PaganParenting.Org

Katie's Adventures

by Rowantree

Once there lived a little girl named Katie. Katie had many friends at her school. Most of her friends were different. Some of Katie's friends were boys and some of her friends were girls. Some of Katie's friends had different colored skin. Some of Katie's friends had different religious beliefs.

One day, Katie's friend, Emily, asked Katie if she would like to go to church with Emily and her parents on Sunday. Emily and her family were Christian. Katie asked her parents if she could go with Emily, and Katie's parents said they thought that would be a good idea.

When Sunday came, Katie went to Emily's church. Everyone sat on wooden benches called pews. At the front of the room there was a place for the minister. Emily explained to Katie that the minister was the person who read the day's lesson to everyone who came into the church. The church was decorated with pretty flowers, a cross, and statues of Jesus and Mary. Emily explained to Katie that Christians worship a God, his son, Jesus, and honor Jesus' mother, Mary. The minister read from the Bible, which is the Christian holy book. Katie and Emily also attended Sunday School. A teacher read them children's stories. Katie and Emily painted pictures and sang songs. Katie had a lot of fun with Emily that day.

Katie asked Emily if she would like to go to a Pagan Sabbat with Katie and her parents. Katie and her family were Pagans, and they celebrated holidays called Sabbats. The next Sabbat was called Beltane, which celebrated the planting of the harvest and the marriage of the Lord and Lady. Katie explained to Emily that Pagans worship a God and a Goddess. Emily asked her parents if she could go with Katie, and Emily's parents said they thought that would be a good idea.

When Beltane came, Katie, Emily and Katie's parents drove to one of the coven member's houses. Katie explained to Emily that since Pagans do not have a church, they celebrate at each other's homes or outdoors. Katie told Emily that the coven members were like Emily's church members. Everyone brought good things to eat to the celebration.

They all gathered outside and made a circle. The circle was decorated with candles and pretty flowers. The adults lit a bonfire in the middle of the circle. Some of the adults jumped over the fire! Katie explained to Emily that this was part of the Beltane celebration and that in the past, adults jumped over the fire to ensure their crops were healthy. Now adults jump over the fire for good wishes in the future. A tall pole with many different colored ribbons hanging from the top was brought out. Katie told Emily this is called a May Pole and everyone took a ribbon and danced around the May Pole, weaving their ribbons around the pole. It was a lot of fun!

Katie and Emily ate after the coven blessed the food and drink and put out an offering for the Lord and Lady. Katie's dad helped Katie and Emily roast marshmallows over the bonfire. Everyone sang songs and some of the coven members had brought musical instruments with them. Some played the guitar, some the flute, while others played the drums. Katie and Emily were each given a tambourine to shake! Soon it was time to go home. Everyone gave thanks to the Lord and Lady and the circle was opened up for people to leave. Emily had a lot of fun with Katie that day.

Both Katie and Emily enjoyed sharing their different religious beliefs with each other. They learned that being different can be fun!