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Welcome to the Blue Heron Lodge Ceremonial Team Page! Our team is responsible for performing approximately six Ordeal ceremonies and six Brotherhood ceremonies each year as a part of Blue Heron's inductions process. Ceremonies are intended to make the induction experience more meaningful for the candidate and are performed with a level of respect and professionalism appropriate to the OA.
Practice Schedule
In general, we hold practices on select Thursday nights at Great Bridge Baptist Church (directions) in Chesapeake. We also schedule occasional practices as needed.
The current practice schedule is available at the calendar page and regular updates are emailed to all ceremonial team members. To be added to the list, email David Torbert.
Concerns?
No aspect of the OA, the ceremonies, or the inductions process as a whole should ever interfere with the religious obligations of any Arrowman or candidate, nor should anyone be made to feel uncomfortable as a result. If you are a parent and have questions about the inductions process, feel free to contact the Lodge Adviser, George Coker, or the Ceremonial Team Adviser, David Torbert.
Service Opportunities
There are a number of ceremonies-related service opportunities available. See below to find one that interests you:
- Ceremonial Team. The ceremonial team presents the official Ordeal and Brotherhood inductions ceremonies at lodge events. Ceremonial parts must be memorized and presented accurately. If you are interested in joining the team, come to a practice.
- Ceremonial Grounds. Quite a bit of work goes into preparing the ring for use at events. Help is always needed Friday night before the Pre-Ordeal ceremony to set up the ring properly. If you are interested in helping out with the grounds, contact the chairman Eric Devault or just show up Friday afternoon and offer to lend a hand.
- Creating regalia. In April, the Lodge Executive Committee approved the creation of a set of Native American outfits (called “regalia”) for the ceremonialists to wear. If you are interested in helping out, please let Rick know.
- Dance Team. If you are interested in finding out about the Blue Heron Lodge dance team, contact David Scheetz.
- Chapter Ceremonies. Each chapter has a ceremonial team responsible for producing a call-out at the district spring camp-o-ree and for performing at Eagle Courts or bridging ceremonies as requested by local units. For more information, see your chapter chief or chapter ceremonies chairman.
- Guides and other personnel. There are several miscellaneous functions that need to be performed at Ordeal ceremonies. For example, we usually have a guide assisting with the presenting of sashes and a uniformed Arrowman to ask for the admonition as members enter the ring. If you are interested in helping out, let us know.
- Elangomats. Elangomats guide a group of candidates through their ordeal. As an Elangomat, you get to wear a Native American ribbon shirt and participate with your clan in the ceremony.
| Points of Contact | ||
| Position | Arrowman | Email Address |
| Ceremonies Chairman | Rory Sullivan | |
| Grounds Chairman | ||
| Ceremonies Adviser | David Torbert | dtorbert@vt.edu |
| Grounds Adviser | B.J. Carew | bcarew@infionline.net |
| Ceremonies Resources |
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