Northern Lakes Temple

Blessings to the Temple Membership!

2011 has brought some wonderful changes to us and 2012 looks even brighter.

Our Seekers group will be expanding to Milwaukee and Portage in 2012 along with expanded classes in Milwaukee and Madison.

But more importantly, we will be part of history as a founding member of Sacred Earth Covenant Tradition.  This is a wonderful opportunity to expand our offerings to not just the membership but the community at large.  Here is the ideological satement and mission statement.  I hope you will agree it states what is positive stance going forward.

SACRED EARTH COVENANT

The goal of Sacred Earth Covenant is not to separate, change or disrupt any Spiritual Path. It is not designed to further any grandiose design of any one person or group.

The concept of Sacred Earth Covenant is to broaden the understanding of the many outside of the essentially narrow Path of Wicca. It is a means of creating an Interfaith Bridge, which in the past, has been left a true chasm. The lack of knowledge outside the Pagan community is somewhat overwhelming. Most fear who and what we are due to a great deal of misinformation.

For hundreds of years, those outside of the so-called “mainstream” religious community have been judged without a true understanding of the values we hold dear. There are so many similarities in all of the belief systems, yet they go unknown simply because much of the information available in misguided or directed by those who have only myth to draw from.

Using an open standard and teaching about the various beliefs would lend itself well to building an environment of understanding and acceptance. One that is long overdue.

Working with other Traditions and Spiritual Paths is the design of Sacred Earth. Informing people to the idea that we truly are all one and that our very existence relies on the fact that as the human race, we can only face the future through understanding and co-operation. Not through distrust and religious bigotry.

One need only read and understand the following to realize what SEC is all about.

Mission Statement

Sacred Earth Covenant strives to create an infrastructure for people of any and all Spiritual Paths to come together in an environment of learning and growth.

To build a platform that those people can share their wealth of knowledge with each other so that we may develop a greater and more complete understanding of the Universe and Deity.

Additionally, we should be approved to be part of that larger community with the coming of Imbolc and our admittance to Covenant of the Goddess.  CoG is one of the most recognized and accepted Wiccan groups in the world.  It is a long process and one can only become a member by invitation.  The Board and I have worked hard to make this happen for us and we welcome new horizons of fellowship, knowledge, and understanding.

In the coming weeks we will list all of the events and activities for the coming year.  I am confident you will all be very pleased.

Blessings!

Rev. Peter Hertzberg, HP

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the following…..

Due to philosophical and directional differences, Northern Lakes Temple Inc. is no longer affiliated with the Correllian Nativist Tradition. Northern Lakes Temple will continue its Spiritual walk of enlightenment, love and fellowship and is currently developing an association with Sacred Earth Covenant.

Sacred Earth Covenant is a broad based Spiritual organization focused on the many levels and variety of Belief Systems. Its direct area is that of Interfaith Bridging and Education and should be well suited to the needs of our Temple community.

If you are a currently recognized member of CNT, a member of their Clergy, or a student of Witch School International, Sacred Earth Covenant will dually recognize your station and\or studies.

As always, Northern Lakes Temple Inc. looks to the future in a positive light and foresees growth in the time ahead.

Many Blessings,

Rev. Peter Hertzberg, HP

Chief Priest

Northern Lakes Temple, Inc.

Merry Meet and Blessings to you all!

September 3rd & 4th we will be selling Brats, chips and sodas outside the Pick n Save grocery store in Watertown on Hwy 26 from 8 am until 5 pm.  This is one of the major fund raisers for the Temple and supports our general operating fund and the Seeker’s Youth Circle.

Volunteers as well as folks to come and purchase food are always welcome!

Contact Rev. Peter via email or on his cell phone for more details.

Blessing!

Greetings Members of Northern Lakes Temple and the Seekers Youth Circle!  May the Blessings of the Godess be on you all!

Change is the one constant in the universe.  We grow, we evolve and hopefully this is always positive.  Over the past few months, the Board of Directors and I have been laying the ground work to strengthen our foundation and provide avenues for growth in the areas of spirituality, education, and community.

Over the coming months you will see an expansion of our interfaith work not only with other religions but also within our own Wiccan circles.  While changes can be unsettling to some, these changes will benefit the greater good of our Temple and establish future paths of growth.  As you know and understand the Temple today, NLT will not change.  We have a strong leadership core with myself, Rev Brenda and Rev Aine.  Our roles going forward will be more defined as we expand our services in all three circles of Madison, Watertown and Milwaukee.  Our Seekers Youth Circle will have an expanded presence with the addition of a circle in Milwaukee starting in October under the guidance of Rev Brenda Pergande.

Additionally, we will begin to work with two additional Traditions that align well with our core beliefs, teaching and spirituality.  One of the most well known groups, Covenant of the Goddess and a relatively new one Sacred Earth Covenant.

I will be attending the National Convention for Covenant of the Goddess and meeting with the folks from thier national organization.  This group is well organized, has a strong leadership council and provides NLT with resources we currently do have available to us.  Additionally, while one of the largest Wiccan Traditions, they do not have anyone in Wisconsin affiliated with them as a group.

Sacred Earth Covenant is a new Tradition based on Native American spirituality, Celtic beliefs and a desire to serve the Goddess and the greater good of our Mother Earth.  We have been asked to be one of the founding members and are helping to explore the potential of this new and exciting group.

While change can sometimes be unsettling, it can also be a mode for positive growth, expansion and exciting.  I hope we all will embrace these new horizons with the wonderment of a child and hold on tight for what looks like a wonderful ride.  Remember, our path is not one of a destination but one of experiencing the journey.  Let our journey be filled with positive light, energy and love.

Peace, Blessings and Love to all of you!

Rev. Peter Hertzberg, HP

We have several events upcoming in the next two months. Here is a recap….

Lammas/PPD Milwaukee July 24th Hart Park, Wauwatosa, WI

NLT will be there with a table as well as myself helping with the Children’s Wand Making activity.

Just a brief recap of what Lammas represents…..

Lammas marks the middle of summer and beginning of the harvest season. Lammas is considered a time of thanksgiving and is the first of the three Pagan harvest festivals. The Sun’s strength begins to wane and the plants of spring begin to wither and drop their fruits or seeds for our use as well as to ensure future crops. At this time, we become conscious of the sacrifice the Sun God is preparing to make. We experience a sense of abundance at the same time we begin to feel an urgency to prepare for the death of winter. First grains and fruits of the Earth are cut and stored for the dark winter months.

Lammas also represents the culmination of the marriage between the Goddess and the God that took place on Beltane. The God now becomes the product of that blessed union – the bountiful fruits and grains – and must be sacrificed. He is the personification of the crops that must be harvested for the survival of the people.

Underneath the symbolism of sacrifice is the theme of rebirth. The Corn God must die, and He has to do so in order to return. Without the sacrifice, the cycle stops. Although His strength is waning, His essence is still palpable as His energies begin to merge with the harvested crops. It is at this time that the Sun King has reached the autumn of His years, and His rival (or dark self) has just reached puberty. The Sun God has reigned supreme over the ripening grain during the hot summer months. His dedication, perseverance, and action in tending the seeds sown in spring brings a ripe and fruitful bounty.

Although Lammas is the first of the harvest festivals, fertility imagery may still be found, as there are still crops in the field continuing to grow and livestock and game that have yet to be killed. As the God is honored for His harvest, so the Goddess is honored for bringing forth the first fruits, much as a new mother is honored.

Lammas is also known as Lughnasadh, Lammastide, and First Harvest Festival.

July 30th Ren Faire Temple Outing, Bristol Ren Faire, Bristol, WI

The Temple will be gathering for a day of fun and fellowship at the Bristol Ren Faire. http://www.renfair.com/bristol/
We will meet as a group at the main entrance 30 minutes prior to the opening. Just look for me in my kilt!

Irishfest in Milwaukee August 19-21 Summerfest Festival Grounds by the Lakefront

Our own Rev. Brenda Pergande’s children Ehlix and Kian with be performing with the Kinsella Irish Dance Academy www.kinsellaacademy.com/ on both Friday and Sunday. Let’s all go out and support these kids!

Upcoming events include Mabon in Milwuakee in September, Pagan Pride Day Madison October 1st and then our event of the season, 1st Annual Witches’ Ball and Psychic Faire in Johnson Creek October 28th.

Come and enjoy these events with us

Blessings to all!

This year the Correllian Tradition celebrated the Lustration of the Ancestors in Arlington, Texas. Several wonderful things happened during this weekend of workshops, fellowship and rituals.

First let me congratulate our new First Degree clergy members; Rev. Brenda Pergande, Rev. Joshua Arkaine, and Rev Chris Arkaine. Additionally, our Seeker’s Youth Director Jessica Wilson and her daughter Youth Leader Hayley Wilson, dedicated themselves to the Goddess and the Tradition.

Additionally, we presented our Seeker Youth Circle model to all the participants during an hour long workshop. The reception to our efforts was encouraging.

Saturday evening I was afforded a special honor by Lord Don to initiate the entire new First Degree clergy. As 3 of the group were our own, this made the evening even more special for me.

On Sunday, during the actual Lustration ritual, I was proud to see our own Rev Joshua and Chris Arkaine perform the Great Rite in front of a packed house. They did an excellent job for their first official clergy acts and many comments were made about how well they did.

We are already making plans to have an even larger delegation at the 2012 Lustration being held in Atlanta, GA. I look forward to seeing you all there.

Blessings & Love,
Rev. Peter Hertzberg, HP

Greetings and Blessings!

As this calendar year comes to a close, I have been busy planning 2011. I am so blessed by the leadership of our Board and a core group of individuals who never cease to amaze me.

Brenda Pergande has accepted a position with NLT to aid us in the areas of medical and security.  Additionally, she has agreed to be my Herald.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with this position, High Priest have usually had an Admin to assist with day-to-day operations.  Up until this point I have had limited help but Brenda will be taking on some of these tasks to make sure I stay on task as well as informing you of all the upcoming events.

Due to the generosity of John & Christel Sparks, we will be filing our 501(c)3 paperwork shortly.  Many thanks for these wonderful folks who continue to bless us with their support of our mission.

Additionally, Joshua and Chris have been busy working on securing some grants and fund raising that will allow us to secure funding for some extraordinary projects including our own land and future ritual and education buildings.

We will have 4 major fund raising brat events at the Pick a Save in Watertown starting in May and going through the summer.  Roundy’s will supply us with brats, chips and soda to sell to raise funds for our activities as well as our Seekers Youth Circle so watch for more details.
New classes will begin in Watertown Jan 8th and Madison 15th. All classes are at 10 am and will meet monthly

The team will be traveling to Lustration in Arlington, TX this coming April to
introduce the Seekers Youth Circle to the entire Correllian Nativist Tradition.
Jessica, Brenda, Rev Aine and I will be in attendance as well as I will be hosting a
workshop. Sacred Fire Temple is this years host.  If you are interested in attending please get with me to discuss fees and logistics.

In May, NLT along with our sister temple, Temple of the Crystaline Star, has been invited to facilitate the ritual at Milwaukee’s Beltaine
Festival. We will be looking for help on this one. Dancers will be needed as
well as a good turnout.  We will have a booth selling items and educating the public.

In June, I will be in St Louis for the Nationally renowned Pagan Picnic in Tower
Park. Past presenters were Dorothy Morrison, Raven Gramassi and more. I also
will be assisting Lady Green Owl with some 3rd Degree graduates.

Plan on our annual Ren Faire outing this year at Bristol. If you go to their
website you can purchase tickets for $10 which is basically half off. The date
we plan to go as a group is Saturday, July 30th.

Additionally we will be starting a crafting group and several fund raisers
through out the year. Chris and Joshua are busy planning these events and will
actually be up in Wisconsin late April early May to kick things off in person.
(We just need to keep Joshua from finding any more black hornet nests).

Sept we will be doing Madison PPD again and hopefully Milwaukee. Our group had
lots of fun and we look forward to another great turnout this coming year.

We also are planning some large celebrations and rituals for Samhain and Yule
next year.

As always, we cannot do these things without the help of our great membership.
My thanks to Aine, Christel & John, Jessica, Linda, Joshua, Chris, Cheri, Dottie
and Brenda for all the hard work and dedication they have done over the past year
and all the others who helped in one way or another.

Blessings!

Rev Peter

Greetings!

Another Sabbat approaches, Lammas!  This year we will be celebrating at Hart Park In Wauwatosa, WI.  Northern Lakes will have a table as well as Dream Catcher workshop conducted by me.  I would appreciate some assistance with manning the booth as well as showing a great turn out by the Temple membership.

Just a brief recap of what Lammas represents…..

Lammas marks the middle of summer and beginning of the harvest season. Lammas is considered a time of thanksgiving and is the first of the three Pagan harvest festivals. The Sun’s strength begins to wane and the plants of spring begin to wither and drop their fruits or seeds for our use as well as to ensure future crops. At this time, we become conscious of the sacrifice the Sun God is preparing to make. We experience a sense of abundance at the same time we begin to feel an urgency to prepare for the death of winter. First grains and fruits of the Earth are cut and stored for the dark winter months.

Lammas also represents the culmination of the marriage between the Goddess and the God that took place on Beltane. The God now becomes the product of that blessed union – the bountiful fruits and grains – and must be sacrificed. He is the personification of the crops that must be harvested for the survival of the people.

Underneath the symbolism of sacrifice is the theme of rebirth. The Corn God must die, and He has to do so in order to return. Without the sacrifice, the cycle stops. Although His strength is waning, His essence is still palpable as His energies begin to merge with the harvested crops. It is at this time that the Sun King has reached the autumn of His years, and His rival (or dark self) has just reached puberty. The Sun God has reigned supreme over the ripening grain during the hot summer months. His dedication, perseverance, and action in tending the seeds sown in spring brings a ripe and fruitful bounty.

Although Lammas is the first of the harvest festivals, fertility imagery may still be found, as there are still crops in the field continuing to grow and livestock and game that have yet to be killed. As the God is honored for His harvest, so the Goddess is honored for bringing forth the first fruits, much as a new mother is honored.

Lammas is also known as Lughnasadh, Lammastide, and First Harvest Festival.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the First Harvest Festival of the year!

Blessings!

A NEW DAY!

Welcome to the newly redesigned Web Central site for Northern Lakes Temple.  We hope you enjoy it and find it useful.  We will be adding additional sections over the weeks to come including an improved class sections. Many thanks to Karen and David for creating this wonderful site.  Karen has spent countless hours editing and creating a unique and useful site for all to enjoy. Blessings to you both.

Summer brings a multitude of opportunities for all of us to gather and celebrate the season.  Here in Wisconsin, we have many venues to explore and enjoy.  Our state park system is one of the best and very family friendly.  County and city parks are plentiful as well.  The bottom line is that we have many opportunities to enjoy the splendor and wonderment of nature’s beauty.

Pagan Pride Day will soon be upon us in Madison on September 11th.  We, as pagans, celebrate our diversity and culture for the world to see.  Celebration abound in cities all across the great land and Northern Lakes Temple will be in the midst of the celebration.  Our Temple will help sponsor the Madison WI event as well as take part in running the food concessions.  Additionally, I will be part of the community leadership officiating open ritual.

This ritual will involve our future, as the children of the community will play a major role in this year’s ritual.  Children from across our community will aid us in harnessing the energy of the circle, lead us in song and chant, and dance to the joy of the day.  I hope you will find time to come to this event, I promise you will not be disappointed.

Blessings!

Rev. Peter Hertzberg, HP