~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Universal Life Church Online News November, 2000 www.ulc.net ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ULC Online News is sent by subscription only. To unsubscribe, send email to unsubscribe@ulc.net. We welcome your contributions, articles, announcements and other communications. Send to news@ulc.net. ============== Prison Ministry ============== Many ULC ministers have expressed an interest in ministering to those in prisons, including many who are themselves incarcerated within prison walls. This is an area of the ministry where great things may be accomplished. Prison is a very lonely place, where you can trust no one and making friends can be dangerous. Convicts often find that within a short time after their confinement, they are largely forgotten by friends and family members, and left to face the harsh reality of life behind bars with little in the way of encouragement. There are ways in which you, as a minister, may reach out to these persons in meaningful ways. There are also some unique challenges to this type of ministry. Although the First Amendment guarantees religious freedom to U.S. citizens, those imprisoned do not share the absolute freedoms enjoyed by those on the outside. In the interests of safety and other real concerns, those charged with managing the prisons must impose restrictions and limitations. In most cases, these restrictions are legitimate and lawful, and in all cases, they represent the de facto reality until legal challenges can effect changes. For this reason, it is best to work with prison officials in a cooperative manner, for in this way you have the best chance of reaching those in need. Let the lawyers raise the legal challenges, and stick with following the rules, fair or not. Rules will vary, depending on jurisdiction, but you may expect that personal contact with prisoners will be seriously restricted, if it is allowed at all. Searches of your person and belongings can be expected, and any items you wish to furnish to a prisoner will have to conform to the rules of the institution, including items you send by mail. Before sending anything of value to a prisoner, check with prison authorities to determine if it will be allowed, or you may risk the loss of the item. Even books are restricted, and generally hard cover books are prohibited. One thing which you can do in almost all cases is to send mail to prisoners, and this will generally be met with great appreciation from those behind bars. However, you must use caution and common sense. Those in prisons are there because they have been convicted of crimes, and many prisoners have highly developed abilities as "con artists". It is a good idea to use a Post Office Box for a return address, or possibly a work address. Any request for money or other favors should be regarded with great suspicion. Your function is that of a minister, and should be limited to that alone. Holiday and birthday greetings will be especially well received. Feelings of loneliness and isolation are intensified on these occasions, and a letter expressing your interest, compassion and concern will do much to bolster sagging spirits and to remind the prisoner that there is hope and a life outside of prison. To assist with this project, I am soliciting names and addresses of prisoners who would enjoy hearing from ULC ministers. This information will be made available via the web site and in future editions of the newsletter. If you would like to add the name of a prisoner to this project, email his/her name, address, birthday, and incarceration offense to prisons@ulc.net. Please let the prisoner know you are doing this and seek his/her approval when possible. If you know the spiritual orientation of the prisoner, this will also be useful. For example, I would not wish to send a Christmas greeting to a Muslim. Mark Christopher Crew #E-48050 San Quentin Prison N/S N-22 San Quentin, CA 94974 Birthday: Unknown Incarceration offense: Murder (death row) Tim Myhre # 225080 Camp Sauble 4058 E. Freesoil Rd. Freesoil, MI 49411 Birthday: Nov. 17 Incarceration offense: Unknown As part of our efforts to reach out to the men and women in prison, we regularly provide packages of ministry materials without charge, including books and other materials that we have available for this purpose. One such book we often send is the "Free On The Inside Bible", printed by the International Bible Society. This is a NIV edition of the Bible, in softcover with extra material added with this specific ministry in mind. If you know of a prisoner who would like to receive a copy of this book, please let us know. Contributions to support this work are always appreciated but never required. Are you engaged in a prison ministry? Please consider sharing your experiences with others via the newsletter! Send your story to news@ulc.net. ===================== Newsletter Special ===================== While our rapidly dwindling supply lasts, the special offered in last month's newsletter will continue to be made available to our readers. This is being made available only to subscribers of the newsletter, and only while the supply lasts. When these are gone, I will not be able to get any more. These are hardbound books, entitled "Book of Worship for United States Forces." Approved for use by military chaplains, these are interfaith manuals covering services, music, and prayers for all faiths, and includes specific wording as needed for the services of different religions. 815 pages, and heavy to ship. While supplies last, these are $5.00 each INCLUDING SHIPPING within the United States ($5.36 for shipments to California). Sorry, this item is too heavy to ship outside the U.S.A. You may order this item over the web, using a credit card or check: www.ulc.net/milmanual.htm Or mail to: Universal Life Books PO Box 1406 Woodland CA 95776 Value packages of ministry materials may be ordered online at www.ulc.net/packages.html. If you are interested in the book "A New Life . . . Do You Want It?" which was featured in last month's newsletter, you may order it online at www.ulc.net/newlife.htm. ================= Announcements ================= My name is Thomas E. Harkness, Sr. I am an ordained minister of the ULC as of May 1, 1999. Karine Rohart and myself would like now to make the announcement of our marriage on December 1, 2000. The love of my life, Karine Rohart of Biache St.Vaase, France, and I are looking for a ULC minister in the Austin/Pflugerville area to assist us with this ceremony. Please contact me at firefightert@yahoo.com if you can assist us. Thank you. "Minister X"and "Minister Tanja" wish to announce their ULC web site: www.efn.org/~templgod Hello! I am an ordained minister with the ULC for about a year. I just decided to share something with the newsletter, and if possible seek out other ULC members in my area. Email to: Spirit Do not let me cry my tears alone! For I am the forgotten, and unloved. Allow my sorrows rest, I seek only bliss. Teach me to pray without want So that my emptiness will be filled. Open my heart so that my eyes can see. Take my open hand that comes in anger Clenched in frustration with my failures. Speak the blessings that reign when love is alive. For each path has but one step in sight. The light. Copyright 10/10/00 Arieene Moon Greetings, Love and Light, My name is Marty Rawson. I was ordained last July. I would have to say that the term Spiritual mission aptly describes what I am in. My life did a 180 a little over a year ago when spirit got my attention in a very profound way. Since then I have found that I do indeed have a marvelous contract with all of spirit. I went from wishing to die to loving life and devoting myself in service to humanity, the Earth, and spirit. I have found that I am a Healer (to use old and erroneous but somewhat familiar terminology) I would have to say that I actually call myself a Healing Facilitator. Over the last year, I have put together an extremely comprehensive system, which I have called Rejuvenation! Healing Systems. It has been truly remarkable to see the wonderful effects of spirit through this system - on an incredibly wide array of ailments. May all of spirit shower you with Love and Light Namaste, Marty Rawson My name is Reverend Richard Kitchen, I am in the process of forming a Christian Drama Group. The group will perform for churches and groups, Christian Drama based on the bible concepts. These dramas will be from 3 to 90 minutes in length. Anyone wishes more information or wishing to help getting started please contact me at kd6unr@juno.com. Believing in my native American beliefs, and Christianity I love doing research. I have found an author that might be of interest to others. His name is Max Lucado. he has written many books and has a radio show all week. One of his books that helped to broaden the way I interpret the Bible is by reading his works. Another thing I've learned is to keep my mind and heart open to others interpretations. I highly recommend Max to anyone who wishes to expand their way of thinking, and to see things from a different point of view. It seems to go over well in our small gatherings on Sunday evening. Yours in Christ, Rev. Alessio R. Zagra I am contacting you to let you know my daughter Manda Lee Presley has just married Chris Martin who are both new ministers of ULC, and that Manda is also expecting as well, and they want to say thank-you to each and every one of you for your kindness. Thanks again! The Presley/Martin Families. I am based in the UK and was wandering if there are any other ULC ministers in the UK and whether or not anybody knows the legal status of the ULC here? Thanks in advance, Rev. Caudill. Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ: The Regent Christian Congregation of the Universal Life Church based in Peoria Illinois, is growing. I am a 29 year old single mom and former professional model. I have developed a public presentation that can help you raise funds for your church. Please see our web site at www.regentfoundation.com. We offer free materials to other ULC ministers to help increase congregation size, and raise substantial endowment funds to pay operating costs. E-Mail me today at for more details. God Bless You. Rev. Terri Lindsey. The October newsletter addressed the question of a person new to the concept of 'Christ the Son of God' - as we are Biblical oriented ourselves but try to lead a non- denominational interfaith ministry, this is a question we are asked often. We site that even in the Bible, Christ said 'you are like babies on milk not yet ready for even pabulum' and in frustration 'don't you know that ye are Gods', and again 'there are things beyond your understanding'... The human state is such that it is simply difficult if not impossible for us to understand something that does not have material definition by the laws of our physics. I recently heard a person try to describe it as an egg: the shell, white and yoke = all separate entities, yet all the same entity. Its an excellent grasp - but it is still by our laws of physics. As we understand it - God, Christ, Holy Spirit are one. You just have to "get it". Like defining "faith" as "believing in things unseen". It has been explained to us that you are a spirit, you have a soul, you are in a body. We further understand that you are given a soul at conception, given your spirit at birth. Although we treasure that we all have widely different beliefs, we hope our one viewpoint can be of assistance. In God's Love, Pastor Barbara Ann Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! I am so excited to receive my ordination! Words could never properly express my sincere gratitude in the good works you are doing by giving this blessing for free. As a single mom, times are tough with no support, though I do work full time. I am very much into my spiritual gift and feel I have a received many blessings in the past year. One of my blessings is the gift of channeling Divine Messages from God. I would love to add to the writings that you send out if you have a mind to read a few of them. I am moving in so many directions, sometimes I scatter myself a bit thin. In my own ministry, I preach that God's love and abundance is limitless. To say that there is a wall is something that will not allow into my thoughts. If there is a wall, I want to see past it. God has helped me with this issue in my life. Although I'm healing as we speak, never a moment goes by that I'm not blessed with God's presence. I have consciously made an effort to connect with both God and Jesus and this has brought me untold joy. Having lived most of my life afraid to receive love, this has been a mega-task in itself. Thankfully, God is patient and I don't have to worry about rushing into territories that I'm afraid of. God knows my heart and I'm forever grateful.... I love you, Susan Greetings fellow Ministers! M name is Dr. Howard O. Clark, Jr., Ms.D. I have a ministry in Fresno, California. Besides being a minister for the Universal Life Church, I am also a wildlife biologist. I am currently attending CSU, Fresno in pursuit of a higher degree regarding wildlife ecology. With these two disciplines, philosophical thought with a metaphysical twist, and biology, I have come to a higher understanding of Nature and the Force it represents. With this understanding, I have taken it upon myself to create an intellectual meeting place on line to discuss this life force - the meeting place is known as "The Savant Society." This open forum is a vehicle to explore the universe we live in and have an enjoyable time discussing and reviewing opinions that other forum members express. The topics range from the metaphysical to the physical - from the scientific to the philosophical. The forum's location is at www.delphi.com/savant. I believe that the development of the forum online has the ability to explore knowledge in all forms. It's a way to minister the open- mindedness that Universal Life Church is so famous for. As a Minister of the Universal Life Church, I am inviting all interested parties to take a look at knowledge exploration in action. It explores topics ULC members may find interesting and much more. Thank you for your time. Dr. Howard O. Clark, Jr., Ms.D. Universal Life Church Minister ============================= My First Marriage Ceremony by Rev. Davina ============================= Several months ago, I was approached by my cousin who asked me officiate her marriage. My stomach filled with butterflies at the very thought. Not only was I about to conduct my first wedding ceremony as a minister; but I was to do it in front of my entire family! Sanctus Fumas!! I tried to ignore the fear that someone in my family might find fault in my ceremonial abilities by thinking about the ceremony as little as possible. I had given my cousin a "canned ham" version of a ceremony for her approval and she was so busy in love I do not think she even read it. About two weeks before the big day, I read the ceremony I had given her, and realized it didn't work for me at all. I went to a bookstore and picked out a couple of books. One was called "A Marriage Manual" and the other was "A book of Wedding Ceremonies". Prior to going into the bookstore, I also went through this initial fear. My fear was of the judgement I might receive. I wasn't a man. I wasn't old. I wasn't grouchy. I wasn't serious. What am I doing being a minister? I don't even look or act like a minister! They might give me one of those, "Who do you think you are's?" Instead, the opposite happened. A woman helped me find the books I needed and she told me that she too was a minister and she smiled at me and gave me a blessing. She told me that "The time is now for God to call woman to the alter to lead and to teach and to serve." Something was beginning to happen. This was powerful for me, as my father is an evangelist, his father a Pentecostal, his father's father a retired missionary. Many times I heard that because we were women, we were to follow, to be subservient. I read through the books I purchased and gained some information on the structure of the ceremonies. There were all different types of denominational ceremonies in the books. I also read about what it is that a minister is to do before and after the ceremony. I read about the handling of the marriage license. But the actual meat of the ceremonies didn't work for me. I was performing an interfaith ceremony. The groom was Catholic, the bride's family Baptist, and the bride herself was a humanist. What did I get myself into?! None of the ceremonies fit this equation at all. At first I sat, my head pounding, my palms sweating, and wondered what I was ever thinking in agreeing to do this! But then I realized I needed to meditate/pray and ask for guidance and a miracle. It came. I elected to write the ceremony myself; to look at the bride and groom as spirit and say hello to the Supreme Being and create a ceremony for the three. I wanted the ceremony to be special for her; I wanted it to be unique and to have value. I know it sounds silly but I cried as I wrote the ceremony. One thing I had to work on as I wrote were my own concepts on what marriage is. I realized that I had some judgements that were limiting me. It is funny how we as spirit are doing so much more than what meets the eye. I finally finished writing and sent a copy to her for review and she said she loved it and would see me at the rehearsal on Thursday. I was allowed to go through the ceremony at the rehearsal, which was very helpful. I struggled to keep from crying through parts of it. As I read it and looked at my cousin, I had recollections of long summers spent playing together and telling ghost stories and staying up half the night watching scary movies. I never would have guessed we would end up in this scenario. I saw her so happy and felt so happy for her myself that it was hard to keep from crying. I thought it was better to get choked up here than at the actual wedding. I always cry at weddings! The day of the ceremony came and I was sick with nervous fevers and headaches, though I knew it was just energy. I found the bride and groom prior to the ceremony and gave them each a blessing as well as the rest of the wedding party. When I was in the ceremony I imagined a bubble around just me and the bride and groom and I spoke directly to them and I had us connected to the Supreme Being. This helped immensely, and I found my nerves were settled and I felt a strength resonating from within that kept me focused on the moment. All of my fears vanished as I went through the ceremony and watched the room light up and embrace the moment. There was sense of total harmony. It was magical, beautiful and wondrous. During the reception, the photographer came up to me and asked me for one of my business cards so he could contact me. Many of his clients are looking for someone like me to officiate in their weddings. Yikes!!! May The Supreme Shine His Countenance upon you as you walk your paths. Amen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Best wishes and blessings to all of our readers. Please consider sending your article or announcement for publication in a future issue of the ULC News Online. Universal Life Church ministry materials, certificates and books availableonline at our web site: www.ulc.net. To subscribe, send any email to subscribe@ulc.net To unsubscribe, send any email to unsubscribe@ulc.net ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~