Warm Greetings to Adiantum and her peoples,
As we look to the longest night of the year and the return of the sun, His Excellency and I wanted to reach out and address you.
Our beautiful and diverse community has experienced a great deal of hardship since last we met in person.
A pandemic has swept across the globe, impacting each of us. We have ceased our in-person interactions within the SCA as we wait for a time where it is again safe to laugh, sing, fight, and eat together.
Our lands, as well as our neighbors’, were ravaged by wildfires. Many lost their homes and many yet are still living in temporary housing.
We have also lost some of our brightest lights. Friends, neighbors, lovers, inspirations, and family have left this world for the next.
Please know that we feel all of these sorrows deeply.
When we looked forward at what our tenure as Baron and Baroness might entail, we imagined many things. We imagined representing our populace throughout the Kingdom, encouraging new and old pursuits, supporting the Kingdom war effort, as well as organizing and cataloging our history. We knew, pragmatically, that there would be ups and downs. We anticipated helping in the resolution of disagreements along the way. What we never imagined was the year our community has endured.
While we cannot physically hold each of you, each of you is held in our hearts.
In the coming year, we are hoping to pick back up on events and find our group energy. While we are looking at another six or more months before we can have in-person events, we are excited to explore the many virtual platforms that are available to us. Our Arts & Sciences community has been incredibly active and intends to remain so.
In addition, we expect to hold a virtual Midwinter Feast, as well as a virtual Egils 46. More information on those will be available on the website as soon as it becomes available.
We remain grateful for the opportunity to serve this Barony and each of you. This isn’t the ticket any of us thought we purchased, but we are all on this ride together. Our love goes out to you and your family. We look forward to hearing from you again as the days get longer.
In solemn service,
Evan Dunbar
Baroun Adiantum
Ayla Roth
Baronin Adiantum