Photographer: Christopher Werby
MEMORIAL UPDATE FOR APRIL 17, 2016 - BOLINAS, CALIFORNIA, USA:
Don Frew (long-time URI Global Council member), Anna Korn, Aline O’Brien and Mike Light are preparing a memorial for the late much-revered Deborah Ann Light at her son Mike’s house in Bolinas, CA, starting at noon on Sunday, April 17. Details will arrive via an emailed invitation (e-vite) so we can get a head count for refreshments, chairs, parking, etc.
So, if you were Deborah Anne Light’s friend or colleague in the Craft, in Interfaith, or in any other walk of life, and wish to attend her West Coast memorial, let Aline know (by private email, not on this list) to include you on the invitation list. Please include “DAL” or “DAL Memorial” in the subject line so we don’t miss your message!
The email address is: [email protected].
Many blessings to all,
Linda L. Crawford
Executive Director
Interfaith Center at the Presidio
Deborah Ann Light passed away on July 21 after a decades-long struggle with cancer. Last year, Deborah was one of the first persons to be awarded the Covenant of the Goddess’ Award of Honor for outstanding service to CoG and the greater Pagan and Heathen community. This award was very well deserved.
In 1993, I was part of the group representing the Covenant of the Goddess at the first modern Parliament of the World’s Religions. CoG was one of three Witch groups that were Sponsoring Organizations, along with EarthSpirit and Circle. The Sponsoring Organizations had been promised that we would each have a representative in the Parliament’s “Assembly of the World’s Religious & Spiritual Leaders”. We arrived in Chicago to find that, due to an administrative snafu, there was only one space in the Assembly available for all three organizations. Of course, each group wanted their person to be the one chosen. This could have been an ugly situation.
As has been reported elsewhere, the three groups did a joint Full Moon ceremony in the park that was a highlight of the entire Parliament. Everything went off without a hitch and the 500 attendees were mightily impressed. What hasn't been as well known is the role that Deborah played in all of this.
When the local authorities made it difficult for us to hold our ritual by demanding a million dollar insurance policy, Deborah, who was attending the Parliament, but was a closeted Witch, called up her insurance agent, came out to him as a Witch, and arranged the policy over the phone. That was the first time I met her.
After the Full Moon, the leaders of the three groups all sat in a room, looking at each other, knowing that we now had to decide who would represent all three of us in the Assembly. We were just too exhausted to fight about it. Suddenly, by the Lady’s inspiration, a light bulb went over all our heads. Deborah was a member of the Covenant of the Goddess, EarthSpirit, and Circle, and could represent all three groups!
We all went to Deborah and asked her to do this for us. She was daunted, since this was her first interfaith event and she had only come out publicly as a Witch that day, but she felt the Goddess calling her through all of our voices. She hesitated to take on such a responsibility, fearing she would not be able to see it through, since she knew she had lung cancer and her prognosis was for only a year more of life! She trusted in the voice of the Goddess calling her and agreed to take on the task we set before her. (She lived 22 more years and always attributed that extra gift of life to the fact that she was doing the work the Lady had called her to do.)
Deborah was exactly the right choice to be our face for most of the faith-leaders “first contact” with the Wiccan community. She was gracious, genteel, yet grandmotherly – sitting in meetings and quietly knitting until she spoke up with authority, bringing a new voice and a new point of view to the meeting of religious traditions.
As the Parliament prepared for its next meeting in 1999, they decided to enlarge the Assembly. Deborah proposed that she continue representing EarthSpirit, while Selena Fox and I joined representing Circle and Covenant of the Goddess respectively. We three worked as a team in the Cape Town Assembly, effectively representing all three groups.
At the same time, in the late 1990s, the United Religions Initiative was forming, and holding Charter writing conferences at Stanford University. The URI planners invited members of the original Parliament Assembly to attend in 1997. In 1998, Deborah requested that I attend with her. By this time, we had become the first National Interfaith Representatives for the Covenant of the Goddess and traveled together to represent the Covenant at interfaith meetings all over the country. It was always Deborah’s charm and approachability that won people over.
Again, the story of our hosting “the Pagan lunch” at the 1998 URI Global Summit – gathering representatives of indigenous, tribal, Nature-based, Earth-centered, polytheistic, and/or Pagan traditions (interfaith language) – had been told elsewhere. What hasn’t been told is what happened when a young man – Christian de la Huerta – stood up in the general meeting to insist that we address the homophobia present in the religious traditions assembled. Deborah stood up to support him (coming out yet again!) and announced that they would hold an LGBT lunch the following day. That was a daring move, given how resistant many in the Interfaith movement were back then to acknowledge even the existence of homosexuality in their home countries! Thanks to Deborah’s and Christian’s courage, there was noticeable change in the interfaith movement even the following year.
Deborah was one of the founders of the Spirituality & the Earth Cooperation Circle, which was one of the founding CCs of the URI. While her health made it impossible for her to attend further national URI meetings, she remained active in the CC.
In 1999 and thereafter, I attended the United Religions Initiative meetings on my own, but everyone – people gathering from all over the world – would ask, “How is Deborah? Please give her my love.”
Everyone always wanted to give Deborah their love. She called forth the love in everyone she met. We could never have asked for a better ambassador to the religions of the world. My community could never have asked for a more loving and caring friend. She traveled across the country to attend Anna's and my wedding party. A friend's photo of her then is the best image I have of her (above).
When the Covenant of the Goddess established its Award of Honor last year, hers was the first name nominated. I felt honored to be the one to speak on her behalf, but fought tears to make my explanation of why she should be the one to receive it make sense. We will always remember Deborah with love and gratitude.
Blessed Be, Deborah, & Fare Well.
Don Frew
National Interfaith Representative, Covenant of the Goddess
Trustee, United Religions Initiative
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I remember meeting Deborah at the first of the Stanford Summits for the founding of URI. She never had to tell me which branch of the family she belonged to. It was in her eyes! I am sorry to hear her voice is silenced from this life, but she has been an incredible addition to the interfaith world. Bless her on her way.
And welcome her to the Celestial CC as well.
Peace,
Anne Roth
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I am saddened by the passing of Deborah Ann Light. She was an awesome being and the best representative of the pagan community to URI. So many stories but my eyes are too full of tears. A great life well lived with amazing courage she certainly was a Light.
Blessed be
Reverend Betsy Stang
The Wittenberg Center for Alternative Resources Inc
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As a volunteer worker at the Charter Creating for URI on the Stanford University campus in 1998, I was overwhelmed with the beauty and significance of the 250 delegates from around the world. When I was told that I could go into the cafeteria to eat lunch I did not know where to go or which group to join. My fears and trepidation were calmed when I heard a voice that said: " Come! Join Us!" and I was welcomed in my a group lead by Deborah Ann Light. These folks have remained friends to this day...Don Frew, Rachael Watcher to name just two. They were the first to help me challenge my prejudice about witches. My only regret was that I was not able to sit in the shadow of Deborah and learn from her.
As I remember her, my eyes and heart fill with tears. She lives on in all of us! Thank you Deborah for all that gave so generously. You are and will always be in my heart!
Loving you out loud and on purpose...
Ardey Turner
Past Chairman of the Board of the Leadership Council of the United Religions Initiative North America
Circle of Healers/ Multiregion URI
Reiki Master, Healer, Teacher
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Really this is sad and shocking news to hear about the death of sister Deborah who passed away.
This is a big loss for the URI family who loses one friend.
Best regards,
Asad Yameen
Nafees Travels (Pvt) Ltd.
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Condolência a família, amigos, amigas e colegas.
Muita Luz e Paz à Deborah Ann Luz.
Abraços fraternos,
Genivalda Cravo
Translation:
Condolences to family, friends, friends and colleagues.
Much Light and Peace to Deborah Ann Light.
Fraternal hugs,
Genivalda Cravo
