05/05/2026
CAM was awarded the Pitchforks and Progress award this weekend. The award was granted due to not only starting in person Sober Faction meetings, but for our successful efforts to integrate into local groups. Our congregation has been able to apply our value of religious pluralism to recovery models and support other seats at the table while having our own. (There was that really cool time where a Christian org gave me an award for my impact on the local recovery community… For my work through TST’s Sober Faction. 🤘)
I would also like to think our interfaith work hasn’t hurt.
Special shout out to Chelseyy Kingg for being the longest and unwavering supporter of Rise From Your Graves and Sister Mary X for being the interfaith leader of our congregation.
As I reflect on the last 4+ years, I’m humbled yet proud. Many don’t know this, but our congregation came from a Sober Faction meeting (campaign work), not the other way around. It is rare, but lightning stuck and Rob Thė Human, Noah Maim and I were able to build a place that felt like home to enough people with shared values that a congregation was naturally born.
I would also like to recognize Andrew Maxson and Felix Astaroth for their contributions to build the community. Especially in the early days of being a candidate group, your parts were so important.
Part of CAM’s success in my opinion was largely due to your support.
It’s not always been perfect, but we’ve always tried to make it genuine, safe and grassroots fun. Thank you all for your support to get here. Hail yourselves. Hail each other. Hail TST CAM.
And while I’m at it, hail Renard Seir and our sister congregation The Satanic Temple - West Michigan who supported us from the very beginning as an in person Sober Faction meeting.
- Rev. Crimson Rogers