26/12/2018 ChristoPaganism and Elvenkind | Ecumenical Companions of Sophia

ChristoPaganism and Elvenkind

ChristoPaganism is a new religious movement comprised of individuals who self-identify as both Christian and
Pagan. As a hybridized faith, ChristoPaganism is often denied and/or rejected by both Christianity and
NeoPaganism, and ChristoPagans tend to be reduced to silence in both “parent” communities. ChristoPagans
can be Christians who adopt, adapt, and practice various facets of NeoPaganism (such as magic, fairie-lore,
Goddess thealogy, spiritual ecology, animism, runework, crystals, etc.), or Pagans who feel a strong connection
with Jesus, Mary, the saints, and other Christian figures, and include these relationships in their spiritual
practice. While not a well-defined body of belief or practice, ChristoPaganism may be viewed as a sphere of
overlap between the two religious traditions, where each respects, understands, and mutually transforms the
other in positive ways.

The Ecumenical Companions of Sophia ministers to the ChristoPagan community, providing services such as

– monthly full moon ceremonies

– training and initiation in Sophian Druidry

– bible and book studies

– spiritual companionship, pastoral care, and anamchara (soul-friendship)

– runework

– Sophian potlucks

– handfasting ceremonies (all orientations and gender identifications welcome)

– rebirthing ceremonies

– public teaching sessions on Christian animism, magical cosmology, Pagan-Christian dialogue, Inklings studies,
Christian Goddess thealogy, hermetic traditions, Celtic Christianity, Cosmic Christology, and other ChristoPagan
topics

As a zone of peace between two antagonistic traditions, the Ecumenical Companions of Sophia attempts to
share the abundant grace of Jesus’ love with NeoPagans, and the magical cosmology of NeoPaganism with
Christians. With respect and mutual understanding, there is transformation, healing, and love. May it ever be
so: Amen.

Elvenkind Another way of understanding ChristoPaganism is to think of it as a form of “Elven” spirituality. In

Tolkien’s legendarium of Middle Earth, the Elves (or Quendi) are the Children of Illuvatar (God) who are the
most naturally magical, and in touch with the realm of the angels (the Valar in Valinor). For a number of
different reasons, some people here in the “real world” bear a strong spiritual resemblance to Tolkien’s Elves.
Usually these people are highly sensitive, psychic, intuitive, visionary, “dreamy”, artistic, intellectually
precocious, and insatiably curious, especially about things pertaining to the spirit world. In more modern “Harry
Potter” parlance, these are the “magical” rather than the “muggle” folk.

Institutional religion has never been altogether comfortable with Elvenkind. At worst, those of Elvish
temperment have been driven out as heretics or burnt at the stake as witches. At best, there has been an
uneasy tolerance for those with psychic gifts and mystical tendencies. These days, I’ve seen a tragic exodus of
“Elves” from the church, with many finding a more hospitable home in Wiccan, Druid, or other NeoPagan
communities. The wisdom and the welcome they find in these traditions is powerful and real. But in this
migration, the church is losing a precious gift and treasure. The Elvenkind are people of angelic blessing,
uncomfortable as this may be for some. The church neglects her Elven children to her own peril.

The Ecumenical Companions of Sophia strives to be a safe and welcoming refuge for Elvenkind in the church.
If you suspect that you may have “Elvish blood”, if the Rune of Sophia resonates with your spirit, please be in
touch. You are not alone.

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