Combating negative stereotypes of paganism

A mission of Open Grove Society is combating negative stereotypes of
paganism and other alternative religions.

It was this attitude that brought Flint freshman George Marshall to
Open Circle Night.

“I am a Wiccan and I’ve been looking for a group of those interested
in alternative religions such as I am for a long time,” he said.

The Open Grove Society welcomed new members at its Open Circle Night
Thursday in Anspach 156.

In three previous visits Marshall felt he’d found that group.

“It’s been a blast here every time. People have been great,” he said.

Open Grove Society President Laura Potts — a Litchfield junior —
estimated 50 people attended Thursday’s meeting.

“We had so many new people and I’m so excited all these people are
interested in our group,” she said. “I believe it was the largest
turnout we’ve had at Open Circle Night so far.”

The society holds Open Circle Night once a semester.

“New members are always welcome, but this is our official welcoming
ceremony,” Potts said.

Guests sat in three rows of desks spread across the room, with more
guests sitting on the floor.

As an “icebreaker” guests and the eight executive board members said
their names, majors and something they considered interesting about
themselves.

Guests’ majors ranged from anthropology to music performance, and
their class standings ranged from freshman to senior. A student
enrolled at Alma College and guests not currently in school attended
Open Circle Night.

For Flint freshman Laura Kittel, Open Circle Night did not reflect
her background.

“I came for the diversity, for the openness, for the acceptance,
because I came out of a very strict Christian background and I liked
the feeling of diversity I got,” she said.

A surprise for new members called “Kitchen Witchery” was held in the
meeting’s second half.

Potts said every society meeting has its own theme during the second
half.

Potential social events and workshops — including an ice cream
social and an Eddie Izzard night — were also discussed.

Open Grove Society meetings are held at 8 p.m. every Thursday in
Anspach 156.