Terrie Brookins

Today’s blog post isn’t about connecting to the Divine – whatever you conceive she, he or it to be. It’s about connecting to each other.

I’m  Wiccan – no surprise.  For now, I am solitary. As much as I enjoy my faith and my learning, it’s pretty darn lonely.  There are only so many “Blessed Be’s” I can take online and in emails that I can take before I snap. To combat the loneliness, I am active in my local pagan community. We’re a merry bunch of Druids, Lothloriens and eclectic pagans alike – until it comes to stepping up and leading.

The discussion went down something like this. After a meet and greet, I posted to our local group what we talked about in person. We aired out some of the misconceptions and misperceptions about who we are and what we want from our community. My challenge and question to them all: “What events and activities are you willing to support with your time or money?”

Well no one wanted to touch the money issue. I have a separate rant on that. But the time? Oh the time was a big one. “If you want me to help, just ask” was the big response.  To be fair, calls for volunteers for many of our events have gone out with few to answer.  So when the same six people who are running every event get burned out, the same tired question gets asked: “Why didn’t you ask me for help?”

My problem with this is twofold.  The first, if I had to ask each and every person for help in any project and wait for a response, I’d be waiting forever. The second, we as a community (both online and off) need to change how we support each other. Instead of saying “Ask me for help” why not show up and say “give me something to do?”

You can guess how well that went over. Lead balloon anyone? But it had to be said. For years, we as a people and pagan community love having events and community support. For years, we’ve had only a few people to step up to the plate and actually make these events and services happen. It doesn’t matter what kind of spell or charm you want to make – community events and services won’t happen without community support.

My challenge to all pagans reading this: Support your community with either your money or your time. If you’ve got money to buy a coffee, an order of fries or that neat new scrying mirror – you can give a few bucks to help fund a camping trip or pay for a hall for an open ritual.

And if you don’t have money? Show up and say “Give me something to do.” Even if it’s picking up garbage, stacking chairs or handing out a flyer promoting the service or event – it shows that your support your community and appreciate the people working hard for you.

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