We welcome the opportunity to have the global community see who
we are and what we are about. It has been said that we can not
expect the rest of the world's religions to accept us for who we
are if we don't put ourselves forward. Sacred Wind Sanctuary,
like many other similar groups, is at the forefront trying to
spread understanding and acceptance. One of the best ways to do
this is to have the local press community see and report on who
we are and what we do.
Sacred
Wind Sanctuary was recently featured in the Asbury Park Press, a
prominent Central New Jersey newspaper, during our Beltane
celebration.
Article Written and pictured by APP Staff writer Matthew
McGrath, printed on May 5, 2009.
Click HERE to
view the Web Version (PDF)
Click HERE to view the
Printed Version (Hi-Res PDF 3.62MB)
If you or someone you know is in the press, and would like to
do a report on who we are, what we do, any of our festivals, or
simply have questions for us....
We welcome you to contact us! You can email us at
board@sacredwindsanctuary.org, call our office line at
732-298-7761, our Pastor's Office line at 732-414-9005, or mail
us at:
Sacred Wind Sanctuary of Universal Life
PO Box 342
Tennent, NJ 07763-0342
Here are some general guidelines for members of the Press,
written by Wren Walker and Fritz Jung of The Witches' Voice,
Inc.
www.witchvox.com/xpress.html
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Do's And Don'ts For
Reporters:
-
DO get
the proper release forms signed if you are filming
or taking photos. Even today in the twent(y-first)
century discrimination exists. DO respect requests
for anonymity and privacy.
-
DO ask
for interviews and film shoots early. This is busy
time for most pagans.
-
DO take
a moment to read some of the basic information on
the tools that
pagans often use in ritual settings so that you may
better understand what is taking place. You can
always clarify later with questions such as "I
understand that the athame (blade) is used only for
creating sacred space and directing energy. Is this
correct?"
-
DO try
to get your editor to capitalize "Witch." 'Wicca'
and 'Wiccans' are words that are usually capitalized
these days as valid names for a religion/ religious
practitioner. Editors are still reluctant to apply
the same rule of style to the other "W" word. If,
when asked to clarify a religious preference, a
person identifies him/herself as a Witch, the word
deserves a capital "W."
-
DON'T take
photos or film the ceremony unless given permission
to do so. This is a religious rite. Most pagan folks
will be quite happy to pose for photos after the
ceremonies.
-
DON'T interrupt.
You needn't join in, but please treat the ritual and
people with respect during this important holiday.
-
DON'T bring
the 'special effects' gear. Witches are not
Hollywood character actors, they are engaging in
spiritual worship or traditions. If that fog machine
generated spooky atmosphere is the 'look' that your
publication is trying to project, there is probably
a Halloween bash going on at a local bar in town
that you can film.
-
DON'T forget
to bring an open mind. Witches come from all walks
of life. We raise families, go to work, throw steaks
(or vegetables) on the grill and hang out with our
friends. We practice our religions and belief
systems, celebrate our holidays with festivals and
continue to study and explore our past while
contemplating our futures.
*This article and its entirety are property of Wren
Walker and Fritz Jung, and The Witches' Voice Inc.
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