Universal Life Church - Pastor and his wife

I had to share this...

Beautiful story.... makes you understand that things happen for a reason!

The brand new pastor and his wife, newly assigned to their first ministry, to reopen a church in suburban Brooklyn, arrived in early October excited about their opportunities.  When they saw their church, it was very run down and needed much work.  They set a goal to have everything done in time to have their first service on Christmas Eve. They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls, painting, etc, and on December 18 were ahead of schedule and just about finished. On December 19 a terrible tempest - a driving rainstorm hit the area and lasted for two days.  On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church.  His heart sank when he saw that the roof had leaked, causing a large area of plaster about 20 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the  sanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high.  The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor and not knowing what else to do but postpone the Christmas Eve service, headed home.  On the way he noticed that a local business was having a flea market type sale for charity so he stopped in.  One of the items was a beautiful, handmade, ivory colored, crocheted  tablecloth with exquisite work, fine colors and a  Cross embroidered right in the center.  It was just the right size to cover up the hole in the front wall.  He bought it and headed back to the church.  By this time it had started to snow.  


An older woman running from the opposite direction was trying to catch the bus.  She missed it.  The pastor invited her to wait in the warm church for the next bus 45 minutes later.  She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor while he got a ladder, hangers, etc., to put up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry.  The pastor could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and it covered up the entire problem area.  Then he noticed the woman walking down the center aisle.  Her face was like a sheet.  "Pastor," she asked, "where did you get that tablecloth?" The pastor explained.  The woman asked him to check the lower right corner to see if the initials, EBG were crocheted into it there.  They were.  These were the initials of the woman, and she had made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria.  The woman could hardly believe it as the pastor told how he had just gotten the tablecloth.  The woman explained that before the war she and her husband were well-to-do people in Austria.  When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave.  Her husband was going to follow her the next week. He was captured, sent to prison and never saw her husband or her home again. The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth, but she made the pastor keep it for the church.  The pastor insisted on driving her home; that was the least he could do.  She lived on the other side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn for the day for a housecleaning job. What a wonderful service they had on Christmas Eve. The church was almost full.  The music and the spirit were great.  At the end of the service, the pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door and many said that they would return.  One older man, whom the pastor recognized from the neighborhood continued to sit in one of the pews and stare, and the pastor wondered why he wasn't leaving.  The man asked him where he got the tablecloth on the front wall because it was identical to one that his wife had made years ago when they lived in Austria before the war and how could there be two tablecloths so much alike.  He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee for her safety and he was supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and put in a prison.  He never saw his wife or his home again all the 35 years in between.  The pastor asked him if he would allow him to take him for a little ride.  They drove to Staten Island and to the same house where the pastor had taken the woman three days earlier.

He helped the man climb the three flights of stairs to the woman's apartment, knocked on the door and he saw the greatest Christmas reunion he could ever imagine.  True Story - submitted by Pastor Rob Reid Who says God does not work in mysterious ways.  I asked the Lord to bless you as I prayed for you today, to guide you and protect you as you go along your way.  His love is always with you, His promises are true, and when we give Him all our cares you know He will see us through.  So when the road you're traveling on seems difficult at best. Just remember I'm here praying and God will do the rest.  When there is nothing left but God; that is when you find out that God is all you need.

Kind Words

Universal Life Church

Thank you for inquiring about my course participation.  I have one pending for several weeks, now.  I sincerely want to complete it soon.  The sample courses and other emails you send are thoroughly enjoyed and educational.  They provide me an avenue of choice for future course selections.  Much appreciated.  My next course would be either a spirituality course or one that teaches about multiple religions.

Currently, I'm exploring a new path of spiritual assistance:  Chaplain of Pets.  This would be ground-breaking in my local area.  My application is being reviewed this week.  Should I start and succeed with providing spiritual services to pets and their owners, I will be happy to send a  picture and quote.  Meanwhile, I have ordained one person, and another one is interested in being ordained through ULC.  There may be a third person, also.  In God's name, I do what is right.

Lorraine

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.  We also offer some kind words, mailed weekly, to brighten your spirit.

Universal Life Church

Testimony of Rev. Rickey Todd Phillips.

I was a drunk and I could not stop.  I got so bad I would pass out in my chair and wet my paints.  I drank every day.  I tried to stop; I even tried A.A. to no avail.  It was one week until my daughter was born.  I knew I had no where to turn.  Then I went to church. I met a minister named Milt Mitchner, (Assemblies’of God). I looked at him with tears in my eyes and said, “I want what you have and you are going to help me get it.” Well I started church and attended bible studies and then God drew me to the Salvation Army.  I moved up the ranks to Corps Sergeant Major, the highest local office of the non-commissioned officers.  I preached and my wife and I ran the church and food bank while the officers were away.  I also was a guest speaker at another Salvation Army.  My wife’s health was bad so we moved to Boise , Idaho .  They had better health care then they did in Alaska . I was a meat cutter for Albertsons and they did not let me have Sundays off.  Well I was not in the word and went a little haywire.  Then we moved to Reno because my wife’s mother was sick and I still worked for Albertsons as a meat cutter.  Six years later I hold a diploma from The Voice of Prophecy “Discover Bible Course” -- A diploma from The Voice of Prophecy “Focus on  Prophecy Bible Course”—“Pastoral Diploma” from The Cathedral University. I was ordained by the Universal Life Church on Jan. 23, 2007.  And now I was promoted to meat manager.  God is Faithful Amen !!!  Jesus is my belief system.  When the Son sets you free you are free indeed!!!

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have various classes in Christianity, one on Wicca, along with several Pagan courses, more than a few courses about Metaphysics with more being added regularly.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free, legal and lasts for life, so please take advantage of our Free Online Ordination.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of minister supplies.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and am proud to have started the Seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

 

Kind Words

Amy,
This was sent to me a few days ago.  While I have been going through some spiritual turmoil.  But I have stuck to my own thoughts, I had people telling me that I was wrong, however I knew that I was not.  I trusted what I felt inside.  Today after work, I had a meeting with two of my friends and we hashed everything out.  By trusting in myself and my feelings, things were worked out to the highest good.  I just sat down and read this email.  :o)  Tiny blessings
Thank you so much!
In love and light
Julie

Universal Life Church 

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.  We also offer some kind words, mailed weekly, to brighten your spirit.

Kind Words

Amy,

LOL...how do know these things?

Great to know someone who is as intuitive as I am, lol. Surely we are all doing good things, and living a life of  Internal god-ness as well. 

Love you sister. Keep moving forward!

Light, Love and Peace to you!

Robin

Universal Life Church
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.  We also offer some kind words, mailed weekly, to brighten your spirit.

Universal Life Church

Dear Amy,

 

I wanted to follow-up to my note of the 15th to which I attached the ministry newsletter, The Mid-Atlantic Lighthouse and better introduce myself and my work.

 

I am a preacher's kid whose father had the wisdom to make me be certain that I was called into the ministry and not just following in his footsteps.  Since 1982, I have pastored in five congregations, been a mission planter, served as a denominational executive and a state guard chaplain, and as a Bible college administrator and professor.  At present, I am in the Civil Service in "tentmaking" mode.  I have been traditionally ordained as well as simply ordained and hold credentials in the Universal Life Church.

 

I would consider myself a compassionate conservative socially and conservative theologically (but not neanderthal!).  My ministry today includes conducting weddings and funerals for those without a church connection.  I also conduct a ministry of encouragement to other ministers - especially those who are called and elect simple ordination.  I believe that ministry as a profession should be a level playing field.  If your calling is sincere, then it doesn't matter how you got there.

 

I commend you for the work you are doing at the Seminary.  I'm not sure how I may be of service, but if there is something I could provide that would be useful, then I would be happy to help.

 

I know the ULC covers the breadth of spirituality and I respect that.  I embrace my spiritual path and do not denegrate others but encourage a mutual understanding and respect.

 

Please feel free to correspond.

 

Faithfully yours,

David I. Moshier *

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have various classes in Christianity, one on Wicca, along with several Pagan courses, more than a few courses about Metaphysics with more being added regularly.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free, legal and lasts for life, so please take advantage of our Free Online Ordination.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of minister supplies.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and am proud to have started the Seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

 

Kind Words

Oh Sister Amy, you have no idea just how much your caring words mean to me at this time…For the last month it seems like everything I laid my hands on has gone wrong…Thank you so much for the hopeful words…May the All mighty lay hands on you…

Thank you…

                                                              Rev. Jesse Doyle ULC…

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.  We also offer some kind words, mailed weekly, to brighten your spirit.

Universal Life Church - Dance with God

Dancing With God

When I meditated on the word Guidance,
I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.   
I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.  
The dance takes surrender, willingness,
and attentiveness from one person
and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance
When I saw "G": I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i".
"God, "u" and "i" dance."
God, you, and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust
that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's blessings
and mercies are upon you on this day and everyday.
May you abide in God, as God abides in you.    
Dance together with God, trusting God to lead
and to guide you through each season of your life.   This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached
If God has done anything for you in your life,
please share this message with someone else.
There is no cost but a lot of rewards;    
so let's continue to pray for one another.   And I Hope You Dance!  

Universal Life Church - The Room

THE ROOM
17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. "I wowed 'em," he later told his father, Bruce. "It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote.." It also was the last.

 Brian's parents had forgotten about the essay when a cousin found it while cleaning out the teenager's locker at Teary Valley High School . Brian had been dead only hours, but his parents desperately wanted every piece of his life near them-notes from classmates and teachers, his homework.

Only two months before, he had handwritten the essay about encountering Jesus in a file room full of cards detailing every moment of the teen's life.. But it was only after Brian's death that Beth and Bruce Moore realized that their son had described his view of heaven. "It makes such an impact that people want to share it. You feel like you are there." Mr. Moore said.
 Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.

 The Moores framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. "I think God used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it," Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. "I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him."

 Brian's Essay: The Room...
 In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.

 This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.
 A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed at." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've yelled at my brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.

 Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.
 When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched", I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.
 When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content.
 I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.
 Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.
 And then I saw it.. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.
 And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.
 No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.
 He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

 Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.
 He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."-Phil. 4:13 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." If you feel the same way forward it so the love of Jesus will touch their lives also. My "People I shared the gospel with" file just got bigger, how about yours?

Universal Life Church

Hello Rev Amy thanks for your message. I hope and pray all is well with you.

The memorial ceremony went really well. I used a selection of material from the book. I received many positive comments from those attending, both family and friends.

Thanks once again for this invaluable resource to assist me in God's important work!
God bless,
Rev Paul

Kind Words

Hello Rev Amy thanks for your message. I hope and pray all is well with you.

The memorial ceremony went really well. I used a selection of material from the book. I received many positive comments from those attending, both family and friends.

Thanks once again for this invaluable resource to assist me in God's important work!
God bless,
Rev Paul

Universal Life Church - handfastings

I would love to share *s*.  I always love to share.

We are very small, perhaps 100 members.  We're scattered all over the place.  We work primarily with the homeless, finding that most have a very deep need to be loved ... so we move them to see that God and in His Son, Jesus ... they are very loved.  After that, if they put forward of themselves, they reap what is sown.

It's a very basic lesson.

On a more 'traditional' note, we preside over weddings/handfastings, baptisms/namings ... the occasional funeral.

Our rectory was burned when we officiated at a Pagan handfasting.  They hung a cross upside down and it was too close to the building.  We managed to get the living beings (ourselves) out, but lost most of everything else.  I know the paperwork, like through your organization is important, but ... there were children in the house ... they came first, along with the pets and other things that breath.

We presided over two more handfastings in the shell of what was left and one wedding the following weekend and the arsonists can just go eat cake *lol*.  They were NOT shutting me up or stopping me.

We are now in Michigan and looking at acquiring a property up north around Houghton Lake.  When I have an address set up more permanent ... I'll do a change with you in a more timely manner.

There's more, but I don't want to bore you, you've probably gotten your fill of people like myself ... talking your ear off.

Rev. Guinevere Haworth