Faith Day Ceremony

Related terms:
See also:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Faith Day Ceremony is a fan activity created by and for Sime~Gen fans.

Similar Fan Ceremonies and Pledges

• Kraith Affirmation (Star Trek)
• pledge of the Free Amazons (Darkover)

Some Photos and Fan Commentary

• 1987: the first Faith Day ceremony November 1987
• 1988: Faith Day: Darkover Grand Council
• 1998: Faith Day: Darkover Grand Council
• 1998: transcript of the IRC Chanel Pledge Party in the Ancient Tecton
• 1998: Faith Day at Bender Cove

A Sample 1989 Script

The following is a script of last year's faith day ceremony. It was sent to me by Kerry, so that I would have a good idea of what the shen is going on.

FAITH DAY CEREMONY

Linda: <welcomes everyone present (using her own wording)>

At this time we would like to remember [Marge R], who is unable to be with us at this time, as well as those other volunteers who are working for disaster relief.

An invocation is offered.

While this is a meeting of the Ancient Tecton, we will be using symbolism for the actual S/G universe as often as possible during these proceedings.

In the reality of the S/G world, Faith Day is the anniversary of the end of the wars and the beginning of the unity between Sime and Gen. Klyd Farris ordered all the available food supplies to be turned over to the Gen armies in exchange for selyn that the Simes so badly needed. This event heralded the true beginnings of Sime/Gen trust and cooperation.

Once the world lay in darkness. Humanity was a race divided against itself: Sime against Gen, parent against child. Hatred and fear filled the land. Until one day a tiny spark flickered and blossomed forth into flame.

Kerry: <Lights the Zeor candle.>

Linda: It was quite by accident that Rimon Farris found the path of peace and unity. From this modest beginning the flame of Zeor grew. Its growth banishing the darkness and giving light and hope to all.

Kerry: Zeor is the striving for perfection, the dedication to excellence. It is the fueling force of life, which will not let us rest short of becoming the best self we may be. Zeor is the knowledge of the vast gulf between what we are and what we may be, the humbling knowledge of how far we have yet to go and the inspiring knowledge of what it will be like when we get there. Zeor is the focal point of a lens that can burn holes in reality.

Karen: <Lights the Chanel candle from the Zeor candle.>

The light of Chanel is the guiding light to higher wisdom and spirituality. It is the beacon in the night for the lost and weary. She is the daughter house to Zeor.

Linda: <Lights the Takear candle from the Zeor candle.>

Takear's light is that of creativity and freedom. Her creativity is not limited to only artistic pursuits, but also in the creativity of finding answers to problems. The freedom is to choose the path you wish to follow and share your creative forces there. Takear is also the welcommittee house and publisher of FIRST TRANSFER, the Welcommittee's newsletter.

Donell: <Lights Shaeldor's candle from the Zeor candle.>

Shaeldor's light is the Sparkle of the sun on the ocean waves. We build the ships and sail them forth to seek the far horizon. In the not too distant past, we used our ships to smuggle both Simes and Gens safely across the border, now we use them to develop a better future for Sime and Gen together.

Linda: This is the point in the ceremony where we would normally accept the pledges of the various Houses, but since there are no new pledges to be taken at this time, we will continue with the rest of the ceremony.

Donell: Faith Day is also a time when we honor those who have provided invaluable services throughout the year. Chanel sponsors these awards, and, since Marge Robbins is here in spirit only, I will be making the presentations.

Linda Whitten - For assuming the leadership of the Welcommittee.

Keir Neustaeder - For taking over the back issue sales of Ambrov Zeor and A Companion in Zeor.

Ruth Sacksteder - For her enthusiasm and hard work in doing the letter column for Ambrov Zeor.

Salomon Lichtenberg - For sharing his wife with Sime/Gen fans and Sime/Gen fandom for all these years.

Kerry: We also wish to honor Donell Meadows as the Donor of the Year. This award is presented to her for the vast number of illustrations and cartoons she has graciously donated to Sime/Gen zines.

Donell: Lastly, we have a very special award. For Jacqueline, for her usual terrific talents, encouragement, support and great communications! We'd like you to have our "instant communications and Idea Generation Kit." It consists of several colorful postcards for those spur of the moment thoughts you ofttimes share with us, a couple of pens, and to help you concentrate on writing about the luren, a set of vampire teeth and some artificial blood. <The awards are held up for viewing>

Linda: It was the custom on Faith Day, for the Simes to give gifts of food to the Gens. In keeping with this custom, The Houses sponsoring the party this year have put together some food baskets.

Since not everyone has a persona, while others have both Sime and Gen personas, we have baskets for everyone- I hope. Let us now in the true spirit of Faith Day, give out these baskets of faith and friendship.

This concludes this years ceremony. We invite you all to stay and enjoy some refreshments with us.