Wiccan church
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wiccan churches are a type of organisation found within Wicca, particularly in North America. While Wicca is most often organised into independent covens, some covens choose to combine to form a church. Churches are often formed from hive covens. Each coven in the hive comes together to form a church, and often creates a fixed location for a covenstead. Much like a Christian church, a Wiccan church will organize rituals as well as community events. Forming a church also gives High Priests or Priestesses a much better chance of legally becoming clergy.
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[edit] Legal status of Wiccan churches
Many Wiccan and Neopagan organizations have chosen to achieve formal legal status by becoming non-profit corporations within their states or provinces, and sometimes they additionally obtain tax-exempt status in the United States under ยง 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Examples of this are the Aquarian Tabernacle Church, based in the State of Washington with branches in several other states, and Our Lady of the Woods, a coven and congregation in New Mexico.
Frequently Wiccan churches are organized with a coven or inner circle, consisting of initiated priests and priestesses, and a congregation or outer circle, for those who wish to celebrate the Sabbats and enjoy spiritual community. These may or may not seek legal status as corporations.
[edit] References
- Drawing Down the Moon Margot Adler
- The Spiral Dance Miriam Simos
- Shadowplay Periodical
- Widdershins Periodical
- Green Egg Periodical
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Covenant of the Goddess
- Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans
- Wiccan Church of Canada
- Global Goddess
- The First Congregational Church of The Old Religion
- First Church of Wicca
- Our Lady of the Earth and Sky
- Circle Sanctuary
- Sacred Well Congregation
- Rowan Tree Church
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