of year and day initiation studies in the craft and with this Temple and all competencies for Wielder must be achieved as defined by Temple council. To obtain Wielder Degree an initiate must attend no less than 7 Rituals.

4a. Weaver- Persons who have shown full participation in the Craft and or Temple for two years and two days, all competencies have been met as defined by Temple council and majority vote in favor of elevation.

5a Warder: Persons who have shown full participation in the Craft and
Temple for three years and three days and have met all competencies as defined by
Temple council, have specialized in at least one area and obtained a Master or
Mistress title and have obtained a majority vote from council in favor of
Elevation.

6a Clergy: Persons who have attained Third Degree Status and have demonstrated proficiency in ritual design and leadership, teaching, counseling, group process and administration; and have been recommended and approved by the High Priestess and consensus of Temple Council to be given the opportunity to hive a Temple of their own, should they desire to.

7a Temple Elder: Persons who have attained Clergy status and have either chosen to remain in their Temple of origin and not hive, or who have decided to “retire” from office of High Priest/tess and have consensus of Temple Council.

b. Outer Circle- Shall hereby be defined as the temple members that do not physically meet because they live over 50 miles from the physical location of the Temple, but have and maintain contact with inner circle members through electronic and or digital means.

1b. Seeker- A year and day of dedicated self study guided by the temple in one or more of the various realms of Paganism, magic and or Mythology (mostly intense reading) should be attained by the dedicated prior to petitioning for full initiation so that they may make an educated decision if this is indeed the path for them. This time requirement is not a steadfast rule and each individual should be interviewed by the high priestess to ascertain prior learning.

2b. Initiate- Petitioning for full initiation means studying and completing the lessons set forth by the Temple, this includes all writing and ritual assignments, for one year and a day. All potential initiates need to obtain majority council vote prior to Initiation ceremony.

3b. Wielder: Persons who have successfully completed initiation. A Mage must have completed full participation of year and day initiation studies in the craft as set forth by this Temple Council and all competencies for Mage must be achieved as defined by Temple council. To obtain Mage Degree an outer circle initiate must attend public rituals or perform solitary ritual in number no less than 7 .

4b. Weaver: Persons who have shown full participation in the Craft and or the studies as set forth by this Temple Council for two years and two days, all competencies have been met as defined by Temple council and majority vote in favor of elevation. All holy days of a developing individual path must be ritually observed as set forth in 3b.

5b. Warder: Persons who have formed and run a Pagan or craft study group and have participated in the studies set forth by this Temple council for three years and three days and have also obtained majority vote of Temple council in favor of elevation.

6b. Clergy: Persons who have attained Warder Status and have demonstrated proficiency in ritual design and leadership, teaching, counseling, group process and administration; and have been recommended and approved by the High Priestess and consensus of Temple Council to officially hive a Pagan Temple of their own, should they desire to.

C. Additional Titles of Recognition- The Titles of Mistress of arts or Master of arts shall be granted by this Temple in recognition of special achievement. Members who have achieved proficiency in the appropriate field and have been approved by temple council may be designated as Mistress or Master of:
1. Divinatory Arts
2. Herbalism
3. Healing Arts
4. Animal Arts
5. Ritual Tool craft
6. Psychic skills
7. Incantation/Galdor
8. Mental Arts
9. Bardic Arts
10. Talsmanic Arts
11. Lore
12. Rune Craft
Coven Council may create additional titles as desired.
D. Membership Status: Any person’s Membership or participation may be curtailed, suspended, or terminated by decision of the Temple Council majority, either for lack of attendance and/or participation, or violation of the Temple Ethics Code.

Section III Administration and operation
A. Temple Council- This body shall handle the ordinary business of the Temple.
1.Membership: The Temple Council shall consist of all Full Members of the Inner Circle Temple and participating family members of the leadership. (Seeker or Outer Circle Members are not considered Members of the Temple Council.)

2. Scope: The Council shall discuss all matters of:
a. Planning
b. Seekers
e. Degree elevations
c. Finances
d. Outer circle curriculum
e. Outreach, networking and affiliations
3. Facilitations
i. Priestess shall serves as council chair leadership.
4. Method of Operation: The Temple Council shall make decisions by majority vote or consensus.
5. Meetings: The Temple Council shall meet monthly or as called by an initiate.
B. Offices and Duties: The Temple council shall fill the following offices whenever a vacancy occurs:
1.High Priest/ess: Chairs the Temple Council; coordinates the teaching program; provides counseling as necessary; leads the rituals or provides resources to those doing so; supervises the work of others Officers; directs the initiations of candidates to the priesthood; supervises the work of candidates for Weaver and Warder degree status; represents the Temple to the Pagan community and the public; enhances the inner strength and harmony of the Temple; provides overall guidance to the work of the Temple; and exercises final authority regarding ritual, initiation, ordination and other religious matters.

2.High Warden: Chairs the Coven Council in the absence, or at the request of the High Priest/ess; teaches; provides counseling as necessary; helps to lead the rituals or provides resources to those doing so; assists in supervising the work of the other officers; shares the responsibility for initiating candidates to Weaver and Warder degree status; represents the Temple to the Pagan community and the public; leads in the defense of the Temple where worldly dangers threaten it; and supports and encourages the High Priest/ess in the performance of her/his duties. Handles safety and security at Temple events. Indoor, checks locks and closes curtains, etc. Outdoors, finds safe places for ritual work, posts sentries, and sets wards. Knows laws regarding freedom of religion and assemble, etc.;

3.Summoner: Assists the High Priest/ess with rituals and his/her other responsibilities,
and assumes the ritual duties of the High Priest/ess or High Warden in his/her absence.

5. Herald: Works and deals with the public in areas such as communications and media concerning the Temple. The Temple Herald should be eloquent, patient, and diplomatic in the fulfillment of his duties. Some duties may include but are not necessarily limited to the following:
a. Assisting with and involvement in all media related issues concerning the Temple and may provide official announcements or statements regarding public matters of the Temple.
b. Providing information regarding Temple hosted events by creating and/or assisting with distribution of banners, flyers, invitations to events, or other forms of media outlet.

6. Bard: Collects songs and chants; teaches and leads the Temple in music, and
provides accompaniment; collects lore and traditions.

7. Fire Keeper: Finds suitable and safe places for ritual fire both indoors and outdoors. Collects material for, starts and maintains ritual fire and extinguishes as needed.

8. Scribe: Keeps minutes of the Council meetings, handles correspondence as requested. Keeps records of Temple projects, rituals, and activities.

D. Guidelines for Conduct: All Seekers and Members shall be guided in their conduct by The Temple Code of Ethics, personal accountability and the Law of Return.

Section IV Meeting Schedule
A. Rituals
1. Holy days- All holy days, Sabbats, Blots and Sumbles shall be observed on the Saturday closest to the actual calendar event, whether that be prior to or after the actual calendar event.

2. Esbats- An Esbat will be held for each Full moon, including the thirteenth Blue Moon every 2.7 years. Esbats are to be held at night, after the moon has risen enough to be visible, whenever possible.

2. Rites of Passage will be held as needed for temple members, their families and the greater community upon request. Requests are to be made as far in advance as possible to allow for proper preparation and schedule coordinating. A request made for a rite of passage that needs to be performed before a full lunar cycle is subject to possible rejection. Common rites of passage include:

For Children:
a. Wiccaning/Naming -at birth
b. Caterpillaring- at school age (around 5)
c. Cacooning- (sometime between 8-11 depending on specific individual)
d.Coming of age/Ascending- employment age or Graduation- may vary by state and individual, usually between 15-18 (very big important rite- generally the parent decides appropriate time for this rite with guidance from HPS)

For Adults:
e. Initiation- at time specific path is chosen
f.Motherhood/Fatherhood- birth of ones child
g.Warrior- when life deems worthiness of notion
(such as over coming addiction, physical attack, or life threatening illness)
h. Wielder- at completion of year and day initiation
i.Priest/ess- completion of third degree
j.Elder/Decending- Retirement from career/job
The Final Journey- at death

C. Temple Classes
2. Public Classes: Any introductory seminars or other classes open to the public shall be offered under the guidelines, stipulations, provisions, and exclusions decided by the Temple Council.

2.Classes (Seekers and; Members inner circle Only)

a. Classes for Seekers and Members shall be held as determined by the Council.
b. The Temple Council shall establish the curricula.

c. Special classes that are part of a M.A. or other program shall be conducted by its own specifications.

d. Classes shall be held at the Hearthstead or such other location as the High Priestess designates.

e. No fees shall be charged for classes that are part of the regular curriculum of the Temple and congregation.

3.Classes (Seekers and Members outer circle Only)

a. Classes for Seekers and Members shall be held as determined by the Council.
b. The Temple Council shall establish the curricula.

c. Special classes that are part of a M.A. or other program shall be conducted by its own specifications.

d. Classes shall be held via electronic and or digital media such as email and Internet.

e. Fees (if any) shall be determined by Temple Council



Section V. Attendance
A. Holy days: Shall be open to all invited guests, friends, family ect.

B. Esbats: Shall be designated open only to seekers, temple members and approved friends.


C. Classes:Seekers and Temple members of both inner and outer circles are expected to attend all scheduled classes for their circle. They do not have to attend public classes. Any dedicate or member not attending classes regularly are subject to have their membership reviewed by coven council.

D. Seekers and Initiates are expected to participate in Esbats, Sabbats, and meetings. If any attends fewer than 75% of these events, their status shall be subject to review by the Council.


Section VI Privacy
A. The names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, IM 's and other information relating to individuals shall be considered confidential and are not to be disclosed to non-members without permission of the individual. Specifics of discussions held during coven meetings, counciling sessions and circle shall be considered confidential and are not to be disclosed to non-members without permission of Temple council.

B. Disclosure of confidential information may, at the discretion of the Council, be considered a violation of the Temple Creed and grounds for expulsion from Membership.

Section VII Revising Bylaws
1.Any part of these By-laws, except for Statement of Purpose, may be amended by consensus of the Temple Council. Statement of purpose may be added to but 1-9 may not be removed in enitirety.

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Members (9)

Stacy Marie Nadette Tealia Patrick William Minks Richard Carter donny  joe hilburn Devorrah Kristein Jahnke Tassie
 
 

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