A Lughnasdh ritual for Pagan families and their non-Pagan friends.
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1. Lughnasdh
An Interfaith Ritual For Pagan Families & Their Non-Pagan
Friends
2. The Who,
What,
Where,
When,
Why,
& How.
(not in that particular order)
3. Why A Children's Ministry?
I am a mother to three school aged children.
Portland no longer has an active Pagan family group.
Not all Pagan groups are open to children or open to boys.
We need to build community and strengthen values.
4. Why Interfaith Lughnasdh?
Summer is a beloved time of year for most American families.
In Oregon we long for the sun most of the year.
Pagan children want to feel
comfortable with their friends
and peers.
5. When will it take place?
The closest Saturday afternoon to Lughnasdh from three to six
PM.
6. Where will it take place?
Park like setting with covered areas in case it rains.
Needs access to picnic tables for craft.
Wheelchair access, bathrooms,
and running water nearby
is a bonus.
My new home fits the bill.
7. Who will come and how will it be interfaith?
Pagan families from the inactive Salmon & Hazelnuts group will
be invited.
The Pagan participants will invite one person or family of their
choosing who is of another faith and interested in learning more
about Paganism.
I will lead the ritual and invite the children to take an active
role.
8. What will happen?
Prior to the ritual beginning children and adults will have time to
make sun idol necklacesand color pictures of Lugh, the Sun, and the
Goddess.
Potluck lunch and snacks will be shared so people can
interact.
9. Calling the Elements
A quick explanation about why Pagans honor the elements will begin
the ritual.
To call the corners the children will divided into four
groups.
Each group will get a cape and will run clockwise as I call the
element.
Blue for water, red for fire, green for earth,
and yellow for air.
Invoke the Earth Goddess.
10. Calling the Sun
To call the Sun God the many Sun God legends will be remembered and
evoked.
Participants will be asked why the Sun is important to us
today.
A brief explication about why
the Sun was so important
to the Celtic people.
Then we will sing You are my sunshine while holding our idols up
the sun to charge them with its energy.
11. Foster Parent & Helping Adults Blessing
Briefly explain Lugh & why he loved his foster mother.
Participants will write names of people in their lives who have
helped them and put them into a jar.
Go on a scavenger hunt to find lovely things to fill the jar and
bless it as you see fit.
12. Cakes & Ale
Explain that food is commonly used in rituals throughout world
religions and how it is used in todays ritual.
Provide seasonal fruits and sun-tea. Listen to Dance The Gift Of
the Summer Sun by Anne Hill.
13. Jumping the Flame
This part really excites children. It can be done with small tea
light candles placed in taller containers or with battery operated
lights and orange crepe paper flames.
As a way of symbolizing our transition to summer have participants
take turns jumping over the flame while calling out words that
remind them of summer fun.
14. Opening the Circle
Have the children run counterclockwise as each element is
released.
Thank and release the Sun God & Earth Goddess.
Thank all participants & welcome
them to stay and chat after
the ritual.