This post was inspired by Question #27 from this list.

Several years ago, the religious education coordinator of our local Unitarian Universalist church invited our coven to do a presentation for their middle school religious education classes. So one Sunday, we set up our altar in the appropriate classroom and then took each class (one for each of the two worship services offered) through an explanation and demonstration of our ritual. During that time, we explained each element of the ritual, its significance and why we do it. We also allowed the students to ask questions. That was a delight because middle schoolers can be a bright and inquisitive lot.

We actually didn’t perform a working, but instead just explained where the working would normally go and a brief explanation of the kinds of things we might do for a working. Also, I think we skipped actually performing Cakes and Ale. Partly because we ran into a question of whether it would be appropriate to (1) have cakes and ale and excluding the students or (2) serving students and potentially causing problems. (There was a clear understanding that the purpose of the demonstration was to demonstrate our beliefs and practices, not “pull in” the kids.)

Everyone had a great time and i still have fond memories of doing it. I wish we had gotten subsequent opportunities to do it again.