PSG 2026 Pagan Leadership Institute Offerings
Co-Creating Ritual in Community (PLI) with Jasmine
Step beyond theory and into the heart of the sacred. This session offers a space to practice and refine your skills by experiencing the essence of ritual from the inside out. Transforms basic knowledge into a living, felt practice for community leadership.
Cultural Appropriation vs. Cultural Appreciation: Understanding the Difference with Rev. Chip Brown
Through reflection on our own experiences and learning about the histories and realities of others, we can better understand the line between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation. This session invites ministers, leaders, and counselors to explore thoughtful guidelines for engaging respectfully with cultures within the communities they serve.
Rev. Chip, who is of mixed-race heritage with ancestral roots from several regions of the world, previously served on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of the Wisconsin Historical Society for five years and has lectured on this topic throughout his career.
Event Safety Planning – Creating a Plan (PLI) Rev. Sharon Stewart
Planning a meaningful event for your community is exciting and a lot of work! Safety of your attendees is the very foundation of successful event management but is often forgotten in a coordinator’s check list or maybe not even there at all! Keeping your event safe should be the number one most essential requirement in planning! Emergencies can throw an event off very quickly, but with a solid contingency plan, staff can respond quickly and confidently to minimize disruption in the event and keep your people safe. Let’s do some thoughtful planning about what’s needed to keep events safe.
Guiding the Fire of Anger (PLI) with Lisa Chavez
Faith leaders are often called upon to guide individuals and spiritual communities through the stages of grief, and the most challenging for many is anger. In this workshop we will discuss common misconceptions about anger and the risks associated with its suppression. We will explore ways to acknowledge, express and process anger in support of our own mental health fitness as well as methods for building safe spaces for our spiritual communities to do the same. Adults Only. Participants are also encouraged, but not required, to attend a related non-PLI workshop: Beyond Anger Management – Methods for Processing and Release.
Honoring 40 Years of Leadership the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (PLI) with Steven Curtain
This class provides a historic and current intersection of Unitarian Universalism (UU) and Paganism as exemplified by the CUUPS organization and activities. Illustrates the history, values and structure UU's sixth source of spiritual inspiration: The Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature; and celebrates 40 years of spiritual exploration, earth‑centered wisdom, music, writing and event hosting supporting shared sacred space. Note: This session also serves as a preview of the CUUPS Convocation to be held July 24 to 26, 2026 First Church in Salem (celebrating 397 years anniversary) and the city of Salem Massachusetts (celebrating 400-year anniversary). For more info, see: CUUPS.org and UUA.org
How to Involve Youth in Leadership (PLI) with Rev. Jake Bradley, and Levi
Developing young leaders and integrating youth into ALL of our programming is a must for a healthy and vibrant present and future! This workshop will cover best practices for including young people, getting youth input and buy-in, and developing leadership among youth in any and all aspects of our community and activities.
How to Organize a Community Rapid Response and Mutual Aid Team (PLI) with Rev. Jake Bradley
Across the country, community members, clergy, journalists, elected officials, and professionals have shown how powerful it can be when neighbors look out for one another. This practical workshop shares lessons learned in Chicago, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Charlotte, and beyond on identifying threats from tyrannical bad actors, creating sanctuary zones around schools, houses of worship, and other vulnerable spaces, and supporting those who are targeted. Participants will learn best practices for organizing, exercising constitutional rights while de-escalating conflict, and providing meaningful, nonviolent protection. We keep us safe.
Kindling the Sacred Heart of Community (PLI) with Jasmine
Discover the joy of communal singing and move past the fear of not being "good enough" to find your unique voice. This workshop focuses on the raw power of chant to raise collective energy, create connection, and bring us into co-created physical and spiritual harmony. We will explore how simple vocal vibrations can deepen our rituals and create a more embodied, powerful experience. Practical tools for facilitation will be a part of this workshop.
Leadership: A Heathen Perspective (PLI) with Ash Glasse
Leadership can be contemporary while also deeply rooted in human history. Written records and accounts from ancient Scandinavia and Germanic Europe include fascinating stories of leadership, both good and bad. This workshop explores these historic examples, what they mean in terms of skill-building and techniques, and how to create a leadership style that reflects our modern times while being firmly grounded in our history. We will focus on Heathen source materials, but the information is relevant regardless of spiritual path.
Love Over Fear: A Pagan Perspective (PLI) with Psyche
A lot of us, Pagan Leaders and Community members alike, are gripped by fears both large and small. But as spiritual beings, we are called to move beyond fear, to connect in ways that promote growth and healing. In this workshop we'll learn how to put the focus on love over fear. The visualizations and techniques we’ll discuss can be used individually or shared with an entire community. Whether you’re a leader or just beginning your journey, this workshop has something to offer.
Nature Mindfulness and Pagan Practice (PLI) with Dr. Dennis Carpenter
Pagans tend to view Nature as sacred and to view themselves as part of the interconnected web of life on this planet. Core practices include attuning to and celebrating the cycles of the Sun and Moon and the ever-changing environment associated with these cycles. This workshop will explore the concept of Nature mindfulness and how such practices can deepen our sense of connectedness and relationship with the cycles of the natural world. Basic aspects of mindfulness meditation will be described within the context of Nature Mindfulness. Insights and techniques will be provided based on experience leading Mindful Nature Walks for the past four years.
Pagan Community: Navigation, Connection, and Building a Better Culture (PLI) with Irene Glasse
The message from the mystics of the Pagan world has been clear: build community. Become more connected. Additionally, meaningful interpersonal relationships are arguably the most powerful predictor of personal happiness. But how do you get started? Once you’re part of a community, how do you become less isolated? Explore community dynamics, balancing activism and generosity with limited resources, sharing space with people you find challenging, and more with a longtime Pagan community organizer and event coordinator.
Pagan Visibility and Public Service (PLI) with Rev. Minerva Duggan
Many Pagans feel called to engage in civic life yet worry about potential pushback if their spiritual identity is known. It’s understandable to be cautious about being “out of the broom closet” while holding a political position. Join us for a panel discussion exploring what it’s like to be Pagan in the political arena. Panelists will include community members who have served in elected office and navigated spaces that were not always welcoming of Pagan identities. Bring your questions, your experiences, and your curiosity for an open and thoughtful conversation.
Raising Pagan Children in a Pluralistic World (PLI) with Nancy Melito
This class explores the challenges of raising children in Pagan traditions within a predominantly non-Pagan society. It also supports Pagan leaders and those in training by offering practical ideas and guidance for helping families navigate cultural pressures and a diverse, pluralistic world.
Raising the Temple: Building Ritual That Transforms (PLI) with Rev. Bo Nelson
Powerful ritual doesn’t happen by accident; it is built with purpose and craft. Ritual is not presentation, it is invocation. This workshop explores how to create ceremonies that draw participants into authentic spiritual encounter using mythic framing, sensory engagement, energetic pacing, and intentional leadership presence. Step past fill-in-the-blank ceremony formats and into intentional ritual design.
The Sacred Fool: Roles and Responsibilities of a Radicalized Spiritual Practice (PLI) with Rev. E Eldritch
The Sacred Fool explores The Fool of the tarot, the goddess Baubo of the Eleusian Mysteries and the daring figure of the Court Jester. The job description of the Fool is speaking truth to power; liberating the oppressed; mediating divergent points of view; shifting paradigms; creating synchronicity in chaos; combining the incompatible; the profound and the profane. This session provides a forum to discuss personal devotional alignment, leadership responsibility and social justice.
Servants of the Many-Faced God (PLI) with Rev. Bo Nelson
To serve the gods is to serve the people, all people. This intensive explores the calling of the multifaceted minister: one who can walk in many worlds, speak many languages of care, and offer sacred service without requiring shared belief. Learn how to carry your magick quietly, act with spiritual intention, and become a bridge between worlds through compassionate action.
Tending the Fire Within: Collaborative and Ethical Spiritual Care (PLI) with Rev. Casey Pope
This workshop invites Pagan leaders into a collaborative, trauma-informed exploration of spiritual care. Grounded in the relational nature of Pagan ministry, participants will reflect on the sacred trust created when we are invited into others’ spiritual lives. Using The Fire Within as a guiding metaphor, this experiential session explores how to offer care with clarity, humility, and shared responsibility, supporting others without over-reaching or taking over. Topics include boundaries, transparent communication, confidentiality, ethical discernment, and when legal responsibilities such as mandatory reporting may apply. Through discussion, reflection, and practice, leaders will gain tools for offering care that is grounded, sustainable, and supportive for both them and their communities.
