There has been some, well, interesting talk as of late about what SIPA is, what it isn’t, who’s involved, etc. So to clear up some confusion I felt it was time to write about the organization known as SIPA-the Southern Illinois Pagan Alliance.

     As many of you know, Don Elwell spontaneously created SIPA in September of 1998 to have an association to be affiliated with while he debated our friend and yours, the Evangelical Presbyterian minister Burke Shade. Don created it and then moved on to other projects, leaving the organization in my hands to make it sink or swim. I chose to make it live. With the help of a handful of dedicated individuals we not only gave SIPA life, but helped it grow.

     SIPA is NOT a coven, nor will it ever be a coven. We do not mean to take the place of either individual or coven work. In fact, covens and circles have formed from connections made through SIPA events and the networking efforts we strive so hard to do!

     SIPA is a networking, organizational and action oriented group that hosts many open events and rituals, including the 8 major sabbats as well as smaller rituals such as remembrance vigils such as the 9-11 circles, healing circles,etc. SIPA does want to provide experiences in various group rituals and events for those interested in participating. SIPA also strives to provide safety and an organization to provide support in the public realm when needed by regional pagans. This would be in the form of support, defense and a respected and well known organization to be affiliated with.

     Who runs SIPA? There is a board made up of about 8 or so people who plan and organize rituals and things like the newsletter, the website, list serve, fund raisers and other events. This is a small group that makes the major decisions but these decisions are made by the GROUP, with input from the community taken very seriously, and not by any individual person.

     Why do you see the same faces participating or running the rituals? This is simple, and unfortunate in many ways...these are the people who have been willing to step up and volunteer their time and energy. There seems to be a limited number of people willing or able to step forth and take an active role. Believe me, to find volunteers, especially NEW faces and new people, is sometimes like pulling teeth. When few step up to volunteer, we fall back on the “tried and true” and also we fall back on the people who have put the most time and energy into SIPA to represent the organization at major events. This is not to say we don’t want new people to participate(PLEASE....WE DO, WE NEED YOU) but we do have to work with what we have, and when new faces volunteer, we try to give them preference!

     What kind of people make up SIPA? I have heard that we are primarily a college aged group...this is simply not true! Sure, many folks involved in SIPA and that come to SIPA events are college aged, but many are not. Look around at the next event...I promise you will find children, teens, people in their twenties, thirties, forties, fifties, sixties...and it keeps going! For example, Raven is around 20, I am 28 , Don is 51!...and that is just a sample of SIPA folks! We are made up of people from all over the country, from every socioeconomic status and education level. We are made up of men, women, transgendered folks, heterosexuals, homosexuals, bisexuals...black, white, Hispanic, Asian...the list goes on.

     We are Wiccan, Pagan, Native American, Eclectic, Buddhist, Ceremonial Magicians, healers, herbalists, diviners, mystics, shamans, psychics...and on and on.

     We are made up of beginners and adepts and everything in between. We are solitary, coven mates, or somewhere in between.

     Some folks are students. Many hold jobs in places like offices, grocery stores, coffee shops, retail outlets, at home...even at our own businesses! Some are doctors, lawyers, therapists, artists, and more!

     We are single, married, divorced, celibate, mothers, fathers or childless. Many of us are pet owners.

     We are diverse.

     SIPA was created to build community in this region. We are not here to hurt anyone or take anything away. We are here to build upon personal spirituality and help people on their personal spiritual journey. We are here to support. SIPA tries to provide what the community wants and needs. We are diverse in so many ways yet so similar.

     I want to encourage folks to give SIPA a chance, check out our events and ask questions! Voice your ideas! And get involved to the extent that you feel comfortable and are willing to be involved! We need you! We want you!

     And please know...SIPA is trying its best to be a positive force in this area. We need all the help we can get!

Blessed Be!