Gareth Thomas

For those of you who do not remember I’m Gareth Thomas (aka Noinden), I’ve been a member of ADF (and the warriors guild) since the middle of 2000, and a member of the CoH since 2009. I lived in Milwaukee from 2004 to 2010, before moving home to New Zealand with my wife (and fellow ADFer) Tori (plus the two cats). I’m back at University retraining (from a Pharmaceutical Chemist, to a Bioinformatician), and getting back in touch with life, after being in the Contract Pharmaceutical industry for a long time.

Warrior-wise , I practice Military unarmed combat (for civilians) of the Fairbairn-Sykes-Apple gate lineage as well as the Nelson Lineage. I train at the Geoff Todd school of Self Defence in Dunedin New Zealand. I’ve also practiced medieval European swordmanship, though there are no groups for that around my area these days.

I’m currently serving as the guild chief, and thus acting as one of the two votes on the Council of Lore, that we have.

Racheal

My name is Rachael Quinet, I have been a member of ADF since I believe 2005.

In 2007, I was a founding member, grove organizer and first senior druid of Snow Water Grove, in Cambridge Springs, PA. We will be celebrating our 5th public Samhain this year. Currently, I serve as secretary.

I joined the warrior's guild during the last time the circle challenge was run at Wellspring. I joined after talking to Seamus and a few other people about where and how they were looking to take the guild.
This is a guild of warriors, but a warrior is so much more than "someone who lifts heavy tables". I guess that means I believe in the spiritual and mental aspects of being a warrior as well as the physical. The love, support and comradarie that was shown to Grey when he got injured, sealed the deal. The guild is an amazing bunch of
people. I joined the games because it was the first time I was
physically able to since I had gotten ill. He joined the games because he had never gotten hurt and wanted to "prove" he could do it. The rest of that story is how "the Grey award" came about.

I used to be very athletic in primary school (more than 20 years
ago!) wrestling, basketball, football, but as I got older I had to face other life challenges. I've had multiple surgeries, many health problems, 2 divorces, and a teenage son. my orginal profession was veterinary Technician where I served as the technician supervisor of a
7 doctor practice before accepting my current position of installing and training staff how to use digital radiography units in veterinary practices all over the US and eastern Canada.

I have not completed my dedicant path, however I've DONE the work many times over. I joke that I am on the 7 year plan. I have every intention of actually writing it up and turning it in at some point.
The reasons I haven't are my own, and I would be happy to discuss them off list, however, I do have plenty of leadership skills and knowledge to contribute. I have served on the worship committee of the local UU church (which consisted of a heathen, a witch, a druid and the UU
minister) and helped plan out the years worship services. Led a public UU service in Core Order of Ritual as well as a Mother's Day service (which was interesting because I postulated that anyone can "mother"
even men or women without biological children) . Currently, I serve on the minister's review committee for the new minister and I am helping guide her through completing the final stages of UU fellowship. Currently, SNow Water Grove is spear heading the clean up of a local elder's home to make it safe for her to live in. I am the type of person that tries to lead by example and share my experiences openly, honestly and with compassion, but I can also be hard as nails when necessary. In my work life, with less than a year on the job, I am already training new recruits and adding to my list of computer skills.

I might not have formal physical warrior training other than sports, but as I said, I believe a warrior in the context of a neo-pagan religion is much more than that. Leadership, with dignity and respect is also, IMO, just as important. I would be honored to serve the guild as well as continue to serve the greater community as I have been since my time in ADF. I would like to learn and grow along with you, as well as impart any knowledge or experience I have to make the guild a better place and have more people find the home I have found here.

I would be happy to answer any other questions you may have about me.
feel free to ask :)

Bert

I have been a member of ADF since 2001 and have finished the Dedicant program. I am former member of the US Army, honorably discharged. I currently working as an RN with the VA.

I currently serve ADF as the Chief of the Seers Guild and the Head of the PIE Kin. I formerly served as the preceptor of the Seers Guild and was instrumental in writing the Guild study program. I have also served as the assistant head of the PIE Kin.

Fergus

I've been a member of the guild for a few years and hope to continue contributing to the vision of warrior in ADF. I've been a member of ADF since 2005 and started Coast Oak Grove with some fellow pagans. My interest include martial arts (since 1984), primitive weapons and technology, and emergency preparedness.