The Universal Life Church

[Pope Papa Gnarl]

Hello all


I'm looking for a Minister of the Universal Life Church. (http://www.ulc.org/)

I want more info about them from someone who has been with them for a while.


Anyone?


Pope Papa Gnarl

Holder of the Breath

[Theres]

that would be me. what would you like to know?

[Aine of the Fae]

Me too :) Been with them since April of 2000 and am finally even starting my own church...

[Twig]

in fact, I have inquires as to me performing my third and forth weddings this summer :D

And I ain't saying how old my Divination is. Heheheh I don't wanna be reminded!

Peace.

[Pope Papa Gnarl]

Great!!

OK here goes...

They say this:
The Universal Life Church is totally non-denominational, interfaith and welcomes all religions.

But they also offer information on how to be a Minister and about seremonies and stuff like that....


So my question is: How does this mix? What if I have my own seremonies? What if I don't like their ways of going about those things...


Also I would like if you sent me one of their info emails...


Thanx a bunch!

[Aine of the Fae]

Once word gets out that you're ordained and can do weddings you'd be surprised how many calls you get...

[Aine of the Fae]

Great!!

OK here goes...

They say this:
The Universal Life Church is totally non-denominational, interfaith and welcomes all religions.

But they also offer information on how to be a Minister and about seremonies and stuff like that....


So my question is: How does this mix? What if I have my own seremonies? What if I don't like their ways of going about those things...


Also I would like if you sent me one of their info emails...


Thanx a bunch!

Seriously, you can do just about anything you want as far as ceremonies, as long as it doesn't interfere with the rights of another! If you want to have a ceremony pronouncing a hot dog and bun commited for life then that's ok! (I have a friend who did that once...) The suggestions are just that, suggestions. They are more for people who don't have ideas of their own. I don't use any of their ceremonies, I work with the couples that I marry to craft a personalized ceremony that suits their needs.

Basically all the ULC does is say that "You're a minister" and it gives you the legal right to do all the things that 'normal' ministers do. I can preform weddings, commitment cermonies, divorce cermonies (although they do have to get a legal divorce...) funerals, baptisms (if I desire..) handfastings, paganings, exorcisms and the ULC has even given blanket authorization to absolve sins. (Yeah, that's right, come to be and I clear your slate!!!) Basically if any other legal minister can do it, then so can I. And the ULC has gone to bat, all the way to the Supreme Court to make sure that we have that legal right.

Here's a copy of the letter they sent when you request ordination:

Just remember, you never have to pay for anything regarding your ordination, although some of the books they offer are useful for suggestions, and it's kind of cool to have a real certificate to show couples that you really are a minister and really are legally able to marry them.

Also, the laws vary from state to state regarding marriage. Some states you have to register with (Ohio is one of them) before you can perform marriages, but all you need to register is your certificate and a letter of good standing, which the ULC will give you if you need one.

For more questions and answers go to ULC.NET and go to the Forums.


The Universal Life Church has sent your application for ordination from ULC MONASTERY in Tucson, Arizona to Modesto, California. Providing that you filled out the form properly with your legal first and last name, it will be approved and entered into the International Database of the Ministry of the Church, whose numbers are in excess of 20 million ordained ministers worldwide.

The Universal Life Church has only two tenets (beliefs/doctrine):

• to promote freedom of religion and
• to do that which is right.

It is the responsibility of the individual to determine what is right as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others and is within the law.


As a minister with the ULC, its own denomination, you are granted the following rights:

• To perform marriages within your state, following the rules laid out by the state in which
you wish to perform said marriage.

• To perform funerals, baptisms, last rites or any other sort of legal ceremony or ritual you
wish to perform, except circumcision.

• To start a church of your own, be it a bricks and mortar building or on the internet.

• To absolve others of their sins as you have been absolved of yours.


ABOUT THE MONASTERY

Becoming ordained is merely the first step on your road to being a minister. There are still many things to learn and experience before you can fully function as a minister. On the Monastery site, www.ulc.org, you will find training materials, sermons, courses and much more. Once a week, Daniel Zimmerman, (the president of the Monastery) posts his weekly sermon for your enjoyment and education. Throughout the week, we invite others to submit sermons of either a religious or spiritual nature to be posted on the site as well. If you'd like to submit a sermon for consideration, you may do so by sending it in the body of the e-mail to guestsermon@ulc.org.

As a new minister, you will also be receiving a monthly newsletter that will give you useful ministerial tips, a free ceremony sample and the special of the month. You may also receive other announcements periodically to let you know about what's going on. You're invited to chat with other ministers and join our Forum. We have an FAQ page that may help you with many of your ministry questions. If answers can't be found, please feel free to contact Daniel at danielz@ulc.org with your questions.


TAX INFORMATION

FORGET tax savings and such things as that. Neither the Church nor Monastery can advise you on legal or tax issues. We direct you to the best sources and ask that you consult with a tax advisor locally. It is very hurtful for those in the ULC that are sincere and religiously motivated to see new ULC ministers joining the movement just to take advantage of the many discounts and freebies many ministers get. We will help establish you in your own wedding ceremony business. The extra income you will receive from a wedding ceremony business can help finance your faith ministry of whatever faith or practice you adhere to. We want very much to out-live the damage caused during the 80's when the ULC was abused by many using it to avoid taxes. Such actions are not common any longer.


MINISTERIAL PRODUCTS

When you became ordained, you received an online credential. This is a sample credential only. While it's not necessary to have a replacement credential to legalize your ordination in most states, it is a good idea to have one regardless. This is available both by itself and in many of the packages on the site. The Monastery offers a completeCredential set in a convenient package for $49.00.

As an exclusive special for the newly-ordained minister, we are offering an 'Ordination Package' just for you. This package, only available through this link, contains a beautiful credential for your wall, a clergy badge, ULC plastic, personalized ID wallet card, Parking Placard, and a ULC Window Cling for the low price of $24.99 (A $37 value!) You can order it by clicking HERE.

The "MINISTRY IN A BOX" is one of the best products of the Monastery. It contains ceremony books (including the best-seller 'Weddings, Funerals and Rites of Passage'), a Dr. of Divinity, ceremony certificates, a replacement credential suitable for framing, a copy of The Wedding Business Video for Ministers, ceremony words on disc, audio ceremonies, a clergy badge and more! It's an outstanding product that you'll be very glad you bought.

There is also the Wedding Business Kit, which contains all the books, certificates, training material that you could want -- everything you need to start your wedding ministry. It's a turn-key operation that will start you on your way to a successful business.

There are many more products and services available on the site, so please check it out.

http://www.ulc.org

Checks and Money Orders are always to be made out to the Universal Life Church.
IF ORDERING BY MAIL, Send your orders to:

ULC MONASTERY
2159 S. Sky Tanner Dr.
Tucson, Arizona 85748

ORDINATION is a personal decision, and the ULC legalizes it as is required by the 50 states.

Once you are ordained in the ULC, you are ordained for life... unless you, yourself, write and renounce your ordination. No one can take it from you. Ordination as a "REVEREND" is necessary to solemnize marriages, so if you ask for a title alone, that is not sufficient... YOU MUST BE ORDAINED! While records are kept for life, if you know someone who was ordained prior to 1980, it is recommended that they become re-ordained through the website to ensure that they will be in the current database.


LETTER OF GOOD STANDING

Some states do have registration requirements for ministers, prior to officiating marriages in those states. The Letter of Good Standing is issued by the church. If you live in a state that requires registration of ordination documents OR you plan to officiate a marriage in a state that requires ministers to register prior to officiating marriages ---the church will provide the Letter of Good Standing. Please only ask for a Letter of Good Standing if it is required by law. This requirement can be determined by calling the County Clerk in the State and County you wish to perform the marriage.

To request the Letter of Good Standing you must write to the church directly at:

ULC Headquarters
601 Third Street
Modesto, CA 95351

You must provide your online ordination date, name and mailing address. The service is provided FREE.

Before performing your first marriage, please review the marriage training information so you are aware of how to sign the marriage license and what to do with it. When you perform a wedding, you are responsible for knowing how to take care of the legal aspects of it. If you have any questions about the legalities of performing weddings in your area, please contact your local County Clerk. Their office should be able to answer all your questions.


A FEW GENERAL ANSWERS

CANADIAN ULC MINISTERS WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE PAPERWORK IN EACH PROVINCE TO BE APPROVED PRIOR TO OFFICIATING ANY MARRIAGES IN YOUR COUNTRY. Canadian ministers are asked to write a letter to the church to request that they be placed on a special mailing list that the church maintains to keep our ministers in Canada informed when each approval from the Provinces is received by the church. A list will also be placed on the main website to announce the Provincial recognitions received by the church.

IF YOU WERE ORDAINED BY THE PULC AT ANY TIME, that is not the ULC MODESTO, and any and all ties with that entity (PULC) were dissolved years ago. You had best become ordained at the website, and thereby confirm that your ordination is listed in the database of the MODESTO church.

Sincerely,

Brother Daniel
danielz@ulc.org


*** The church realizes that this new legal status as an ordained minister is difficult to realize. It is almost too good to be true - but it is. In St. John 15:16 it states that God chose you, not the other way around. Your ordination is of God from before the foundation of the earth - according to the Bible. You are not required to believe this, it is offered only as one source of your seeking ordination. It is the responsibility of the Church and the duty of the Monastery to assist you in your new ministry whatever it may be as long as it complies with the two tenets of the ULC: to promote freedom of religion and to do that which is right and within the law.

[Pope Papa Gnarl]

Thanx a lot for that...

Now I have to check out if this is recognised in Switzerland, where I live

If so I will soon be a Minister

[Theres]

yeah, basically the ULC exists to provide an 'end run' around the system. it is the belief of the Church (and myself) that the union of two people in marriage is between the couple and their God(s)... the State need not interfere.

so, once you've received your 'ordination', you just take the paperwork down to the courthouse and register with the State you're in and pay whatever the fee is. mine was $5 i think, but that was along time ago, and it's probably a bit more now.

that's it... you're in!

[Old Witch]

Me too!

[Aine of the Fae]

Pope Papa Gnarl, I've posted at the ULC.net forum asking if anyone knows. Your best bet is to check with your local marriage bureau or whoever hands out marriage licenses or whatever and find out, but I'll check and see what I can find out for you.

[Pope Papa Gnarl]

Thanx Aine

U are so Kind :) :) :)

[Aine of the Fae]

Ok Pope Papa Gnarl, here's what I've found out:

To get married in Switzerland you must have a civil ceremony, where the state recognizes the marriage, and then if you choose, you can have a religious ceremony (personally I think that's a better way to do things than the way they do it here in the US... but anyway...) So as far as I can tell, as a ULC minister, you could perform the religious ceremony but not the civil ceremony. And the two must be seperate, you can't have it all in one shot like in the U.S. But like I said before, you may want to check with the civil registrar. From what I can tell it is the civil registrar that has to be contacted to begin the licensing process for the marriage, so they should have info on who can and cannot perform civil and/or religious ceremonies.

Hope that helped!

Aine of the Fae
Your sort of friendly information guru...

[Pope Papa Gnarl]

Thanx again my info guru

[Fairywolf]

Just wondering....What made everyone decide to become "ordained"??

[Aine of the Fae]

Just wondering....What made everyone decide to become "ordained"??

At the time I got ordained, I was the High Priestess of a coven which had several members who wanted to get married but couldn't find anyone who could do a handfasting and legally sign the certificate. Their option was basically to have two ceremonies, one with the judge and one with a friend performing the handfasting. Very time consuming. Then I discovered the ULC, whose ordinations are legal without question in Michigan, got ordained and performed my first wedding a week later. I've performed several weddings since, no longer consider myself Pagan but do offer handfasting as an option, and I also offer 'secular' non-religious services which have brought more tears to mother's eyes than the religious ones....

It's a matter of legality. I can legally sign the marriage certificate stating that they are married without them having to go to the judge, or JP or whatever.

[Demeter]

Another ULC minister here. New Jersey is very, very liberal as to who is considered an ordained minister qualified to do marriages ... it basically goes according to the standards of the religion (so if your Tradition says third-degrees can do marriages, and you're third degree, then you can). There isn't even a requirement to register anywhere. When I became third-degree, I decided to go belt and suspenders both and have a certificate from my coven and a ULC certificate. So far I have done one renewal of vows and one legal handfasting ... my daughter's. I'm putting together a kit with sample vows and plan to put my business cards up at local pagan shops - I have been told that there are quite a few people interested in legal handfasting services.

[Epona44]

And a minister of the Church of Spiritual Humanism

Welcome. Few restriction, lots of space.

[Avalon]

*raises hand*
Yup! Another one! :D

[Ahautenites]

**grins** I'm ordained through ULC, also.

I always wanted to marry people. Don't know why.

[Goddess Rhiannon]

Me too !!!!
it is good to see so many of us here. :colorful:

[sieramari]

I too was ordained through the ULC.