That was enough Monday to cause some to denounce the Wiccans, and not say very nice things about the council either. The controversy arose in wake of a letter sent to area churches inviting them to have a representative give the invocation. The list was put together by city staff members using the Yellow Pages and church names submitted by council members. It came after a suggestion last month by Councilwoman Ilene Davis, who everyone said should not have to routinely hear a denominational prayer because not all taxpayers are Christian. The church's philosophy is akin to that of American Indians'.
Members worship a mother goddess and believe the deity resides in all people and nature.
During services, Wiccans wear robes and pray around a makeshift altar covered with candles and goblets. In 1994, the city of Palm Bay charged Zaleski with illegally operating a church in a residential neighborhood. Residents had complained about her backyard services. The city later dropped the matter, but Zaleski fought back, saying her constitutional right to worship as she pleased had been violated. She and her husband the Rev. Roger Coleman, now are suing the city in federal court.