History will be made in the state capitol this week. For the first time, a Wiccan priestess will give the opening prayer in the Iowa House of Representatives. The priestess, Deborah Maynard of Cedar Rapids, was invited by her Representative, Democrat Liz Bennett, to deliver the invocation. State Representative Clel Baudler says he doesn’t have any strong opinions on the subject, other than disappointment that he has to miss the ceremony. “We give guidelines to any denomination who comes in and prays. Quite frankly, I was looking forward to it, however I’ll be out of state that day.”

The Wiccan invocation takes place Thursday morning at the state capitol.