October 2008 - December 2009

• December 19, 2009
  As the weather is unpredictable, we decided it is in the best interest of everyone to postpone our Yule celebration because of weather. We did previously post it will be on,. but as the storm is taking more of an inland track and moving more slowly, the likelihood of the 20th being a poor driving day is now very high.
  We just got off the phone with Southard Grange and postponed our celebration to Dec 27th! The roads may or may not be decent following this storm, so we're not taking chances! So come on out and celebrate Yule with us a lil late SUNDAY DECEMBER 27th, Same place and time!
  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and hope to see you out on December 27th!
   
• November 5, 2009
  Samhain was a wonderful success! We made many new friends and got to see lots of familiar faces as well, and all took part in a wonderful ritual to honor those past, and look toward the future. We also announced that we will be forming a Planning Committee which will be open for application to ALL SWS members. This committee will be responsible for planning fundraisers, PR Advertising, future events, and more! Anyone who is interested can contact us to request an application. We want you to be involved! We also announced that with our previous Treasurer Steve stepping down to pursue personal interests (don't worry, he'll still be around), Nicole and John will be stepping up to fill the role as a dual office. Thank you both for your dedication! Finally, with the success of Samhain, we are proud to announce our Second Annual Yule Festival! This festival will be held at Southard Grange Hall on Sunday, December 20th 2009 from 4:30pm - 10:00pm with Ritual beginning PROMPTLY at 6:00pm, no exceptions. Late comers are welcome, but please wait to be brought into the circle. Again fulfilling the Crone/Sage aspects of the Season, our Priest and Priestess David "Stardancer" Baker and Toni "Silver Mist" Sergi will take the lead for ritual. We are encouraging all to bring non-perishable food donation to help those less fortunate through the winter season. Southard Grange Hall is located at 4860 US 9 South, Howell, NJ 07731. For details, CLICK HERE.
   
• October 5, 2009
  Merry Meet to all! We are very proud to announce that our Samhain Celebration WILL DEFINITELY take place publically again at the Southard Grange Hall on Sunday, November 1st 2009 from 4:30pm - 10:00pm with Ritual beginning PROMPTLY at 6:00pm, no exceptions - RAIN OR SHINE! If it is nice, we will be outdoors, if not, indoors. Our Ritual will be performed by our Priest David "Stardancer" Baker and Priestess Toni "Silver Mist" Sergi. We're excited for the change of pace and for a very fun day with activities to celebrate the season! Southard Grange Hall is located at 4860 US 9 South, Howell, NJ 07731. For details, CLICK HERE.
   
• September 16, 2009
  Greetings to all!
  We're sorry to say but the Mabon event is going to be CANCELLED. We are however planning a Samhain Celebration for November 1st, but details for this will come later. We're sorry about having to cancel this event, but without financial aid from the community, we simply can't afford to host a public event at this time. We will be having a small private gathering for SWS members only. Any member with questions can contact us at board@sacredwindsanctuary.org.
  It is important to remember that Sacred Wind Sanctuary is a strictly donation based organization, and despite the current economic hardships, costs of operating have not gone down. We are a community organization in all aspects. We serve the community but we are also made possible by the community. Each and every one of you can and do make a difference. Without your help and participation, Sacred Wind Sanctuary, and indeed any group like us, will simply wither and fade.
  If you like what we do, have attended our events in the past, and would like to attend more in the future, help support us! Sacred Wind Sanctuary is a Non-profit religious group, 501(c)3 and all donations are tax-deductible! Help to support Sacred Wind Sanctuary, our cause, and the community. We look forward to seeing you all in the future!
   
• September 09, 2009
  Merry Meet to all!
  We come to you in the spirit of community looking for your support. It has always been our pleasure to do for the community. Now in these trying economic times, small donation based groups such as ours struggle to stay afloat. In order to keep serving the community and holding festivals, including our festival scheduled for September 20th, 2009, we need your help! Please find it in your heart to support Sacred Wind Sanctuary and donate what you can. We will graciously accept any amount you are willing to provide.
  To donate, please use the DONATE link above to donate securely via PayPal. You can also make donations by check or money order by mailing to:
  
  Sacred Wind Sanctuary
  PO Box 342
  Tennent, NJ 07763-0342
  
  Remember that all donations are Tax-deductible, and 100% goes to support Sacred Wind Sanctuary. We really need your support in order to keep serving you.
  
  Thank you very much, and Brightest Blessings to you all!
   
• August 11, 2009
  We're happy to announce that we will be holding our Grand Mabon Festival September 20th, 2009. Our Grand Mabon Festival will be held at The Southard Grange Hall, at 4860 Route 9 South, Howell NJ 07731. The Grange has a wonderful outdoor area, and weather providing, we will be making use of this area for the festival. However, if the weather is disagreeable, we will simply move the celebration indoors. Rain or shine, we'll be there! For All attendants - There will be a minimal donation required at the time of arrival to help cover costs. This donation is expected to be $10 per person or $5 with potluck Donation. PAID MEMBERS OF SACRED WIND SANCTUARY ARE ASKED TO DONATE $5 TO THE EVENT UNLESS THEY BRING POTLUCK THEN ITS FREE! Be sure to get your memberships in beforehand!. Nobody will be turned away! We can always use volunteers! Anyone who is unable to provide monetary donation for entry can volunteer and donate their time to help out! For more information, Click Here!
   
• August 04, 2009
  Blessed Lughnassadh to all! We had a wonderful time at our festival on Sunday, met some wonderful new people, and enjoyed friends we've already made. Despite the rather furious storms earlier in the day, we still had a good turnout, and we at SWS are thankful to all who attended! We are looking forward to Central NJ Pagan Pride Day on August 22, 2009, and hope to see all our members there! Looking to the season ahead, we are planning our Mabon and Samhain celebrations and will release the dates as soon as they are confirmed with the hall. Look for an update this coming week!
• June 22, 2009
  Just a quick note about our Discussion Group to be held July 18th, the group will now be lead by Rev. Tara, not Rev. Matt due to a scheduling conflict. The group being held on July 25th will be lead by Rev. Matt. Rev. Tara is a wonderful group leader, as many of you already know from our rituals, and looks forward to leading the group.
• June 15th, 2009
  A very big Thank You to all our members and supporters who came out to celebrate Litha with us! We got to see some old friends and some new faces. Certainly a great time had by all, and it was wonderful meeting the new comers! We are happy to announce two discussion group dates, back from hiatus. July 18th and July 25th, 2:30pm - 4:30pm sharp at Monmouth County Library Headquarters in Manalapan. We are also proud to announce our Lughnasadh Festival for August 2, at Southard Grange Hall. For Details on both, please go to the Services page.
• May 18th, 2009
  We are proud to announce that our Litha Celebration will be held on SUNDAY, June 14th, 2009. While typically celebrated between June 20th and 22nd, Litha or Midsummer marks the Summer Solstice. Due to scheduling concerns for the 20th, and Father's day on the 21st, we will be having our Festival on Sunday, June 14th, the preceding week.
  Our Grand Litha Festival will be held at The Southard Grange Hall, at 4860 Route 9 South, Howell NJ 07731. The Grange has a wonderful outdoor area, and weather providing, we will be making use of this area for the festival. However, if the weather is disagreeable, we will simply move the celebration indoors. Rain or shine, we'll be there! For All attendants - There will be a minimal donation required at the time of arrival to help cover costs. This donation is expected to be $10 per person or $5 with potluck Donation. PAID MEMBERS OF SACRED WIND SANCTUARY ARE ASKED TO DONATE $5 TO THE EVENT UNLESS THEY BRING POTLUCK THEN ITS FREE! Be sure to get your memberships in beforehand!. Nobody will be turned away! We can always use volunteers! Anyone who is unable to provide monetary donation for entry can volunteer and donate their time to help out! For more information, Click Here!
• May 5, 2009
  What a WONDERFUL Beltane Festival! Despite early concerns about weather, we were greatly blessed when the weather cleared, and the turnout was spectacular! We want to extend a very big Thank You to all those who participated and made it as wonderful as it was! And a very special thank you to Rick Zauner, Strange Omens, A World Apart, Honduran Princess, Henna by Drax, and New Beginnings Pet Rescue! We also were featured in the Asbury Park Press! Check out our new Press section, as well as our Photo Galleries!
• May 1, 2009
  The schedule for Beltane is now available. Click HERE to Download it!
• May 1, 2009
  Update on Beltane Festival on May 2: Despite concerns about weather, this event is being held RAIN OR SHINE! Wet weather is NOT expected to last all day, only for one or two small portions, and by far we will be left with dry weather. Remember to bring your Ponchos and bug repellent! We look forward to seeing you all there! (109 N County Line Road, Jackson NJ 08527)
• April 21, 2009
  We would like to now provide the waiver needed for entry into our Beltane Festival, so that it may be reviewed ahead of time by all attendees. We will have copies on site, so don't worry if you can't bring it. (Click HERE to Download). Also, we do still have several spots open for Workshops, so if you are interested, please contact us. You can download the workshop application HERE. We look forward to a wonderful and certainly Grand Beltane! Blessed Be!
• April 7, 2009
  We are now looking for volunteers and Workshops to apply for our Beltane event. This event will be OUTDOORS on private property, held Saturday, May 2nd from 8am - 11pm officially, though the property owner has welcomed those who wish, to stay and camp with their own equipment in designated areas. The location is 109 N County Line Road, Jackson NJ 08527. The map on Google is accurate.
  [CLICK HERE FOR THE WORKSHOP APPLICATION]
  *All Vendor spots have been filled.
  Things to please bring:
  
  Food for Potluck, Please if you are cooking on site, it is recommended that you keep an eye on it to avoid possible sanitation complications or worse.
  
  Instruments - Anyone who wishes to play traditional music (acoustic, as power will be limited). This can be either for time slot performances, or for general ambiance play.
  
  WORKSHOPS - We have several spots open for workshops. Please keep in mind these workshops are to be free of charge, though they may be used to introduce people to a larger course set you provide. We are interested in those versed and experienced in all divination, Reiki and healing, naturalism, ecology, herbalism, meditations, crafts, etc.
  
  TO ALL VENDORS - We have available several Vendor spots.* These spots would be approximately 10'x10' spaces, provide your own power. Popup tents are allowed if properly secured. Vendors would be expected to provide a minimum donation of $20 for their space, which goes to benefit Sacred Wind Sanctuary.
  * All Vendor Spots have been filled.
  
  For general participants - There will be a minimal donation required at the time of arrival to help cover costs. This donation is expected to be $10 per person or $5 with potluck Donation. PAID MEMBERS OF SACRED WIND SANCTUARY ARE REQUIRED TO DONATE $5 TO THE EVENT UNLESS THEY BRING POTLUCK, THEN ITS FREE! So be sure to get your memberships in beforehand! All attending will be required to sign a "Code of Ethics" waiver before entering the festival, either sent in before, or upon arrival, basically agreeing to act responsibly, as the use of land was graciously donated and all respect of property is certainly due.
  
  For more information and applications for vendor/workshops please email us at board@sacredwindsanctuary.org, or write to us at:
  
  Sacred Wind Sanctuary of Universal Life
  PO BOX 342
  Tennent, NJ 07763-0342
  
• March 26, 2009
  Sacred Wind Sanctuary has a new Mailing address! Our new mailing address is:
  Sacred Wind Sanctuary of Universal Life
  PO Box 342
  Tennent, NJ 07763-0342
  Don't worry, we will still receive anything you've sent to the old address, as it goes directly to our Treasurer. The new address, however, is more efficient as it is more readily accessible, so the mail will be processed sooner.
  
• March 23, 2009
  Another wonderful Sabbat, another wonderful event! Many thanks to all those who attended our Ostara Festival. We got to meet some great new people, and got to be closer with those who we already know. We are now looking for people who would like to volunteer for our Beltane Festival which will take place Saturday, May 2nd, 2009. Our friend has graciously donated the use of his large lakeside land in Jackson, NJ so that we can hold an all day festival! Along with volunteers, we will be looking for those interested in vendor spots. Details will be coming soon. Please make sure you are signed up for our Newsletter for the latest.
  
• February 24, 2009
  As the wheel of the year turns, so does our focus on the seasons. We are pleased to announce the date for our Ostara Festival! It will be held March 22nd, 2009, at the Southard Grange Hall, located at 4860 US Highway 9 South, Howell, NJ 07731. Our start time will be 4:30pm, and our end time is anticipated to be 9:30pm. Please feel free to RSVP on MySpace or Facebook, and share this with anyone who may be interested! Click Here for more details. We are also now planning Beltane, which is anticipated to be outdoors, and will likely take place on Saturday. May 2, 2009. So be sure to check your calendars! No new dates are yet posted for our groups, however they will be forth coming, and hope to have them for you soon.
  
• February 9, 2009
  What a wonderful year 2009 is shaping up to be for SWS! Our Imbolc celebration was another resounding success, and we met a lot of wonderful new people! We also had our second discussion group which was even more stimulating than the first! We on the board are now planning for Ostara, as well as Beltane. Not only that, we are in the works of developing a regular schedule for Discussion Groups, and even Workshops! So please be sure to sign up for the newsletter to stay updated. Announcements will be made shortly with details!
  
• January 12, 2009
  Thank you to all who came and participated in our first discussion group, despite the dreary weather! We look forward to continuing the discussion at our next meeting! We are now proud to officially announce our Imbolc Festival, slated for Sunday, February 1st 2009, at the Southard Grange Hall, located at 4860 US Highway 9 South, Howell, NJ 07731. Our start time will be 4:30pm, and our end time is anticipated to be 9:30pm. Please feel free to RSVP on MySpace or Facebook, and share this with anyone who may be interested! Click Here for more details.
  
• January 08, 2009
  Happy New Year to all! 2009 is shaping up to be an exciting year for SWS. We are looking forward to our first discussion group, to be held on January 10th 2009. Information is available HERE. We are also pleased to announce that we will be holding another Open-to-Public Festival to Celebrate Imbolc on Sunday, February 1st! More information will be available shortly for the festival, but be sure to mark your calendars now! It will be held Feb. 1, and will likely start about 4:30pm, just like Yule. Be sure to sign up for the newsletter!
  
• December 20, 2008
  We want to thank everyone who attended at contributed to our first ever Festival! Our Yule Festival was a smashing success, and look forward to a bright future with all of you. Plans will be going ahead for an Imbolc Festival, and we'll announce ASAP the details for that. Our first discussion group is now scheduled for January 10th, at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters in Manalapan, at 2:00pm. Click HERE for Details. Thank you all again, Have a Merry Yule, and Blessed be!
  
• December 1, 2008
  We are proud to announce that our First Yule Festival is now set, and will definitely be held on December 13, 2008, at the Southard Grange Hall, located at 4860 US Highway 9 South, Howell, NJ 07731. Our start time will be 4:30pm, and our end time is anticipated to be 9:30pm. Please feel free to RSVP on MySpace or Facebook, and share this with anyone who may be interested! Click Here for more details.
  
• November 5, 2008
  In the spirit of this upcoming season, in which we both as Pagans, and as Americans, give thanks for all the bounty we have received, it is important for us to recognize and support those who are less fortunate. We are now accepting donations of non-perishable foods, lightly used and new clothing, blankets, and monetary donations for distribution to the local charity organizations, such as the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
  Please visit our Community page or email us for more information.
  
• October 20, 2008
  We are excited to say that we are now planning our first event, open to the community as a whole, to celebrate the Sabbat of Yule. The event is going to be held Saturday, December 13th, 2008. Please CLICK HERE for more details!
  
• October 14, 2008
  We are now welcoming new and prospective members to our congregation. Our regular service schedule will begin shortly, and would like to invite all those interested in supporting our cause and community to review our Membership Packet, and become a contributing member of our congregation.

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