Solitary

When an individual wishes to join or affiliate with the Church of Light and Shadow, but has no local body with which to engage, they may – through the Rite of Self-Dedication – join in the egregore or “charism” of the Church. The Church makes resources and community available for solitary members, and can assist them in the forming of a Luxumbrian “Study Group” – the smallest body recognized by the Church. Solitary individuals usually attend a local Catholic or Anglican/Episcopalian Church to have their sacramental needs met.

Study Group

A Study Group is the smallest organizational body recognized by the Church. It is comprised of at least one Self-Dedicant member and one other member, who meet on a schedule to discuss and work with materials provided or recommended by the Church for this purpose. Study group members generally attend a local Catholic or Anglican/Episcopalian Church to have their sacramental needs met.

Cenacle

A Cenacle is a “church mission” – the first “official” organizational body recognized by the Church. It is comprised of at least one 2nd Degree member (someone who has received both Baptism and Confirmation within the Church) and at least two other Self-Dedicants. Cenacles generally meet both for study as well as to celebrate Feast Days and Holy Days together. Greater resources are made available to Cenacles, and their locations may be listed on Church websites to allow for interested members of the public to contact them. Cenacle members usually attend a local Catholic or Anglican/Episcopalian Church to have their sacramental needs met.

Coven

Once a Cenacle has gained at least one 3rd Degree member (Holy Order of Deacon) and one 1st degree member, they may be considered a Coven. Covens meet on a regular schedule for member education and edification, as well as to celebrate Feast Days and Holy Days together, and their locations may be listed on Church websites to allow for interested members of the public to contact them. usually attend a local Catholic or Anglican/Episcopalian Church to have their sacramental needs met. Any 3rd degree coven-member may enter the seminary program. After ordination, and upon ratification by the Coven, the local Coven is considered a full Parish.

Parish

A parish is a local Coven who has a regularly serving member of the Priesthood. They are the foundational body of the church. Along with all the functions of a Coven, a Parish will meet regularly for the celebration of the Mass and meet the other traditional sacramental needs of its members.

Diocese

Administratively, dioceses usually follow local boundaries such as states, and they generally center on a prominent city within that territory. A diocese also is sometimes called a See, a term linked with the official seat of the bishop (referred to as the Diocesan Bishop or “Ordinary”) and referring to their territory or charge. Within the Church, dioceses are autonomous churches limited only to the authority of the Archbishop, and cooperating through the General Episcopal Synod.

Provinces/Regions

Each Country wherein a body of the Church is found is termed a “Province” or Region of the Church, and the ranking Bishop within that Province serves as its “Regionary” Bishop, or Primate. The Archbishop serves as Regionary Bishop for those Provinces with no current resident Bishop.