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ADF DEDICANTS

Members of the Sonoran Sunrise Grove, as members of ADF, may also enroll in the ADF Dedicant Program. We meet Saturday mornings after ritual (when there is not a General Meeting) and we discuss books we've read and other items on the program list. ADF is dedicated to excellence, and scholarly study is a part of it. In fact, completion of the ADF Dedicant Program is now a requirement in our Grove for anyone who wishes to be a celebrant at our High Days.

Current Grove Members who have completed the ADF Dedicant Program are:

  • Kirk Thomas (2002)
  • Steve Sampson (2002)
  • Julian Greene (2003)
  • Amnita Rowland (2004)
  • Arlene Davis (2004)
  • Mark Cantwell (2005)
  • Nora Ford (2005)
  • Dennis Ford (2005)
  • Kristine Marino (2005)
  • David Foster - Gannd (2005)
  • Bert Kelher (2005)
  • Monica Lake (2005)
  • Jon Bollin (2005)
  • Cassandra Sparrold (2007)
  • Andrea Taylor (2007)

The following is a short list of ADF Dedicant Program requirements as amended in late 2003:

  • Written discussion of the Dedicant's understanding of each of the following nine virtues: wisdom, piety, vision, courage, integrity, perseverance, hospitality, moderation and fertility. The Dedicant may also include other virtues, if desired, and compare them to these nine. (Suggested 125 words min. each)
  • Short essays on each of the eight ADF High Days including a discussion of the meaning of each feast (Suggested 125 words min. each)
  • Short book reviews on at least: 1 Indo-European studies title, 1 preferred ethnic study title and 1 modern Paganism title. These titles can be selected from the recommended reading list in the Dedicant Program manual or the ADF web site, or chosen by the student, with prior approval of the Preceptor. (Suggested 325 word min. each)
  • A brief description, with photos if possible, of the Dedicant's home shrine and plans for future improvements. (Suggested 150 words min.)
  • An essay focusing on the Dedicants understanding of the meaning of the "Two Powers" meditation or other form of 'grounding and centering', as used in meditation and ritual. This account should include impressions and insights that the Dedicant gained from practical experience. (Suggested 300 word min)
  • An essay or journal covering the Dedicant's personal experience of building mental discipline, through the use of meditation, trance, or other systematic techniques on a regular basis. The experiences in the essay or journal should cover at least a five months period. (Suggested 800 words min.)
  • An account of the Dedicant's efforts to work with nature, honor the Earth, and understand the impacts and effects of the Dedicant's lifestyle choices on the environment and/or the local ecosystem and how she or he could make a difference to the environment on a local level. (Suggested 500 word min)
  • A brief account of each High Day ritual attended or performed by the Dedicant in a twelve month period. High Days attended/performed might be celebrated with a local grove, privately, or with another Neopagan group. At least 4 of the rituals attended/performed during the training period must be ADF-style. (Suggested 100 words min. each)
  • ONE essay describing the Dedicants understanding of and relationship to EACH of the Three Kindred: the Spirits of Nature, the Ancestors and the Gods. (Suggested 300 words min. for each Kindred and 1000 words total)
  • A brief account of the efforts of the Dedicant to develop and explore a personal (or Grove-centered) spiritual practice, drawn from a specific culture or combination of cultures.
  • The text of the Dedicant's Oath Rite and a self-evaluation of the Dedicant's performance of the rite. (Suggested 500 word min.)

As our members complete the program, we will post here examples of their work.

 Kirk S. Thomas (2002)

 Julian Greene (2003)

 Lily Rowland (2004)