Sermons/Talks/Archives

Maypole Story

His parents made an unfortunate choice when they named their son Frost, for no one hated the snow and cold and ice so much as he did. What was even more unfortunate was to be born in a land ruled by an Ice Troll, who loved to freeze everything he touched. Thermostats were closely watched and constantly turned down. The troll provided no shortage of games and entertainment for his residents: skating, sledding, skiing, and snow-shoeing were all enjoyed by Frost’s family, and most everyone else he knew. Frost, in the meantime, was forever huddled under a blanket. And a sweater. And a coat. And the long, white scarf that every resident of the Land of Ice wore so proudly day in and day out. His poor toes were always frozen with the cold, and he was forever seeking some warm place in a land where no such thing existed.

One day, Frost bundled up in his sweater and his coat and, with his long white scarf wrapped around his face, he set out to run away from the Land of Ice. No one ever ran away, and so the border was not well guarded, and within a couple days of walking he began to grow warmer. As he continued on his path, the heat kept increasing, and soon he began to do something he’d never done before and shed layers. By the time he came to the gate of a great city, he’d converted his coat into a satchel and carried most of his clothes within, although he left the white scarf dangling from his neck.

He was welcomed at the gates and brought to a great feast, where he saw the Queen of the realm. Frost was taken aback when she came into the room, as he had never before met a dragon. In the Land of Fire, the temperature was always hot, and the Queen liked nothing more than to set things ablaze, burn whatever could be burnt, and keep things toasty.

Frost enjoyed his barbecued dinner, and later the drumming and dancing around the fire, but was unable to sleep because of how hot everything was, and so went for a walk. He’d traveled far from the Land of Ice, but it was not a place where he’d be comfortable settling. As he walked, a young woman fell into step beside him and struck up a conversation.

He learned that her name was Ember, and she hated the constant heat. She asked if he was planning to travel farther, and when he said he was, she asked if she might travel with him. They struck a deal, and the next day set out from the city gate; Frost in his long white scarf, and Ember in the bright red bandana that all the Land of Fire residents wore.

They traveled for several days until they reached the City of Water, ruled by a Sea Serpent who kept it raining all the time. Although they enjoyed swimming and delicious fish, neither wanted to stay. There they met Brooke, who joined them wearing the blue rope of her people.

After more traveling they reached the City of Air, ruled by a giant Eagle whose wings kept fierce winds blowing. There they met Gust, who joined them wearing the yellow kite string of his people.

The four friends eventually settled in a forest clearing beneath a great tree. Frost taught them to survive the cold. Ember built warming fires. Brooke and Gust built shelters against rain and wind. Soon many others joined them, each still wearing the symbols of the lands they had left behind.

Back in the four kingdoms, the rulers became enraged as more and more people left. The Ice Troll, Dragon Queen, Sea Serpent, and Eagle each marched upon the settlement to force everyone back.

Frost tied his white scarf to the great tree. Ember tied her red bandana. Brooke tied her blue rope. Gust tied his yellow kite string. Everyone else did the same.

The monsters unleashed hail, fire, torrential rain, and hurricane-force winds.

But something magical happened.

The hail cooled the flames while the fire melted the hail. The rain calmed the wind while the wind dried the rain. Each force canceled the others until, around the people gathered at the tree, only a gentle spring rain remained.

The defeated monsters returned home.

The people celebrated by dancing around the tree, some clockwise and some counterclockwise. Their ribbons became woven together into one beautiful pattern.

Each year afterward they raised a pole in memory of that victory, tying colorful ribbons before dancing once again around it—a celebration of how pluralism had made them a new people.

Maypole Dance Symbolism

• Circle
  • Symbolizes unity, wholeness, community, and being protectively surrounded
  • Represents the image of the cosmos
• Pole
  • Center of activity
  • Axis mundi
  • Vertical connection between all worlds
    • Connecting all beings in every world
• Ribbons
  • Represent rays shining outward from a common center
  • We weave those ribbons together
    • Creating, almost magically, a woven fabric
• Diverse people working together create something entirely new:
  • Pluralism

Beltane

• Halfway point between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice
• Celebration of spring’s energy
• Celebration of the profound interconnectedness of all life
• Honors the multitude of life’s expressions
  • The richness of human experience
    • There are many paths to truth and enlightenment
  • Diversity of deities, rituals, and practices
  • The rich tapestry of spiritual paths and philosophical perspectives that exist within and beyond our community
  • Recognition and acceptance of diversity in belief systems, cultures, and traditions
    • A spirit that resonates deeply with this ancient festival
• Beltane and Pluralism intersect in celebrating:
  • Diversity
  • Unity
  • The interconnectedness of all things

Achieving Pluralism

• Cultivate Openness
  • Embrace a mindset of openness and curiosity toward different perspectives and experiences
  • Be willing to listen deeply to others without judgment or preconceptions
  • Take up a ribbon!
• Educate Yourself
  • Take the initiative to learn about different cultures, religions, and worldviews
  • Read books, attend cultural events, and engage in respectful dialogue with people from diverse backgrounds
  • Pay attention to the maypole facilitator.
• Promote Dialogue
  • Create spaces for meaningful dialogue and exchange where people feel safe to share their beliefs and experiences
  • Encourage active listening, empathy, and mutual respect during these conversations
  • Dialogue reveals both understandings and differences
    • Not everyone at the table agrees with one another
    • Pluralism is a commitment to remain at the table while holding one’s own beliefs
  • Interact with fellow dancers.
• Challenge Assumptions
  • Reflect on your own biases and assumptions about other cultures and beliefs
  • Challenge stereotypes and misinformation through critical thinking and exposure to diverse perspectives
  • Adapt the dance as necessary.
• Build Relationships
  • Foster relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds
  • Build connections based on mutual respect and understanding
    • Break down barriers and promote solidarity
  • Engage people of different faiths and cultures in creating a common society
  • Go over even if you just went over.
• Tolerance Is Not Enough
  • Tolerance alone does not require people to know one another
  • It can allow stereotypes and half-truths to remain
  • It does little to remove our ignorance of one another
  • Advocate for inclusive policies and practices
  • Stand up against discrimination, prejudice, and marginalization
• Participate
  • Engage in interfaith and intercultural activities that promote understanding and cooperation across religious and cultural divides
  • Attend interfaith gatherings, cultural festivals, and collaborative service projects
  • Take part in the dance!
• Pluralism and Diversity Are Not the Same
  • Diversity can simply be observed
  • People can even be critical of diversity or threatened by it
  • Pluralism is active engagement that creates something common from diversity
    • E Pluribus Unum — “Out of many, one”
      • Envisions one people with a shared civic identity
      • Not one religion, one faith, or one conscience
      • Unum does not mean uniformity
    • Not a “melting pot”
    • Plural cultures complement one another like the different sections of a symphony orchestra
    • Like the many colored ribbons woven around the maypole
• Work Toward a More Inclusive, Harmonious, and Equitable World
  • Cultivate empathy and compassion toward others, especially those whose beliefs and experiences differ from your own
  • Seek to understand the world through their eyes and extend kindness and support whenever possible
  • Lead by Example
    • Be a role model for pluralism in your interactions and behaviors
    • Demonstrate respect, inclusivity, and genuine curiosity in both your words and your actions
    • Inspire others to do the same

Closing Remarks

• The essence of both Beltane and pluralism lies in unity amidst diversity.
• Embrace the lessons of Beltane and the principles of pluralism
  • Nurture the seeds of understanding and compassion within our hearts
  • Flourish together in the garden of humanity
• Just as the many elements of nature come together in a symphony of life during this sacred season, so too can we come together in a spirit of inclusivity and respect.
• As we envision the many colored ribbons woven around the maypole
  • Consider the beauty and complexity of the human experience
  • Allow it to inspire us to embrace the richness of our differences
  • Work together toward a world of greater harmony and understanding
• May this Beltane season be a time of
  • Celebration
  • Reflection
  • Renewal
• May we honor
  • The beauty of diversity
  • The interconnectedness of all life
• May we find
  • Joy
  • Renewal
  • Connection
• May we continue weaving the many colored ribbons of diversity into the fabric of our shared community—and extend that spirit into the larger world.