Wedding Stories

Facing away from the audience?

By Marilyn Tenney

I do have a comment and suggestion about performing a wedding: I recently attended a wedding in a small country church where the minister had the couple stand up on the first step at the front of the church facing the congregation, and the minister stood down below (with a cordless mic on her lapel). This way the couple were seen by all in attendance. It was very nice!

(note from Amy: I have done that a couple of times and it feels very weird to me to talk with my back to people. I usually just have the couple facing each other and talk through them, but I'd be interested to see how it works for others.)

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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. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Wicca

Broad Approach to Spirituality

I would like to express my sincere thanks for our instructor and the material presented throughout the course.

I found it to be a great benefit to me, not only in bringing to light the purpose and practical function of ritual, items used, the deities and workings of elementals. I very much enjoyed the weekly challenges of stretching myself with the exercises given and finding that all helped to make sense of what I have intuitively done for most of my life.

I feel that this course helps put me in touch with deeper meanings to the "why's and wherefores" of the physical and spiritual that is all around us in our daily lives.

It has helped to bring, with more confidence, my desire for a broader approach to my ministry and helps to reaffirm my trust in "flying by the seat of my pants", as it where, when called upon to perform a pastoral service, be it a wedding, or baby naming. I am more comfortable now with bringing in many elements to whatever I am called on to do. And with the knowledge imparted by the course, I have more to draw from than ever before, and with a clearer understanding of why I would feel drawn to include certain stone, herbs, etc.

My thanks again to Lord Starwalker for his wealth of knowledge and his time spent in preparing and sharing this material with us. I will refer to it often, and practice much of it daily.

Bright Blessings,

Betty Taylor

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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.

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

By Unknown

Realizing the Value

To realize

The value of a sister

Ask someone

Who doesn't have one.

To realize

The value of ten years:

Ask a newly

Divorced couple.

To realize

The value of four years:

Ask a graduate.

To realize

The value of one year:

Ask a student who

Has failed a final exam.

To realize

The value of one month:

Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.

To realize

The value of one week:

Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize

The value of one hour:

Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realize

The value of one minute:

Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize

The value of one-second:

Ask a person who has survived an accident.

To realize

The value of one millisecond:

Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics.

Time waits for no one. Treasure every moment you have.

You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special.

To realize the value of a friend:

Lose one.

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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. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

ULC Seminary Seal

This is the seal that we use on the Universal Life Church Seminary website. You are welcome to use it if you like to link to our website.




My name is Rev. Amy Long and I've been a minister with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since its inception. I've been a member of ULC for many years and my site has created a terrific ULC Forum. We are also members of the ULC Minister's Association and have the most extensive catalog of Universal Life Church materials.

Wicca

Background and Insight about Wicca

A Final essay from Frank Orr

I took this course for the same reason that I will be taking further courses from the seminary: to gain a deeper insight into the way things are. I will probably never become an active practicing Wiccan, but I now know in a deeper understanding, what is happening. The course has helped me to better direct my actions and life. I think (or hope) I will be a better person. I have always been interested in the New Age or Pagan beliefs.I think that the old ways of life have more valid effects than the modern people give them credit for.

I want to gain more knowledge about the natural healing powers that herbs and aroma therapy introduce into the human existence. My wife and I live our life with complete respect of nature and the old ways. I am trying to gain knowledge in every phase of life. I am learning along with my wife American Sign Language. I support and learn from her Reiki practice. We do our fulfillment spells trying to better our existence. I found nothing disturbing in the course I just finished. Many of the rituals that were covered in the course were very detailed and time consuming but I found them to be very interesting and they will be very useful and helpful in my life when I will need a more calming influence in my life.

I will always have the course materials to reference in the future. I also took this course because I noticed the understanding and change in my wife when she practices the old religion and through her training in the art of Reiki, in which she is a master. I want to learn more so I may become a better person.

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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. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Spiritualism

By the Reverend John Powell

My body, my mind and my spirit

Spiritualism is a very hard term to define. What I think of the course is a lot easier. This course was put together with a lot of heart, research, tears and love. When we live in a world of materialism, we tend to put the things of the spirit on the back burner. Those who do so, Do so at their own peril.

As we study the thought processes that have influenced ourselves and mankind, we are struck with the overwhelming depth of mans search to define himself and his reason for being. Socrates looked at the world and wondered if what he was seeing was the reality or if the reality was something that was not or could not be understood. As a side note he began to believe that which he could not see and called it faith. Sigmund, on the other hand, looked within himself and searched for the forces that drive or what he felt drove the behavior of himself and man. Hitler looked at the world around him and felt he could cure the evils of the world by changing the world to an image he believed was perfect. Newton, Einstein, and other scientist of the world take the world apart in an effort to learn what makes it tick and to see if they can improve it by tinkering with its parts. Priest, ministers and instructors in faith believe that the spirit of man can be found through rules or faith in a belief system.

Are these things, and people involved, part of a spiritual world? I believe so. Passion for the ideas that make us believe in who we are and why we exist, to me, define the spirit of the human being.

Now last, what does it mean to me? As a frail human in the temple of my frail body, I have learned that my existence is spiritual. I am fully aware of the frailty of my worldly temple. Realizing, even with the best of intentions, that I have hurt people And I have lived a life that far under-exceeded my and others expectation of me, I have needed something to calm my mind and body. In my opinion, the spirit that I share with the universe is the only glue that holds my temple and that of the totality of souls together in harmony.

Thank you for an interesting course.

John Powell.

Ordained: April 13, 2000

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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. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Wedding Story

By Debbie Kalinowski & newspaper article

Keep an eye on your wedding gifts

Hi,

From what I've heard recently, this is the latest "trend". And now this newspaper article confirms it. Please warn all your Brides & Grooms to keep a lookout for "uninvited" guests at their weddings! These "guests" are making off with the wedding gifts! (By the way, I have done/will be doing weddings at all of the catering halls mentioned in this article and I find this news very distressing!)

Debbie

________________________________________________

Posted on Sat, Dec. 04, 2004

A wedding pest admits to thefts at receptions

A South Philadelphia man has told authorities he stole $10,000 in cash and checks from three recent events.

By Sam Wood

Inquirer Staff Writer

An uninvited guest at wedding receptions in South Jersey has admitted to making off with $10,000 in cash and checks intended for the newlyweds, authorities said.

Anthony Rossi, 30, of the 2600 block of Percy Street in South Philadelphia, surrendered to police yesterday and confessed to absconding with gifts from three recent receptions, said Detective Michael DeLorenzo of Berlin Borough police.

In the most recent incident, on Nov. 13, Rossi told police, a wedding guest - the groom's cousin - pursued him down the Atlantic Expressway after he grabbed the gift box at a reception at Venice Catering in Berlin and tried to make a getaway, DeLorenzo said.

The pursuit broke off only after he tossed the gift collection box out the window of his 1991 Lexus and the cousin stopped to recover it, DeLorenzo said.

Berlin Borough police said they received numerous tips about the identity of the wedding thief after WPVI-TV (Channel 6) broadcast a composite drawing of the suspect Thursday night.

One of the tips led police to Rossi yesterday.

DeLorenzo said Rossi was charged after confessing to the Nov. 13 heist; a Sept. 4 theft at the Renaissance Room in Washington Township; and a Sept. 11 theft from Anthony and Cleopatra Caterers in Williamstown.

He also told police he had tried to strike at the Woodbury Country Club but was scared off when off-duty Philadelphia police officers at the reception grew suspicious, DeLorenzo said.

Rossi told investigators he would randomly choose a catering hall on a Saturday and pose as a wedding guest, dressing the part. And, just in case he might be spotted leaving with the loot, he would take the license plates off his getaway vehicle.

On at least one occasion, Rossi enlisted the help of an unwitting catering hall employee, DeLorenzo said.

"He would just walk up and say, 'You want to clean up now? Maybe we should take this out to the car.' They thought he was part of the family and gave him a hand," DeLorenzo said.

In the wake of the thefts, local caterers have beefed up security and have asked guests to keep a close eye on their wedding gifts, DeLorenzo said.

DeLorenzo said the unemployed Rossi had told investigators he was not responsible for any thefts where only a few cash envelopes were taken.

"He has no reason to lie," DeLorenzo said. "He's been honest and open. He said he wasn't interested in anything small. His main goal was to take the whole shebang."

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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. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Wiccan Studies

Good afternoon Amy,

To conclude the Master of Wiccan studies program, Lord Starwalker has asked that I write a page or so on what I have learned during this course, how it has affected my life and then send the assignment to you. To this end, I submit the following:

This course is presented in a very logical fashion and delivered in a format that makes it very easy to follow. It is an enjoyable learning experience. By sending the course in a weekly e-mail, it reminds you that you have a lesson to review so that you don't fall behind. The lessons don't take too much time to go through so, personally, I would go through them during my lunch break. That way, I could meditate on the lessons taught during my ride home in the evening.

Wicca, as a religion, as so many have said in recent times, is very misunderstood. This is mainly due to the entertainment industry. Although it's very entertaining to watch Satan and his demons get beat-up by

Catholic Priests, Vampire Slayers, and other assorted "heroes", we should always remember that these are based on a fundamental Christian belief in the Devil and Hell and have no connection to the Wiccan religion

whatsoever.

What I enjoyed most about this course is the way Lord Starwalker writes the lessons and presents the material. He is a great educator and comes across as a very friendly individual. I can only hope that he gets

involved in presenting other courses that the ULC Seminary will be offering in the future.

What this course has done for me is to make me think about things in a more spiritual way. I had been so caught-up in work that I had let my spiritual life shut down. My life had become mechanical. We must keep a

place in our lives for spirituality if we are going to feel fulfilled. For me, the best part of the Wiccan religion is that you can practice it in solitary at your leisure, and still feel a real connection to the universe and all the beings who dwell in it.

I highly recommend this course to all modern Christians and people of

all religios beliefs. It's a wonderful learning experience and opens

your eyes to an other belief system. Lord Starwalker and Amy Long are two

of the nicest people to deal with.

Amy I hope the above is satisfactory. I could have elaborated more but, I'm a very private person so there are some things I feel are too personal to share on a web site at this time.

Best regards

Robert Pelot

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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. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Spirit-Quest

Spirit-Quest Program

Forgiveness

Dear Amy,

I apologize for not having sent in the essay earlier.

I thank you for amazing discourses, here is my review:

I received 30 discourses with different topics. My list of spiritual goals grew long. After one year now I am proud to announce that there are only few left which I am still working on.

On my free weekends I take Reiki, Healing and Meditation seminars, and I teach online classes at a British spiritual website. I found all the meditation discourses very helpful. To mention the “Protection Rose” as a good starter as well as the Chakra and the Karma Affirmations.

I was deeply impressed by “How Spirit communicates”, discourses 18 through 22. They work brilliantly with beginners trying to find their paths. This is a journey of self discovery. When we feel our own empowering Spirit we’re getting more and more receptive to Spirit around us. We become aware of a different dimension, the vibration of energy. It is a lot of practice to set this in motion but once we’ve connected we know, no matter what level we have reached in our development we all have much to offer. My students benefit from what I have learned because I keep telling them that each of us is unique, is loved and safe in the arms of the Divine. This is not typical for Europeans, so to speak. Scientists are still exploring the mysterious ways of life, especially those where they believe the mind influences the body. The mind, our invisible part of the body, and the body, our visible part of the mind don’t always work perfectly together. We have to pay attention and practice awareness.

Discourse 22 “Pictures” and 24 “Asking the right questions” are my favourites. There are always questions to be answered and I love talking in pictures.

All happens for some purpose, there are no coincidences, we know that. My life dramatically changed around the time when the “Forgiveness” letter was in my mailbox. I admit not having paid much attention to the content even though I read it. There were more important things I had to deal with. When I thought I would already know what pain is life taught me better, and what I had to experience then was beyond my imagination. My beloved partner died of cancer. What is grief? I went through all stages of it. I felt anger thinking not having done enough. I am a healer, a wise woman. People ask for my help and I couldn’t even do that anymore. Why had he come into my life showing me heavens to then suddenly leave me? Why wasn’t I capable of helping him? Believe me have I tried and I saw he was going. I didn’t want to understand, the pain was too big. Our relationship could not be repaired, not on this plane. I was told to let go, told to accept that it was meant to be. But I focused so much on what I had lost. Step by step and in between I hated him, lost motivation, lost interest in myself. This cut was so deep that I fell into the valley of never ending tears ignoring all what I had learned. As an active spiritualist I should have known that he hadn’t died to make me feel bad. And then I came upon a book where I read in the foreword that forgiveness is the greatest healer of all. Instantly, I remembered the discourse and worked several weeks on it. It said very clearly that I would hold on to bitterness if I wouldn’t forgive the person causing me sleepless nights and bad days. This had the greatest impact on me. I became friendly again and considered professional help. One year after I am still alone, still missing him, but I can smile and by the way, it was me who was sent to him making his last years beautiful. An attitude I can live on with!

Forgiving is healing, forgiveness is a choice. You have my greatest respect for bringing up not only an informative Spirit-Quest program but also an absolutely helping eye-opener. As you say in the very last line of the discourse: “forgiveness is a gift”. I am thankful for finally having received this gift.

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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. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Christian Sermon

By Scott Phillips

In A Moment

In a moment life can change.

Sunday afternoon my wife and I were headed to a birthday party for a sweet young girl in the church. As I was headed out, I picked up my two year old and discovered that either he was carrying a dead rat in his pocket, or he had a very dirty diaper. Becky, my sweet wife, gathered him in her arms from mine and we went back inside.

The other two boys, Keaton and Nate were excited about riding in my new/old truck. So they were in the backseat. I walked outside and thought, "I will back up the truck so my wife don't have to walk on the dirt when she comes out." So I look in my mirrors to be sure we are not about to destroy another tricycle and backup about five feet. When, I look in front of me, Noah is standing there crying because he thought we were going to leave him. In a moment, life stops and I realize all in one moment, life could have changed.

When I got out and picked him up, he was all smiles, but there were heavy thoughts running through my mind that made me shudder. When the excitement died down, my wife was now in the truck and we are ready to go, I stop and we all say a prayer of thanksgiving, that that moment did not happen.

How many times do these moments come in our lives and we don't even know it? This is the first time I have felt quite like I did.

Even now as I think about it, it makes me appreciate the fact I know Noah is finally asleep after a long day running, playing, and being a little boy. There in the darkness you can hear his steady breathing and I know it is another day to be thankful for.

I am sure some of you have experienced those moments when your life changed. I have stood by as I watched people I love go through these times. I am not sure the moments you have faced and the pain that they brought with them, but I want you to know in that Moment, is when nothing else matters. The things we dream about, fade.

The things we want to do are forgotten and the things that are truly important come into focus.

Everything is temporary. What seems new, will get old. What you want, when you get it will no longer register value on the radar. However, there are some things that really do matter.

Today, take a moment and savor the things you have to be thankful for. Because, in a moment when your not expecting we will meet the Lord. Either in death or the rapture, in a Moment, everything will change. Tragedy will become triumph. Loss will equal gain.

Sickness will result in health. Trials will transform into trophies. In a moment, time will become eternity, and tears will be gone, hearts will be mended and old acquaintances will be renewed.

It will be worth it,

It will make sense,

It will seem like something so small,

In a Moment.

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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. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

What Matters in Life

By Internet - sent by Rev. Richard Cooke
2005-02-18

Some people understand life better And they call some of these people
"retarded"...

At the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or
mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard
dash.
At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a
relish
to run the race to the finish and win.
All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt,
tumbled
over a couple of times, and began to cry. The other eight heard the
boy cry.
They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went
back...... every one of them.
One girl with Down's Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said,"This
will
make it better."
Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line.
Everyone
in the stadium stood, the cheering went on for several minutes.
People who were there are still telling the story... Why? Because
deep down
we know this one thing:
What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What
matters
in this life is helping others
win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course.
A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle"
RevRECooke




I'm Amy with the Universal Life Church and it's Seminary. I've been a member of ULC for many years and my site has created a terrific ULC Forum. We are also members of the ULC Minister's Association and have the most extensive catalog of Universal Life Church materials.

Carl's Garden

Carl's Garden

By Unknown

Carl was a quiet man. He didn't talk much. He would always greet you with a big smile and a firm handshake. Even after living in our neighborhood for over 50 years, no one could really say they knew him very well. Before his retirement, he took the bus to work each morning. The lone sight of him walking down the street often worried us. He had a slight limp from a bullet wound received in WWII. Watching him, we worried that although he had survived WWII, he may not make it through our changing uptown neighborhood with its ever-increasing random violence, gangs, and drug activity.

When he saw the flyer at our local church asking for volunteers for caring for the gardens behind the minister's residence, he responded in his characteristically unassuming manner. Without fanfare, he just signed up. He was well into his 87th year when the very thing we had always feared finally happened. He was just finishing his watering for the day when three gang members approached him. Ignoring their attempt to intimidate him, he simply asked, "Would you like a drink from the hose? "The tallest and toughest-looking of the three said, "Yeah, sure," with a malevolent little smile. As Carl offered the hose to him, the other two grabbed Carl's arm, throwing him down. As the hose snaked crazily over the ground, dousing everything in its way, Carl's assailants stole his retirement watch and his wallet, and then fled.

Carl tried to get himself up, but he had been thrown down on his bad leg. He lay there trying to gather himself as the minister came running to help him. Although the minister had witnessed the attack from his window, he couldn't get there fast enough to stop it. "Carl, are you okay? Are you hurt?" the minister kept asking as he helped Carl to his feet.. Carl just passed a hand over his brow and sighed, shaking his head "Just some punk kids. I hope they'll wise-up someday." His wet clothes clung to his slight frame as he bent to pick up the hose. He adjusted the nozzle again and started to water. Confused and a little concerned, the minister asked, "Carl, what are you doing?" "I've got to finish my watering. It's been very dry lately", came the calm reply. Satisfying himself that Carl really was all right, the minister could only marvel. Carl was a man from a different time and place.

A few weeks later the three returned. Just as before their threat was unchallenged. Carl again offer! ed them a drink from his hose.. This time they didn't rob him. They wrenched the hose from his hand and drenched him head to foot in the icy water. When they had finished their humiliation of him, they sauntered off down the street, throwing catcalls and curses, falling over one another laughing at the hilarity of what they had just done. Carl just watched them. Then he turned toward the warmth giving sun, picked up his hose, and went on with his watering.

The summer was quickly fading into fall. Carl was doing some tilling when he was startled by the sudden approach of someone behind him. He stumbled and fell into some evergreen branches.. As he struggled to regain his footing, he turned to see the tall leader of his summer tormentors reaching down for him. He braced himself for the expected attack. "Don't worry old man, I'm not gonna hurt you this time." The young man spoke softly, still offering the tattooed and scarred hand to Carl. As he helped Carl get up, the man pulled a crumpled bag from his pocket and handed it to Carl. "What's this?" Carl asked. "It's your stuff," the man explained. "It's your stuff back. Even the money in your wallet." "I don't understand," Carl said. "Why would you help me now?" The man shifted his feet, seeming ! embarrassed and ill at ease. "I learned something from you", he said.. "I ran with that gang and hurt people like you. We picked you because you were old and we knew we could do it. But every time we came and did something to you, instead of yelling and fighting back, you tried to give us a drink. You didn't hate us for hating you. You kept showing love against our hate." He stopped for a moment. "I couldn't sleep after we stole your stuff, so here it is back.." He paused for another awkward moment, not knowing what more there was to say.. "That bag's my way of saying thanks for straightening me out, I guess." And with that, he walked off down the street. Carl looked down at the sack in! his han ds and gingerly opened it. He took out his retirement watch and put it back on his wrist! Opening his wallet, he checked for his wedding photograph; He gazed for a moment at the young bride that still smiled back at him from all those years ago.

He died one cold day after Christmas that winter. Many people attended his funeral in spite of the weather. In particular the minister noticed a tall young man that he didn't know sitting quietly in a distant corner of the church. The minister spoke of Carl's garden as a lesson in life. In a voice made thick with unshed tears, he said, "Do your best and make your garden as beautiful as you can. We will never forget Carl and his garden."

The following spring another flyer went up. It read: "Person needed to care for Carl's garden." The flyer went unnoticed by the busy parishioners until one day when a knock was heard at the minister's office door. Opening the door,! the minister saw a pair of scarred and tattooed hands holding the flyer. "I believe this is my job, if you'll have me," the young man said. The minister recognized him as the same young man who had returned the stolen watch and wallet to Carl. He knew that Carl's kindness had turned this man's life around. As the minister handed him the keys to the garden shed, he said, "Yes, go take care of Carl's garden and honor him." The man went to work and, over the next several years, he tended the flowers and vegetables just as Carl had done.

In that time, he went to college, got married, and became a prominent member of the community. But he never forgot his promise to Carl's memory and kept the garden as beautiful as he thought Carl would have kept it. One day he approached the new minister and told him that he couldn't care for the garden any longer! . He exp lained with a shy and happy smile, "My wife just had a baby boy last night, and she's bringing him home on Saturday." "Well, congratulations!" said the minister, as he was handed the garden shed keys. "That's wonderful! What's the baby's name?"

...

"Carl," he replied.

GOOD FRIENDS ARE LIKE ANGELS, YOU DON'T HAVE TO SEE THEM TO KNOW THEY ARE THERE.......

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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. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Does Evil Exist

Does Evil Exist?


By Internet Story - sent in by Stephen T
2004-12-09

The university professor challenged his students with this question...Did God create everything that exists?

A student bravely replied "yes, he did!”
”God created everything?" The professor asked.
"Yes sir," the student replied.
The professor answered, "If God created everything, then God created evil since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are then God is evil.”
The student became quiet before such an answer. The professor was quite pleased with himself and boasted to the students that he had proven once more that Christian faith was a myth.

Another student raised his hand and said, "Can I ask you a question professor?"
"Of course," replied the professor.

The student stood up and asked, "Professor, does cold exist?"
"What kind of a question is this? Of course it exists. Have you never been cold?" The students snickered at the young man's question.

The young man replied, "In fact sir, cold does not exist. According to the laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat. Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-460 degrees F) is the total absence of heat; all matter becomes inert and incapable of reaction at that temperature. Cold does not exist. We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat. "The student continued. "Professor, does darkness exist?"

The professor responded, "Of course it does."
The student replied, "Once again you are wrong sir, darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study, but not darkness. In fact we can use Newton's prism to break white light into many colors and study the various wavelengths of each color. You cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn't this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present." Finally the young man asked the professor, "Sir, does evil exist?"

Now uncertain, the professor responded, "Of course, as I have already said. We see it every day. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil."

To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is not like faith, or love that exist just as does light and heat. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light."

The professor sat down. The young mans name - Albert EINSTEIN.




I'm Amy with the Universal Life Church and it's Seminary. I've been a member of ULC for many years and my site has created a terrific ULC Forum. We are also members of the ULC Minister's Association and have the most extensive catalog of Universal Life Church materials.

The Seven Wonders of the World

The Seven Wonders of the World

By 7 year old girl - submitted by Tom Stewart

A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present "Seven Wonders of the World." Though there were some disagreements,

the following received the most votes:

1. Egypt's Great Pyramids

2. Taj Mahal

3. Grand Canyon

4. Panama Canal

5. Empire State Building

6. St. Peter's Basilica

7. China's Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student had not finished her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind

because there were so many."

The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help.

"The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the

'Seven Wonders of the World' are:

1. To See

2. To Hear

3. To Touch

4. To Taste

5. To Feel

6. To Laugh

7. And to Love."

The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and that we take for granted are truly wondrous!

A gentle reminder --that the most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man.

My wish for all who receive this to enjoy the girl's idea of "The Seven Wonders".

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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. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

A Higher Calling

A Higher Calling-One Firefighter's Perspective

By Bob Firestine

My name is Bob and I have been a professional firefighter for 22 years. I love my job because I get to help people, some of whom are experiencing the darkest and most desperate moments of their lives. I love to be able to show them compassion and concern when they need it most. On July 26, 2001, I had an experience, which was to this point, one of the most trying times of my life. A friend and fellow firefighter at my department was killed in the line of duty as the result of a very bizarre accident. My friend, Kirk, was as nice and as positive a guy as you could ever hope to know. He was a professional member of the fire service, a sincere friend to many and a dedicated husband and father. His death hit me hard. I found myself struggling against acceptance, which made it nearly impossible to put the loss behind me and move on.

I was on duty the morning of September 11th, 2001. I awoke at 6:00 a.m. and telephoned our dispatch center to confirm my station assignment for the day. During our conversation, the dispatcher heard the news that two planes had crashed into the World Trade Center. I turned on the TV, woke up my captain, called home to my wife and son, and then called my daughter, a UC Berkeley student, to let them know that we were being attacked by terrorists. After watching the first few images of the second airliner slamming into the building, my captain, Bill remarked "I'm going to go on record as saying that building is coming down," then he added "I wonder how many firemen are going to die today?" We sat there in front of the TV, sipping coffee, and helplessly watching in silent horror as his observation unfolded into reality.

Because of Kirk's death at our department, only six weeks previous, I knew too well the unbearable pain that the surviving members of the New York Fire Department were suffering. Although I was across the country, my recent emotional wounds were freshly re-opened and I was feeling that I had just lost 300 more of my brothers. They had been murdered, these heroes, the best of the good guys. How could I begin to cope with this tragedy? Once the initial shock began to wear off, that of myself as well as the entire nation and the world, I was compelled to investigate the reason for this terrible event. I watched the news, listened to talk radio, read from the internet, and talked to many people. The best reason that I could determine was that this tragedy was brought on by hatred. With this theory in mind, the first place I looked to find fault was in the mirror. I could see right away that I hated these men, these despicable monsters, for what they had done. This hatred, along with the frustration and grief for all those murdered brothers, felt like a fire burning deep inside of me, all the way to my very soul. This fire was out of control and I, a skilled firefighter, could think of no way to put it out. It occurred to me that I was going to need help, so I asked God to help me.

I can't pinpoint the exact moment when I began to receive the help I prayed for, but I know that it began to come soon after I asked. After a long dark period, I once again felt love coming back into my life. It felt so good that I decided to cast out the hate from my heart. It wasn't easy by any means, but the rewards were well worth it. I began to see things in a different light, that being the light of Love. However, I could still see much hatred around me. People were busy making allegations and placing blame. Some were blaming the former President, some were blaming the business community and some were blaming different groups of people. From what I could determine, they were just doing it to have someone to blame, so they could channel their hatred to press their respective agendas. I went back to the mirror, then I came up with my own reason for this tragedy; there must be a fire in Heaven. This fire was started by Evil and is fueled by hatred. It started small, on earth, and has reached all the way to Heaven. Why else would God have taken my friend Kirk away from his wife and five-year-old son? It must be burning out of control, because on September 11th God called upon another 343 of the best firefighters on Earth. What will happen if these brave heroes are not able to get the fire under control? If this fire was caused by Evil and fueled by hatred, then only Love can help to extinguish this blaze.

It is easy to hate. You can hate Mondays. You can hate cold coffee. You can hate the person that just cut you off in traffic. Certainly you can hate Osama bin Laden. The great challenge is to cast out the hate, at every level from which it is manifested. Hatred fuels the fires of Evil. Love is the water that will help extinguish them.

Please remember the heroes of September. They gave their lives for this mission. They traded the love of their own families to help people they didn't even know. It was their sworn duty and they performed it proudly. Don't let them be forgotten as they fight the battle for eternity. Honor them with Love, Love for all mankind. It is the only way for them to win the battle.

Bob Firestine

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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. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Funeral Story

A Baby's Funeral

By Amy Long

Some time ago, I did a funeral for a baby. It was really sad. The baby was a twin and was only 6 or 8 months old. The family was Philipino and the odd things was they were taking tons and tons of pictures to send back home. Pictures of the grave, the coffin and everybody there crying.

The other thing was that during the testimonials, when it was time for others to speak, a friend of theirs got up to say a few words.

He started off okay and I thought it was going to be fine, then he got off track a bit. He said the biggest two things you should NEVER say to grieving parents: "You can have another." and "You still have another one to take care of."

As if the couple needs to be reminded of their other child! I saw this coming and I inserted myself into his monologue and smoothly interrupted to a prepared section on what the death of a child means.

I hate to interrupt when people are talking, especially during a funeral, but there are times when it's very appropriate.

--Amy

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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. 

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Wedding Stories

The Photographer and the Cake

By Rev. Sam Minder

This one is sort of a horror story. I officiated at a wedding that was kind of short notice. The whole thing had been put together quickly and on a small budget. This wasn't the problem. The problem was that the room the wedding was in was on a ship and the room was a little crowded. The photography (my least favorite photographer) was moving to take a picture of the bride and groom at the head table. He was standing by the cake when it mysteriously fell over! Everyone was horrified, especially the bride. The photographer (who still had the frosting on his jacket) looked at it like it was such a shame that 'someone' had knocked over the cake. Didn't apologize, didn't take responsibility, offered no compensation to the bride and groom. He just went on as if nothing happened. Fortunately, the person who made the cake had the foresight to bring her cake-decorating stuff so she was able to do some repairs. Moral of the story: Stay away from the cake!

-- Rev. Sam Minder

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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. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar