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Leader Bio: Rev. Kirk S. Thomas

by Rev. Kirk S. Thomas

Photo of Rev. Kirk S. Thomas

Why I am involved in ADF

As a teen back in the late 1960's I dabbled in paganism but never went anywhere with it. Many long, agnostic years later a friend gave me a silly novel called "The Mists of Avalon" and I was filled with the feelings of wonder and awe I had discovered in my teens. I was finally ready to acknowledge my religious and spiritual self. I spent a couple of weeks searching the Internet and found myself coming back to the ADF web site again and again. The scholarship, the ritual, the tolerance, the devotion to the Gods all attracted me, and the fact that a Protogrove existed in Tucson where I lived clinched the deal. I joined ADF and haven't looked back since.

What I do in ADF

I am a Dedicant Priest and take my new vocation seriously. Priesthood is a great responsibility, and I enjoy helping out the People in my Grove and as well as throughout ADF. I also enjoy making the sacrifices to the Kindreds and perform ritual and meditation almost daily. I have personal relationships now with several Gods and Goddesses, at least one Ancestor and one Nature Spirit (so far).

I am also the Vice-Archdruid of ADF. I believe that this job is what you make of it, and so I am writing articles for Oak Leaves, teaching seminars on spiritual, liturgical and clerical topics at ADF festivals, and was one of the leaders in the major Bylaw revision that the Mother Grove has just completed. I also see the job as being of support and help to the Archdruid. Before becoming Vice-Archdruid, I was the Southwest Regional Druid. As such, I made it a point to meet our members in the region whenever possible, particularly those who were solitary due to geographic isolation. As Vice-Archdruid I also intend to visit members in all of our regions. I founded the Desert Magic Festival in conjunction with my Grove, which is held in May. I am the Chief of the Liturgists Guild and belong to the Seers, Bardic, Scholars and the Magicians Guilds.

On the local level, I am the Liturgist for the Sonoran Sunrise Grove in Tucson, writing and staging the High Day rituals for the Grove. Sometimes I lead the rituals, sometimes I'm Seer or Bard, and usually I am the Storyteller. In addition, I am one of the Celebrants at the Grove's Saturday morning rituals, taking the lead one weekend a month. I also teach in the Grove, as part of the local Dedicant Program team as well as leading the annual Cosmology and Ritual class for new Celebrants.

My personal vision for ADF's future

One of the things that attracted me to ADF was Isaac's vision of the future - a time when ADF congregations support their own buildings and land, their own day-care centers, their own retirement homes, etc. and become visibly active and respected parts of the community. As a public religion, we reach out to the Pagan community with our open, public rituals and activities. But we need to grow. A moderately successful Christian congregation, which owns its own building and land, usually has around 100 - 150 members minimum. Our average Grove size is 8 to 20 people! I believe that with careful management and attention to detail our Groves can grow to to these levels and once we reach critical mass, the future will be ours. I am committed to a strong and vital ADF, and with the help of the Kindreds, we shall make Isaac's vision a reality.

For more information about me, go to my personal website.

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