Foundational Purpose
Sacred Well Congregation International was founded in 1994 as a Universalist, independent, non-evangelical Wiccan Church, organized for the purpose of conducting and promoting religious study, worship and ordination of clergy in Wicca while also embracing early on other alternative Spiritual Paths. Since then, while retaining our original focus, our membership and services have grown more inclusive to provide open, public venues, fellowship and training for the practice of Natured Centered religions. We promote community benevolence efforts, spiritual counseling, and religious educational programs, and provide extensive spiritual and administrative support to service members, their families and military communities. SWCI now sponsors hospital Chaplains, military Distinctive Religious Groups, and is a recognized Ecclesiastical Endorsing Organization with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Board of Chaplaincy Certification, Inc. (BCCI). SWCI provides denominational sponsorship to those groups and faith group leaders whose congregants and officials require it to sponsor their practice. Finally, in conjunction with multiple educational institutions, and as a member of BCCI, SWCI provides an intern program resulting in ordination of professional clergy for a myriad of Nature Centered Spiritualities.
Vision
To be a safe, welcoming, inclusive fellowship of Nature Based clergy and practitioners and a forum of higher learning supporting all spiritualists who come seeking.
Mission
Sponsor, endorse and provide infrastructure for Nature-Centered military and community groups; provide support, education and assistance to the served community and beyond; provide information and resources for chaplains, military and community leaders and Nature Based practitioners.
Ethics and Equality
Sacred Well Congregation International (SWCI) strives to be as inclusive as possible in our organizational makeup, philosophy and conduct of affairs. SWCI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, mental or physical disability, political belief or affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law in any aspect of the access to, admission, or treatment of congregants in its programs and activities, or in employment and volunteer assignments and application for employment or other positions of membership or leadership. Furthermore, SWCI organizational policy includes prohibitions of harassment of students, members and employees/volunteers, i.e. racial harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation for filing complaints of discrimination.
Education
Bringing formal and informal models of experiential, academic, and intuitive learning resources to practicing nature-centered spiritual communities.
Deaconry Training Program
The Deaconry Training Program includes the Roedi Course in its entirety, plus modules on History, Development and Philosophy…
Clergy Training Program
For our Clergy training we have opted to work together with Cherry Hill Seminary to meet the educational requirements for ordination…
Greencraft Traditional Craft Wicca
Greencraft also offers traditional Wiccan Coven training. The first two levels of training – The Greencraft Roedi and the Greencraft…
Membership
We understand that that membership is not one-size-fits-all. Choose the level of membership that works best for you.
General Membership
General membership is free and unbinding and entitles the member to participate in mailing and discussion groups and to receive…
Sponsoring Membership
This level includes all of the above plus discounts for training courses and events. Cost for this membership: $100.00 per…
Supporting Membership
Supporting members have all the privileges of General, plus a Membership Certificate, discounts on events and periodic…
Endowed Life Membership
Endowed Life Members are entitled to all of the above plus are tuition-exempt from all SWC training courses and also receive…
Family Membership
This level has the same privileges of the Supporting member and covers two adults and all the children in one household…
Organizational Membership
Non-Profit and Commercial Organization Sponsoring Memberships recognize and promote the organization…
Helpful Resources
Helpful research and resources from the Sacred Well Archives
Research
These pages are designed to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and material. Other categories may be added…
Ritual Resources
These pages are designed to provide resources for ritual design. If you have material that you would like to share…
Reviews & Articles
These pages contain book reviews and media articles. If you have material that you would like to share, or suggestions…
SWC Board of Deacons
Elen síla lumenn’ omentielvo: A star shines on the hour of our meeting

REV. RONALD SCHAEFER
Executive Director
Ron Schaefer (Astralaya) was born in Sinton, Texas. He grew up in Germany and later in all points in Texas, finally landing (until college) in Victoria, Texas. It was there he met…

REV. WILLOW ORINGDERFF
Vice Executive Director
Willow Oringderff was born and raised in a small town in Belgium. In March 2003 Willow signed up for coven training. About a year later she first heard about SWC and she…

REV. DR. DAVID ORINGDERFF, PHD
Director Emeritus
Dr. Oringderff is a graduate of Dallas Baptist University, and holds an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Bowie State University (Maryland) and a Ph.D. in Clinical…

REV. SHANE NELSON
Director of Military Affairs
Shane is a healer, a teacher, a chaplain, and a ritual leader that has been actively walking his path of Nature-Centered Spirituality for over twenty years. His path has led…

REV. DR. PAMELA HANCOCK
Director of Community Ministry
The Reverend Doctor Pamela D. Hancock is the Assistant Professor of Spiritual Practice and Care of the Soul as well as the Director of the Chaplaincy Program at…

REV. DEA MIKEWORTH
Director of IT
Dea is Wife, Mother, Priestess, and Witch. She is also mistress of all things web-related. Dea was born and raised in a small Southeaster Illinois town. In 2000…

REV. RYAN ADAMS
Congregational Archivist
Ryan is a former Chaplain Assistant in the US Army, a Paramedic, and a Coven Leader in the Greencraft Tradition of Wicca. For the last 20 years he has been involved in…

DR. ILLARA SILVERBREEZE, MD
Congregational Secretary
Illara has a Bachelors of Science from Rochester Institute of Technology, a Doctor of Medicine from University of Maryland, and completed her residency in Family…

WES ISLEY
Congregational Chaplain
After a job lay-off and a series of family deaths, Rev. Wes Isley felt a nudge to pursue full-time spiritual service after a career in magazine publishing. He received his MDiv…
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Sacred Well Congregation is a 501(c)3 organization that provides service, support, and spiritual care, education, and fellowship to serving military personnel, veterans, family members, and civilians alike. We are a non-profit organization. Please consider contributing to our organization.
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