In recent commons meetings, we’ve discussed moving the time of our monthly Commons meeting away from the third Friday, in order to be more inclusive and because we are no longer meeting in-person.
If you would like to provide input on when the new schedule we choose should be, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/zr5np2mAGzpXzBBF7
A message from the event stewards of the Feast of Three Princes:
This past Sunday evening, we had the privilege to steward The Feast of the Three Princes, a virtual event. While virtual events are not new, this was the first time Østgarðr attempted a virtual feast. It could not have happened without the contributions of many, many people.
We thank Noble Anne of Østgarðr, who was the rock this event was built on. Their efforts in arranging for use of the East Kingdom Zoom, building the event website, processing pre-registration and coordinating all the technical aspects of the event literally made this event possible. We would also like to thank the Honorable Lord Mathghamhain Ua Ruadháin, for his assistance with the website, event graphics, and for knowing just about any process of procedure that came up.
We would not have had a feast without food. We thank the cooks, Baroness Zoe Mikra of Calontir, Lord Edwin Latorre and Fruha Arnbjorg Nilsdottir, for their efforts in preparing three tasty menu options for our event attendees and for making themselves available to answer any questions regarding the preparation of those menus.
The bardic arts played a key role in creating the ambiance of an SCA feast hall. We would like to thank Sayyida Laila al-Sanna’ al-Andalusiyya, for coordinating the bardic competition and running the open bardic for the event. We also thank ÌÞròttamaðr Grimm the Skald and Lord Drake Oranwood for helping judge the competition, and Lord Brandr Aronsson for creating the prizes.
To make a Zoom conference come alive as a feast hall takes skill. We would also thank Catelin Straquhin, Armiger for bringing flair and wit to the hall as our MC for the evening and Drotin Ragnarr Blaskegg, for his work behind the scenes as stage manager and Zoom support.
Letting the populace know of our virtual feast was a challenge in these times. We heartily thank Il-Khatun Lada Monguligin for planning, creating and posting the promotional materials for the event, and Biocunta Culann mac Cianain for creating the event’s commemorative postcard.
We would also like to thank, the Il-Khan and Il-Khatune of Østgarðr for being our hosts, the Østgarðr seneschal, Hlæfdige Alienor Salton for her continuous support and counsel, and the Three Princes, for letting us hold a party in honor of their friendship.
The East Kingdom web team was gracious enough to allow use of the kingdom Zoom account for the event. We thank Baron Symon of Barnesdale and the honorable Herr Matthias von Würzburg for their support in this endeavor.
Lastly, we thank all the bards, cooks and attendees who took the time to don garb, set a fine table and help us recreate a little bit of the dream in these challenging times.
In service,
The Event Stewards, Perez ben Meir Gershon Effendi and the honorable Lord Friderich Grimme
A message from our seneschal:
The following provincial officers are serving terms that end Dec. 31st, 2020.
Would you like to volunteer for any of these offices? I am calling for nominations from the populace from anyone who would like to serve in any of these positions. Role descriptions are below. If you are interested in any of the positions, I urge you to check out the relevant website for the position. None of these positions are term-limited, so the incumbents are also welcome to run again.
We’re hosting a virtual feast to celebrate Three Princes Day! Find out more about cooking, bardic, preregistration (and what Three Princes Day is) at https://ostgardr.eastkingdom.org/three-princes/
Østgarðr’s welcoming fire burns bright every 2nd Wednesday of the month. Join us as we warm ourselves sharing song & story!
7-9pm, Wednesday October 14th. https://meet.google.com/eqk-xdiy-ayxb
You may RSVP to the Facebook event here: https://fb.me/e/5Bxj12fvw
Østgarðr commons (social gathering & business meeting) will be held on our usual 3rd Friday of the month. Call starts at 7:30pm; business portion of the meeting will begin at 8pm, and is likely to last ~45 minutes. Socializing continues until everyone drops.
https://meet.google.com/nhu-qsgk-zzi
To join by phone instead, dial +1 402-364-0138 and enter this PIN: 616 864 602#
You may RSVP to the Facebook event here: https://fb.me/e/1PKGMdeiA
Find out more on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/378041149908705/.
New to the SCA? Want to get an idea of what there is to do/get involved in? Or maybe you’ve been around for a bit and want to explore other things to try.
This class will cover the basics to getting started (including how to read an event announcement and some SCA-specific vocabulary), explore types of garb, things to do at events, and any questions you might have about getting started. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions. There will be handouts that are basic class notes provided via PDF.
Google Meet link will be posted about 15 minutes ahead of the start time. There will be an option for dial-in by voice only, as well.
When: Tuesday 9/1/2020 from 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. EST
Where: On Google Meet
Meeting ID
meet.google.com/bwx-irdz-woo
Phone Numbers (US)
+1 617-675-4444
PIN: 601 132 068 5638#
Description: Not sure how to make a personal page on the East Kingdom Wiki (or even just wondering what the East Kingdom Wiki is?). Join this class to walk through how to make a basic personal page for yourself.
When: Thursday 9/10/2020 from 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Where: On Google Meet
Meeting ID
meet.google.com/ory-bmbt-nyb
Phone Numbers
(US)
+1 617-675-4444
PIN: 443 344 016 8787#
Description: Have you wondered what an SCA Persona is or wanted to make your SCA Persona more useful? Join this class to review the basic concepts of persona and how to the persona work for you in your SCA experience.
Commons is Friday, July 17th, 7:30-10:30pm. We will share news at 8pm.
Meeting URL: https://meet.google.com/nhu-qsgk-zzi (you can join this with a computer, you don’t need to turn on video or microphone to join us)
Phone: +1 402-364-0138 PIN: 616 864 602# (dial this number on your phone and you can listen and speak at Commons)
Other upcoming events:
“Yaking with the Il Khanate”
on Sunday 7/26 from 4 to 6pm
Put on some garb if you’d like and come hang out with us and other members of Ostgardr. We want to make ourselves available to Our populace for anything you’d like to bring up, share, ask us anything and any concerns you may have.
Virtual Potluck
on Thursday 8/6 from 7 to 9 pm
With Pennsic going virtual this year and upholding Ostgardr tradition we would like to invite everyone to come together for a virtual Ostgardr Potluck on Thursday 8/6 from 7 to 9pm. This is an opportunity for us all to come together and share a meal when we can’t be together in person. Feel free to get creative with your table/dinner set ups to help create an immersive experience.
Bardic Circle
Every Wednesday, 7-9pm
Bring a song or story, and come to listen to others.
https://meet.google.com/eqk-xdiy-ayx
[This poem was composed by M. Ana de Guzmán, OL on the passing of Viscount Edward Zifran of Gendy, a beloved figure who had given much to Østgarðr. Our thanks to Mistress Ana for sharing it with us.]
A comet pierces Eastern skies tonight,
the likes of which we shall not see again.
The passing of a giant among men
is heralded with its celestial flight.
One blessed with skill, with puissance, with great might,
adept likewise with needle and with pen,
now makes a journey far beyond our ken
with bravery, our simple country knight.
The evil that men do lives after them?
We know this is not altogether true.
For we have seen the good this man has done.
His wisdom like unto a precious gem,
he mended fences, quarrels not a few.
Recall his light, now Edward’s race is run.
Ana de Guzmán
XV July AS LV
A message from our seneschal:
Please join us this Friday, June 19th, for our regularly scheduled (3rd Friday of the month) provincial social gathering & business meeting. All are welcome!
Meeting URL: https://meet.google.com/nhu-qsgk-zziPhone: +1 402-364-0138 PIN: 616 864 602#
Call opens at 7pm for socializing. We’ll go around all participants for comments at 8pm, and continue hanging out until everyone leaves.
Below is an official statement from the Society for Creative Anachronism’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
As so many of us struggle with the pain of separation from one another socially, so too do we struggle with the realities of systemic inequality and racism in our society. In the United States and around the world, the recent senseless killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and too many before them have unleashed an avalanche of pent-up emotion.
Our Core Values, which guide us in even these darkest of times, include the following tenets: to “act in accordance with the chivalric virtues of honor and service”, to “value and respect the worth and dignity of all individuals”, and to “practice inclusiveness and respect pluralism and diversity”.
If we are to live by our core values then there is only one path forward: we must both fight against systemic injustice and support those that do.
As the unique educational organization that we are, we have the opportunity to leverage our greatest resource: our community.
It is our community that makes us who we are. That is the true value of the Society for Creative Anachronism. We treasure the rich diversity of our community as a reflection of the rich diversity of history and we owe it to ourselves to deepen our understanding of pervasive inequitable treatment so that we can move forward on a journey of healing.
There is a tremendous amount of work to be done. It is time for us to take a hard look at who we are in order to hold ourselves accountable for the actions we take – and the actions we don’t take.
There is also fear. Our current reality is the direct result of generations of discrimination and collective trauma. As we educate ourselves to best support every member of our community, we must acknowledge the fear – and speak regardless. The time for inaction is over.
Every member of the SCA can effect positive change through personal accountability. Educate yourself and those around you on issues of injustice. Speak out against it when you see it, and use any platform that you have to elevate other voices speaking out against it, particularly those voices of marginalized groups. Assist those causes which seek to address discrimination, racial inequity, and all systemic injustice through the resources that you have available to you.
I invite all members of the SCA to continue to think about further ways they can help strengthen our commitment to our Core Values.
My SCA stands against bigotry. My SCA will not be silent, and therefore complicit, in the face of injustice. I will continue to work to make my SCA a haven for all, and a key player for progress in the battle against inequality through education and community.
It is my most ardent hope that you will join me.
Jessica Van Hattem
alias Baroness Zahra Tesfaye
SCA Corporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer
#mysca #scaathome #inclusiveexcellence #blacklivesmatter