CLICK HERE TO ENTER SITE

© 2005 Northeast Council of W.I.C.C.A.
Wiccans Interested in Creating Community Awareness
Post Office Box 357 • North Greece, New York  14515  •  info@necofwicca.org

Merry Meet and Welcome to our web site - we’re glad you found us!

Our first local chapter is located in Rochester, New York where NEC of W.I.C.C.A. is headquartered. We are a collective group of Wiccans/Witches and Pagans who share some of the same ideals and goals, i.e.: to serve and be actively involved in the pagan community, to educate the public about our belief system, to project a positive image of Pagans/Witches and Wiccans, to help bring about religious tolerance and understanding, to teach those who seek our ways, and to provide open Sabbats, etc.

The concept of Northeast Council of W.I.C.C.A. was born in 1991 by five area witches including our founder and president Debbie Guite, who held the same vision. They recognized the need for an group to focus on fostering and preserving the health of the pagan community. NEC of W.I.C.C.A. was formally established in 1996, and re-organized in 2000 when the first Local Chapter in Rochester established a Board of Directors, goals, objectives and Bylaws. We offered memberships to the local pagan community in August 2002. Many were involved in this process and it was due to their dedication, endless hours of work and expertise that NEC was formally re-organized. NEC is currently in the process of filing for incorporation status.

What is different about our group? NEC of W.I.C.C.A. is member-driven – basically this means that the members make decisions, and are the governing body - working cooperatively together. We are not a coven – members are from covens, are solitaries, are pagan-friendly business owners, and from other pagan organizations.

The Executive Board is currently comprised of the Executive Director, Member Services Director, Finance Director, and Community Affairs Director to help keep our organization running smoothly and solvent! We work for and report to the membership.

NEC members currently sponsor, have organized and/or participated in: Rochester Pagan Pride Day (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005); Othala Grove Spiritual Center workshops and open Sabbat celebrations; Psychic’s Thyme open circles; "Lotus Little Lights" a group for children held during Phychic’s Thyme open circles (2003); New York State Pagan Assembly (10/2002); TruthFEST 2002; Kuan-Yin’s Cupboard (food pantry); collect food, supplies, bedding for our furry friends at Lollypop Farm; provide on-going open Sabbat celebrations sponsored by NEC; are involved in Rochester Witches Meet Up; NEC sponsored Wicca 101; provide clergy services, and publish the NEC newsletter, "Reflections," created in 1996. We have organized and supported fundraisers for Rochester Pagan Pride including: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2004); Dessert and Divination (2 years).

For the past two years Northeast Council of W.I.C.C.A. has sponsored an open Community Samhain Celebration at a nearby park. This year the Community Samhain Celebration will be held on Sat. Oct. 29, 2005 at Camp Eastman - Kusak Lodge. Many have attended (40+ this year) and each year ceremony is written and conducted by a different group, coven, or solitary. On Wednesday, October 27, 2004 we held a Community Needfire ritual in response to Raven Grimassi’s open letter to the pagan community. Ritual was conducted by Madeleine McPherson (Sanctuary of the Crescent Moon) with about 50 people in attendance. The 2nd Annual Community Needfire Ritual will be held on Monday, October 17, 2005.

Northeast Council of W.I.C.C.A. is sponsoring MidMoon Community Outreach spearheaded by Lisa Hutchings as a way to reach out to our community pagan family in times of need, i.e. death in family, illness, birth of a child, etc. We prepare a basket of hand made items and visit the person or family to show our support. NEC members are participating in the AIDS, Rochester Walk-A-Thon on Sunday, June 5, 2005 and we participate in Operation Welcome Home Troops.

These are only a few community activities in which are involved. We are a busy group of Pagans, Witches and Wiccans! Consider joining us in our efforts to educate, foster respect and promote unity in the Greater Rochester area.

This web site is very user-friendly and provides information about:

1. Networking with others in and around the Rochester area, as well as New York State and various cities throughout the northeastern United States

2. Pagan-related news articles

3. Classes, workshops, metaphysical shops, events, open circles, groups/organizations and covens

4. Information about Northeast Council of W.I.C.C.A.

We welcome postings regarding pagan-related events. Please go to our Networking Pages to list your group/coven/organization. If you would like to list pagan-related events, classes, workshops, lectures, etc. please visit Event Listings and follow the easy directions. Note that it may take a couple of days for your listing to appear.

As always we welcome your questions, comments, suggestions or concerns.

Blessed Be,