Spiritual student organization promotes learning, diversity

By Kelly Morse

Edited by Sarah Schuch, Meredith Mayberry, and Amanda Crabtree

The Open Grove Society, a religious registered student organization, had a lot to celebrate recently—Easter, the Vernal Equinox and a full moon.

The approximately 40 member organization promotes religious diversity and learning through events and weekly meetings.

“We’re the only campus organization that is all inclusive: religion, sexual preference, race, gender, and nationality,” said Jeremy Moffitt, a senior from Houson, Texas and currently public relations chair for OGS.

The members often research and give presentations on different religions and their practices, even on social patterns such as communism.

Under the purpose section on Central Michigan University’s RSO System, their purpose is listed as, “We are W.I.E.R.D., Working for Education in Religious Diversity.”

They recently talked about the meaning and importance of Easter and the Vernal Equinox.

Cassie Whitaker, a senior from Detroit and former OGS president, took the holiday weekend to visit friends and meditate.

“I personally visited a couple other people and we did a group meditation. We talked about the change. It’s a time to focus on the things you want to change and help grow,” Whitaker said. “We try to put some thought and energy into that.”

While Whitaker takes a more Elemental Pagan perspective on religion, Moffitt said he follows a couple of different religious teachings.

“I fall into the category of several different religions,” Moffitt said. “I practice a hodge podge of different religions.”

Although the group is open to all religious beliefs, the members are primarily Pagan.

“Full moons are a big deal to Pagans. It’s the culmination of all the power in my eyes,” Moffitt said. “It’s the symbol of all our creators. It’s like our mother basically.”

Natural phenomenons, like full moons, are considered special to Pagans. Others include any show of the elemental forces, like thunderstorms, earthquakes, wind and even camp fires.

“I follow a Muslim nature base. I am very big into green projects,” Whitaker said. “It’s more of a spirituality. I try to be more thoughtful of people and my surroundings.”

Aside from the unplanned celebrations by Mother Nature, OGS has a few events they’re looking forward to.

Beltane is a celebration of the rights of summer on May 1. A lot of different religions celebrate this day.

OGS is also in the process of planning their body and soul festival coming up on Nov. 1.

“It’s a giant holistic fair and festival,” Moffitt said.