by Paul Benton, Acting Chancellor of Member Affairs
Frith is one of those archaic words we use, though not as much as I think we should. But what IS frith? Wikipedia defines it as “a word from Old English meaning peace, protection, safety, security, freedom, and refuge.” It says, “Frith has a great deal to do not only with the state of peace but also with the nature of social relationships conducive to peace. Moreover, it has strong associations with stability and security.”
For many years I looked for a community. I’ve met some amazing people, but never found a place that felt like home…a place where I felt safe and free to truly be myself. Through the dedication from our Emissary department, I found Awaken the North. Of course, I did my homework and looked into AtN. The more I looked the more I found what I wanted. A place where knowledge is freely shared. Where your interpretation and beliefs aren’t ridiculed. A place where our differences aren’t just okay but are celebrated. This is the frith I sought.
I am very much not the social butterfly type. Often I can’t find the right words to start a conversation. So it’s hard for me to make connections when joining a new community. Every morning, I started saying hello in the public section of our Discord server. When I felt I could add something to a conversation, I slid a little comment in. It became easier the more I took the chance and put myself out there. I’ve made some really good friends. Also, I have found some brothers, sisters, and siblings that mean the world to me. This is the frith I sought.
Awaken the North is run 100% by unpaid volunteers. I wanted to help… to do my part in this community. When there was an opening in Member Affairs, I read what was needed and thought, “YES, I CAN DO THAT!” The Member Affairs department oversees the processing of all membership applications. We look at the answers to the questions listed to be sure people wish to join for the right reasons. We look at their social media to ensure that they align with the core values of AtN: “We embrace our uniqueness and celebrate the uniqueness of others. With a Zero Hate tolerance policy, Awaken the North will not stand for racism, bigotry, or xenophobia of any kind. We aim is to create a safe space for all to learn, grow, and support each other on our spiritual walks through Heathenry.”
We are also here to help you navigate the vast footprint of Awaken the North. We have several Facebook groups, a very active Discord, and nearly all social media platforms.
This is, also, the frith I sought.
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