Become an Ordained Minister

People become ordained for a variety of reasons.

Some people do it as a joke. Some people do it to perform a wedding. Some do it to spread their spiritual truth with others. There are as many reasons as there are ministers and in this blog, I'm going to share some of those stories with you.

The first story is from Rev. Jimmy Warren. The first part of the story is:

I wish to share why I became ordained by the ULC, first I believe we are all called and ordained by God when each of us decide to serve our fellow brethren in the world. I come from a religious back ground,raise in the back of my grandmother's Pentecostal church. My grandfather on the other side of the family was a Baptist so there was some discourse in growing up.

For the rest of the story, go to Become An Ordained Minister.

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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

At the ULC Seminary, we are very proud of our ministers and like to give them an opportunity to toot their horns about what they've accomplished. I'm not suggesting that that's their motivations, but I believe that good deeds should be recognized.

Nobody has asked for the recognition, which is why I am ready and anxious to share it with you.

Here is part of one man's story:

Amy:

Thank you for the opportunity of being part of your ministry.

I have worked as an Associate Minister with A well-known Ministry in Bound Brook, New Jersey for the last 7 years and recently decided to start my own ministry.

I performed more than 200 weddings and 50 child dedications in 2005 and from the work donated more than $25,000 to charity.

For the rest of the story, go to Active Ministries.

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Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free  and lasts for life, so use the button.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. Many have been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and can attest to its ongoing growth and change.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Universal Life Church

Hello,

My name is Reverend Willis. I joined the ULC because I wanted to make my quest to seek out the questions I had about life official. Since joining I have been researching all types of religions and have taken the title of minister quite seriously. The powers we give to established religion are very great, and some religions seem to lack the core essentials that the ULC is based on. The ULC has linked me to many great philosophies that can overlap to almost every religion out there.

I don't have to bow my head to any priest or Pope, but I can take their advise. I have found great links to things like Sufi Dances of Universal Peace and great ideas for weddings or religious ceremonies. I just thought I would mention a little bit out of appreciation for everything the ULC represents. Why should all the tax breaks go to the religions that are already established?

I have hopes of creating a church that can focus on guided meditations, positive sermons and an overall sanctuary for anyone who needs some positive energy. The ULC makes everything very simple. I really appreciate the newsletters and this idea about posting ministers online seems very exciting.

Greg

For more stories like this, go to Online Ordination

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To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link.

Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church. 

Ordination story

I became a minister in 1985 while living in Orlando, FL. I was doing astrology readings and the city said I had to be licensed either as a minister or a vendor. So I became a minister.

My employer at the time was the Wyndham Hotel SeaWorld which is now a Stouffers hotel I believe. My boss, John Arnesen, thought doing weddings in the hotel would be a great thing for tourists.

So, the first wedding I ever performed was in the hotel lobby! Mr. Arnesen, made a huge media event out of it and comped the couple's room for an extended stay, meals, tickets to Sea World and Disney - it was GREAT FUN!

I have been performing weddings ever since! In 1989, I moved back to my birth home of Cleveland, OH. and together with my friend who also is a minister, Patricia Wagner-Soteros, we started Creative Wedding Officiants to market our wedding business.

We now perform well over 100 weddings each per year. You can see us and get more info about us and our other associates Wayne and Traci at www.creativeweddingofficiants.com

I am also a Usui Reiki Master and do Spiritual healings, house blessings and baby blessings.

Feel free to use the info for your newsletter.

Blessings.

Rev. Teresa George

For more stories like this, go to Online Ordination

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Ordination with the Free Online Ordination button.

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 Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Universal Life Church

The Universal Life Church ordained me on March 27th, 2000. I didn't start actually performing ceremonies/rituals for anyone other than family and friends until 2002, as I felt I needed more time to become proficient at it.

Looking back, I think being a member of the clergy has always been my calling. I remember, as a small child going to Catholic school, wanting to be a priest when I grew up. I could never get a straight answer from any of the adults as to why I couldn't! Just that girls could be nuns, but only boys could be priests. Never any explanation! That was just the way it was. Later, during my "atheist phase", During one of those career placement tests, Clergy kept coming up as the thing I was best suited for. What a laugh I got out of that! (I guess the joke was on me.)

Over the years, I explored many different organized religions, atheism and a couple of cults. What I finally discovered is that there is no one "right" path, but that everyone has a specific path that is right for them. What's more, a person's path can contain spirituality, wisdom and philosophy from any number of different sources, and that it is no less valid as a belief system than a specific religion. Since then, I have encountered numerous people who have spirituality, but do not subscribe to any set religion, many of whom have mentored me in my spiritual path. In searching for actual clergy members who were not affiliated with a particular sect or religion, however, I came up conspicuously empty handed. I found plenty who were more tolerant of different beliefs, but in the end, it seemed that all of them wanted to conduct things according to a set tradition. It had been suggested to me by friends and family members that I become that clergy member that I couldn't find; that I start my own church. I laughed it off, thinking that I couldn't do it, even though that inner voice that we all have had been telling me the same thing for some time by that point. I still didn't listen to that voice even when I started having recurring dreams about being some sort of "spiritual leader". It wasn't until things kept on coming up in my medicine card reading and one of my mentors suggested I may want to do this that I really took a serious look at the option. I am very grateful for being led to this, as this work is fulfilling in a way that no other has ever been. Follow the link for the rest of this story........

For the rest of the story, go to Online Ordination

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Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free  and lasts for life, so use the button.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. Many have been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and can attest to its ongoing growth and change.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

St. Paul

Michael S. Barth

The Life of Saint Paul Final Essay

       After going through this course about the Life of Saint Paul, I am truly amazed at what he had to put up with when he was spreading the news about the Life of Jesus Christ.  I had no idea about the amount of geography that Paul had to cover in that day and it is amazing that Paul covered it with the transportation that was available in that day.  I was also amazed that Paul had been a Pharisees before spreading the news of Jesus.  I would have never guessed that he persecuted the early Church before helping go out and help it spread.

            I also did not know before taking this class that Paul, his Roman name, was used after his conversion and that he was called by his Jewish name of Saul.  This had caused me confusion in the past but now understand the Bible better with the clarification of his name.  I also did not know that he was a member of the Benjamin Tribe and that he had a sister and son.  I found Paul's early life very intriguing with Paul being raised in Tarsus and being a student of Gamaliel.

            I found his conversion very intriguing too.  I had not known before that he converted after seeing and talking to Jesus Christ while Paul was on the way to Damascus to persecute the early Church there.  I also learned that he was left blind and was astonished.  It surprised me to learn that he was greeted in Damascus with the salutation of Brother.  I learned that it was here in Damascus that Paul developed his approach to teaching the Gospel by entering the first Jewish synagogue.

            I am glad that Paul started teaching the Gospel to the Gentiles because if Paul had not, I do not think I would be a Christian now-a-days.  Also, I am glad that Paul put his effort into spreading the Gospel because Christianity might not be the religion it is today and may have never spread.  Paul's missionary journey's were just amazing to me like doing all that walking and sailing that Paul did to reach his destinations.  I am glad that Paul did not give up either especially after being beaten, jailed, or left for dead.  It goes to show how courageous Paul was and how Paul was dedicated to spreading the Gospel.  I do not think I would have that strength to continue even if Jesus Christ was by my side.

            I am glad that Paul's Letters are still in existence, even if they are copies now-a-days.  I think his epistles go to show what early believers went through.  The temptation the early believers put up with was amazing even if they did fall to temptation.  I am glad to see that Paul kept encouraging the early believers to stick to the path of Jesus Christ and not to give into the devil.

            Paul's trip was incredible to me because of the hardship on the ship and on the island.  I am glad that the centurion, Julius, treated Paul kindly.  I also find that Paul's poisonous viper bite is not fatal and this shows to me that God does exist and that God did not let the poison kill Paul.  It was hard for me to learn about how Paul died in Rome.  I think that Paul showed his faith in God by going to Rome and not running away from his trial and punishment.

     I think that taking this course was a great experience for me.  I liked the study questions that were at the end of the lessons.  The study questions were really helpful to me in figuring out what was important to learn.  The questions also helped me concentrate on the lesson(s) involved.  This course was very worthwhile because I learned a lot about Paul that I never knew before and this course straightened some confusion out that I had about Paul.  I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to know about the Life of Saint Paul.

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Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site 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

Druidism

Master of Druidism Essay

Sue Bellworthy

This was yet another excellent course filled with so much information that it is again hard to identify any one point to highlight. Inevitably, it is the shamanic journey which has a strong magnetism, since it is the part of shamanism that is most frequently mentioned. The lesson gave a very clear description of the purposes and process. That the journey is an innate skill that simply needs practice is a fundamental point, as is the need to only journey for specific and ethically valid purposes. I have, beyond this course, done work on shamanic journeying and find it a very uplifting spiritual experience. That answers obtained through journeys are often cryptic is inevitable. There is skill in reading the portents of journeys, and there is skill in asking the correct questions. Even then, answers may be occult and may take time before they are revealed. This is the skill of the shaman.  I was interested to learn that shamanic journeys have found their way into many tales and myths.

Moving back to the start of the course, I also enjoyed the lesson on the different types of shaman. There is a tendency to group all shamans together as a single group or simply to split them between Native American and "others". This lesson gave details of all shamans in great detail and dovetailed perfectly with the later lesson on the Siberian shaman.

Earlier still in the course, we see that shamanism shares with the other pagan paths the belief that everything that exists is alive. Whether this means that all contains a divine spark or whether it actually is sentient depends on the path. The shamans take the latter view and communicate with all the "people" be they "stone people", "flying people", "swimming people" or whatever. They may journey to communicate with these people and so acquire the truths that they may hold. They form "relationships" with both animate and inanimate parts of creation and view all as holy. This latter is a view that should be held more widely for respect for the earth is sadly lacking in these times. There is evidence that the tide is turning, but it is uncertain whether it will be soon enough to save all ecosystems. This lesson on the assumptions of shamanism clarified many of the questions I have previously held, questions that were not answered when I was receiving teaching from a shaman for a while. As an excellent and in-depth introduction to the practice of shamanism, this course has no competition. It has raised many issues in my awareness and has prompted me to continue further in my studies of this area, and to use the truths in my own ministry.

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Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site 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

Christian Studies

 "So don't worry, saying, 'What will we drink? What will be wear?' The pagans ask for all these things, but your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Ask first for the kingdom of God and His justice, and these other things will be delivered to you. So don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow can worry about itself. Each day's evil is enough for the day. (Matthew 6:31) 

How many times a week, or even a day, do I think "How am I going to…", or "But what if…", or "But what about…"? What am I doing when I'm busy worrying? You can see that the dictionary says that I'm "tormenting myself". Taking the dictionary a bit further, I see that "torment" in this context means "extreme mental anguish and distress". 

Why in the world would I WANT to cause myself all this extreme mental distress? God tells me in His Word that HE is in control, that HE is aware of everything I'm facing, and that HE will take care of EVERYTHING. I'm not supposed to worry about ANYTHING, because God cares, and He promises to help me. 

A story I'm reminded of was when Jesus was traveling, and a woman named Martha asked Him into their home. Mary, her sister, sat at His feet, and listened to what He had to say, but Martha was all upset about the work she needed to do while He was there. She finally asked Him "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work all by myself? Tell her to help me."

His answer was so simple, so plain, and so unavoidably true. He said "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41,42 NLT)

There is ONLY ONE THING that I need to concern myself with in my life, and that is my current relationship with Jesus Christ and God the Father. If I'm committed to Him, then I am REQUIRED TO surrender my worries, and allow Him to do His job of taking care of me.

Compared to "extreme mental anguish", I'd rather Let Go of my worries, and Let God take care of my needs. I need to be talking to Him constantly about things, and thanking Him for His answers, and this is the ONLY way I can have peace and release from all of my concerns. Living in a trusting relationship with God can ONLY bring happiness, peace and contentment.

Pastor/Teacher Michael Eric Brown

The Four Gospels Course by ULC Seminary 

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Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button. 

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site 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

Spirituality

DEFINING SPIRITUALITY

I was very pleased that the first lesson recognized that there is a re-emergence of Spirituality, even now, within the current extreme materiality that has been with us over the last century.  I was additionally pleased that the author has recognized that many individuals have gone beyond "traditional religion" in their Spiritual Lives.

I put quotes around the phrase "traditional religion" because anthropology and history have revealed that over the thousands of years of human history people have held so many different religions and religious practices that it is impossible to call any one of them "traditional". Among all cultures there are records of those who have gone beyond their traditions.  It is these individuals who are held as the shining lights of their cultures.

Never the less, Spirituality or the spiritual impulse has moved within humanity even longer and more universally throughout all cultures than religion, per se.  This becomes clear when we look at the most ancient of the Shamanistic traditions.  It is clear that Spirituality moved within the human heart from the beginning and that initially, religions formed naturally as a way for people to try and make sense of the spiritual experiences they were having.

Unfortunately, some denominations devolved to become only concerned with bureaucracy and cash flow.  As a method of revitalizing the Spiritual core of the human experience, Philosophy became a study.  The author has given us an excellent review of some of the key 'moments" in the history of philosophy.  But, these ideas are presented as if they had up sprung in a vacuum.  There has been no discussion of the religious ideas and historical events that were occurring at the same time and in many cases were the impetus for the philosophical explorations (such events as war, the Spanish Inquisition, the exploitation of the poor, etc.).  Never the less, the presentation has been extremely impressive and parallels my own studies.  I addition to the author's observation that "…mysticism was recognized by science as being the ultimate truth of all things" (Lesson #3) a quote was discovered by a prominent physicist who, after studying the nature of matter for a lifetime, concluded that the Universe is a thought in the Mind of God.

What is Philosophy?  For simplicity's sake, let us say that a philosophy is a set of guiding principles.  In this regard then, we can say that all religions have a philosophy, but, not all philosophies are religions.  Also, in this regard, Philosophy is not necessarily antithetical to either Religion or Spirituality and in many instances has illuminated many aspects of both.  As a mental exercise, philosophy has illuminated the minds of many who have then gone on to achieve profound levels of Spirituality.

Many groups have recognized Spirituality as the core of their culture and have indicated this realization in their symbolism.  In the West, the rose and in Egypt and the East, the lotus is used to illuminate this idea.

In this symbol each flower is a life and each unfolding pedal is an experience, a lesson learned, knowledge acquired or a skill mastered.  As our life unfolds the golden Spiritual core is gradually revealed.  What is also revealed is that, whether we were aware of it or not, the Spiritual was always there in the center of things. 

Whomever we are counseling or teaching or ministering, whether they consider themselves religious or not, still have within them that Golden Heart of Spirituality.  Knowing this can enhance our effectiveness if we seek to speak to that core.  Each group has a vocabulary with which they are most comfortable and the first rule of communication is 'know your audience'.

With that in mind I would like to add to the discussion of the definition of the word 'sin' on the last page of lesson #18.  Originally the word was an archery term that means 'missing the bull' (bull's eye).  Far too many use the word to mean 'shooting arrows up into the grand stand', when it fact we are hitting the target but we just need more training.

Adding the above meaning to our understanding may allow us to use more kindness and thoughtfulness into our ministries, it has in mine.

Thank you for the opportunity to study this course with everyone.  I am always grateful for the opportunity to achieve greater understanding.

Again, thank you and Blessings upon all.

Rev Dr Kenneth A Thompson DD PhD

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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

Christian Studies

The Four Gospels Course

Thank you Universal Life Seminary and those who put this course together.  I had trouble getting started with this course but I am so glad that I finished the course in its entirety.  I began the course over at least three times in order to help me get into the course.  The course has given me a new way of looking at the Gospels and an aide to my preaching to our congregation here in Salem.   Teaching the Gospels as they apply to our lives today was really a new perspective for me.  Having been raised Catholic and the Gospel message given by most Priests related the Gospels more to the times of Jesus rather than being directed at how they relate to our present lives and times in this troubled world.  This course opened my eyes that the Gospels are a way of life and not a way of a particular religious organization.  Religion is a way of life not an organization.  

I thank you for including the section on the Gospel of Thomas.  This particular Gospel shows the preaching of love, peace, compassion and tolerance that Jesus taught while here amongst us. 

As from the past two courses I have taken I look forward to enrolling in yet another course being offered by the Seminary.

God's Blessings

Rev. Don Eck

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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

Shamanism

It is not difficult to write you a 300 word comment on this course.

First, what I liked - Bishop Pat's attempt to be fair and unbiased in 
reporting of all this information. I particularly liked the documentation 
and footnoting that accompanies each week's offering. It not only gives 
credibility to the lessons, it allows me to do further reading on various 
specifics of the topic.

Week 20's essay was one of my favorites. I appreciate the integration of
the shamanic and the psychosocial, and the information about the various 
psychological studies on shamanic states. Calling attention to multicultural 
behavioral, expectational and consciousness comparisons was well done in 
this lesson as well. I have been presented  the question of whether what 
shamans do is actual, or psychological, particularly in the realm of soul 
retrieval and other "difficult to explain" practices. Bishop Pat puts
this into proper perspective in lesson 20. This is relevant on many levels and 
from many viewpoints, as is well explained in lesson 20. Placing shamanic 
work in proper cultural and community context is essential, as is 
acknowledging that shamanic work empowers the individual client, in the 
framework of community support. Bishop Pat's treatment of ethical 
considerations is excellent as well. It is my experience and opinion that 
shamanic ethics, integrity and confidentiality are no less essential than 
those of any medical or psychological practitioner.

It is particularly valuable to me to read about shamanic practices and 
customs in the various cultures worldwide. I believe that the course has 
done a good job of addressing that.  I liked the treatment of the shamanic 
cultures in Central Asia and Eastern Europe, as this is the hub and early 
diffusion of the ancient human shamanic diaspora. I would have appreciated 
more discussion of African shamanic customs. The taste of the !Kung customs 
was delicious, left me wanting more. I would have liked to see more and 
in-depth treatment of other traditions including the Amerindian, Australian, 
Maori and the variety of Asian cultures. The quick glimpse into Taiwanese 
shamanism was tantalizing.

What I did not like about the course was the amount of errata in the texts. 
I have served as an editor in the past, and so I may notice them more than 
other readers might. Some of this may be due to the process of transferring 
the text from print to electronic media, or merely to flying fingers on the 
keyboard.

I would have liked to see the text in a more conventional format, as well.  
Utilizing the entire page for text, rather than a long slender column would 
have been easier to read for me, and would present better continuity.

All in all, this is a valuable course, which manages to present, in only 20 
lessons, an overview of many aspects including more depth in some which are 
of particular interest to me.

Caroline "Kitty" Laib-Norris

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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

Paganism

Master of Paganism Essay 

Rev. Sue Bellworthy

Where to start? This was such an immense course that it impossible to pick just certain fragments for this short essay. The course was very much an overview – a quick dash through the practices of paganism, but was no less valuable for this. Perhaps one of the most powerful lessons was that on sacred space – the ways of creating a special and sacred place wherever you want it, moving the place of devotion or spiritual exercise from the Churches, making it real, personal and accessible. The lesson on sacred nature follows on from this – emphasizing that the divine is everywhere and may be found in every thing – living or inanimate, in all parts of creation.

Fundamental to paganism is the Great Rite, the hieros gamos or divine union. This represents the union of the Goddess and the God, the act that precipitated creation. It is regularly re-enacted in ritual in symbolic form plunging the athame (male principle) into the chalice (female principle). A seemingly simple act but one that is so very powerful. Although sometimes enacted in the flesh, usually by couples in private, the hieros gamos is more usually celebrated in the symbolic form. Historically, hieros gamos may be seen throughout history in many different pantheons the world over. It has been suggested that Mary Magdalene was a priestess of Ianna ( who were sometimes referred to as prostitutes in the old, not modern, meaning) and that she performed the hieros gamos with Jesus and thereafter became His wife according to custom.

No review of paganism would be complete without discussing magickal workings, the use of intent – the energy of the mind, to create an effect. This process may be helped by correspondences – for example candles of an appropriate colour or use of crystals, to all augment the power. Ethics are all important here, based on the wiccan rede. The fundamental ethos is that all magickal working should be ethical, intended for good and should "harm none". Many pagans adopt the policy of limiting magick to acts that create good such as healing, and avoid harmless workings of a more frivolous nature. Key to this passage is the power of the mind, the concept that all is energy, and that thought is also energy, and that energy fields of different things are affected by contact with another. Thus the energy   can alter the energy field of the "target" achieving the effect.

In conclusion I can only congratulate  and thank the course creator for such an interesting and complete study of paganism.

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Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site 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

Christian Studies

Study of the Four Gospels

After studying the Bible for many years, I found this course and study material informative, concise and interesting.  I believe that the lessons offered through the Gospels can be found in all major Religions of the world today.  When read as stories, these 'nuggets of wisdom' gently slip through consciousness and into the deeper self.  It is my belief that Wisdom does not belong solely to Christianity or Buddhism or Islam.  When compared to other teachings, the Bible's encouragement towards gentleness and compassion speaks very clearly to our cultural and historic heritage, as many of us in North America were born into some expression of Christianity.  We grew up understanding 'God', 'Church', and 'Heaven'.  The Bible's four Gospels contain stories for children and adults, offering pause for reflection in almost any circumstance.

During my study of this course, 'The Four Gospels', I was struck with the unique nature of this Holy Book, and our western approach to Spirituality.  Unlike so many other spiritual disciplines, our brand of Christianity allows for interpretation. We can, with full measure, allow these stories and lessons to sink into our hearts and spirits, and then re-tell the story in our own words.  Anyone can do this!  And if by some miracle, others appreciate our way of writing and interpreting the word of God, we find that we have brought a small spark of vision to the world.

The interpretation of the Four Gospels, in my opinion, did away with the disputable verses, questionable translations, and went straight to the point of giving examples of lives well lived, lessons learned, and illustrations of "good and evil" actions.

I don't usually like 'Americanized' bible translations, because they often become too simplistic.  This book, while clearly not written for the Bible scholar, was 'juicy' and readable.

By Rev. Ann-Marie Blanchard

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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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Universal Life Church

Breakfast at McDonald's This is a good story and is true, please read it all the way through until the end! I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college  degree. The last  class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher  was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human  being had been graced with.   Her last  project of the term was called, 'Smile.' The class was  asked to go out and smile at three people and document their  reactions.    I am a very  friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So, I  thought this would be a piece of cake, Soon after we  were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to  McDonald's one crisp March morning.   It was just  our way of sharing special playtime with our son.   We were  standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone  around us began to back away, and then   even my  husband did.   I did not  move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me  as I turned to see why they had moved.   As I turned  around I smelled a horrible 'dirty body' smell, and there standing  behind me were two poor homeless men.   As I looked  down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was  'smiling'   His beautiful  sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for  acceptance   He said,  'Good day' as he counted the few coins he had been  clutching.   The second  man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the  second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his  salvation.   I held my tears as I stood there  with them.   The young lady at the counter  asked him what they wanted.   He said, 'Coffee is all Miss'  because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the  restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be  warm).   Then I really felt it - the  compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man  with the blue eyes. That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action.   I smiled and asked the young lady  behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate  tray.   I then walked around the corner to  the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot I put the tray on  the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold  hand.   He looked up at me, with tears in  his eyes, and said, 'Thank you.'   I leaned over, began to pat his  hand and said, 'I did not do this for you. God is here working through  me to give you hope'   I started to cry as I walked away  to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and  said, 'That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me  hope..'   We held hands for a moment and at  that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given  were we able to give.   We are not church goers, but we  are believers.   That day showed me the pure Light  of God's sweet love.   I returned to college, on the last  evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in 'my project' and the  instructor read it.   Then she looked up at me and said,  'Can I share this?'   I slowly nodded as she got the  attention of the class. She began to read and that is when  I knew that we as human beings and being part of God share this need to  heal people and to be healed. In my own way I had touched the  people at McDonald's, my son,the instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a  college student. I graduated with one of the  biggest lessons I would ever learn: UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.   Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this and learn how to LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.   There is an Angel sent to watch over you. An Angel wrote: Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart   To handle yourself, use your head.. To handle others, use your heart.             God Gives every bird it's food, but He does not throw it into its nest. *******************************   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

Prayer

A Story of a Special Prayer SPECIAL GROCERY LIST Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food. John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store at once.. Visualizing the family needs, she said: 'Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can..' John told her he could not give her credit, since she did not have a charge account at his store. Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family. The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, 'Do you have a grocery list?' Louise replied, 'Yes sir..' 'O.K.' he said, 'put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries.' Louise hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed. The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down. The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, 'I can't believe it.' The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more. The grocer stood there in utter disgust.. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement. It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer, which said: 'Dear Father Mother God, Angels and Guides, you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands.' The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence. Louise thanked him and left the store. The other customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to the grocer and said; 'It was worth every penny of it. Only God Knows how much a prayer weighs.' THE POWER: When you receive this, say a prayer. That's all you have to do. Just stop right now, and say a prayer of thanks for your own good fortune. Then please send this to all your friends and relatives. I believe if you will send this testimony out with prayer in faith, you will receive what you need Universal God Source to do in your and your families' lives. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. May you always walk with Angels Blessings and Peace!    And So It Is. ++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++ +++++ Three things will happen to you this coming week: (1) You will find favor with someone you don't expect; (2) You will be too relevant to be ignored; (3) You will encounter Universal Source  and you will never remain the same, for you will have the "Knowing" that all is in divine right order no matter what that is. My prayer for you today: The eyes beholding this message shall not behold evil, the hands that will send this message t o others shall not labor in vain, the mouth saying Amen to this prayer shall laugh forever. Remain in God's love as you send this prayer to everybody on your list. Have a lovely journey of life! Trust in the Universe with all your heart and Source will never fail you because Source is  Awesome!  *******************************   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