On this page...

• Because We Still Live Here! Arts Address Social Change Post RNC

• RNC 8 Need Your Help
  
  
• Coldsnap Legal Primer
  
  
• UMPA feeding elderly Dec. 25
  
  
• Pagan Pride DayS Oct. 4 &5, 2008 at Sabathani
  
  
• UMPA'a Adopt a Highway project! Sept 28
  
  
• Coldwater Spring Labyrinth: Protest desecration!
  
  
• Campaign to establish Coldwater National Park
  
  
• National Day of Prayer for 2009
  
  
• UMPA sponsors "Military Support Package" drive
  
  
• First Freedom First! Pagans and Religious Liberty
  
  
• Secret Santa 2008 Launched: Manifest Santa for low income Pagan kids
  
  
• Contact Your Government!
  
  
• Thoughts on Creating III Millennium Paganism
  
  
• Are YOU or your group making news?
  
  
• Got a Project Idea? Post it here, free!

Sep 18, 2008 - Sep 20, 2008

Creative Reflections on RNC week, Tactics for Social Change and Visions for a Transformed Twin Cities

Bedlam Theatre hosts an evening of creative reflections (stories, songs, slides, videos, theatrical reenactments) on personal experiences during RNC week followed by a facilitated creative dialogue focused on carrying the momentum forward.

Because we need to tell our stories and hear those of others.

Because we’re interested in the impact of mass actions, the various tactics employed, and most importantly how the momentum generated by such a huge event can be carried forth as a movement.

Because we want to help strengthen connections in the radical community in the Twin Cities. Because we still live here!

Event Dates
Thu, Sep 18, 2008 - 7:30pm
Fri, Sep 19, 2008 - 7:30pm
Sat, Sep 20, 2008 - 7:30pm

$10 suggested donation

CALL FOR SUPPORT -- PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY

RNC 8 Need Your Help!

Hello to all our friends and supporters,

In the last week, eight people affiliated with the RNC Welcoming Committee were arrested in their homes or picked up off the streets and charged with conspiracy to riot and furtherance of terrorism. The Welcoming Committee was a group that formed to facilitate logistics (food, housing, convergence center) around the 2008 Republican National Convention Protests in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Most of them were arrested in the days leading up to the convention, and many had their homes raided by law enforcement. They were being held in the Ramsey County jail but as of Thursday were all released on bail or bond. They are now facing serious criminal charges and the potential of a protracted and expensive legal battle.

This case is potentially dangerous not just for these individuals but for organizers and activists all over the country. It represents a seemingly coordinated effort between state and federal agencies to crack down on organizers as a way of intimidating and systematically repressing movement building in all its forms. It now falls to all of us to fight these charges not just for these eight people but to protect our friends, our movements and our communities.

Currently, our immediate need is for financial resources. We are asking for people to donate money or set up benefits in their own communities.

You can donate by going to www.nornc.org and clicking on the “Donate to RNC Welcoming Committee Legal Support” button.

To check out ongoing updates on the case visit www.RNC8.org

Thank you so much for your support.

In solidarity,
The Friends of the Welcoming Committee

Hands on Magick! Hiway cleanup 9/28/08!
Nels hawkdanc@cltcomm.net
Mon Sep 8, 2008

It ia amazing what community you feel with other pagans and the Earth when you actually reveal beauty with your own two hands! Your Mother Earth needs a little attention, and we need YOU! The Upper Midwest Pagan Alliance Adopt A Highway Cleanup maintenance, Sunday, September 28th, 9am-2pm State Highway 10, in Anoka, MN.

If you can only spend a few hours, come early to get your supplies. UMPA has contracted with the Minnesota Highway Department to maintain litter cleanup on a 2.8 mile section of State Highway 10, in Anoka. This is a highly traveled four lane divided stretch between Hansen Blvd and Foley Blvd. Highway 10 angles NW from above interstate 694, west through Anoka, and can be reached heading north on most Twin Cities Highways.

Photos: http://www.umpaganalliance.com/cleanup.shtml

We will be gathering just 3.5 miles west of the cleanup area at Joe and Tracy's home (exit 7th St) see http://www.mapquest.com/maps/513+taylor+st+anoka+mn+55303/ at 8.45am. You must meet us prior to get a blaze orange pentacle vest, garbage bags, and instructions! Lost? Call 715-491-0356 on Sept. 28th for directions. We will van pool to the cleanup area at 9am sharp! Bring heavy gloves, pick up tool (broom handle with nail in end), water, tick repellant, and sturdy shoes!

Please CONTACT UMPA if you plan to attend, so we can be sure and have enough vests. Many hands make light work!

POTLUCK TO FOLLOW CLEANUP; This will be a fun gathering of UMPA supporters after our Adopt a Highway cleanup service. Whether you helped or not you are welcome to join us! Please bring drinks, a dish to share, snack, or item to barbeque, and A CHAIR for a community potluck. LIKELY 2-5pm

UMPA to serve holiday meals to elderly Dec. 25.

The Upper Midwest Pagan Alliance (UMPA) has contracted with Union Gospel Mission to serve holiday meals to the elderly on Dec. 25.

If you get holiday blues on Dec. 25, and won't be with your relatives, why not brighten the day by practicing the ancient Pagan virtue of radical hospitality? More info will be available later in the season. Stay informed by joining the list:
U-M-P-A@yahoogroups.com.

  UMPA'S Adopt a Highway-- MN HWY 10, Anoka

The Upper Midwest Pagan Alliance has "adopted a highway" and begun cleanup, so far removing 150 bags of trash in a highly trafficed area. The official sign will be up soon!

The next clean up day is planned for September; to get notification, join the list at
U-M-P-A@yahoogroups.com.

See pictures and learn about current progress at http://umpaganalliance.com/cleanup.shtml

Read below to learn more about this project.

****************

By Nels, UMPA

Greetings Pagan Activists! Your Mother Earth needs a little attention, and we need YOU!

UMPA has contracted with the Minnesota Highway Department to maintain litter cleanup on a 2.8 mile section of State Highway 10, in Anoka. This is a highly traveled four lane divided stretch between Hansen Blvd and Foley Blvd. Highway 10 angles NW from above interstate 694, west through Anoka, and can be reached heading north on most Twin Cities Highways.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH ,
9AM TILL 2PM WITH A POTLUCK TO FOLLOW.

Please check the umpa website for more details as the date approaches:
http://www.umpaganalliance.com/schedule.shtml

Please CONTACT UMPA if you plan to attend, so we can be sure and have enough vests. Many hands make light work! If you can only spend a few hours, come early to get your supplies! With two working teams we should be able to complete the initial cleanup.

**************

Why this project is so important

Pagan PR Near the Halloween Capital of the World!

Christa Landon

As part of past generation's concern about Halloween houlighanism, Anoka instituted a Halloween costume parade; it's a wonderful event. Area Wiccans and other Pagans have long been bemused about the city's retention of this custom, since the area is notoriously conservative, religiously speaking. As far as this reporter knows, no Earth-centered/Pagan/Wiccan/Heathen or New Age organization has ever been representedAS SUCH in the Anoka Halloween Parade. Of course, how would the city fathers know if some of those cute little witches and wizards gathered afterwards with their parents and friends "in a place wild and lone..."?

Tracy Jarvinen, local Pagan and UMPA member notes, "Religious prejudice is still alive and well up here 25 minutes north of North Mpls. 2 miles west of our home and approximately 7 miles west of where the Upper Midwest Pagan Alliance highway sponsor sign will hang is a semi-trailer that is parked right along Highway 10. It reads "WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?" in letters that are big enough to fill the side of the parked trailer. Across form it about a mile down is another sign that reads GOT JESUS?

So please understand how important it is that the sign be on the highway up here. Please understand how important it is that we clean and care for the earth. To show, that which we espouse to, IS what we do! "

******************

UMPA's membership is open to individual Pagans of all flavors. Members discuss concerns through a list serv.  For more information about the Upper Midwest Pagan Alliance, visit their website at www.umpaganalliance.com.

Pagan Pride WEEKEND:  October 4th & 5th, 2008
Become a Player in 2008! Volunteer!

 First Freedom First                               

“Everything you ever wanted to know about Separation of Church & State but were afraid to ask,” was filmed in Washington DC and streamed to 25 theaters nationwide. The event featured a variety of entertainers and performers, including Jack Klugman, James Whitmore, the Bacon Brothers Band, Michael J. Fox, and many others. Pagan activist Roberta Stewart, widow of Sgt. Patrick Stewart, shared her story about the Pentacle Quest lawsuit.

Now, you can see it online.

Please visit First Freedom First online and sign the petition!

http://www.firstfreedomfirst.org/

Secret Santa Program Looks to Its 6th Year

Do you know a Pagan parent who could use a little help to make Next Yule memorable for the kids?  For 5 years, the Secret Santa program has served local low income Pagan children by fulfilling their wish lists as provided by parents. Children's anonymity is carefully protected. Wiccan, Heathen, and Pagan kids of all "flavors" qualify.

CUUPS-TwinCities has managed this project with the help of other area Pagans and UUs.

In 2007, we developed and tested software, so we could more efficiently serve more families; we developed interactive pages for Santas and parents. For 2008, we look to expand the program. Also in 2007, UMPA and COG co-sponsored the Secret Santa program with generous donations.  This year we're opening applications for assistance on Sept. 1, 2008. "Santa's" can apply to help at any time. We will begin processing wish lists in September on a first come first served basis. Secret Santas will be contacted in early October so they can choose among the wish lists. For additional information,
contact us.

Through this project, dozens of local, low income Pagan children have had their Yuletide wishes fulfilled, and many adults have had the pleasure of being "possessed" by the Jolly Old Spirit of Santa! The Board of CUUPS hopes that to expand this program in 2008, and invites Heathens, Wiccans, and other Pagans to participate by publicizing this service, referring needy Pagan families, and helping with distribution in December.

Click here for full Secret Santa details including links to interactive registration forms for parents of children AND for Santas.

Protest Desecration of Coldwater Springs Labyrinth

Coldwater Springs is a sacred site held in honor by several First Nations who made treaties under the four Burr Oaks which once stood nearby. The site is still being used for various religious ceremonies by First Nations and by Pagans.

A wood and stone labyrinth was built nearby, but officials decided to move it.

According to Susu Jeffrey, on July 20, 2007 she, Paul Eaves and other Pagans, met with three officials from the National Park Sevice: Superintendent Paul Labovitz, Steve Johnson, Chief of Resource Stewardship, and John Anfinson, Historian National Park Service.

The necessity of moving the labyrinth at some point was discussed. All agreed that Paul would talk to Bob Hansen of U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the interim caretaker of the former Bureau of Mines site, about being able to remove the labyrinth in a sacred manner when the time had come to move it. 

We also discussed the idea of moving the labyrinth to another location within the site. We were told there would be a community input process where this could be discussed further.

Several phone calls were returned to Bob Hansen; when Bob failed to return the latest one, we thought that the issue of the labyrinth had been put on hold.

We have discovered that on the weekend of November 10, 2007, Fish and Wildlife hired someone to drive into the labyrinth, remove the stones and wood, and cart them off to be used for erosion control.

Please let these officials know that this is no way to honor agreements or to treat sacred sites.

Robyn Thorson
Regional Director for the Midwest Region 1,
Federal Drive
BHW Federal Building
Fort Snelling, MN 55111

Robyn_Thorson@fws.gov

Robert_Hansen@fws.gov

Campaign for Coldwater National Park!

Who should own Coldwater Spring?

The Department of the Interior will soon decide what government agency will "own" Coldwater Spring and the surrounding land. Concerned citizens can advocate for who they would like to own the land.  The Department of the Interior is close to releasing their ruling, so time is of the essence.

Who best can protect and preserve the Coldwater landscape?

At this time the National Park Service offers the strongest environmental and cultural protections, including federal recognition for Native Americans.

So Friends of Coldwater is asking for:

1) National Park Service ownership of a

2) 50-acre Coldwater Park featuring oak savanna re-vegetation

3) An urban wilderness designated as a Green Museum, a place where the land around this 10,000 year old spring is the museum.

Area Pagans including Susu Jeffreys support turning the site into a National Park, because that offers both recognition to Native Americans and best available environmental protections. When Susu and other Pagans met with the National Park Service officials, it seemed that the latter welcomed the proposal as well.

But time is short and the support of the public is critically important!

Please join the Friends of Coldwater in advocating for:

COLDWATER PARK: A 50-Acre Green Museum

If you agree, please email Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the Department of the Interior at webteam@ios.doi.gov and let him know what you think about who owns Coldwater Spring.

Email is preferred, but you can call him at 202-208-7351

And please consider calling or copying your email to:
Congressman Keith Ellison
http://ellison.house.gov/ or 612-522-1212

Senator Amy Klobuchar
http://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/  or 612-727-5220

Senator Norm Coleman 651-645-0323 or http://coleman.senate.gov/

Friends of Coldwater is a Minnesota Non-Profit Organization http://www.friendsofcoldwater.org

National Day of Prayer

April 23, 2007.

Next week, thanks to a quirk of the calendar, one of the biggest religious festivals within modern Paganism will coincide with the yearly National Day of Prayer on the first Thursday in May.

The National Day of Prayer, in theory a time for all Americans of faith to unite and pray (in their own manner) for the well-being of the country, has long been co-opted by
conservative Christian evangelicals who operate a "task force" [http://www.ndptf.org/home/index.cfm?flash=1]. This group (essentially run by Focus on The Family) runs the bulk of NDP events, and excludes non-Christians from active participation.

"The National Day of Prayer Task Force was a creation of the National Prayer Committee for the expressed purpose of organizing and promoting prayer observances conforming to a Judeo-Christian system of values. People with other theological and philosophical views are, of course, free to organize and participate in activities that are consistent with their own beliefs. This diversity is what Congress intended when it designated the Day of Prayer, not that every faith and creed would be homogenized, but that all who sought to pray for this nation would be encouraged to do so in any way deemed appropriate. It is that broad invitation to the American people that led, in our case, to the creation of the Task Force and the Judeo-Christian principles on which it is based."

Sounds reasonable, right?

Can't the non-Christians throw their own party? The problem is that the NDPTF bills itself as the "official" site for the National Day of Prayer, and attacks any governor who won't support their efforts with an official proclamation. In addition, Christian coordinators who attempt to throw an inclusive day of prayer [http://www.inclusiveprayerday.org/] under the NDPTF auspices are barred from running future events.

So JewsOnFirst is calling for citizens to lobby their governors to shun the NDPTF, and either not issue a proclamation, or issue an inclusive statement that doesn't empower such a narrow view of acceptable public prayer (or crib talking points from Focus on the Family).

"The National Day of Prayer has been hijacked! What began in 1952 as President Truman's declaration of a National Prayer Day for all Americans is now excluding and dividing us on religious lines. The "Task Force" excludes Jews, Muslims, Catholics and even mainline Christians from participation in the events it coordinates around the country. Many of those events are staged in government venues with elected officials, in a deliberate affront to the separation of church and state."

You can find contact information for your governor at
http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Governors.shtml. You can find a sample telephone script and sample letter and a listing of proclamations already issued on the
inclusive prayer day site http://www.inclusiveprayerday.org/sampleletter.html]

[What would happen if Pagans take part next year? Think of it! 
May Poles EVERYWHERE!!!! cl, ed.]

Upper Midwest Pagan Alliance (UMPA)Sponsors Military Support Package Drive for Pagans in Iraq, Afghanistan

We're having a donation drive for our brothers and sisters in the military. Pagan Military Support Packages is an ongoing project to collect personal and magical supplies for Pagan service persons in the Iraq war zone.

There are hundreds of practicing Pagans in the armed services in Iraq who can use our support. Earlier this summer UMPA shipped packages weighing nine pounds each to five different groups and locations in the Iraq war zone. And now we're ready to ship more!

Here's how you can be part of this drive:

* Bring requested items to the UMPA meeting for collection.
* Sponsor a package by donating any amount for postage or additional items.
* Spread the word!
* If you cannot deliver to the meeting, contact any board member at
   board@umpaganalliance.com

Don't miss your chance to participate!

Requested Items:

~Pentagrams (those enclosed in circles are safer in combat).

~Basic pagan books, books on candle magic, spell charm books.

~Any item for setting up a basic ritual/altar.

~Stones: any type quartz crystal ~ obsidian points ~ hematite.

~Herbs: mugwort, white sage, sweet grass, mandrake, five finger grass, heather, rue, high john root, sea salt.

~Incense and oils: dragons blood, frankincense, myrrh, red sandlewood, high john, cedar, patchouli, elemental/directional oils.

~Candles: pillars, in jars, tapers wrapped, tea lites, magical colors.

~PERSONAL ITEMS: Toothpaste, Blank greeting cards, Prepaid phone cards, Lip balm, Toilet paper, Razors, Instant coffee, Gum, Breakfast bars, Instant soup, mixes, Deodorant, Sunglasses.

Note: Donated items must be accompanied by $8.95 to cover postage costs. Thanks to the generosity of past givers this is NO LONGER REQUIRED. Yes, you can give SOME items without giving a complete "kit."

Please stick to donating items on the requested list. Items not on the list may be refused at the discretion of the board.

Thank you for your generosity - let's show our Pagan brothers and sisters how much we appreciate their sacrifice!

For more information about the Upper Midwest Pagan Alliance, go to www.umpaganalliance.com

Contact Your Local Government:

Government MN & US legislators for YOUR zipcode
http://geo.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/districts/start.html

Learn about MN Bills

How to Contact MN State Representatives and Senators:
tp://ww3.house.leg.state.mn.us/members /hmem.asp

How to reach your State Senator or Representative at home:
you can look up their home phone numbers here:
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/ housemembers.asp
http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/ alphalist.shtml

Governor Tim Pawlenty
130 State Capitol St. Paul, MN 55155
Tim.Pawlenty@state.mn.us
governor@state.mn.us
651-296-3391

Atty. General
1400 NCL Tower 445 Minnesota St.,
St. Paul 55101 attorney.general@state.mn.us
651-296-3353

Find local government officials anywhere in Minnesota: 
www.lwvmn.org/LocalLeagues

City Government:

ST. PAUL
Contact your Saint Paul City Council Member: 
http://www.stpaul.gov/index.asp?nid=553

 

MINNEAPOLIS

Minneapolis Mayor Rybek
(612) 673-2100 or
call 311 or
call (612) 673-3000 outside Minneapolis

Contact the mayor's office:
http://www.ci.http://www.chttp://www.chttp://www.cihtt (http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/mayor/office/index.asp)
phone 612-673-2100

Timothy Dolan, Chief of Police
350 South 5th Street -- Room 130
Minneapolis, MN 55415-1389
(612) 673-3787
Fax: (612) 673-2613
E-mail: police@ci.minneapolis.mn.us

Contact your Minneapolis City Council Member: 
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/

Minneapolis City Council numbers:

Cam Gordon (612) 673-2202
Cell: (612) 296-0579
Cam.Gordon@ci.Cam.Gordon@cCam.G_(mailto:Cam.Gordon@ci.minneapolis.mn.us) [Green Party]

Paul Ostrow (612) 673-2201
_Paul.Ostrow@Paul.Ostrow@<WBPaul._
(mailto:Paul.Ostrow@ci.minneapolis.mn.us)

Diane Hofstede (612) 673-2203

Barbara Johnson Council President 612) 673-2204
Barbara.Johnson@Barbara.JohnsonBarba(mailto:Barbara.Johnson@ci.minneapolis.mn.us)

Don Samuels (612) 673-2205
Don.Samuels@Don.Samuels@<WBDon.S
(mailto:Don.Samuels@ci.minneapolis.mn.us)

Robert Lilligren Council Vice President (612) 673-2206
Robert.Lilligren@Robert.LilligreRober (mailto:Robert.Lilligren@ci.minneapolis.mn.us)

Lisa Goodman (612) 673-2207

Elizabeth Glidden (612) 673-2208

Gary Schiff (612) 673-2209

Ralph Remington (612) 673-3940
Ralph.Remington@Ralph.RemingtonRalph
(mailto:Ralph.Remington@ci.minneapolis.mn.us)

Scott Benson (612) 673-2211

Sandy Colvin Roy (612) 673-2212

Betsy Hodges (612) 673-2213

More addresses and information about how to write letters to power are at Write-On!

Are you or your group making Pagan News?

> public service?
> political action?
> interfaith participation?
> awards?
> articles or letters to the editor at general media outlets?

Do you know of news that especially impacts
the Pagan community and/or Pagan values?

> violations of our religious freedom?
> environmental news?
> interfaith news?
> civil liberties news?
> First Nations (Native American) News?

Send these and other newsworthy items to the editor.

Got a Project Idea?  Post it here, free!

If YOU'd like to work with other Pagans to bring some change into manifestation in the material world, this page is for YOU!   Let's work together!