Atwater Vitki

In Rememberance
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  1. Atwater Vitki

    Welcome to our family of friends here at the forum Rev. Mitch, always glad to see a new face. We look forward to hearing more of your endeavors. Blessings of Peace, Al

  2. Atwater Vitki
    Congrats! and yes, absolutely, practice makes perfect! The main things I've focused on is being attentive to details of the bride and groom. If you have a "set standard" (things you feel you must include) make sure they're aware and figure out how to blend that with their needs, requests etc....now days lots of couples have their own vows and the like. I've just always kept in mind that this is THEIR day and the more special we can make it for them, the better. Be patient, you'll be inspired as the Source of All leads you! Blessings of Peace,
  3. Atwater Vitki
    Our prayers and positive, healing energy are going her direction! Many Blessings of Healing and Peace,
  4. Atwater Vitki
    I'm assuming Ed, these "elders" have pockets full of stones? Like you said, there are a number of valid reasons a man may be in public with a woman...none of them bad, deceitful or unusual. Now seen going into a motel room, which could also be completely harmless, meh, different "suspicion". This is one of the things I never understood about what I grew up with in the Evangelical/Lutheran crowd...convicting on "suspicions" not on facts. The only time I've ever actually given much time to JW's at my door was in Willow Creek when they came by the droves due to the runes I had painted on a stone wall next to the front gate to my driveway (house was 300 yards back in on property) The runes simply said "Welcome and Blessings to All Whom Enter", but in their mind it was "Satanic symbolism". When they would all stand in front of the gate, singing and praying, meh, so what it bothered the neighbors but I couldn't hear a thing! When the Elder came up the driveway (first time) he had his Bible raised high above his head praying out loud. Even after I explained to the group what the runes meant, showed them the "Book of Troth" pages with the meanings, they got all the more agitated due to the "idolatry" on the cover (same basic pic as my avatar) After about a year and a half, I finally had to get a restraining order for them to stop coming on my property. This was only after I had attended their church, talked to several elders and tried everything I knew to just be friendly with the JW folks from town, but no, they had made my "salvation" their priority and business. When I went to the sheriff's office to get the restraining order, they didn't hesitate or ask why...found out over the years numerous mountain folks had done the same. Now the Mormon fellows that use to come by my place in Cutton were a whole other story...I almost...allllmooost...got one to convert to Nordic Paganism due to his interest in his family's history and Swedish background. Too bad I moved out to Willow Creek as probably only one or two more contacts I would have had him!! But naw, just joking, it is never my intent to drag anyone away from what they earnestly believe. Blessings of Peace,
  5. Atwater Vitki
    It does appear that some things are indeed "eternal" while other things are not! Hail; Earth, Wind, Water and Fire!! (The other band that didn't make the charts! )
  6. Atwater Vitki

    Welcome to the ULC-dot-net Forum! We're ever so glad that you decided to join us and we look forward to hearing about your particular Spiritual Journey. We hope you'll share your thoughts on whichever path you have chosen. Blessings of Peace, Al

  7. Atwater Vitki

    Welcome to the ULC-dot-net Forum! We're ever so glad that you decided to join us and we look forward to hearing about your particular Spiritual Journey. We hope you'll share your thoughts on whichever path you have chosen. Blessings of Peace, Al

  8. Atwater Vitki

    Welcome to the ULC-dot-net Forum! We're ever so glad that you decided to join us and we look forward to hearing about your particular Spiritual Journey. We hope you'll share your thoughts on whichever path you have chosen. Blessings of Peace, Al

  9. Atwater Vitki

    Welcome to the ULC-dot-net Forum! We're ever so glad that you decided to join us and we look forward to hearing about your particular Spiritual Journey. We hope you'll share your thoughts on whichever path you have chosen. Blessings of Peace, Al

  10. Atwater Vitki
    And right back at ya, Suzanne...and of course everyone else! Blessings of Peace,
  11. Atwater Vitki

    Welcome to our family of friends. We're glad you could joins us! Regardless if you are well established in a traditional religious path or struggling to find something less mainstream, we're sure you'll find what you seek here. We are a “blended family” of all Beliefs, all Faiths and all manners of seeking Truth. We hope you'll share your views with us soon! Blessings of Peace, Al

  12. Atwater Vitki

    Welcome to our family of friends. We're glad you could joins us! Regardless if you are well established in a traditional religious path or struggling to find something less mainstream, we're sure you'll find what you seek here. We are a “blended family” of all Beliefs, all Faiths and all manners of seeking Truth. We hope you'll share your views with us soon! Blessings of Peace, Al

  13. Atwater Vitki

    Welcome to our family of friends. We're glad you could joins us! Regardless if you are well established in a traditional religious path or struggling to find something less mainstream, we're sure you'll find what you seek here. We are a “blended family” of all Beliefs, all Faiths and all manners of seeking Truth. We hope you'll share your views with us soon! Blessings of Peace, Al

  14. Atwater Vitki

    Welcome to our family of friends. We're glad you could joins us! Regardless if you are well established in a traditional religious path or struggling to find something less mainstream, we're sure you'll find what you seek here. We are a “blended family” of all Beliefs, all Faiths and all manners of seeking Truth. We hope you'll share your views with us soon! Blessings of Peace, Al

  15. Atwater Vitki
    Keith, when you said: "he soon began to notice how quiet everything suddenly seemed" it brought back memories of my own horrific motorcycle accident (1979) involving pea-gravel, a "S" turn on a country road and two or twin oaks....which are all forever emblazoned on my lower back in now greenish-black fading ink. Besides the incredible pain beginning to set in the eerie silence was deafening. That is a description not often read or seen when post trauma stories are told, but is an essential part of truth. Good story and wish you the best in the future with your endeavors. Blessings of Peace,
  16. Atwater Vitki
    Only once every few decades do we have a "Super Östära" by having it fall on the Full Moon, this year we missed by only a few days so it should be coming up in the next 2-3 years. These were especially majik charged years when the cycles of moon, equinox and spring fell on the same day. It is said that even non-pagans could feel the super charged energies during these unusual years. While Equinox fell on Wednesday March 20th this year, it was a rather mundane event for most followers of Teutonic Beliefs. I did my usual rune-casting and spent the day, unfortunately sitting in the waiting room of the doc's...but all is well...more tests will determine if we wasted my time or not...of course Believe it or not I actually got the following list from the Jehovah Witness web-site (provided by Pete - thank you) in Coolhand's thread on his linguistic experiences at a recent JW meeting. The celebration of Easter is not based in the Bible. If you look into its history, though, you will see the true meaning of Easter—it is a tradition based on ancient fertility rites. Consider the following. Name: The Encyclopædia Britannica says: “The English name Easter is of uncertain origin; the Anglo-Saxon priest Venerable Bede in the 8th century derived it from the Anglo-Saxon spring goddess Eostre.” Others link it to Astarte, the Phoenician fertility goddess who had the Babylonian counterpart Ishtar. Östära was the Nordic equivalent to the Anglo-Saxon spring equinox rites. Hares, rabbits: These are symbols of fertility “handed down from the ancient ceremonial and symbolism of European and Middle Eastern pagan spring festivals.”—Encyclopædia Britannica. Eggs: According to Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend, the hunt for Easter eggs, supposedly brought by the Easter rabbit, “is not mere child’s play, but the vestige of a fertility rite.” Some cultures believed that the decorated Easter egg “could magically bring happiness, prosperity, health, and protection.”—Traditional Festivals. New Easter outfit: “It was considered discourteous and therefore bad luck to greet the Scandinavian goddess of Spring, or Eastre, in anything but fresh garb.”—The Giant Book of Superstitions. Sunrise services: These have been linked to rites of ancient sun worshippers “performed at the vernal equinox welcoming the sun and its great power to bring new life to all growing things.”—Celebrations—The Complete Book of American Holidays. The American Book of Days well describes the origin of Easter: “There is no doubt that the Church in its early days adopted the old pagan customs and gave a Christian meaning to them.” The Bible warns against worshipping God by following traditions or customs that displease him. (Mark 7:6-8) Second Corinthians 6:17 states: “‘Separate yourselves,’ says Jehovah, ‘and quit touching the unclean thing.’” Easter is a pagan holiday that those who want to please God will avoid. I know many of you will be attending many various events of your beliefs this weekend and especially Sunday March 31. Whether you subscribe to the Pagan aspects of this day, the Christian or "other", I wish you all the best with friends and family. For some of us though, it's a mixed feelings holiday, and my sincerest desire is that we celebrate the Life of those we truly miss, that we remember the meaning of both death and resurrection (both religiously and spiritually) and take this day to celebrate all the myriad of meanings behind this special day....however it may apply to you personally. Blessings of Peace,
  17. Atwater Vitki
    Cool - Yeah, glad you stopped in...it sounds as if you have really been using your training and expanded your knowledge of the various languages of original Scriptural text. I am severely jealous and envious...in a good way! I have always wished I could grasp foreign languages but have a difficult time just dealing with the Swede and Norwegian I grew up with. From my own research in my path, yes, there is indeed a wide range of "translations" and "interpretation" from ancient/original text. You have every right to be proud of your accomplishments Cool...in a good way of course! Pete, thanks for the link...not quite the manner to handle JW I've read before. This was very positive! Blessings of Peace,
  18. Atwater Vitki
    I drove by this past Sunday and the doors were open and looked like they were singing....however, I have actually attended a service, like 5 or 6 years ago just before we moved to Atwater from Modesto. Had I been a bit more prepared, I would have enjoyed giving a short "sermon". Actually whether a stated sermon or just a spiritual topic of question or importance to anyone there, the floor is pretty much open to all as far as I could tell. That particular Sunday I attended, Andre was sick and a gal was filling in for him...I do not recall her name but I think she worked in the office as she made reference to the influx in ordinations and other church business. When I've spoken with Andre on the phone he's said he's more than accepting of any ULC Reverend, Minister, Brother, Doctorates....any title...giving the weekly sermon, based on Scripture or with a little advance notice, pretty much any topic of special need. It pretty much follows the same format the Universalists Congregation I use to attend up in Humboldt followed... where all are welcome to voice their praise of "God" et al, or a specific message of enlightenment or simple message Spiritual import. It is always on my mind to make the drive, only 35 miles from my front door, to the ULC church on 3rd Street in Modesto, and have a go at a sermon beyond the short "talks" we have with my congregants on the infrequent occasions we gather...which unfortunately has been rare this past year or so. Anyway, anyone that may ever be in Modesto on any given Sunday, I am certain that Andre would be happy to oblige any guest speaker. Blessings of Peace,
  19. Atwater Vitki

    Welcome to the forum! We're pleased you decided to join our growing family of friends and ever so look forward to getting to know you. We're always happy to have new perspectives that give us all something to ponder. Blessings of Peace,

  20. Atwater Vitki

    Welcome to the forum! We're pleased you decided to join our growing family of friends and ever so look forward to getting to know you. We're always happy to have new perspectives that give us all something to ponder. Blessings of Peace,

  21. Atwater Vitki

    Welcome to the forum! We're pleased you decided to join our growing family of friends and ever so look forward to getting to know you. We're always happy to have new perspectives that give us all something to ponder. Blessings of Peace,

  22. Atwater Vitki

    Welcome to the forum! We're pleased you decided to join our growing family of friends and ever so look forward to getting to know you. We're always happy to have new perspectives that give us all something to ponder. Blessings of Peace,

  23. Atwater Vitki
    "One Night the Moon" is a pretty intense musical and after looking it up, well, I may even be interested in seeing it...I know strange for a Viking to to admit to watching musicals from time to time. Thanks for the pointer!
  24. Atwater Vitki

    Welcome to the ULC.net forum! Take a look around, join in on the discussions and let us know a little about yourself in New Members and FAQ's. We are always glad to see new perspectives. We're glad you've chosen our forum to expand your path and understanding! Blessings of Peace, Al

  25. Atwater Vitki

    Welcome to the ULC.net forum! Take a look around, join in on the discussions and let us know a little about yourself in New Members and FAQ's. We are always glad to see new perspectives. We're glad you've chosen our forum to expand your path and understanding! Blessings of Peace, Al