Congregation of the Oaks
Etiquette and Behavior Guidelines

The Temple area, Grounds and Mother House are sacred Places (space), to The Congregation of the Oaks and her People.  We believe that all space is sacred but our Temple is a special place that we gather to honor together as a group. People enter our Temple with reverence; please remember it is hallowed ground.  As all space is sacred, one may come and go within the Temple. In most cases, it is acceptable to sit at times during our rites, so please bring a chair.  Please, try and not take away from the sacredness of our ceremony or Rites, if you do this, expect an escorted out of the Temple area and off the fellowship grounds by the Guardians. Taking away from the sacredness can mean a number of things: talking loudly is distracting and inconsiderate; talking during quiet times, prayer and meditation is also not acceptable.  We ask that you quietly and respectfully give the ritual your full attention.
   If you have invited someone to Temple, guide him or her through his or her beginning steps. 
If someone has invited you to the Temple, the one that invited you is responsible in part for you being there and any actions you do. Hospitality by your inviter or host will help you through your beginning ceremonies or first Rite with the Congregation: what we do, how we do it and when. Do not take part of any disturbance in, around the Temple area, Mother House, or on the grounds anywhere.
Some questions you should ask before you arrive on the grounds are: "What kind of clothing will be appropriate? What are the appropriate tools to bring? Is it appropriate to wear jewelry?" Ask any other question you can think up, of your host almost anytime. There may be a question you could ask which will draw a smile (but I have never seen anyone deemed stupid for an earnest inquiry.) There are no bad questions or if there is, it is the one never ask of anyone.
• We are a Clothed community.  We do not advocate nudity on temple grounds.  We ask that all members and visitors be clothed at all times.  We hold the body in high regards and find modest dress to be honorable.  There are often children present and it is our responsibility to set a positive, respectable example and provide a safe environment for them.
• Tools, as long as they are personal and to be carried on your person are acceptable.  It is not appropriate to place any of your personal tools on the alter or somewhere in the Temple without the consent of the Clergy member facilitating as well as the consent of a member of the Holly Council.   However a tool that can also be used as a weapon can not be brought on to the Temple Area with out proper Authorization.  There is to be no form of living steel (living steel can be swords, claymores, or even pocket knives), and in some cases even athames, to be brought into the Temple area, Mother House, or Fellowship Grounds without the consent of the Guardian, the facilitator, and the Holly Council.  This includes all or any firearms no mater your job.    We pose a safe and protected environment to try to keep all members safe.
• Jewelry from other traditions, such as Egyptian ankhs, Christian crosses or Amerindian medicine wheels are not considered offensive as long as they are worn as personal jewelry and not huge representations deliberately designed to offend.   We are a religiously tolerant group, as long as we are not being openly offended in our Temple.

When entering the Temple do not wander about. If you are Clergy, you are familiar with the proper ways of entering Temple and are expected to do so.  If this is your first time, the people you came with have an obligation to stay with you and guide you in the appropriate courtesies. If you come by yourself, and you cannot find a leader, the Priest, or the person acting for the Priest in charge, ask most anyone around what is appropriate. If you cannot, and the service has started then watch and do as others do. You will rarely go wrong doing this, someone (most likely the Guardian) will see that you are waiting to join in the Rite will come and talk with you and if possible bring you in and act as your host.
By no means should you touch any of the ritual objects, altar, musical instruments or any other object you did not bring. This includes things people are wearing.
Ritual tools are very special items, Very personal to some, which in some cases, no living person may ever have touched the Ritual tool. If you see anything interesting lying around the Temple, or on the altar, make sure to ask permission before handling it. Never touch or take something without the owners' permission.  Tarot cards, drums and other musical instruments may be ritual tools. Again-don't handle other people's items without permission. Do not assume because you may not have been, either told "not to" do such a thing that the person, whose items you have taken it upon yourself to examine, is not upset. Many find it just as impolite to have to tell someone not to do something, as it is for the person examining the item to do so without permission.
The Temple and the Fellowship Grounds will be Free and clean of trash at all times.  If you bring something into Temple, it is your responsibility to take it with you out of the Temple of the area.  This may be chairs or drinks during revel, but if you bring it in, it is your responsibility to take it with you.  Cigarette butts are not EVER thrown on the ground, if you are smoking, when you are finished, please keep the butt in your pocket or hand and throw it away in a trash bin when you get a chance. 
The Temple Fire is NOT to have trash, cigarette butts, or anything else thrown into it.  It is a sacred fire in a sacred space.  This is a mandated respect of our Temple and the Fire as well as the Fellowship area.
Remember that you are in the midst of nature and a nature area.  There are wild animals around.  Please do not follow, track, or antagonize any of these creatures.  It can be very dangerous. 
              Personal Safety and the safety of your children it is expected that parents keep track of their children.  We understand that it takes a village to raise a child, however, we are a very busy group.  Please do not assume that because your child is around a group of adults that the group will tend for your child.  Please ask someone to keep an eye on your child if you intend on being away from him or her for any period.
The Congregation of the Oaks formed from the foundation on honor and respect asks that you not disrespect the Temple, the Fellowship Grounds, or the COTO Mother House, a Guardian WILL escort you out and off the property if you do.
Once escorted out of the Temple or off the Grounds, it means you have dishonored yourself. The Holly Council will decide upon the consequences of your actions.  You have to earn your ability to re-enter the Temple area, Fellowship grounds, C.O.T.O. Mother House and/or gatherings, after a set amount of time deemed by the Holly Council.
We strive to set forth a safe and positive environment for all who come onto Temple grounds.  Thank you for doing your best to respect others as well as the Temple and yourself.  Blessings and Awen