Many Iowa House lawmakers skip invocation by Wiccan

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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Many of Iowa's House lawmakers have boycotted an opening prayer delivered by a Wiccan priestess.

Thursday's invocation was offered by Wiccan Deborah Maynard, leader of the Cedar Rapids Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans. She was invited by Democratic state Rep. Liz Bennett.

Maynard prayed that the "spirit which is ever-present" in earth, fire, air and water would guide lawmakers in their work.

At least half of the 100 lawmakers were not present in Iowa's House chamber for the Wiccan prayer. The conservative Christian group the Family Leader organized an alternate prayer service in the Capitol building.

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238-w-32-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Deborah Maynard, Wiccan priestess)--Many of Iowa's House lawmakers have boycotted an opening prayer delivered by a Wiccan priestess. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (9 Apr 2015)

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239-a-10-(Wiccan priestess Deborah Maynard, leader of the Cedar Rapids Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans, delivering opening prayer Thursday in the Iowa House)-"are a part"-Wiccan priestess Deborah Maynard prays that lawmakers will be guided by the spirit of earth, fire, air and water. (9 Apr 2015)

<<CUT *239 (04/09/15)££ 00:10 "are a part"

240-a-08-(Wiccan priestess Deborah Maynard, leader of the Cedar Rapids Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans, delivering opening prayer Thursday in the Iowa House)-"us here today"-Wiccan priestess Deborah Maynard invokes the spirits in nature to guided Iowa lawmakers. ((longer version of cut used in wrap)) (9 Apr 2015)

<<CUT *240 (04/09/15)££ 00:08 "us here today"