Programs

The Troth Clergy Program

A program to train inclusive Heathen Clergy to serve the spiritual needs of the community.

Diana Paxson Clergy DirectorDiana Paxson | Clergy Coordinator

In our history as an organization whose purpose includes education and service, one of the ways in which the Troth has fulfilled this purpose longest has been by training people to function as Heathen clergy.

Given that aside from the priests at Uppsala whose rituals so upset Christian observers, there is very little evidence for any kind of formal priesthood in the Heathen north, why should this be one of the Troth’s goals?

References to religious practice during the Viking Age describe family or regional celebrations led by the head of the family or the neighborhood’s most powerful landholder who was not only their political representative but the guy who could afford the animals for the sacrifices. These were “family trads” in the purest sense, practices based on a deep connection to the landspirits and the ancestors.

Today, we study the lore to create new traditions for our own families, or gather into “kindreds” with others who have heard the call of our gods.

We have to learn the old ways from books and figure out how to adapt them to contemporary needs. Furthermore, we have grown up in a culture which has certain expectations of what religious leaders should be and do. Heathens need people who can lead groups, create and perform rituals for holidays and life passages, and give counsel based on the lore.

It is the people who find themselves being asked to meet these needs, who hear a call to service from the gods, who write to the Troth asking for training.  The Troth Clergy Program strives to meet that need.

Troth clergy take the same oath as a Troth officer, but their activities include rather than being limited to work within the organization, Troth clergy are called to serve the people and the gods. The Troth members who bear witness at the ordination ceremony stand not only for the rest of the Troth but for others who our clergy may be called to serve.

Active Clergy

This is a list of people who have active Clergy Credentials issued by The Troth, or who are in training to receive them.

Elder Clergy

  • Diana L. Paxson, Clergy Program Coordinator. California.

Active Clergy

  • Melody Grundy. Ireland
  • Patricia Lafayllve. Connecticut
  • Tanya Peterson. Arkansas
  • Maire Barbara Durkan. Delaware
  • Su Eaves. Virginia
  • Ethan Stark, Wisconsin
  • Kim Pierri, Denmark
  • Robert L. Schreiwer, Steer Emeritus. Eastern PA / Delaware
  • Kurt Hohmann, Upstate New York
  • Tim Adams, Michigan
  • Lonnie Scott, Illinois

Clergy Emeriti (Retired)

  • Birgit Knorr
  • Hester Butler-Ehle

Clergy Students

  • Lisa Morgenstern, Clergy Program Administrative Assistant and Troth Elder. California.
  • Lorrie Wood, Troth Elder. Washington.
  • John Mainer, British Columbia.
  • Steve Ausband, Virginia.
  • Josh Gillund, Wisconsin.
  • Mike Gehringer

Heathenry works on a Congregational model, in which a group of worshippers choose a minister, or on an even less formal process in which a leader builds a congregation.

The Troth would love to list a member of our clergy alongside the Troth Steward in every state, but although our output of graduates is increasing, developing that kind of coverage will take awhile. However Zoom and other communication apps enable us to serve virtually, and as the Pagan festival circuit recovers from the pandemic our clergy will appear more and more often leading workshops or rituals. Troth clergy may lead kindreds, or work as individuals where needed.

Admission to the Training Program requires first, a year of membership in the Troth to make sure you are a good fit for the organization, and vice versa, before we put time and energy into training you. Second, we require that everyone have the same grounding in the lore by passing the test for the first year of the Troth’s lore program. Upon approval from the Head of the Lore Program, you can apply to the Clergy Program. Upon acceptance, you will work independently with the Training Manual, with other Trainees and Clergy in virtual meetings, and where possible with individual clergy mentors.

Ordained clergy are encouraged to remain active in the program as mentors, and for continuing education and mutual support.

–Diana Paxson, Coordinator