Monthly New Moon Church Services

The Eternal Harvest Church of Wicca in New Bern (Ernul) offers monthly church services to the greater Wiccan, NeoPagan, and Heathen communities of Eastern North Carolina. All are welcome!

The monthly service will be the first Saturday after the New Moon at 6:00 pm (during Daylight Savings Time) or 5:00 pm (during Eastern Standard Time). In November and May, our church service is replaced by our ShadowHarvest and MayFaire public gatherings, respectively. Occasionally there may be two services in one month if the New Moon falls that way.

All New Moon services are geared to honor the Goddess as She manifests through the energies of the astrological sign associated with that Moon, and to learn the lessons She teaches through that sign. Although the actual New Moon itself may be a few nights before our service, it is that event that sets the tone for the whole month.

Saturday, April 9, 2011 6:00 pm .... New Moon in Aries / "The Warrior Goddess"

*** MAYFAIRE featuring the FOURTH ANNUAL BURNING OF THE BELTANE WICKER MAN Friday night through Sunday morning, May 6 - 8 *** (Main events and ritual on Saturday, May 7)

Saturday, June 4, 2011, 6:00 pm .... New Moon in Gemini

Saturday, July 2, 2011, 6:00 pm .... New Moon in Cancer

Saturday, July 30, 2011, 6:00 pm ... New Moon in Leo ~ also LUGHNASADH

Saturday, September 3, 2011, 6:00 pm ... New Moon in Virgo

Saturday, October 1, 2011, 6:00 PM ... New Moon in Libra

*** SIXTH ANNUAL SHADOWHARVEST SAMHAIN GATHERING Friday evening through Sunday morning, November 4, 5, 6, 2011 ***

Saturday, December 4, 2011, 5:00 pm .... New Moon in Sagittarius

NOTE: NEW MOON IN CAPRICORN for 2011 is on Christmas Eve. Look for announcements on other December/early January events.

 

We live in changing times. More and more people are hearing the call of the Old Ways. There are many hundreds, perhaps thousands, here in Eastern North Carolina alone. Who among us if not feeling the shifts? People are waking up to the voice of the Goddess as She returns from Her 2,000 year exile. Many also yearn for more varied and balanced images of the Divine Masculine: not just as punitive Father but as Husband, Teacher, Friend, Lover, Warrior. We feel Mother Earth's pain, and in turbulent times, our thoughts turn to Spirit and its place as we live through the birth pangs of the New Age.

The Gods Are Alive, and Magick is A-Foot!

So come join us each month as we have a short talk on some Pagan topic of interest; share a casual potluck meal; and cast a New Moon circle, with meditation, outdoors on Herne Haven's beautiful land if we can. Weather permitting, we'll end the evening around a fire in the back yard with drums, rattles, some chanting and laughter. All people of good will are welcome. You do not need to be a student of Eternal Harvest to attend. You do not need to join any of our covens. There are no membership or attendance requirements other than good will and observance to Circle & Church Service Etiquette.

Circle & Church Service Etiquette

* Church services are oriented toward adults. Well-behaved children are welcome; however, at this time we do not have any activities geared toward children or child-sitting services. (Perhaps in the future a Church volunteer might take this on?)

* Ritual garb for circle is not required; street clothes are welcome. Having said that, it adds greatly to the overall spiritual tone of the Circle (for you and everyone else) if you wear something that puts you in a "ritual mind-set." This does not have to be a robe or anything fancy, but can be a sarong over street clothes; a special shirt; or a favorite piece of jewelry.

* All Pagan paths are welcome as long as you are comfortable with Wiccan-style circles (cast circle, quarter calls, 4-element purifications, Lady & Lord invoked). Our Matron and Patron are Hertha and Herne and we tend toward an "English" flavor, but we may also call Deities from the Celtic, Continental Germanic, or other pantheons.

* Circles are more fun & rewarding when everyone participates when we chant, sing, rattle, dance, etc. If you are new and uncertain what to do, and afraid of "messing up," let us know and we'll orient you to how circles work and help you until you feel more comfortable. No one will judge you; that's what we're here for!

* Cells phones, pagers, and other communication devices are not allowed in the actual Circle and must be turned down or off and left outside circle so we can't hear them. During the pre-Circle talk, one parent may keep a cell phone on vibrate to receive emergency messages from a babysitter. Also, please remove watches and timekeeping devices for Circle. No smoking, eating, or drinking in Circle.

* Needless to say, we have complete confidence that everyone will always act in mature and responsible ways, i.e., no illegal drugs, no drunkeness, no drama, no overall "dumbass-edness" :-)

* We will hold services outside as much as possible, so come dressed appropriately for the weather and bring bug spray, sunscreen, water or other hydrating liquid, blankets, or whatever you need to be comfortable outside in the evening. If it's raining or it is very uncomfortable, we'll go indoors. We have some metal folding chairs, but it's recommended you bring a camp chair or something to sit on in case we run out.

* Potluck: we share a meal with every service. Everybody should bring a dish that could adequately feed themselves and three other people. Usually this is enough to provide a really substantial meal for a decent-sized group of people. If you don't have cooking facilities (i.e., live in a baracks), call us and we'll recommend something or you can make a small donation to a "Church meal" fund that will help keep us stocked with environmentally-friendly plastic ware, paper plates, ice, and beverages.