“A mind rooted in curiosity blossoms with truth; a heart tempered with humor flourishes in peace.” gnomean proverb
Have you ever done anything silly just for the sake of being silly? I have; I just did. Recently something came over me, a feeling much like an interior chuckle. It made me smile, forced my fingers onto my keyboard, and as of July 12, 2025, I became an ordained minister of the Church of Gnome. I now have my certificate, my letter of good standing, and, most importantly, my new red gnome hat.
Why? I have no idea. I have no need for it, no one was getting married and wanted me to officiate. (Yes, I can legally officiate weddings now.) It looked silly and I was feeling silly.
I had noticed the advertisements. The design was well done and clever. I was intrigued and looked into it. Immediately I saw they got the joke (they sell t-shirts with a silly gnome in dark sunglasses and the words “Not A Cult” – mine is on the way btw) but also wanted to create something meaningful. Here’s their mission statement:
“The Church of Gnome is committed to embodying and advancing charitable endeavors at the heart of its mission. Anchored in the Gnomean Principles, we strive to cultivate a vibrant community that champions personal growth, environmental stewardship, and a broad understanding of the interconnectedness of all beings. Through a harmonious integration of spiritual practices and a welcoming embrace of diverse world beliefs, we are dedicated to making a tangible, positive impact both within our community and across the globe.”
Perfect. A bunch of silly people, that have good hearts and mean well. You can be a spiritual as you want, or not at all. It doesn’t make any difference. Just be kind to each other. That’s something missing in this world right now. I love it.
I have since framed my Ordination Certificate, gluing a few twigs to the frame to make it feel more gnomean, and hung it in my home office. I’m proud to be a Gnomean Minister and stand ready to answer whenever a gnome is needed.
Now if I can only get my novel published. Maybe the luck of the gnomes will help?