Universal Life Church

 There once was a little girl who had a bad temper.  Her mother gave her a bag of nails and told her that every time she lost her temper, she must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day the girl had driven 37 nails into the fence.  Over the next few weeks, as she learned to control her anger, the
number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. She discovered it was easier to hold her temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the girl didn't lose her temper at all.  She told her mother about it and the mother suggested that
the girl now pull out one nail for each day that she was able to hold her temper.  The day passed and the young girl was finally able to tell her mother that all the nails were gone.

The mother took her daughter by the hand and led her to the fence.  She said, "You have done well, my daughter, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one." You can put a knife in a person and draw it out. It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.
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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

 

All About Being A Chaplain

This article discusses the current trends in the realm of chaplaincy. It discusses what chaplains do, the reasons they do what they do, and the great need in our communities for this one-of-a-kind type of clergy. The article further talks about the changes in our communities and the way that alters the spiritual requirements of the various religious and spiritual groups in our midst.

I once accepted a new job, located in a distant town. My wife had to remain behind to get our home ready for sale, while I forged on to find a rental in the new town, 120 miles away. I was given the name of a landlord to speak with. As soon as I met with the landlord, I noticed something unusual about her. I just had to ask, “Are you involved with a ministry?” As it happened, she was an ordained minister who held services every Sunday for those campers who frequented the campground she owned. She became my first exposure to what a chaplain was.
 
Perhaps you have experienced something like that yourself. Some people stand out to you as different. Hard to pin point exactly what the difference is. Something inside of you, your spirit, already knew the answer. You likely felt the Divine Mark upon that person.
 
Chaplaincy is always evolving. It has always been a creative response to ever-changing conditions. As people change, so does the work of the chaplaincy. Individuals continue on in their lives doing what they need to get by. Folks will experience times in their lives when they leave home, go traveling, finish their education, settle down for a period of time, perhaps endure an extended illness. A career choice might limit a person’s ability to worship with a community on a consistent basis. This is a place that chaplains are able to fill a void. A few types of places in which chaplains may likely be found:
 
Ski and holiday resorts.
 
Emergency response teams.
 
Apartment complexes.
 
Airports.
 
Cruise ships.
 
Hospice centers.
 
In the United States, the majority of chaplains come from the Christian faith groups. During the 1st part of the 20th century, the military only recognized 3 religious groups as chaplains: Catholic, Protestant and Jew. Unitarian chaplains slipped through under the Protestant label. The military has since widened their standards to include Wiccans or Muslims as well. Hospitals and hospice centers have also followed suit.
 
Having pastors, serving as chaplains, making themselves available to businesses and/or schools is another increasing trend. School shootings as well as other problems have opened up these opportunities. To learn about how to start a new church, I once went with a mission team to Baltimore, MD. As part of the program, we had been given a bus tour of Baltimore by the Baltimore Police dept.. Driving by the school, we had been told the Baltimore school district was requesting help from ministers and clergy to assist on the campuses, working as chaplains. They had determined that the presence and counsel of chaplains dramatically reduced school violence.
 
Change continues to be an inevitable part of life. Modernism has been replaced by a group termed “post-modernism.” More and more communities are becoming a mixing bowl of cultures and religions. Throughout my childhood, I noticed that individuals tended to gather in communities based upon common income, culture, and background. There was generally 1 dominant religion. Within the community I now live in, 50 years ago that county was 80 percent Roman Catholic, 10 percent Episcopalian, with the remainder consisting of Protestant, Jewish, or no religion. In last check, the area is about half Catholic, with the rest consisting of Protestant, Jewish, Unitarian, Christian Science, Mormon, Jehovah’s Witness and a host of New Age groups.
 
As you will be able to see, chaplains today become faced with many more belief systems to deal with. Today’s chaplain must possess a lot of religious or spiritual tolerance. Or the chaplain has to be far more knowledgeable of other religions as well. The ULC Seminary offers an excellent class on Comparative Religion, which will help you be ready. Knowing where other people are coming from has been essential if you ever wish to converse intelligently with them or minister to them. Authors Naomi Paget and Janet McCormack have this to say about it:
 
The need is great.
 
There are hurting people everywhere. Belonging to any hospital, there are lonely individuals, sick or dying, who need to be comforted. There are individuals, living in communities, who work non-standard shifts or miss sharing fellowship with others from the same faith. Professionals like police or firefighters need someone occasionally, to pray with and to seek help in understanding whenever evil raises its ugly head.
 
Chaplains may be there for just such folks. This unique clergy is still viewed as the “keeper of the sacred” for those who're unconnected to a religious congregation. A prayer, a few words of advice, a simple ritual, or the touch of a caring hand does much for people who are alone, without friends, or afraid.
 
A chaplain keeps the sacred by ministering to other people. As the universal consciousness has given existence, we go and care for that existence. The Supreme Being – The Universe – All that is Divine, honors and accepts a ministry from the heart. It truly is ‘Divine Glory’ defined. For more information about becoming a chaplain, visit the ULC Seminary’s Chaplaincy Program.

This is an excerpt from the Universal Life Church Seminary’s Chaplaincy Studies program, authored by Rev. Daniel Moore.
 
If you desire to learn about how to become a chaplain, this is a phenomenal course, showing you the things that are expected of you as a chaplain and how best to give counsel to those of different backgrounds.

"The Road to Improvement is Always Under Construction"

Universal Life Church

In March of 1976, I became ordained through the Church of Gospel Ministry Inc., Chula Vista CA.,  In October of 1979, I left Maine for parts unknown.  In my travels I finally decided to go to the Main Church Headquarters in Chula Vista.  Fully knowing I didn't have enough money to get far, but I had faith that the Lord would take care of me.  I left Maine with $50.00 in my pocket.  Needless to say $50.00 didn't get me too far.  I got as far as Youngstown Ohio on my $50.00.  I had a good local minister who told me if I needed money to call him collect he'd wire me money.  He wired me money but he told me I had to come home with the money.  Needless to say, I agreed, but reluctantly had other plans.  Upon arrival in Youngstown I was completely out of money, and was scared to death not knowing what I was going to do.  I went to the local Salvation Army in Youngstown, they offered me food to eat but that wasn't gonna help me.  I needed monetary help not food.  I was scared and I prayed alot and cried alot too.  Finally I looked in the local telephone directory and came across a ministers name that I had no Idea whatsoever that he'd help but he did.  He came to the place where I was and met me.  First off he proceeded to take me to the local gas station and fill my car with gas and oil.  He then had me proceed to follow him across town, he said the church has an account across town, follow me there.  I followed him, we pulled into a Best Western Motel, he said wait here, he then came out and passed me the daily paper.  He asked me "are you hungry"?  I did not know him and he did not know me either, across the motel parking lot there was a resturant he took me there and ordered me dinner.  When I was about 1/2 way done my dinner, he said I have to go, my first thought was oh no am I going to jail?  I asked him who was going to pay my bill?  He said your bill is taken care of as is your room at the motel too and you will stay here as our guest untill Monday.  On Sunday morning I proceeded to go to his Church Service.  His congregation was so large they had to have Church in a local auditorium not in a church building.  At that curch service, he explained to the congregation how he helped a young man in need, and put me up at a motel at the churches expence, and explained the reason I was going to California in the first place.  I had faith that the Lord was going to take care of me and he did.  That Faithful Sunday morning, the pastor told the congregation what was happening, people started coming fourth with monetary contributions for me to continue on my journey.  They contributed exactly enough finances to get me to my destination in California.

Dr. Bruce Wotton,D.D.

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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

I just wanted to tell you that I really appreciate the way you write.  There is a certain honesty (humility, humor) about the e-mail I received from you today that one doesn’t often get in “official” communications.  Just thought I’d let you know!

 

-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.

Universal Life Church

Saying Grace In A Restaurant Last week, I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, "God is good, God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!" Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!" Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?" As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job, and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer." "Really?" my son asked. "Cross my heart," the man replied. Then, in a theatrical whisper, he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes." Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment, and then did something I will remember the rest of my life. He picked up his sundae and, without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes; and my soul is good already." I love this story! Please keep it moving. Sometimes, we all need some ice cream. I hope God sends you some Ice Cream today!

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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,

You are such a blessing to the ministry and to all of us. I thank God for your help and assistance.

May you have sunshine of hope each and every day.

Dorothy 

Online Ordination - becoming ordained

People generally become ordained for three reasons:

To perform the legal function of officiating at someone's wedding,
To further their own spiritual or religious goals or,
As a lark.

ULC - Universal Life ChurchOnline OrdinationIt is our hope that you will take your ordination seriously, as it is a serious rite.

There is much talk about the term 'Instant Online Ordination.' Technically, your ordination is not happening online. The internet is merely a conduit for your application for ordination through the Universal Life Church. When you complete this form, your request for ordination is sent to headquarters in Modesto, CA to be processed and recorded by hand. It is at this time that you will officially become a minister. Congratulations and welcome!



• If you ordain someone else, get that person's express permission first.
• Please check for correct spelling and capitalization and that the email address is correct.

Upon becoming a new minister, you will begin to receive our free monthly newsletter, containing useful ministerial information, monthly specials, and a free ceremony sample. You will also be sent special announcements, breaking news about the ULC and much more.

Within 5-10 minutes after your ordination, you will receive an email message. It's usually immediate and it will be the same message that pops up in the window. Please save this email, in the event that your request for ordination through the Universal Life Church is lost in cyberspace. If you order a credential immediately following your ordination, you will need that email and/or the pop-up email, to verify your ordination with headquarters. Since all of the ordinations are recorded by hand, this may take some time.

Your ordination is for life. You are still ordained whether you have moved, married or lost your credential. If any of these are the case, contact amy@ulcseminary.org to update your information and to find out how to get a new credential.

Kind Words

Hello and Namaste Amy,

As always, good timing. I mostly dance to the beat of the drum I hear in
my heart but every now and then I forget. Thank you for the reminder and
the Divine guidance that comes to me through you.

Love and hugs,

Rose

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

Thanks Amy,
your words are like a warm ray of sunshine on a cold day.

Sherri
Hugs

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.