Our History

The groundwork for W.R.C.F. began in 1989 when two of our founding members hosted their first public Sabbat Circle in Cocoa Beach at Litha (Midsummer). Since that time, Sabbats have been held eight times per year, in Orlando and surrounding areas. The Board of Directors is made up of nominees elected by the voting membership at our Annual Meeting.

These individuals bring a wide variety of skills and knowledge to their positions, as well as the perspective of a variety of Wiccan Traditions. The Wiccan Religious Cooperative of Florida, Inc. was incorporated in August of 1992. On November 8, 1993, W.R.C.F. was granted 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service.

Since our tentative beginnings, W.R.C.F. has been successful in establishing good working relationships with the media, local businesses, and other groups. We are invited on an ever increasing basis to lecture at colleges and other school settings, and to provide information regarding our organization and our religion to the media. We are also breaking ground in establishing positive inter-faith relationships with other individuals and religious organizations who share our beliefs in religious freedom.. We believe that we have helped to reduce some of the misunderstanding that exists between Pagans and non-Pagans.

The Wiccan Religious Cooperative was formed in order to serve the religious and spiritual needs of the rapidly growing Central Florida Wiccan community. W.R.C.F. is not a coven, nor do we dictate specific tradition. Instead, we strive to function as an umbrella group, designed to encourage Wiccans of many paths and traditions to come together for worship, socializing, education, assistance, and peace.

One of W.R.C.F. ‘s long term goals is to create a permanent worship site in which coveners and solitaries alike may interact in a safe, natural environment. W.R.C.F. conducts special fund raisers to raise monies for the Land Fund, into which we try to deposit ten percent of our net income. We have also established a special committee to the head the project of creating a Wiccan community center.

The Wiccan Religious Cooperative of Florida, Inc. looks forward to the day when Wiccans and non-Wiccans alike can approach each other with understanding and acceptance. May we all live to see a world filled with religious tolerance and peace.

This text ©1995 Saira