AVALON GROVE

Who We Are

Avalon Grove is an unorthodox Celtic Christian church and gathering place located in the mountains of North Carolina near Asheville. It was begun as a way to share with others the teachings we have received over the years from members of the Celtic Faerie tribes. At Avalon Grove, we celebrate the ancient Celtic holidays with services that include Celtic and Arthurian legends, Faerie tales, and Biblical teachings.

A Few Basic Beliefs

• The Creator is both our Mother and Father (the Holy Parents, God and Goddess), who love us very much.
• The Holy Parents' son, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is our loving, elder brother.
• Mother Earth is a living being who loves all her children, and she deserves our love and respect in return.
• We are related to all Creation, and we believe that all who dwell on Mother Earth should be treated with kindness and respect, no matter who or what they are.
  
• We strive to follow Jesus' greatest commandment: "29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:29-31

Origin of Avalon Grove

We would like to explain how we came to call our gathering place Avalon Grove. In the ancient days of King Arthur and Queen Gwenhwyfar of Britain,a school located upon the Isle of Avalon was the source for many sacred spiritual teachings. Avalon served as a training ground for priests and priestesses, as well as for others who wished to study the ancient traditions. There were both Human teachers and teachers from the Faerie tribes. Though Avalon left the physical realm long ago, it still exists and flourishes in the spirit realm of Tir na n'Og. The Faerie have a tradition of holding their sacred gatherings within a great grove of trees. They sometimes refer to themselves as walking trees, with their roots reaching deep within the Great Mother Earth and their arms stretching upward toward the Holy Family. It is our desire and that of our beloved teachers, family and friends, the Celtic Faerie, that a new Avalon will take root in the mountains of North Carolina. The name Avalon Grove comes from our desire to recreate Avalon in the physical world and our hope that its students will experience such a deep connection with the Holy Family and Mother Earth that they will begin to see themselves as walking trees, a new Human Grove.

Celebrate With Us

Celtic Christian gatherings at Avalon Grove take place on the 1st Sunday of the month, except for October and November, when we celebrate Samhain on October 31st. When weather permits, we meet outdoors to help us draw closer to Mother Earth and the rest of Creation. Each gathering focuses on honoring Mother and Father Creator, Jesus, and Mother Earth, as well as celebrating the ancient Celtic holidays. Gatherings typically include a Celtic ceremony, and can also include Celtic and Arthurian legends, stories from the Bible, tales and spiritual teachings from the Faerie, and sometimes music. Avalon Grove gatherings for 2008-2009 are as follows:

2008

• Sun, Sep 7, 3:00 pm - Mabon/Alban Elued/Autumnal Equinox
• Sun, Oct 5 - No service
• Fri, Oct 31, 8:00 pm - Samhain/All Hallows Eve/All Saints' Day/All Souls' Day/Celtic New Year
• Sun, Nov 2 - No service
• Sun, Dec 7, 3:00 pm - Christmas/Yule/Alban Arthuan/Winter Solstice

2009

• Sun, Jan 4, 3:00 pm - Twelfth Night/Epiphany
• Sun, Feb 1, 3:00 pm - Imbolc/Candlemas
• Sun, Mar 1, 3:00 pm - Ostara/Vernal (Spring) Equinox/Alban Eiler/St. Patrick's Day
• Sun, Apr 5, 3:00 pm - Easter
• Sun, May 3, 3:00 pm - Beltane/May Day
• Sun, Jun 7, 3:00 pm - Litha/Alban Heruin/Summer Solstice
• Sun, Jul 5, 3:00 pm - Faerieland Journey
• Sun, Aug 2, 3:00 pm - Lughnassadh/Lammas/Assumption of Mary
• Sun, Sep 6, 3:00 pm - Mabon/Alban Elued/Autumnal Equinox
• Sun, Oct 4 - No service
• Sat, Oct 31, 7:00 pm - Samhain/All Hallows Eve/All Saints' Day/All Souls' Day/Celtic New Year
• Sun, Nov 1 - No service
• Sun, Dec 6, 3:00 pm - Christmas/Yule/Alban Arthuan/Winter Solstice

There is no cost to attend these celebrations, but donations are gratefully accepted. These donations are set aside to be used toward a future expanded Avalon Grove.

Celebration Location

We currently meet outdoors on our property in Weaverville or indoors if the weather is cold or stormy. We understand that in the days of the early Celtic church, the priests and priestesses chose their land and told those in power that that was where they would build their church. Things are a bit different these days, but we do hope that Avalon Grove will one day have its own structure located within a beautiful, forested area, so that it may flourish there for future generations. Click here if you would like to read more about what we see for the future of Avalon Grove.

Some Views From Avalon Grove

Click here for pictures.

Find Out More

You can read more about the Celtic Faerie traditions, teachings and ceremonies at our website and within the pages of our book, Gnomes in the Garden. Please note that Avalon Grove is only open to visitors during Celtic holiday celebrations or by special appointment. If you would like to receive reminders about the classes and ceremonies at Avalon Grove, please email us at avalongrove@celticwisdom.net. Click here for driving directions and local hotel suggestions.

Gnomes in the Garden and Avalon Grove Press