These are the actual words spoken at my ordination as an ADF Senior Priest.

Rev. Kirk Thomas:

Children of Earth, This guy here, who (with Ian) is one of the tallest people in ADF. . . It always shocks me, because I can't see up that far. . .

I met Michael J Dangler (with no period after the "J"). . . I met MJD seven years ago at Wellspring because I was about to do a rite with this Gaulish god named "Taranis." I didn't know anything about him, and everybody said, "You gotta go talk to Dangler, he knows everything about those guys!"

So, after hunting him down, I managed to corner him in a shed at Brushwood. [Crowd laughs] Don't go there! [Ian: "must have been a tall corner!"] There was a table between us the whole time! When he confessed that he really didn't know very much about them at all. But as a matter of fact, he knew more than anybody else, so that worked.

Since that time, when he was, what, 22 I believe you were? Something like that, just a kid. Since that time, he has become almost indespensible in ADF. He has become indespensible to me. He became. . . okay, I'll be brief. . . He became one of the Deputy Preceptors. Jenni gave them little stars to pin on their outfits. And his job was to take care of our Dedicants. And he did! On the lists, he answered all the questions. He wrote the "Wheel of the Year," which people are still using, a way to get through the Dedicant's Path easily, and in one year's time.

Then he moved on to other things. He helped create the Clergy Training Program, because I kept leaning on him: "Michael, we've got to get this thing done! I've got to be a full priest if I'm going to run for Archdruid!" So he did it, and he was very kind to do this.

This man's middle name is "Service," it isn't "J." It's "Service." And it is incredibly wonderful for me, and an absolute honour for me, to get to do this today. Even here, at this time.

Michael, do you have any offerings to make to your allies?

Rev. Michael J Dangler: I do.

Rev. Kirk Thomas: Then let's get to 'em.

Rev. Michael J Dangler: Children of Earth, I have often promised a wet robe contest! [Crowd cheering] I keep my word! Let me begin, and let me be brief. [Kirk: Oh, please, Michael!]

A child of Earth calls out: A child too of starry heaven.

First, to the Ancestors:
You who walked these ways,
You who gave the first sacrifice,
Who stood before us where we stand,
And received that first cup of blessing.
Hear my words!

To the Spirits of Nature:
You who have stood by us,
Who wrote the contracts we have with the land,
Who sing to us,
Who were that first sacrifice.
Hear my words!

To the Gods and Goddesses all:
You who received that sacrifice,
You to whom we call out,
You who listen to us and guide us.
Hear my words!

To the Earth Mother:
You who were giant's flesh until the sacrifice that portioned you out;
You, who with the sky, rain down blessings upon us;
I call out now. To you, I make offering.
Earth Mother, accept my sacrifice.
    [All repeat: Earth Mother, accept his sacrifice]

To the Ancient Wise:
You who walk with our clergy,
You who walk with each of us,
There are ties that bind us, that hold us fast.
I call out now, and I make this offering to you.
Ancient Wise, accept my sacrifice!
    [All repeat: Ancient Wise, accept his sacrifice]

At the center of worlds, there stands a crane.
One foot holding the land in place,
One foot plumbing the depths of the waters,
His eye raised in sharp gaze to the heavens.
This, Children, is Garanus, the Gatekeeper.

I call out now to Garanus:
You who have guided me, you who have walked with me
I come before you, offering in hand,
And I make sacrifice to you!
Garanus, accept my sacrifice!
    [All repeat: Garanus, accept his sacrifice!]

One more I call.
You, who stand at the base of the tree;
You, who stand with the bull and the crane;
You, who guide our hand;
You, who walk with us;
You, gentle gardener.
I call out now, for you have given to me the most
And you will continue to give.
So I call: Teutates! Esus! The god who stands with me!
Hear my words on the fire,
Hear my voice in the well,
As I speak my oath today.
Esus-Teutates, accept my sacrifice!
    [All repeat: Esus-Teutates, accept his sacrifice!]

Missy: [Sings "Teutates"]

Rev. Michael J Dangler: To all those I have called, I bring myself forth in preparation for this oath.

Rev. Kirk Thomas: But first, Michael: who has lit up your journey on this path?

Rev. Michael J Dangler:

Children of Earth, my path has been lit by many.

First was Fox, who built upon the foundation, who brought us Courage and Patience. He was the first among us, in 1994.

Next came Isaac, the one whose Vision started this all. He who has gone to join the Ancient Wise in the Mound.

After him came Skip. He has brought us Secret Languages, words that have been forgotten, but brought back into this realm.

Next came Ian, who brought Wonder and Wisdom, who brought us a connection with the Ancient Wise, one that may have been lost without him.

Next came Errach, who brought us the Phases of the Moon, and taught us the lore that surrounded them.

Next came Bryan, who brought art to our Art, and found new ways to express what we do, and brought us new ways to say what we say.

Next came Kirk. Kirk has brought us Presence. The ability to stand before others, to be the Church that Isaac wanted us to be, to understand that sometimes, a little bit of theatre goes a long way.

These are those who have illuminated my journey.

Rev. Kirk Thomas: Michael, I want you to place your hands upon the sickle. Speak your Oath.

Rev. Michael J Dangler:

I have come to the place of sacrifice.
I have poured oil upon the Fire,
I have poured milk upon the stone,
I have silvered the well,
And I have honoured the Earth.
All these things I have done.
My hand steers the heaven-bound boat.
I am a Priest of the People, I am a Priest of the Gods.

I pledge to love the land, to serve the folk, and to honour the gods.
To this, I dedicate my head, my heart and my hands.

Rev. Kirk Thomas: Then be it so. Children of Earth, I present to you Rev. Michael J Dangler, Ordained Priest of ADF!

Ian Corrigan: Three cheers for the Priest! [Folk: Hip-hip, Hooray! x3]

Rev. Michael J Dangler: Soggiest Priest you'll ever meet.

Ian: Until we do this again.

Rev. Michael J Dangler: it's all about timing.

Rev. Kirk Thomas: Yes, exactly. Now that you're a Priest, the heavens stopped opening.

Essays and Articles on Ordination:

• The Priestly Orders of ADF
• My Application for Ordination
• Preparation for Ordination
• The Ordination Rite
• Omens for my Ordination
• Things I Left Behind
• Symbols of Ordination
• Reflections on the Ordination experience

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