Heathenry is about community, gathering as a people, shaking a man or woman's hand, looking them in the eye, hearing their voice, telling stories, getting to know each other. Its letting your kids play together. Letting your spouses get to know each other. Its about laughing at dumb jokes, and telling stories from your life. Its about mingling Wyrd...and taking the measure of another person, and finding them of worth.

On September 25-27, 2009, heathens from around the Midwest will gather at Gaea Retreat, a pagan campground about 40 minutes outside of the Kansas City Area. Our registration packet contains a schedule for the event, and details on food, workshops, Symbels, the Blot, what you'll need to bring, and everything else you could possibly want to know about the event...

DOWNLOAD UPDATED REGISTRATION / INFORMATION PACKET

Your registration includes all camping fees and dinner on Friday and Saturday night. Individual Registrations are $40 and Family Registrations are $60. To register using PayPal or any major credit card, click here to go to the registration page..

You can also register by filling out the registration form at the back of the Updated Registration / Information Packet, and send it with the appropriate registration fees to Jotun's Bane Kindred, P.O. Box 463, Liberty, MO, 64069. If you have questions about Lightning Across the Plains, contact mark@heathengods.com or post in this discussion string.

Mark

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Mark Ludwig Stinson
Chieftain of Jotun's Bane Kindred
Heartland Hof and Hall Fund

We're announcing this 11 months in advance, to give everyone time to put this in their calendar...get the money together to attend, etc. We believe that heathenry is gaining momentum here in the Midwest, and we want to gather heathens from all around the region to discuss that...and get to know each other better...

There is nothing like gathering with other heathens, so if you have never traveled to a heathen gathering before...plan on coming to this one.

If you are a long-time heathen, and you've been to unnumerable heathen gatherings...plan on coming to this one.

If you are brand new to heathenry, but you wish to begin honoring the Northern Gods and your ancestors...plan on coming to this one.

We're working our tails off to ensure this gathering is one you will truly enjoy...



Mark

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Mark Ludwig Stinson
Chieftain of Jotun's Bane Kindred
Heartland Hof and Hall Fund

One question that I'm sure you'll hear frequently is about Day Passes. You may also hear from people wanting to use cabin space instead of tent camping. Also, will the rental include the pavilion? If the weather is rainy, that would be a great place to hold the symbels and fainings.

I'm looking forward to this!
-Will

I have put no thought whatsoever into Day Passes. LOL. This isn't so much a "Festival" as a true gathering of heathens. So, people driving out to Gaea, and wanting to experience the gathering just during the day, didn't occur to me.

If someone has a situation where they can only be there during the day...then I would accomodate them. The price would be $30 for Individuals and $50 for a Family. That's for if they want to come out only on Friday during the day, only on Saturday during the day, or only on Friday and Saturday during the day. That accounts for the difference in the cost to us, of them coming during the day rather than overnight.

Cabin Space will be reserved through the normal means with Camp Gaea, and we will work out the Registration Fees with them. I need to call the caretaker and work that out. It was already on my to-do list. Expect an announcement on that in the future.

I reserved the Pavillion (so it is part of the Rental) for Saturday. So if its raining or poor weather, we can move all of our activities under that huge shelter, and not even skip a beat.



I'm looking forward to it too. Its so far away...I wish it was sooner. But, it will be here before we know it!

Mark

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Mark Ludwig Stinson
Chieftain of Jotun's Bane Kindred
Heartland Hof and Hall Fund

We, at the Miًvinland Hearth, will definitely discuss the possibility of coming down for this event! We would love to get to know other heiًinjar/لsatrْar and kindreds/hearths/groups in the Midwest.

You read that, Bjَrn? WE NEED TO GO!

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"Wyrd often spares an undoomed man when his mind-strength prevails."
~ Beowulf

Awesome. I know for a fact that people from Topeka, Arkansas, St. Louis, and Kansas City will be there. And its very early yet. I believe that this will be an excellent event for getting to meet heathens from all around our region...

I am looking forward to meeting you, and the members of your hearth.

Mark

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Mark Ludwig Stinson
Chieftain of Jotun's Bane Kindred
Heartland Hof and Hall Fund

Lightning Across the Plains is meant to be a very family-friendly gathering. Having been to heathen gatherings with my three kids, I wanted to make sure that this gathering was fun for both parents and kids. Here are some things we have planned for your kids...

1. At the time of every adult workshop, a supervised activity for your children has been planned. This will allow adults to attend and focus on the workshops they want to attend, while their kids are learning and being entertained elsewhere.

2. A short hike to some of the interesting places at Gaea Retreat.

3. One-on-one sword fighting lessons with foam-covered swords that we will provide and they'll get to keep. This has been designed to work for all ages.

4. A large foam-sword battle, complete with a Valkyrie that will remove "the fallen" from the field, and take them to either Vahalla or Freyja's Hall (complete with refreshments befitting brave (kid) warriors.

5. Storytelling, featuring stories from our Lore.

6. Shield decorating.

7. Drawing and/or coloring the gods (depending on their age and skill).

And more. We want this to be a gathering that your kids will always remember, and one where you get a break from watching them, while your kids are off learning and playing.

Lightning Across the Plains, is a Midwest heathen gathering that will be held on September 25-27, 2009 just outside of Kansas City. All heathens from the Midwest and beyond are welcome to attend. For more information and to register, visit:

http://heathengods.com/lightning

Thanks!

Mark

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Mark Ludwig Stinson
Chieftain of Jotun's Bane Kindred
Heartland Hof and Hall Fund

There are a lot of preparations to organizing and holding a regional gathering. The Stinson and Culver famlies gathered together at Mark's house on November 9th, 2008 to do some crafting, and create padded swords for the kids activities at Lightning Across the Plains 2009. Mark, Jennifer, Nathan, Elizabeth, and Joshua Stinson and Adam, Tracy, Bodhi, Lance, and Zane Culver were all there. The Culvers even brough their dog Odin over to meet Skoll, the Stinson's dog!



Click Here for All the Photos.

Mark

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Mark Ludwig Stinson
Chieftain of Jotun's Bane Kindred
Heartland Hof and Hall Fund

The registration fees ($40 for an individual, $60 for a family) for Lightning Across the Plains cover the tent camping fees at Gaea Retreat for both nights of the gathering. There will be a large central fire area in the center of the tent camp at the gathering. This fire will be the center of activity between planned activities. The two provided dinners will be served there, the Folk Symbel on Friday night will be there, and when people are sitting, talking, drinking coffee, etc...this will be where most everyone will be. So, being in the tent camp, will put you near the center of activity.

But, there are also cabins available at Camp Gaea. While they are not extremely far away from the gathering, they are out of the center of things. But the cabins do feature beds, a roof over your head, windows, and a lockable door. The cabins are only $5 per person, per night, more than tent camping. So, if you want to arrange to stay in a cabin for the gathering, there will be an additional cost of $10 per person for the weekend. The cabins sleep 8 people, in two seperate rooms.

To arrange to stay in a cabin during Lightning Across the Plains, you will need to reserve your spots in the cabins with the Caretakers at Gaea Retreat. Their email address is caretaker@campgaea.org and their phone number is 913-796-2141.

Mark

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Mark Ludwig Stinson
Chieftain of Jotun's Bane Kindred
Heartland Hof and Hall Fund

Ok Susan and I have registered for LATP , we have been looking at tents and believe we have found the one we want, we will most likely pick it up in a couple weeks,

I have to say we are looking forward to this event.

Awesome news, Glen and Susan. I think you'll get a lot out of the event. We're all looking forward to...its only a little over 3 months away!

Mark

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Mark Ludwig Stinson
Chieftain of Jotun's Bane Kindred
Heartland Hof and Hall Fund

I am seriously considering attending this but i would like to find someone else to go with me. So far no luck, my girlfriend gave me a big fat NO, and my other friends dont seem interested. Maybe between now and then i can find someone else to go too.

Is it the drive that you don't want to make alone? Once you got up here to the event, you would definitely not be alone. The event is a heathen gathering, and once you are here...you will very much feel what it is like to gathering with other heathens.

Are you in contact with other heathens in Oklahoma. The Franks, and I believe a couple of other kindreds are in your state...and would likely let you tag along or car-pool, if you contact them now and let them know you want to go.

Contact me if you need help finding other heathens there...

Mark

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Mark Ludwig Stinson
Chieftain of Jotun's Bane Kindred
Heartland Hof and Hall Fund

I dont know any heathens here in Oklahoma. As far as the traveling alone Ive got no problem with the drive. I can talk to you guys just fine on a message board but im not big on meeting new people. I have 2 people i call friend, I just dont have good face to face skills LOL. Im not opposed to meeting new people or else i wouldnt have joined this Forum. Im just uncomfortable with it i guess.

Feel free to email me about this. I can put you in touch with some Heathens in Oklahoma, and we can talk a bit more about the event.

voidpulp@yahoo.com

Mark

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Mark Ludwig Stinson
Chieftain of Jotun's Bane Kindred
Heartland Hof and Hall Fund

Well, we're only a little over three months away from Lightning Across the Plains!

The event is on September 25-27, 2009, and heathens from around the Midwest will gather at Gaea Retreat, a pagan campground about 40 minutes outside of the Kansas City Area. Our Completely Updated registration packet contains a schedule for the event, and details on food, workshops, Symbels, the Blot, what you'll need to bring, and everything else you could possibly want to know about the event...

DOWNLOAD UPDATED REGISTRATION / INFORMATION PACKET

Your registration includes all camping fees and dinner on Friday and Saturday night. Individual Registrations are $40 and Family Registrations are $60. To register using PayPal or any major credit card, click here to go to the registration page..

You can also register by filling out the registration form at the back of the Updated Registration / Information Packet, and send it with the appropriate registration fees to Jotun's Bane Kindred, P.O. Box 463, Liberty, MO, 64069. If you have questions about Lightning Across the Plains, contact mark@heathengods.com or post in this discussion string.

Just a timely reminder. Write this on your calendar...and get yourself registered!

Mark

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Mark Ludwig Stinson
Chieftain of Jotun's Bane Kindred
Heartland Hof and Hall Fund

Allright im registered and ready to rock.

Excellent!

We have not set a drop-dead date on registrations. But we do expect people to pre-register for the event, and not show up at the gate with money in hand.

We have to have a pretty good idea of whose coming, since we are buying food for dinner on Friday and Saturday, and need to know how much to buy.

Thanks, everyone!

Mark

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Mark Ludwig Stinson
Chieftain of Jotun's Bane Kindred
Heartland Hof and Hall Fund

The majority of the Lesniowski clan will be at LATP. I just confirmed cabin space with Clint at Gaea and I'm going to be sending off the registration form next week when I'm doing the bills. I don't think that Andrew will be able to make it, but Mike, Morgan, Liam, and I will. Our main concern was Liam wandering off if we were in a tent - with the cabin we can lock the door and put up a gate and he should be safe. He's a wiley bonobo :) We're looking forward to the event - see ya'll there. Take care, Cheri

Okay I suck less - paperwork is in the post as of 9pm this evening. See everyone there! Take care, Cheri