Kemet Online: Followers of The Religion of Ancient Egypt: Hear Rev Sedgwick on "The Call to Priesthood"

Em hotep everyone,

First of all, thanks to Rev Sedgwick for taking the time to talk about priesthood in such depth, and to Wab Andy for making it possible.

I enjoyed this recording immensely, and actually made some notes whilst listening to it. Speaking in terms of style, Rev Sedgwick is very erudite and a very good speaker. The speech, even though pretty long (as I later realized looking at the time), was very easy to follow and was not boring in the least (most "lectures" tend to be). I'd like to share my views on some of the "highlights" of the speech for me:

- The concept of training itself as Rev Sedgwick explains and the fact that it never ends; I think this is a very important point, often overlooked in the modern pagan community(ies). 'Pagan' is a grossly generalized term of course, but as we know it's still a common usage and we all know of high priestesses who have read about something only a few days ago but are religious authorities the next day.

- Correct me if I'm wrong on this one but I think the term was "loving firmness". When an education (of any kind) is too liberal and lack, most people can't carry on with it and need some sort of guidance and at certain times a gentle push. It's also important that we're not always okayed in everything in order for us to actually learn something and change our worldview and grow.

- The fact that Per-Ankh is okay with people who start on the path to priesthood but don't get to finish is I think a very encouraging stance for most people. It's true that sometimes what we think is the only way for us is not so after a certain time; however we can't always think ahead. Also, there is nothing wrong with starting something and not finishing it because every bit of experience is good experience and valuable in some aspect of our lives. I'm sure the people who do start the priesthood training program but do not get to finish still leave with very valuable lessons and experiences they will carry with themselves for the rest of their lives. With Per-Ankh's standpoint, it's also easier for people to not to feel held back and go ahead with it if they feel like that's their calling (at the time) instead of worrying too much thinking if they're right on their decision or not. This is, of course, not to mean that it should be taken lightly, but at least it's not a "you're either with it or you're not" situation.

Wab Andy's questions were also very well thought of and Rev Sedgwick's answers to them even more revealing of what Per-Ankh is about. I must say that I got even more enthusiastic and excited about being an -albeit new- member of this community. The stresses made on the fact that being a priest is not in any way special or 'better'; that it is not a question of being 'closer' to the Netjer and that it is not something exclusive to the priesthood; that priesthood is above all about serving the Netjer *and* the community (which is very important and pretty much sets Kemeticism -at least traditional Kemeticism- apart from most other traditions) were some other highlights of the speech for me. I also agree very much that Per-Ankh's strenght comes from its scholarly approach and *also* from the really positive community dynamics and the fact that the priesthood is indeed really experienced, both in religious life and in teaching whether the spiritual or the mundane.

And finally, I wholeheartedly agree that the KOL community is a special one; one in which there are individuals who genuinely like and care about each other, something I felt even on the very first day of my time here -and I am a very new member indeed. This is a very welcoming and supportive community with friendly people, be them priests or just members, who have the best possible connection over a cyber medium. I am very happy to be here and am looking forward to take more part in both KOL and Per-Ankh in the future.