Our Samhain Anniversary Special
Look for this show in our Archives -- it was a BLAST!

Handfasting: A Pagan Guide to Commitment Rituals
by Reverend Dr. Kendra Vaughan Hovey

www.FirstChurchofWicca.org
Reverend Dr. Kendra Vaughan Hovey is the founding Elder High Priestess and Metaphysician of the First Church of Wicca. Starting as a Solitary Practitioner at the age of 11, she joined an Eclectic Coven while attaining her first college degree in Rhode Island. She was Initiated and Ordained by the Dark Forest Coven in 1989. She branched off from the mother hive and led a new coven for several years until her career forced her to leave the group. From there, she continued to practice Solitary Wicca while studying at the University of Metaphysics, and has since obtained her Doctorate in Ministry, specializing in Pastoral Counseling. She is currently studying for her PH.D. in Holistic Ministry at the American Institute of Holistic Theology. Reverend Dr. Kendra is an Ordained Metaphysical Minister with the International Metaphysical Ministry and an Ordained Elder High Priestess with the First Church of Wicca. She is also a member of the American Metaphysical Doctor's Association. Reverend Dr. Kendra has practiced Wicca and Metaphysics, working as a spiritual leader promoting healing of the mind, soul, and body for over 15 years. She is able to legally perform all Ministerial and High Priestess duties.

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A Dinner Prayer from Rev. Dr. Hovey (First Church of Wicca):
“The table round contains the earth and thus becomes the Mother, We share Her bounty in this hour and bless and love each other. So Mote It Be! It’s a Good Life! I can, I will, I believe! Thank you God and Goddess.”

Also, if people want a copy of the The Learning Channel (TLC) program highlighting the life of Rev. Dr. Hovey and her family on DVD, they can email their name & address to: Info@FirstChurchofWicca.org

-- Quote from Rev. Dr. Hovey:
"Merry Meet Mark, Krista (& Su), …I want to thank you...for the interview on Saturday night. I had so much fun – you guys and your show are great. Keep up the good work and know that the First Church of Wicca will support you in any way that we can."

Rosemary Gladstar was our most delightful guest this month.

Please check Rosemary's website for more information about her books,
and lots of other wonderful information.......
http://www.sagemountain.com/

Below is a partial listing of some of Rosemary's books:
--Rosemary Gladstar's Family Herbal:
.....A Guide to Living Life with Energy, Health, and Vitality
--Herbal Healing for Women
--Herbs for Natural Beauty
--Herbal Remedies for Children's Health
--Planting the Future: Saving Our Medicinal Herbs
--Everyday Herbs in Spiritual Life: A Guide to Many Practices
--The Herbalist's Way: The Art and Practice of Healing with Plant Medicines
--From Earth to Herbalist: An Earth-Conscious Guide to Medicinal Plants
--The Complete Book of Flower Essences:
.....48 Natural and Beautiful Ways to Heal Yourself and Your Life
--Science and Art of Herbology, (The Science and Art of Herbology home study, vols. 1-10)
--Herbal Healing For Women - Simple Home Remedies For Women Of All Ages

Natural Health Handbooks:
--Herbs for Longevity & Well-Being
--Herbs for Reducing Stress & Anxiety
--Herbal Remedies for Men's Health

Sage Healing Way Series:
--Herbal Medicinal Preparations
--Herbs for Menopause
--Herbs for the Liver and Hayfever
--Herbs for the Nervous System
--Herbs for Winter Health
--Herbs for Womens Health
--Rosemary's Wildfood Recipes

Two of the many books by Steve Brill
Check out all his books at: www.wildmanstevebrill.com
and more recipes -- and tips on finding great food all around you!

Elderberry Crunch Bread -
Wild Food Recipe Adapted from The Wild Vegetarian Cookbook,
by 'Wildman' Steve Brill (Harvard Common Press, 2002).

Simple Solution Elderberries are the size of cultivated currants but very strongly flavored, crunchy, and not as sweet. Raw, they have a slightly rank flavor and give some people indigestion, so always cook them. You may also dehydrate and reconstitute them before you use them. Here is a recipe that demonstrates how good elderberries taste if you use them sparingly, with other ingredients, and sweeten the recipe. This bread contains all kinds of things crunchy: sunflower seeds, coconut, granola, and, of course, elderberries.

INGREDIENTS:
3 3/4 cups rye flour and 1 1/3 cups barley flour,
or 1 1/3 any whole-grain flour
5 tablespoons freshly gorund flaxeeds
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 1/4 cups apple juice or other unsweetened fruit juice
2 tablespoons corn oil
1 teaspoon coconut extract (optional)
1 teaspoon amaretto extract (optional)
2 cups elderberries
1 cup granola
1 cup shelled raw sunflower seeds
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
2 tablespoons lecithin granules
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Procedure:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix the flour, ground glaxseeds, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.

3. In a medium-size bowl, mix together the apple juice, liquid stevia, if you are using it, lemon juice, corn oil, and extracts. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, being careful not to overmix. Stir in the elderberries, granola, sunflower seeds, coconut, and lecithin.

4. Press the dough into 2 oiled 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2- inch bread pans. Sprinkle the cinnamon on top. Set a pan of hot water on the bottom of the oven to keep the crust soft. Bake the loaves until a toothpick inserved in the center emerges clean, about 1 hour.

5. Remove the loaves from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack before slicing.

MAKES 2 LOAVES