In my clinical pastoral education program for chaplaincy we were asked to examine an ethical framework that resonates with our faith tradition and personal inclinations. I found myself reading through various ethical frameworks, from Consequentialism (ex: Jeremy Bentham) to Deontology (ex: Immanuel Kant) to various Pluralistic Theories (ex: WD Ross, John Kekes). After a thoughtful conversation with our Clinical Ethicist on staff, I found Virtue Ethics, which resonated well, though I don’t align with strict Aristotelian ethics, and have a slightly more pluralistic view.
Continue reading “Examining ADFs Virtues through a Study of Virtue Ethics”adfdruidry
Annual Clergy Report for 2025
This report is designed to be a reflective process for each priest. This is an opportunity to reflect on the year. Each priest’s work is as unique and individual as they are, and as such we expect the responses to this report to be just as varied.
Covering January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025
Categories of the Report include: A celebration of and reflection on our accomplishments; detailing and reflecting on how we’ve kept our Clergy Oath this past year; detailing and reflecting on continuing educational opportunities we’ve done this past year; a reflection on our cClergy Order Work; and a general reflection on how we met goals from last year and what we plan to do in the coming year.
Continue reading “Annual Clergy Report for 2025”On Community, in Times of Horror
From the Archdruid of ADF, regarding the atrocities of ICE in the USA
Hey y’all. I recorded this as an internal message as Archdruid for my ADF folk, but I know that many in my various communities look to me as their Priest/Spiritual Leader regardless of whether or not they’re part of ADF. It’s taken me awhile to find the words as I’m struggling with my own horror, but I wanted to reach out to folks and offer what I can.
I’ve cleaned up and expanded the transcript for this post, but initially I needed the authenticity that comes with actually speaking, and not trying to write. Also, I think actually hearing someone verbally say these things can carry more weight than the written word alone right now. So have a listen, and then read the expanded bit below:
(The link is unlisted, since I was mostly addressing the ADF community in this, though you are welcome to share it with whoever you think needs to hear it)
Continue reading “On Community, in Times of Horror”Together we can shoulder this heaviness, share the load, and survive.
Reflections on My Installation as Archdruid
There are rites of passage that happen throughout our lives, and sometimes they pass without much fanfare, but other times they are spiritually significant and marked as such through ritual and community engagement.
At Wellspring this year I was installed at the 7th Archdruid of ADF at the main rite. I planned most of the rite and scripted portions of it, but there was also a very real sense of “this is something that I need to let happen to me, and not control the experience.” That’s hard to do for a very liturgical and spiritwork focused Priest. 😉 I’m used to making these experiences meaningful for others, but in this case I trusted others to make it meaningful, not just for me, but for ADF as a whole.
Continue reading “Reflections on My Installation as Archdruid”ADF Elects a New Archdruid: Rev. Jan Avende To Focus On Empowerment and Connection
Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship (ADF), has elected a new Archdruid by popular vote: Rev. Jan Avende (they/them). Also elected to serve on ADF’s governing body, the ADF Mother Grove, are Rovena Windsor (Chief of the Council of Senior Druids), Matthias Dolgner-Trampnau (Non-Officer Director), Tami Olsen (re-elected Non-Officer Director) and Mike Bierschenk (ADF Secretary, elected to a full term).
Continue reading “ADF Elects a New Archdruid: Rev. Jan Avende To Focus On Empowerment and Connection”Annual Clergy Report for 2024
This report is designed to illustrate how each individual priest has chosen to fulfill their oath to love the land, honor the deities, serve the folk, and continue in their studies as best suits their individual vocations.
Time covered: January 1 2024 – December 31, 2024
Continue reading “Annual Clergy Report for 2024”Gender Diversity is Welcomed in ADF
For our US Druids, especially those who are gender diverse, I know the past few days have been a lot. I want to assure you that ADF is a place where you are explicitly welcome. You are valid. You belong here. Your presence brightens our community and adds vibrance to our practice.
Our system of practice and belief is centered around *ghosti. Hospitality. Building reciprocal relationships. We welcome all those of good will into our spaces, and expect those we welcome to abide by the social contract of good will. Our community will not tolerate hate speech or a debate regarding whether or not someone’s identity and existence is valid. Our cis allies need to step up in this regard, and call out this behavior when you see it, so that appropriate action can be taken.
Gender diverse members (trans, nonbinary, genderfluid, intersex, and beyond), please know that I am also processing this, but will make time to talk with you. Please reach out if you need to. Cis allies, if you need help processing this, I encourage you to reach out as well, though please be aware that I will refer you to another ally who can manage the emotional labor better than me at the moment.
Beltane Behind Bars
Yesterday was amazing. I had coordinated to bring three of my Grovemates, Joe, Jeff, and Mike to ORW as volunteers for Beltane. I wanted to make it kind of like a mini-festival day for the inmates. So we had a morning of workshops and then an afternoon ritual.
Continue reading “Beltane Behind Bars”“Reflections on Prison Chaplaincy”
It’s amazing how serendipitous life changes can really affect your spirituality and the ways that you interact with the world. Since becoming ordained in 2015 I’ve had an interest in pursuing professional chaplaincy, but as a minority religion there are even more barriers in place that there would be otherwise. Even then, I thought I’d like higher education or hospital chaplaincy, and was pretty sure that prison chaplaincy was not for me. But then this opportunity to work at the local women’s state prison fell into my lap, and I have found myself spirituality reinvigorated and deeply humbled in this work.
Continue reading ““Reflections on Prison Chaplaincy””Connections Across Traditions
A lot of my time recently has been consumed with thoughts of theology, relationships, and pan-pagan interfaith work. I’ve been volunteering at a local prison, and attended my first pan-pagan festival in many years recently (Appalachian Summer Solstice at the Wisteria Campground in Ohio). These experiences can be more complex by virtue of the differing traditions, but also very rewarding. By being exposed to the thoughts and teachings of others, and welcoming those differences, I have been able to better examine my own practices and beliefs.
Continue reading “Connections Across Traditions”
Mist to Open. Mists to Bind. 