Half the year is gone, and summer, albeit a cool and rainy one, is finally here after a long winter.     We keep busy.

In April we celebrated Eostre.  In May we had a beautiful flower festival to Friga.  Just recently this month, we honored Baldr for Midsummer, despite Thunor doing his best to drench us in torrential rains!

Crystal’s birthday was in April and mine was in May.  Both were celebrated with a small band of close friends, and much beer and cheer.

I attended Vanirfest in May, though my kindred was too busy to attend.  I gave a workshop on Runes for beginners which seemed well received.

We did not do a pubmoot this quarter, and most likely will not next quarter, either.   If we get more prospective members whom we need to meet on neutral ground, we may reconsider reinstating them.  As for now, our schedule is too busy to accommodate them and we would prefer to concentrate on rituals rather than social gatherings.

We continue tweaking our liturgy to be more polished, professional, and inviting to both gods and human guests.  I think we have come a long way since we started.  We offer a section in our rites where anyone can bring material or praise offerings to the gods and ancestors, and we encourage everyone to do so!  And finally, we have a new permanent altar and fire ring in our Gettysburg meeting spot.

This kindred has never been insular and we have always taken interest in the spiritual groups around us, Heathen or otherwise.  Some of us double as ADF Druids, and trying to throw together a local protogrove has kept us doubly busy.  Crystal is in fact on the board of directors for ADF, and she is also helping to organize the Summerstow meeting which may turn into a new tradition.  I am a member of the Troth and have completed my first year Lore Studies.  I also represent GVK at the occasional Lore Meetings at Thor’s hollow.

On a personal note, Crystal’s home business is blossoming well, and Donald has found his recent career to his liking.  Josh is doing splendidly in his career and his studies.  I am starting to take my own private life in bold new directions.  It is truly an exciting time for everyone here and we thank our gods and ancestors for our good fortune.

We have been around 3 years now.   In Midsummer of 2012, Josh French and I met to perform our first ritual together.    What a ride it has been!   For those of you who attend our rites, we thank you dearly for your fellowship.  We hope to be around for quite some time.

— Jeremy