Home Outer Court Dedicants:
Persons who have
dedicated themselves to the Church for a period of one year and one day to study
the path of the Wicca, according to the requirements of the Church. After
the period of one year and one day the Dedicant may apply for initiation into
the Clergy Program, or they may continue their studies as non-clergy or withdraw
from further study and remain in the Outer Court.
Inner Court:
Persons who are in the Clergy
Program and the Administrators of the Church.
Degrees of Inner Court Participation in the Church of the Ancient Ways of Maryland for initiates of the Church:
Initiates of the First Degree:
Those persons
who have met the criteria for the lowest level of the Clergy as defined by the
Board of Directors, and have been duly initiated by the Chief Priestess and or
Chief Priest of the Temple. These requirements shall normally include
having been active in the Church for a minimum of one year and one day, and the
successful completion of the First Degree classes or their equivalent as
mandated by the Church – however neither of these accomplishments shall in and
of them selves automatically entitle a Candidate to initiation. Initiation
into the First Degree clergy of the Church may be given only upon the
recommendation of the Chief Priestess and or Chief Priest and the approval of
the Board of Directors.
Initiates of the Second Degree:
Persons who
have been active in the Church as First Degree Clergy for at least one year and
one day, and who have met all requirements for advancement to the Second Degree
as defined by the Board of Directors, and have been duly initiated by the Chief
Priestess and or Chief Priest of the Church. These requirements may
include successful completion of classes for the Second Degree as mandated by
the Church, as well as demonstrated proficiency and leadership in ritual and
Church activities – However neither of these shall in and of themselves
automatically entitle a Candidate to Second Degree initiation. Initiation
into the Second Degree clergy of the Church may be given only upon the
recommendation of the Chief Priestess and or Chief Priest and the approval of
the Board of Directors.
Initiates of the Third Degree:
The High
Priestesses and High Priests of the Church. Those person who, having been
active in the Church as Second Degree Clergy for at least one year and one day,
and who have met all requirements for acclamation to the Third Degree as defined
by the Board of Directors, and have been duly initiated by the Chief Priestess
and or Chief Priest of the Church. These requirements may include
demonstrated proficiency in energy working, ritual design and leadership,
teaching, counseling, group process and administration, but none of these in and
of themselves guarantee initiation into the Third Degree. Initiation into
the Third Degree clergy of the Church may be given only upon the recommendation
of the Chief Priestess and or Chief Priest and the approval of the Board of
Directors.
Guidelines for Conduct:
All members, Dedicants, Clergy, and Officers of the Church shall be guided in their conduct by the Wiccan Rede, the Law of Return, Church of the Ancient Ways of Maryland (the Mother Church) Rules, and the Goddess and God within each person. It is expected that all persons involved with the Church shall conduct themselves in a manner which is a credit to the Church, and the Wiccan Tradition.
Dedicants and Clergy are expected to participate in Esbats, Sabbats and classes. If any attends fewer than 80% of these, their status shall be subject to review by the Board
No person shall be denied membership in either the Outer Court or the Inner
Court of the Church of the Ancient Ways of Maryland because of gender*, race,
ethnic background, sexual orientation, physical handicap, previous religious
association, or age (provided that they have attained the age of legal
majority). Candidates for membership who have not attained the age of
legal majority may be considered for membership only at the request of their
parents or guardians.
(* An exception re gender is made in the case of
programs which have been specifically designated and formed to explore Women’s
or Men’s Mysteries as a primary focus.)
Membership Fees:
There will be an annual membership fee of $126.00 per member or $189.00 for family. Family is defined as a couple, 2 parents with children or 1 parent with children. All members shall be eligible for membership of the Church upon payment of the membership fees. The Church Membership Fee shall be paid annually, and/or quarterly. Annually due on or by January 1st, of each year. Quarterly due by 1st of each month listed, January, April, July, October in the amount of : for individual $32.00 per quarter which is equivalent to $10.50 per month. Family $47.25 per quarter which is equivalent to $15.75 per month.
If you decided to join both Church of the Ancient Ways and The Sacred Light
Temple Witan Shrine in the Correllian Tradition. Your membership fee of
$126.00 or $189.00 will cover both membership fees. If joining both the
Church and Temple select Church and Temple on the drop down menu of the
application.