Merry Meet 2008 will be held in Cherry Valley, California August 14-17, 2008 and
co-hosted by both Orange County Local Council and Touchstone Local Council.
Merry Meet encompasses multiple events over several days. The first event is the Leadership Institute, a day filled with workshops geared towards being better leaders of our covens, and communities. The next day is both Merry Meet itself as well as Grand Council. Merry Meet is the annual Pagan Convention filled with workshops, lectures, vendors, and entertainment. In contrast Grand Council is the national business meeting of the Covenant of the Goddess. Members and representatives of member covens come together to discuss relevant issues that affect the Covenant and the Community.
The Covenant of the Goddess is one of the largest and oldest Wiccan religious organizations, est. 1975. Wicca, or Witchcraft is the most popular expression of the religious movement known as Neo-Paganism. Wicca or Witchcraft is the fastest growing religion in the United States according to the Institute for the Study of American Religion. It's practitioners are reviving ancient Pagan practices and beliefs of pre-Christian Europe and adapting them to contemporary life. The result is a religion that is both old and new, both traditional and creative.
CoG was founded to increase cooperation among Witches and to secure for Witches and covens the legal protection enjoyed by members of other religions.
The Covenant of the Goddess is incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)(3) religious organization in California, though it has grown to be an international organization. It is a confederation of covens and solitaires of various traditions, who share in the worship of the Goddess and the Old Gods and subscribe to a common code of ethics. The Covenant holds a Grand Council annually to decide matters which require deliberation by the full membership. Decisions are usually made by consensus. We publish a newsletter; issues ministerial credentials on request to qualified persons; sponsors a national festival each summer; and encourages networking nationally, as well as regionally through local councils.
This event is open to the pagan community.
The Schedule for Merry Meet 2008:
THURSDAY: Leadership Institute
Two tracks of workshops about 4 hours each for a total of 4 workshops during the day.
Opening ritual during the evening. Astronomy presentation and drum circle afterwards .
FRIDAY: Merry Meet workshops/lectures, vendors, Grand Council (the business meeting for CoG) begins.
Main ritual during the evening. Drum circle and socializing afterwards.
SATURDAY: Merry Meet workshops, vendors, Grand Council during the day.
Concert and Masquerade Ball during the evening. Theme: "Come as your favorite Fae!"(Separate cost to attend for day passes)
SUNDAY: Merry Meet workshops, vendors, and possible continuation of Grand Council if business was not completed by end of day on Saturday.
Closing ritual, end of Merry Meet 2008.
THE VENUE
Merry Meet 2008 is being hosted at a beautiful venue that offers plenty of outstanding amenities to choose from: a swimming pool, men's and women's dry saunas, a large jacuzzi and , a fully equipped fitness facility with a full range of equipment, including stationary bicycles, treadmill, stair step machines and free weights.
Soothing massages (reservation required) are available for an additional cost.
There are horseshoes, croquet, ping pong, badminton, jogging paths, paddle tennis and three regulation tennis courts available. Our basketball, volleyball, shuffleboard and two of the tennis courts are lit for night play.
There are plenty of scenic hiking trails which stretch back into the wooded canyons along with over 60 miles of bridle paths with over 900 acres available.
Horse rides and riding lessons are also available for an additional cost.
TICKETS
There will be various prices for hotel stay including meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) for 4 and 3 days. This cost will include Saturday's concert and masquerade ball and access to resort facilities:
Day passes will be available.
*Saturday's masquerade ball will be an additional cost for those with day passes only.
**Ticket purchase will be made available through our website soon. Keep checking back.**
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Vendors and Presenters: applications will be available on the website soon!
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Contact Us:
email:
[email protected]
website: MerryMeet08.org
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1554
San Bernardino, CA 92402
