Frigga's Web Association
Clergy Accreditation Program

Recognizing that in some jurisdictions, obtaining status as clergy can make some activities possible or easier, and that the imprimatur of a national organization can make obtaining clergy status easier, the Frigga's Web Association (FWA) provides clergy accreditation as a service to the heathen community.

Eligibility

It is not desirable (or possible) to develop a rigorous or exclusivist definition of either "gothi/gythia" or "kindred" or to impose any single hierarchy on the international Asatru community. The Frigga's Web Clergy Accreditation program serves as a voice for individuals to project their voices into a national forum.

The program is designed to accommodate active gothis/gythias who serve a well-defined kindred with regular meetings, although others may be eligible as well. Each gothi/gythia is enrolled by members of the kindred he/she serves; each kindred may enrol as many gothis/gythias as they have.

Please refer to the detailed program description for more specifics on who is eligible for the program.

Basic procedure

The FWA Clergy Accreditation Office (P.O. Box 75476, Washington, DC 20013-0476) will get five signed statements from the kindred for each gothi/gythia.

A representative or official of the kindred must provide an affidavit that gives information on the kindred such as where and how often the kindred conducts blots, when the kindred was formed and and how large it is. (This information will be published in the FWA clergy directory. )

Three nominators must each submit an affidavit that states that the applicant is known to the nominator as a gothi of a particular kindred and as a "heathen of good, moral character." The affidavit should give some description of how the applicant serves as gothi, how the nominator is connected to the kindred, how the nominator knows the applicant, and for how long.

Each nominator must provide personal contact information such as a telephone number or a frequently-read e-mail address in case the Clergy Accreditation Office or the Trustees have any follow-up questions. (This information will not be published.)

The applicant must sign and submit a copy of the "Oath of Good Behavior" specified in the Frigga's Web Association Bylaws and an affidavit that states that he or she is a gothi of the kindred.

The applicant's statement must give his legal name as well as current contact information for both the applicant and the kindred. He or she should also supply his or her religious name (if applicable), some details on how long he or she has been a gothi, how long he or she has served the kindred, and so on.

The Frigga's Web Clergy Accreditation Office will review the documents and, if they are straightforward and in good order, enroll the gothi/gythia in the clergy directory and issue an accreditation document.

Application Form

A sample application that may suit your needs is available in HTML format at the program web site. There is nothing special about the sample, however, and you may submit the application information in any form that allows you to meet all the requirements. It is far more important to include complete and accurate information than to force your application to fit the sample form!

You must include a non-refundable application fee of US$5 (in the form of a check or money order made payable to the Frigga's Web Association) with your application package.

Special cases

Those not affiliated with a well-defined kindred with regular meetings or who do not meet all of the eligibility requirements may apply for accreditation. Any applications which offer any special concerns or problems will be referred to the FWA Trustees for review. The Trustees may decide to allow accreditation, to decline accreditation, to ask for more information or documentation, or to bring the matter to the attention of the membership with a report of their concerns.

Manny Olds
Clergy Accreditation Officer
Reeves Hall of Frigga's Web

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Last Modified 23 August 1999
Comments to Manny Olds, oldsma@pobox.com