Spring Break
Pagan Organization Offers A Welcoming Setting
Brittany Dorn
Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: News
This flexibility is what drew many members to the group.
"I came to PODS because I was looking for a spiritual group," said Jessica Sulkowski, a 7th-semester ecology and evolutionary biology major who joined the group her freshman year and is now co-president.
"I wanted someone to listen to me, not change me," said Sulkowski, as the collection of bangles and bracelets she wears on each wrist jangled. "PODS is perfect."
Christa Grenier, a 5th-semester communication disorders and psychology double major who just transferred to UConn from the University of Hartford said PODS has helped her adjust to her new surroundings.
"I immediately knew this was the right place for me," said Grenier, who calls herself "open," and not exclusively Pagan.
Although she has belonged to the club for less than a month, she has already created a niche for herself and made friends.
It is this welcoming environment that keeps students coming to the club week after week during their college careers - and beyond.
UConn alum Eric Hohlfeld, 27, graduated four years ago but still frequents club meetings and events. He said he returns for the community.
"The only time you can be you and not be accepted by this group is if you're offensive," said Hohlfeld, who is affectionately called "Eric the Elder" by fellow group members.
Hohlfeld said he practiced Paganism for about a decade but now considers himself Buddhist, a change which didn't alter his loyalty to PODS.
"As long as you stay [in PODS], you'll be part of it," he said. "I've disappeared for a semester or really half a semester at a time and every time I come back, it's like I never left. How do you beat that?"
Last Thursday, club members celebrated Mabon - the fall equinox - by performing a mythological skit, reciting prayers, making yarn protection dolls and feasting on homemade apple cider and stew.
This Thursday the group will hold an astral projection workshop, the objective of which is to essentially bring your spirit to a different plane of existence, Richter said.
The workshop will take place at 6:30 p.m. in room 324 at the Student Union.
Contact Brittany Dorn at
Brittany.Dorn@UConn.edu.
"I came to PODS because I was looking for a spiritual group," said Jessica Sulkowski, a 7th-semester ecology and evolutionary biology major who joined the group her freshman year and is now co-president.
"I wanted someone to listen to me, not change me," said Sulkowski, as the collection of bangles and bracelets she wears on each wrist jangled. "PODS is perfect."
Christa Grenier, a 5th-semester communication disorders and psychology double major who just transferred to UConn from the University of Hartford said PODS has helped her adjust to her new surroundings.
"I immediately knew this was the right place for me," said Grenier, who calls herself "open," and not exclusively Pagan.
Although she has belonged to the club for less than a month, she has already created a niche for herself and made friends.
It is this welcoming environment that keeps students coming to the club week after week during their college careers - and beyond.
UConn alum Eric Hohlfeld, 27, graduated four years ago but still frequents club meetings and events. He said he returns for the community.
"The only time you can be you and not be accepted by this group is if you're offensive," said Hohlfeld, who is affectionately called "Eric the Elder" by fellow group members.
Hohlfeld said he practiced Paganism for about a decade but now considers himself Buddhist, a change which didn't alter his loyalty to PODS.
"As long as you stay [in PODS], you'll be part of it," he said. "I've disappeared for a semester or really half a semester at a time and every time I come back, it's like I never left. How do you beat that?"
Last Thursday, club members celebrated Mabon - the fall equinox - by performing a mythological skit, reciting prayers, making yarn protection dolls and feasting on homemade apple cider and stew.
This Thursday the group will hold an astral projection workshop, the objective of which is to essentially bring your spirit to a different plane of existence, Richter said.
The workshop will take place at 6:30 p.m. in room 324 at the Student Union.
Contact Brittany Dorn at
Brittany.Dorn@UConn.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
latest news
posted 3/20/09 @ 5:10 PM EST
The Pagan Organization for Diverse Spirituality - affectionately nicknamed "PODS" by its members - is not your average religious group. Members vary greatly in their beliefs - although some do consider themselves Pagan, others tend toward different religions, such as Christianity, Judaism and Buddhism. (Continued…)
Post a Comment