Onlline Sermons

We have posted a lot of sermons from our Universal Life Church ministers. Some are Christian and some are not. You are welcome to use them or just enjoy them as you like.

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Shamanism

By Rev. Ovidiu Petrescu

The history of an old form of Divination

Knowledge is the mother of science. Opinion is the mother of ignorance.

- Hippocrates (460-377 BC.)

Shamanism is a prehistoric form of divination used by different tribes around the world. The word saman comes from language of Tungus speaking tribe of Siberia, and it could be translated as the wise one. Initially the word meant the religious leader – a Priest or High Priest - of Siberian region. In our days it is synonym with medicine man/woman, magician, witch doctor, and sorcerer.

“Shamanism is not only a religion or a facet of religion; it is a very active and practical one. Although Shamans are mystics and experience the basic patterns of the world and appreciate them for their own sake, everything a Shaman does is ultimately directed towards regulating some aspect of the world on behalf of the community. The Shaman’s soul travels in order to rescue the souls of others, to fight demons and to obtain food and material resources”. (Vitebsky 156).

A Shaman was the most powerful person amongst the members of the tribe. A layman became a shaman by heritage or he was chosen by Spirits World. His initiation was very demanding. To achieve his task, a Shaman has to reach a trance state, by the help of rituals, drums, chanting, and using different hallucinogens. Shamans have power over spirits, over

illness of his people, and he could demand changes of nature’s pattern. He could leave his body

at his will; he could invoke spirits help to overcome death, and/or master life’s circumstances. He also could be a fearless and a vicious warrior, a knowledgeable healer, a mediator on the tribe’s mundane problems, and in general his words were followed by the letter. We find shamanism from Japan to the Natives of Americas; from Africa to Northern of Europe, to Australia and the smallest Islands. Now days Shamans take different forms, and they still to practice their skills in Brazil, Dakotas, Finland, Mongolia, Siberia, and different other countries around the World. The Shamans emancipated in hunting societies, and they adapted into agricultural societies.

“A figure from the Les Trois Freres Cave in the French Pyrenees, nicknamed – the dancing sorcerer – thought by some to be a shaman. Every part of his anatomy seems to belong to some animal: wolf’s ears, deer’s antlers, horse’s tail, and bear’s paws. Yet the overall effect is compellingly human. A plausible interpretation is that he is a spirit Master of the Animals, who embodies the essence of all these species at once”. (Vitebsky 29).

In Desana tribe of Northern Amazon the word for “hunting” was synonymous with “making love to animals”, so in early times of history the word “hunt” and “love” were analog. Because the survival weighted in the life style of that time, the strongest and most skillful hunter usually possessed youngest, most healthful reproductive females.

“Although some scholars have argued that the word shaman is actually derived from Sanskrit, the term could strictly be used to mean only the religions of Siberia and Mongolia. Through much of the area there is a special association between the Shaman and the blacksmith. There were many different kinds of shamans, even within the same societies. Some were healers; others were finders of games, and still others warded off evil spirits or contacted the dead”. (Vitebsky 34-35).

In the forest of Amazon Shamans use hallucinogenic snuff to induce trance and visions. Among these plants are peyote, datura, psilocybin mushrooms, and others. Also Shamans through songs and chants alone can alter their consciousness. In most Africans cultures Shamans don’t travel to spirit world, but the spirits come to this world and take possession over Shamans.

“The Shaman’s activities depend closely on the ability to sweep the audience along with the power of his or her performance, which must have its effect both on the audience and on the Shaman. Shamans use many props and symbols to represent their psychic experience, and to affect the experience of their clients. Magar Shamans from Nepal use special costumes, feathers of powerful birds, and drums and bells to create hypnotic musical effects, as well as the poetic language of spells and prayers”. (Vitebsky 52).

Hindu Sadhu – holy man – treks to sacred caves of Himalayas. The Sufis Dervishes of Turkey reach a state of ecstasy by ritual recitation and physical exertions, like whirling.

The historian Mircea Eliade said that the path of Shaman is a struggle one. The Shaman goes through illness, dreams, magic, and bodily dismemberment. He sees spirits, hears strange languages, and experiences the road of the dead. These experiences terrify him but in same time empower him.

Like most of Shamans from around the world, “Native American Shamans respond directly to the interplay of elements within their environments, such as the relationship established between sun, sand, sky and trees” (Hunt 7). For Native Americans the human beings, animals, spirits, even the flora, and forces of nature were equal. The Native American Shamans recognize that people are responsible to keep the balance of Creation. So for the manner of respect, the hunter had to bless the animal he killed for food, in other wise the spirit will withdraw the animals and the hunter’s family would starve. The farmer had to bless his field and seedlings, in other wise for failing to do so, the deities withhold the rain and the crop would dry out and farmer’s family will starve.

“Shamanism in North America also has an ancient origin. Some scholars believe that it can be traced back to early migration from Asia to the Americas as much as 50,000years ago; but it is also clear that many distinctive traits have developed since then as a response to widely divergent environmental conditions in different parts of the North American continent. Native American Shamanism is a concept known as medicine. (Hunt 10).

That term came from the first French colonists, whom witnessed shamanic healing rituals by herbal remedies. The arrogance of the French and other Europeans denied the shaman’s knowledge because they considered witchcraft. But in1940’s science of anthropology suggested that shamanism might contribute to understand the world we live in it. In different countries the prejudice against Shamans slowly ends, and let old knowledge starts to pour into our modern world, so together we can work and live in peace.

This course gave me a new view about shamanism. The subject triggered my interest, when in my teens, I read “Tristes Tropiques” by the French anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss. He was a professor at University of Sao Paulo, and did numerous explorations into Amazonian Jungle to contact and study Indian tribes. I am glad I was in this program, though it was a concise course.



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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. 

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.

 
The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.  
 
Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Spiritual Awareness

Insight into Spiritual Awareness Essay

I believe that this course is a fairly complex and long one (in the good sense), and that any essay raising issues related to the Insight into Awareness must include a summary of the key points of each of the Insights. Having set a holistic basis for discussion, it can then delve into deeper considerations.

The course teaches us the Insights that, as more and more humans become aware of, will lead to a dramatic evolution of society over the new millennium.

The First Insight tells us to become aware of the mysterious occurrences that change one’s life. It is the insight of awakening, brought about by reaching a critical mass of individuals who now experience more spirituality. It requires us to remain open and alert for the coincidences in our life to move us towards our destiny.

The Second Insight asks us to acknowledge our awareness as something real, and to realize how we have up to now been preoccupied with control and the attainment of material security, but that we are collectively becoming aware of our essentially spiritual nature. The Universe is much more than material security and its true nature should be discovered. This Insight represents an awakening of true reality. However, our coming awareness should involve the spirit, the mind and the body in harmony, without neglecting any aspect of ourselves.

I began to question traditional religious views at the end of the twentieth century. Raised a Catholic, I had more and more issues with Christian concepts such as sin – especially the original sin – the transcendence of God, and the commands of the Church, which sounded increasingly antiquated. I turned to the study of Neo-Paganism and other new and old religious views, and I have been discovering and refining my true beliefs ever since. In that sense, it was a spiritual awakening.

The Third Insight informs us that everything in the universe is composed of Energy, and this Energy creates all the forms and substances of what we call our reality. This Energy responds to our intentions. This Insight requires a different understanding of the physical world. Being able to sense that energy first brings a heightened sensitivity to beauty. This beauty comes from the ability to use that universal Energy. The Third Insight leads us to understand that everything in the Universe is one, but that humans are unique in the sense that they can consciously project energy.

In a sense, the Third Insight tells us about the immanence of the Divine. The Love of God is present in all things, and that sensitivity to beauty comes from a new awareness of the presence of the Divine.

However, the Fourth Insight reveals the human tendency to steal energy from other humans by controlling them and taking over their mind. This creates a sentiment of scarcity and is the root cause of human violence (physical or otherwise). Personal insecurity, the fact of feeling depleted from energy, leads us to look for dominance and hunt for others’ energy. This can be summed-up in the two words power and competition, which very often rule human behavior.

Even on a metaphorical level, the Fourth Insight is interesting. It shows that humans cannot live spiritually while being disconnected from the Divine. They need to realize the presence of God – Divine Energy – in their life to avoid violence. They do not realize the immanence of the Divine in the whole of Creation. Therefore, their competition is meaningless, as God is in any case always with and all around them.

The Fifth Insight tells us that it is possible to reach a state of mystical consciousness, or higher purpose. This experience is the key to ending human conflict and shedding power and competition. We must open our minds, hearts and spirits to be able to tap into the unending source of universal Energy. This will lead to an increased need for transcendent experience, allowing love to enter into oneself. This consciousness will be felt as a sense of buoyancy and total security. The challenge is to maintain this stage of consciousness.

Simply realizing and accepting the immanence of God should already be a major step in the right direction for reaching that sense of love. Becoming aware of the beauty of things and people around us, a consequence of having accepted the Third Insight, should also help realize that conflicts are meaningless.

The Sixth Insight therefore asks us to face and resolve our particular way of controlling others so that we can tap into the source of universal energy. Each of us is the next step in the physical and spiritual lineage of our parents, and we should be able to recognize what they gave us and what we made of it. We will then need to clear away past attitudes, fears and behaviors, our unconscious control drama. Being able to assess ones’ true spiritual identity and to discharge one’s spiritual past allow to have a clear awareness of one’s spiritual path.

My mother was clearly an ‘intimidator’, and my father a ‘poor me’ if there ever was one. I would probably be something between an ‘intimidator’ and an ‘interrogator’ (yes, it is more difficult to assess clearly one’s own control dramas). Over the past years, I had to shed a number of fears I inherited from my parents. However, I think that this process was relatively successful and that I am now becoming more and more a leader/advocate (I am a mid-level diplomat and a published jurist, and it feels right).

The Seventh Insight teaches us to constantly evolve, to stay alert to every coincidence and allow our perception of beauty to guide our path. One must therefore focus on the environment, learn to build energy, and especially to learn to ask the right questions, follow our intuition and listen to our dreams to find the answers. Fear images should be done away with. This can be done by engaging the flow of universal energy into our life. Impulsive desires should be differentiated from intuitive knowing.

The Eighth Insight includes teachings on how to conduct relationships, especially about the dangers of being addicted to people (co-dependency), how to manage Energy within the family and especially with children, and how to consciously project energy into others, which is the next step in developing awareness. As we evolve spiritually, we will form groups with like-minded people, and this Insight tells us how to deal with group dynamics. This will allow the Energy to flow longer and brighter and bring out the best of each other.

As humans become more and more aware of the Insights, we are entering a new phase of the evolution of the human species and of the planet that relates to the spiritual perfection of the soul. This will be ensured by passing from our current five-sensory perception to a multi-sensory understanding that will lead to peace, compassion and Spirit. We will realize that we are Spirits or Souls having a physical experience and that time is generally meaningless. Every action, thought or feeling is motivated by an intention that is a cause with an effect that affects further reincarnations of the Soul through the law of Karma. To become whole, the Soul must balance its energy, avoid judgments, listen to feelings and understand them, and learn reverence for all life (and therefore humility). This all means making responsible choices and learning our lessons. Becoming a reverent person will mean becoming spiritual.

The Ninth Insight is an outline of where the human race is heading for the next thousand years. It gives the inspiration and motivation for our current actions. This utopian vision can be achieved through living by the eight other Insights, which will bring a heightened sense of alertness and move us towards our true destiny. It will involve a changing of occupation based on intuition, the automatic production of goods, and the achievement of Spiritual doctrine. We are therefore on a bridge towards the future and multi-sensory ability. Humans are the culmination of Evolution, and our common destiny is to reach Heaven on Earth.

I believe, however, that this vision of the world, although certainly not impossible, is still far off. First of all, only a very few people have reached the stage of multi-sensory ability, and most people remain focused on their material needs. The spiritual revival of the planet is still in its infancy, and violence is still prevalent. Violence is not necessarily increasing: it is simply more publicized through the media, but I feel nevertheless that anger is rising in Western societies. I fear that the situation will first of all have to become much worse for people to realize how much they need to regain the spirituality and the closeness from God that they have lost.

The Tenth Insight tells us how to remember our Birth Vision. This life purpose exists within us, and understanding it does not need to wait, as it unfolds in every moment of our life. Intuition is the key to find that purpose, thought the sequence of being, doing and only then having. The type of plan for that life purpose is usually defined at the time of reincarnation, although this is far from being always true. Learning our Birth Vision requires embracing our purpose and living past the fear.

In this new ear, humans will be able to become authentically empowered. They will be humble, having shed their fear and pain, will love and listen to their feelings, and will be able to forgive. They will aim at reaching goals together, not against each other. They will reach the freedom of taking responsibility for their lives. They will therefore be able to fulfill their Birth Vision. They will be able to let the Universe/God lead the way.

The course was thoroughly enjoyable. It was quite deep and insightful (no pun intended), and should be recommended to all Seminary students. 

Rev. Baudouin Heuninckx


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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. 

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.

 
The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.  
 
Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Monday, June 04, 2007

Universal Life Church

WHO'S WHO AT THE UNIVERSAL LIFE CHURCH
'The ULC Experience'


ULC - Universal Life Church and Online Seminary

The Goal:

At the ULC Seminary, we seek to always be growing, with a focus on educating ULC ministers and giving them a greater sense of validation and legitimacy. This new project may go a long way towards accomplishing that.



The Particulars:

What I'm going to do is to create a 'Who's Who' type of book for the ULC. I'm open to suggestions for a snazzy name, but we're going with 'The ULC Experience' right now. It will be a beautiful (possibly) hardbound book of ULC Ministers. Each minister will get a full page to talk about their personal spiritual journey, why they became ULC ministers, what they are doing with their ministry and what they are all about.

The cost for participation is $50. For that, you will get your full page of information and two copies of the finished book. Be aware that this is an introductory price for the first book. Also, if you refer 5 people who participate, your listing will be free.

This book will be a real published book, with an ISBN number as well as a Library of Congress number. I think this can be an amazing way to validate ourselves as a church as well as each individual minister who participates.

You can talk about your own church, your healing practice, your love of performing weddings, your outreach, your personal revelations, etc. It's entirely up to you. We will likely give each person space for one picture and the book will likely be 8.5 x 11, giving each minister plenty of room.

If you are using your ministry as a business, imagine the credibility you will gain by showing your clients this book. If you are interested and think this is something you'd like to participate in, please fill out the form below so I can get an idea of how many people are going to want to be a part of this great book.


Thanks for your attention and consideration.

Rev. Amy Long -- ULC Seminary Director

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. 

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.

 
The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.  
 
Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Online Ordination

ULC Ordination
My Dear Brother in Jesus 

In the precious name of our LORD JESUS.  My dear brother and servant fellow in Jesus,  My name is Daud Isaac i am serving for my Lord Jesus as a Evangelist for the last 18 years under guidance of the Holy spirit,And my little family is also working with me,My suppose Three daughters and a son they are all of fullfil with the Holy spirit gifts by the grace of God.

Dear brother we are preaching Gospel among the musulim peoples and also serving in the poor christian peoples those who are working on the bricks making furneses that is called (Bhatta)in our urdu language,On one Bhatta there are 150 families are working and 200 bhattas in the area of (Shakhupura Districk) pakistan, Their childrens are also working with their parints they are slaves from generation to generation due to the curse of borrow because due to low rate of wages they get loan for their merriage celibrations or any other cerimonies when they cannot pay back within commited period they give their childrens for free work till up to pay back the loan,Dear brother we are serving in these peoples as evangelist we are preching Gosple and also trying to provide education their childrens and also trying to provide free medical facility.

Dear brother i am sending you our some ministory picturs,First of all Its our request to you and all to your ministory team,Remember in your indvisoul and combind prayers and secondly financial help for all of this ministory work(COMBINE CHRISTIAN EVANGLISM TEAM)will be highly thank full to you and your ministory team its our pray that may God richly bless all of you and save all of you under his mighty hand and grow up your ministory in the name of our Lord Jesus all over the world and save lot of sloes for his glory kingdom through your ministory (Amen)

Yours Loving Brother and Fellow servent in Jesus
Evangelist Daud Isaac
President (Combine Christian Evangelism Team)

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. 

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.

 
The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.  
 
Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Online Ordination

Online Ordination
Hello, I am Rev. Ron Baams, founder and pastor of the Arizona Ministry of Life.

I received a Baccalaureate of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts/Boston and a Master of Science Degree in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing from Boston College. I served clients as a nurse for over 27 years on psychitric units, cardiac unit, surgical units, intensive care units, and in emergency rooms. What has always struck me, and rather profoundly; is the impact that a person's spirituality, or lack of it, has on his healing and overall well being. In medicine in general, we make feeble attempts at addressing the client's spiritual needs, but the reality is that most healthcare professionals are not adequately trained in this area, or lack spirituality themselves.

Through my life I have had many trials and tribulations (as do all of us), and made many poor choices that hurt myself and others. In retrospect, these were times when I failed to recognize or accept the presence of God in my life. Yet, He still watched over me and carried me forward. I now give daily thanks and praise to Him for that. Having recognized God's grace, and accepting Him in my life, He has made me clearly see the path that He has chosen for me. That is to tend to people's spiritual needs in a way that they can accept, and do all I can to manifest His love and abundance for all. I became an ordained minister with a simple goal; let God's hand guide me in sharing His love and abundance.

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. 

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.

 
The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.  
 
Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Buddhism

Buddhism
Dear Amy,
Thank you for that sharing of Buddhist as well as Hindu doctrine, I support any earth based belief systems that honor Truth the highest religion there is. My truth is based primarily around, sound is creation creation is sound, I am sacred sound practitioner and I believe we are vessels through which divine energy flows unimpeded, unobstructed and unfettered. 

Wholistic resonance is the missing link in all so-called belief systems. I feel specific frequencies could re-establish and harmonize the life we know and love. instead of the shot that was heard around the world thus striking fear and destruction!!! We could begin to hear a sound of such harmonics that would open up a way for global resonance, for in the beginning the world began with a sound and this sound was good....

Bright Blessings,

The Rev.Richard Gandiva Lorcan also known as 'He who walks with thunder or, Thunderwalker and so it is...

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. 
Ordination with the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.


 
The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.
 
Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Online Ordination

Hi Everyone,

I became a minister because I worked for a cabin rental company where I live and the staff decided they wanted their own minister to do weddings for them...and since I was the only one with any kind of religious background they decided I was the best for the job...this was awhile ago and since then the cabin rental company has gone out of business...but I decided I loved doing this so much and I really and truly felt God called me to do this that I continued with doing marriages for couples who truly wanted to be married....I loved being able to meet new people and working with them on planning there weddings...from a small intimate wedding to a big wedding...just to see their faces when I tell them they are husband and wife warms my heart...I thank God for everything He has given me and I honestly believe God put this into my life to help me believe there are great people out there who honestly love each other and love God and know in their hearts they are the right one for each other, and I get to be a part of that...so this is how it started and now this is how it is...I enjoy what I do for others and what God has given to me and what the couples do for me as well.

Hugs,
Rev. Sandra Sanchez

*******************************
 
The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. 

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.

 
The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.  
 
Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Online Ordination

Universal Life Church
I was ordained in Jan 2006, at 67 it is a great honour and joy for me to serve in this way. since being a child I wanted to be working for God but each i tried to enter the ministry I was turned down first in the assembly of God and then in the church of England.

So i became a reiki healer instead touching the lives of many people has given me so much joy but when i met someone here in the uk that had been ordained into the ulc I realized that at last my dream could be come a reality. the last year has been wonderful my ministry is still healing but now I know that truly I am working for the Lord and i have 35 people who work with me my own 'congregation' I am also a member of the church for the churchless.

God be with you.

All love and light, Rev Mollie.

*******************************
 
The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. 

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.

 
The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.  
 
Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Online Ordination

Ordination at ULC
I have been a practicing Wiccan for a little over 20 years now. Several years back, I had some friends come up to me and wanted to do a Handfasting (a Pagan Marriage Ceremony). I said that it would be no problem. Then they ask if I could make it a legal ceremony. I told them at that time that I could not. Then someone else ask me days later if I could do a legal ceremony. Again I told them no. This time my brother was with me and he said to visit a website and handed me a piece of paper. On that paper was the name Universal Life Church. 

Being Wiccan/Pagan, I was a little hesitant. But he assured me that they are accepting. So I went online, and read everything I could. I then decided he was right. So I became ordained.

Since then, I have performed many ceremonies. If you are thinking about becoming ordained, do not wait. The ULC is a very organization and I am proud to be a part of such a diverse group.

Rev. David C. Reffitt

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. 

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.

 
The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.  
 
Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Online Ordination

Universal Life Church
Dear Amy,

I became a minister in ULC because of my energy work. By that I mean, I use various techniques such as Healing Touch, Quantum Touch and "Laying on of Hands" to channel healing light and energy to individuals who request it. Some times I work long distance (not in the presence of the person asking for assistance) other times, I use my hands to transmit energy into the problem area. That can be a problem legally because many states regulate healing practitioners regardless of modality, but ministers are protected under the freedom of religion in our constitution.

I was advised to become ordained in order to be able to "Lay on Hands". I was so happy to find ULC with its open-ended philosophy. I could easily affirm ULC principles. I believe in the freedom to be me and grant that freedom to all. ULC allows for the infinite expression of Love which is who we all are.

I use my ministry only in my healing work. I make no demands on my clients; do not insist that believe in anything; I give love and light always asking that their highest good be granted.

I'm attaching a picture of me taken at the beach. Hope that works.

Thank you for all that you do at ULC.

Light and Love
Patricia Cockerill


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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. 

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.

 
The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.  
 
Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Online Ordination

ULC Seminary
Ordination Story -- Rev. Irene Bozich, Salt Lake City, UT

The reason why I became ordained stems from a long, interwoven history. I was born a Latter Day Saint (LDS) as was active most of my life, even though my parents were not very active. I went through a divorce in 1985 and was left to raise four children by myself, and I was a strong member of the church, held positions, and diligently took my children to church every Sunday.

In 1991, I took my children on a road trip down to St. George to support a couple of friends who were running in the St. George marathon. I allowed my 16-year-old daughter (Erika) to drive, as I was attempting to give her experience driving on the freeway. We were talking about the school dance coming up, and then the conversation lagged, and I noticed that she was slightly moving towards the shoulder of the road, and called her attention to it, and she over corrected twice, and we rolled four times and ended up on the other side of the freeway. 

After the car stopped rolling, I looked around, and my children were not longer in the back seat. My daughter and I were still in our seatbelts in the front seat, but could not get out of the car, because the tires were blown out and the doors wouldn’t open. She had blood dripping from her head, and asked ‘Was I driving?’ I had broken my clavicle and my elbow was out of the socket, but my other children were all over the road. Thank God I don’t have a memory of seeing them. My son was flown to Primary Children’s Hospital where he passed away the next day. My other children and myself were at the LDS Hospital. My little boy was my youngest child and only son, and I have mourned his death since, and miss him terribly. My oldest daughter, Karin, received the most injuries, and she is doing great now, but still suffers with residual affects. Her doctor told me that she would always remember that she was involved in a terrible accident because of her injuries. She had to have the orbital floor of her left eye rebuilt twice. She broke both femurs, her clavicle, knee, and she had a rock down her throat balancing on her wind pipe. She also had her forehead sanded. She has pain in her shoulder, and she doesn’t have muscle strength in her left arm because her muscles have atrophied because of nerve damage. Karin is now happily married, graduated from college, and has a great job. My other daughter, Kristin, had a closed head injury where she lost her short term memory, and she broke one femur and cracked her shoulder blade. It took a couple of years for her memory to restore and be back to normal. Kristin is now happily married with two children and expecting the third. She graduated from college and taught school for two years, and is currently substitute teaching several days a week. My daughter, Erika, who was driving is happily married with five children, which keeps her super busy. She loves getting creative with clothing she finds at thrift stores and making them unique for herself and her daughter. She seems to be doing fine, but I always wonder.

A miracle actually happened the day of the accident. There was an emergency room doctor right behind us, Dr. Brent Mabey. He immediately stopped with his family in the car and then even drove back to Nephi eight miles to help Karin at the Nephi hospital before she was flown to the LDS Hospital. Plus, there were EMT’s and RN’s who also stopped to help at the scene of the accident (twelve medical professionals). I could have lost all my children that day. I know the doctor saved Karin’s life that day and probably Kristin’s life as well, and I will be forever grateful. 


So, after I lost my son, I felt an intense need to find him or at least know where he was. So, I read Betty Edie’s first manuscript before her book came out, ‘Embraced by the Light’. It was very healing. I even called her on the phone and we had a discussion which I remember her saying, ‘This life is like a spit in the ocean. We are here to progress and learn. Don’t allow anything to hold you back” fear, doubt, worry, guilt. Our purpose is to move forward in life.’ She was very encouraging. So, I started attending the IANDS group meetings each month (International Association of Near Death Studies). These meetings helped me a lot as I listened to people’s stories of their NDE’s. I’ve learned so much about life through people’s NDE experiences. It gives you great perspective to learn about what is ahead of us in the next life experience. It offers wisdom. There was a man who stood up in one of the meetings, and this is something that I have always remembered. He said, ‘It’s important what you do in this life, but what’s more important is what you do about what you do.’ Quite the riddle! Think about it! We all make mistakes, but what makes the real difference, is what we do about the mistake after we realize we made a mistake. Do we have courage to make amends? It’s all about character. 

A few months after the accident, I had a grief counselor call me, Jackie Sharp. She worked for Memorial Estates, and she was adamant that she could help me. So, I made an appointment. We met at the mortuary where I last saw my son, so I was difficult to walk into the building. In fact, I had a friend go with me for the first visit. As I was getting counseling through Jackie, I heard an actual voice in my head ‘She is your mentor’. I was shocked! I had never heard a voice in my head ever before, and I pushed it out. I heard it again during the same counseling session. I couldn’t figure out how she could mentor me. And, then a few years later, Jackie established a school for hypnosis training, and she encouraged me to take the course. I wasn’t working at the time, so I decided to learn hypnosis and earned my certificate. As I would learn techniques, I would practice the techniques on my children. I was able to take the pain out of my daughter’s shoulder with one of the techniques. I was amazed, and so was she! I thought, ‘What power do I possess?’ I didn’t know what I was going to do with my certificate, and then Positive Changes Hypnosis of Utah opened an office, I went down and applied, and got the job. I worked with ten clients a day for about two years, and then the office closed down after 911. So, I have been conducting sessions out of my home since then. Jackie called me one day, and said, ‘You need to be ordained’. I resisted at first, but then remembered that she was my mentor, and I better listen to her advice. So, she ordained me as a Universal Life Minister. 

I went to work the next day at a recreational center where I was the secretary to the director, and told everyone that I was a minister. One of my co-workers came into my office and asked me if I would perform her wedding, and I accepted! I remember being so nervous before the actual ceremony. It was outside at a campsite. My cousin went with me, and as I got into the ceremony, I absolutely loved every minute of it! I took their marriage license down to the county recorder’s office, marriage division, and asked them, ‘How can I get more of these opportunities?’ It was so uplifting! And, ever since then, my wedding ministry has grown each year. Last year I performed 35 weddings! It has been a wonderful experience, and I look forward and treasure every wedding I have the opportunity to perform!

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. 

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.

 
The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.  
 
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Online Ordination

This, I believe a very unusual tale.

Many years ago I was in the great state of Oklahoma. I had taught there years earlier and after returning to visit a few very dear friends, I decided to stay awhile, especially as I was working on another Bachelor Degree.

A very good friend, now called Bishop Williams, came to our house and was wanting to start a church. Of course it takes three. My friend Susan became , The Reverend Mother, Bishop Williams, The Bishop, And as a birthday present I was ordained as Cardinal . These titles were lost but my status as a reverend stayed constant. 

I am aware that this does not seem original or even different , but for the following.
You see I , am a Rabbi that was going through Yeshiva at the time and to my knowledge I am the only Reverend Rabbi in existence.

Rev. Rabbi R. Jesse Vera
aka Rabbi Yeshai

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. 

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.

 
The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.  
 
Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Ordination

As a youth, I spent at least three days a week at our Methodist church. The values instilled in me exist today as a legacy laid down by the preachers, the deacons, and my now deceased parents.

I believe it is oh so great to be of a positive spirit, and to give as much good energy as one can. In light of that, I decided to become ordained so that I would have the great wisdom and strength of the ULC Seminary organization guiding me in this journey of life.

I have created a SILENT MINISTRY, where I give muted and improvised prayers to those in my daily dealings with the world.

My credentials of ministry hold a valued spot over my desk, and I use it for inspiration often.

Peace Be Still
Rev. Jarvis William Peay
Napa, California
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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. 

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.

 
The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.  
 
Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar