Universal Life Church

Points to Ponder Universal Life Church Children of the Creator, Children of our Earth Mother: If you wish it so, take a moment to be thankful for all you have been given, all that you have, that which good in the eyes of the Creator. The Lord's day is upon us, ponder that which happened last week, that which you will engage in this week anew. Hours ago some called it Back Friday, that day when the Holiday season begins, at least for the Commercial Retailers. Allow me to share my "Good Morning Sunday", for you, it will not take all that long-promise.   Father grant us, your children Peace because your hour draws near, grant us Peace all of our days here on this Blue marble-we call Earth. Grant us peace as we toil this new week, for we know it is no one who toils longer nor harder than you-Dear Father. We ask that the Spirit of Peace descend upon us, for we ask this for all of your children, Father send your Spirit of Peace, to dwell among the children of Father Adam, and Mother Eve. Dearest Heavenly Father, we recognize it is from you and your will, that Justice and righteousness, can and soon will be among your Children. Humbled, with great prayer and fasting we recognize Peace will only be upon the Children of Man, your children, when we follow your will, your laws. We ask Dearest Father that the Great Spirit of Peace walk complete with our neighbors, our enemies, our families. We are instructed, tested, healed and cured, by your will, we ask that the Spirit of Peace prepare the way-Amen. Some of the kinds of things I am asked to do include: Blessing a Mom in the making, and the new mother, blessing the Litte People-children's' actions/activities/school/play areas/living & sleeping area/the blessing of animals of all kinds/ candles and wreaths-since it is that season/ candles year round/food & beverage and sacred icons at holidays and non holidays/blessing a trip it can be work or recreation or day trips/counseling for the spirit and soul/ anointing of the sick, ill and terminally ill. Sometimes a child or any child of the Creator will ask: Why is this and has this been deemed so important to us? My reply: The loving care for the Soul, the uniting of the family of humanity; because we are given freedoms of belief-for some the belief is ok but not the sacraments; so that we experience the closeness of God; to commune with the Spirits of God to aid in of being alive-to enhance our Faith. So what sort of training or experience is needed beyond faith and belief? Do you ask for specific skill sets, or is it my personal belief system you ask, if it is the latter-we speake of the first-first. What sort of Community Service is it you do or have done in the past- why, they are your brothers' and sisters'. Explore communication techniques and systems for the Care and Feeding of the Soul. Explore systems and techniques that address conflict resolution-so each side is an equal party-do you mean a talking stick. Sometimes this can work, if there is an answer feather as well. Co-equals, all of the time. It fosters understanding and harmony. It helps to understand other peoples religions, we are all children of the Creator-if we can and do accept them as they are, and they as we are-there will be peace, and understanding will follow. Are these essential truths-Yes. Is it true what people say about you, that you talk to the animals', and they to you? I also speake with the clouds, trees, waters, the air, the trees, the rocks. How about a mailbox, it is made of compounds found in or on Earth, if it is organic, it has a voice; it must for it is part of creation. Love thy neighbor is not just Two Legged, it must be all of our neighbors. What about meetings, and conferences or conventions? If it is  of man you seek answers to the ways of man-then seek man. If it is the ways of the Creator, then one must go to Creator, if it is of  the animals-you must go to the animals/tree/or whatever you seek to find answers from. Sounds a bit like not in reality or not normal.  Ok may I ask a question of you-sure. Is the world in which you live in-REAL? Or is of this world? Are you saying this world is not real? I am saying this world is-Of this World. You look a bit confused. Yeah I am, what is it that you spend the most amount of time each day or week or month or year doing? Why? That which you do the most is that which you worship. So church isn't just one day a week thing? No, it is all day-every day, if not then you are worshiping this world-not Creator. So I should quit school and become a Priest? NO, school is not a 24/7 kind of thing. School helps you to understand and fit in with people/society/your brothers' and sisters'. Why can't I be just who I am? You are-but society is part of the solution for some needs you have, other needs are met by God. When you start something, include God; when finish something include God; when doing or going somewhere include God. I don't understand? It is really simple-include God in all that you do; everything you have, do, and keep-it is from God. Then why do we have church? Church is people coming together in unity and peace to worship and learn of God. So it isn't the building? No it is not, that is a building-not Church. People say you protect animals, is this true. Yes, and I give toys to shelters for animals, and food treats for the shelters of animals of all sorts. Is that why you have so many bird feeders and bird baths? When man takes lands that were once the home of animals, man must give back to these same animals. The bird baths are really not so much for cleansing, are they are playgrounds for the birds to play in. When the shelter animals are in cages they need stimulation to fight off boredom and separation from their Pet Parents. Pet Parents? When you adopt any animals and make it part of your family, they are dependent upon you for all of their needs. Like a baby? Exactly. I also donate blankets,  bath and beach towels to the shelters. It provides not only warmth, but acts as a snuggle buddy. What about when people or animals die? There are rituals and rites, and for some, ceremonies that take care of this. Why is saying good-bye so hard to do? Saying good-bye to any loved one is always hard. Think of it like this-their spirit has learned all they needed to know to move on. They now or soon will again, be in the Light of Creator. This is where they came from, and came down here to learn and grow. They did, so now they are home again. But it really is hard to still be here. It is part of what you need to learn and grow. Appreciate life and all the gifts of Creator, learn and grow. Then why am I so sad. To learn! Thank you for this opportunity and service>lb p.s.: Now and then make room for a used Golf umbrella, and a couple blankets. I go to St. Vincent de Paul Society Thrift store and Goodwill thrift stores to find these and other items. I donate them to one of the many Animals shelters nearby. Golf umbrella make wonderful tents for the invalid and critter babies to get some air, out in the exercise area. No exercise area is bad news, probably a "Kill Shelter" or a farm for "Testing Subjects", this latter I associate with intense animal cruelty. The "Kill Shelters" put the animal down within a few days if not placed into new homes. ******************************* 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 , 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

Universal Life Church

Call to Action! All Hands, Heads Up! What would make your Seminary experience, your ULC experience REAL!   What would compel you to active participation in your ULC experience? Regular participation.   What do you want/need to aid in you in your Spiritual growth, and experience completeness in, that which is the Creator?   Multifaith/Nondenominational, is a wide berth-what are you seeking, what are you searching-for?   Some are solitary practitioners', some are not, Amy needs your help-this is a call to action.   You are hurting, there is a Great Physician-waiting to help, you have but to ask.   Sometimes people get caught up in Life, sometimes they become-caught in a Spiritual suspended animation. Sometimes time just isn't right, "it is a timing thing".   Please help Amy, she needs the Seminary to Stand UP. Amy has a lot on her plate, but dedicated and committed To the Seminary she is. Emotional Life, Spiritual Support- Urgent Care Unit, We are the Resident on-duty, we are the Technicians, and Artificers of our Systems Of belief.   Please do not ignore this Call to Action, we need a Healthy Active Church. Do what is right, Harm none. We harm Amy, by not counseling with her. She is a Superwoman, but her Dark Matter Energy is folding in upon her. The Cosmic Microwave Background has found uncertain density! SOA, SOA, SOA-Save Our AMY!     Thank you for this opportunity and service -- Rev. Lee Banfield (Thanks Lee) ******************************* The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive and affordable online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, a beginning course on  Wicca, as well as a beginning course on  Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is a free and lifetime ordination, so use the Free Online Ordination, button. We also make available many free wedding ceremonies for your use, as well as funeral ceremonies and other types of ceremonies.   The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program where you can earn the coveted title of Chaplain. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church materials to help you with your professionalism and confidence.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and an amazed by the frequent upgrades and new functions of the seminary.   Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Universal Life Church

Universal Life Church October 2010 Announcements Hello! SPECIAL THIS MONTH - For the month of October, you will receive a free ULC pin for any order (not counting shipping) that exceeds $75. LATEST LESSONS - Over the last couple of months, I seem to keep finding myself in the position to talk with people about self-perception, which makes me think I must be working on it myself. Those of us who tend to counsel others (and you all know who you are), do it because we can. Simple as that. As the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. Counseling isn't so much power as it is ability. And those who can, do. So I seem to find myself talking to some of the most amazing people I've ever met, helping them to discover that they don't need to keep feeling like there's something wrong with them. I have always found it odd that those who are the most capable and competent, question themselves the most. The recurring theme I keep bumping into is about lies. Or should I say 'half-truths'. For instance, those who were told at a young age that abuse was love, and that they have no control over their world, other than to take the blame for the bad things that happen. It breaks my heart to see these amazing people feeling awful for the craziness around them, thinking the craziness is them. Or caused by them. Mostly, it's not. I've also found, on a separate note, that it's frightfully easy to commit welfare fraud. I've not done this myself, of course, but it is being done by someone I know. A fraud investigation was promptly launched and we shall see if truth prevails. That kind of thing (another lie/half-truth) makes me crazy. On a personal level, I was promoted to third degree black belt in American Kenpo last weekend. It has been years since my last promotion and, thanks to my wonderful instructor (who I got after my previous promotion) I have learned an enormous amount about the art. I know it's not ULC related, but it feels really good. EVENT DIRECTORY - I've had a lot of people ask me how to record their ceremonies and events with the church. I have created a place for you to do that. http://www.ulcseminary.org/eventdirectory.php Go to this page and you can input any and all of your weddings, funerals, handfastings, baby blessings/namings, etc. It will be recorded in our database for future reference. It won't be visible, but it can be retrieved if you ask. Check it out and let me know what you think. NEW COURSES - I've had people ask me if I had a course planned on Life Coaching, spiritual counseling, and I believe the other was Humanism. I don't currently have anyone who has offered to write such a course, but if you or someone you know is interested, please review the page www.ulcseminary.org/coursesubmission.php and get back to me. QUESTIONS ABOUT SOME OF THE LATEST ULC DRAMA - Hopefully, most of you have been kept out of the loop when it comes to some recent drama within the various sites of the ULC, but Kevin, Andre and I have all been receiving emails and phone calls about it for months, so it does bear addressing. If you have been spared the drama, then this may be of little interest. As many of you know, there was a split between headquarters (ulchq.com) and the monastery (ulc.org) in August of 2006. This was due to an internal problem within the monastery, which is still under legal debate. Daniel Zimmerman (who owned it) closed the site, but not before it was 're-appropriated' by its current owner. Soon after, the monastery changed its domain name to themonastery.org, redirecting traffic, and call themselves the monastery storehouse. Neither headquarters, Kevin (ulc.net), nor I have anything to do with them. Their ordinations are separate and they are not part of the long-standing, international Universal Life Church, whose president is Andre Hensley. The monastery has since bought up over 200 domain names (including ulchq.net and .org) to confuse people into thinking they are the original and real ULC Headquarters. They are merely ministers, doing their own church, just like many of you. This is not news. The thing that has happened more recently is the emergence of a man named, Michael Cauley. He began working for the monastery, managing their social networking site. While using their resources and collecting the information from ministers on that site, he decided to open his own church. He calls it the ulcnetwork and it's a Christian-only site. What he has been telling people is that, basically, if they are not ordained with him, they are helping Satan. Most people, I suspect, recognize the ridiculousness of his claims. Unfortunately, some people have been subjected to personal phone calls from him and insulting email rants. He has zero affiliation with the ULC, other than being a regular minister with his own little ministry and apparently a database of ministers from his association with the monastery. His 'school sign' is a computer generated one, making it appear he has a building. Even the monastery dismissed him from their employ. Your ordinations are valid if done through the Seminary, ulc.net or ulchq.com. I don't know about how the ones through the monastery are viewed. I can't say one way or another. As for Cauley, yes he is the one with the long rap sheet for fraud. I find it too much of a coincidence that he be anyone but the same person with the same name, living in the same town. Florida doesn't seem to recognize supposed corporation. He promises employment for anyone who goes through his little academy at large salaries. He claims victimhood at the hands of George Freeman (Br. Martin, at the monastery). He's no victim. And he claims that all that attacks he made on me, Andre and Kevin, were part of the monastery's plan. "Just following orders" -- does that sound familiar? I believe we are responsible for our own actions and blaming others doesn't work for me. ADDING ORDINATION OPTION TO YOUR OWN SITE - I had a cool thought last month. I thought it would be great if I offered to you the option of ordaining others through your own site. If you want to give people the opportunity to become ordained, I've provided the code to put on your site which will create a form that people can fill out to have their ordinations sent directly to headquarters. (It's free for you to do this, of course.) I put the code at http://www.ulcseminary.org/ordinationform.php You can put it in a column, like I did at http://www.ulcceremonies.com or you can put it on its own page. I think it is a great way to spread the word of ULC and you're giving people the convenience of doing it right from your own site. There are also instructions to add a line to the code (cut and paste) so you will be notified whenever someone is ordained through your site. If you put the form on your site, send me a link and I'll check it out. :) Let me know if you have any problems and I can try to help. Please run a test on it to be sure it works properly. NEW COURSES - The master of Spiritual Leadership course was sent out recently as a sample. For those who got a partial one first, I apologize. Weirdness with the mailing program. The new course can be viewed at http://www.ulcseminary.org/store/product_info.php?products_id=214 HEADER - On a side note: Somehow I messed up the header of our site. It looks fine on my side until I publish it. Suggestions for fixing it would be appreciated. TESTIMONIALS - I know I keep talking about adding video to the site and I haven't done it yet, but I promise that it's on its way. I'd like to add more video to the website. I have a camera and I'm going to get started adding video sections with blurbs and such to talk about different things. What I would love is to have you all do the same thing, if you would. If you have access to a video camera of any sort, videotape yourself talking briefly about weddings you've done, any of the books or products that you've used, classes you've taken, the church you started, etc. I'd love to get a montage of these and put them throughout the site. A short .mwv file (2 min. or less) would be great. Something I can play on windows. I'll edit them together into a few clips to post. Cool, huh? It would also be great to put a face/voice with so many of your familiar names. SPAM - The latest spam thing going out is to get emails from familiar addresses, but with no subject line. What that means is that if an email doesn't have a subject line, it will be deleted without being read. I'm sure I'm missing a few real ones that way, but to open all of them is very time-consuming. I've also had a suggestion/reminder from one of our ministers to please be mindful of the elderly and disabled. If you live in an apt., be aware that they may appreciate some help from time to time. If there is an emergency, keep in mind to help them and check on them. There, but for the grace of God, go I. If you're new to the Seminary, check out announcements from previous months at http://www.ulcseminary.org/announcements.php Warmly, Rev. Amy Long President of ULC Seminary ******************************* The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive and affordable online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, a beginning course on  Wicca, as well as a beginning course on  Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is a free and lifetime ordination, so use the Free Online Ordination, button. We also make available many free wedding ceremonies for your use, as well as funeral ceremonies and other types of ceremonies.   The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program where you can earn the coveted title of Chaplain. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church materials to help you with your professionalism and confidence.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and an amazed by the frequent upgrades and new functions of the seminary.   Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar