This is the page for Wedding Stories. We'd like to hear from YOU
about your experiences. Since many of us became ministers to be able to legally perform weddings, I'm sure we've all had some interesting experiences
.Tell us your best wedding story. Maybe it was interesting because it was your first and you forgot to tell the guests to sit down. Or maybe it was unusual because there were animals as part of the bridal party. Have you done a wedding in the middle of nowhere? I had to hike a third of a mile through the woods to get to a clearing where the wedding took place. It was next to a river and after the ceremony, the bride and groom jumped in. I had another where the wedding coordinator thought it was appropriate to tell ME (the minister and expert in the field) how to perform the ring ceremony. Just tell us your story.
Any story you'd like to share. Submitting a story to us at stories@ulcseminary.org and we will not only get your name in print, but we will also serve
to validate your press pass, if you own one. Your story doesn't have to be long and don't worry if you don't feel like you know how to write. Just tell us your story and let others learn from your valuable experiences.
Wedding Words - Here are a collection of ceremonies for those preparing to do a wedding. We also have two books available through the church store. One is the yellow book available above and the others are the two volumes of Weddings, Funerals and Rites of Passage.
Wedding Stories - This is a small collection of stories about people's weddings.
Some of the stories are funny, some are heart-warming and uplifting, and some can serve as examples of things to be wary of at your weddings.
Minister Training - From this section, you can learn a whole variety of things like how to conduct weddings, how to perform funerals, and will have questions answered about how to be the best minister you know how to be.
Inspirational Stories - Some stories that you hear about or read are enough to make you want to cry. They get you all choked up and make you want to share it on your FB wall. Those are stories that we have collected here and continue to share.
Fellowship Stories - Fellowship stories are stories from ministers about how their ceremonies, sermons, events, etc. have gone. Any stories from your ministry that would help educate, inform, or amuse our ministers is a good story to share.
Commentary Stories - These are other stories from people who have heard them, found on the internet, or perhaps experienced themselves. Great stories that share a little information.
Minister Stories - This unique section has stories of a variety of types from our ministers. Some are stories of weddings, some are of funerals and some are collected from the internet and will make you weep. Still, a good collection. Email me to add your own.
Poetry - So many of our ministers are creative, interesting, and deeply spiritual. Many write and share poetry with me, and I turn around and wish to share it with you. We have a whole blog devoted to poetry from our ministers. Please feel free to share them with others, use them in your ceremonies and enjoy them.
Othila Pagan ceremony for blessing an InfantWiccan Baby Naming Universal Life ChurchIn this ceremony the infant is introduced to the lord and lady, and the 4 elements. It is not the intention to bestow a religious path upon the infant, as this will be determined at a later date by the child and their parents.The altar and cauldron are decorated with flowers and greenery, and gifts for the child are placed on or near the altar. Rose-oil for blessing and light incense are also placed on the altar. Two candles to represent the god and goddess along with a candle for the child are placed on the altar as well.If the parents wish to give the infant a “hidden” name, this should be decided on before the ceremony, and the child should be introduced as such during the ceremony.The ritual:All persons enter sacred space and the circle is cast according to custom. Sangreal prayer is recited.Invocation followsParents and infant are seated in circle facing the altar, and godparents stand beside
Friday, February 03, 2012
Deity, By Any Name...Author: Micca MacKayAs I sit here, having just been called a devil worshiper and hearing the word "Pagan" used like a four letter word, I wonder why we are asked to endure the closed minded?So, I want to challenge those closed minds with some questions. I contemplate these same questions myself on a regular basis. I felt these needed to be shared and I hope that by writing this it will help someone come closer to Deity, open a closed mind or help someone find their own idea and path to Deity that's right for them.These questions are my personal beliefs and thoughts, and I hope you will all see that I don't claim them to be the only right answer or a "gospel" to be followed. Just something to think about.First, my questions. I like to ask them to start a conversation verses an argument with people that say I'm wrong because I don't believe or accept their religious belief. I like to start with, "What do you gain from your belief personally?" The most com
Sunday, January 22, 2012
By W. Steven Saunders My mom uses an innovative blessing that I've adopted to my ministry. It comes from the Book of Matthew Chapter 18 verse 18, "What so ever we bind on earth is bound in heaven, and what so ever we loose on earth is loosed in heaven." I often pray that God will "bind" sickness, affliction, disaster, etc. and loose his angels, love, and mercy for protection, healing, etc. A blessing using this scripture would be something like:Something like that. I've always gotten good results when using scripture in prayer, and have found this prayer to be particularly powerful. I believe God pays special attention to his own word and is moved to act when we show him our obedience by observing and acting in congruence with his word.-- W. Steven Saunders, Psy.D.******************************* The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have many classes in Christianity, one about Wicca, several forms of Paganism, two courses
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Prayer for a Blessing Dear Lord, I thank You for this day, I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning.I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God.You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me.Forgive me this day for everythingI have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you.I ask now for Your forgiveness.Please keep me safe from all danger and harm.Help me to start this daywith a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.Let me make the best of each and every dayto clear my mind so that I can hear from You.Please broaden my mindthat I can accept all things.Let me not whine and whimperover things I have no control over.And give me the best responsewhen I'm pushed beyond my limits.I know that when I can't pray,You listen to my heart.Continue to use me to do Your will.Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others.Keep me strong that I may help the weak...Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encoura
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Pagan Online Ceremonies GATHERING OF REMEMBRANCELee BarrickWe are gathered here to today to honor (Name, person or animal). Let us remember (Name) whole life from his/her very beginning of life, until the present. Look back on all the great memories, accomplishments and the love that they possessed and gave to others, remember him/her fondly. Also as we look upon their failings, forgiving them and understanding we are a product of Nature and the Universe. We are not always perfect, but we learn from our mistakes and become a better being. Always think of the positive side of one/'s Life. Everyone wishes to have done things differently in life. However, we are what nature has bestowed upon us. We are a complicated, complex random joining of atoms, particles, cells and elements of the Universe. Everyone is totally different from everyone else. We react differently to different situations. This is what life is all about, our reaction to what Nature rand
Monday, October 31, 2011
Prayer for a Blessing By Rev., Rabbi, Dr.Jesse Vera Phd Dearest and Beloved G-d of Moses, Abraham, Eliza, Joshua and David-As I call unto you, Please hear the prayers of a penetant man.Dearest G-d bless all manatu for animals, plants, rocks, water, fire, and our beloved mother earth. Bless all of those whom we call friends that are pure of heart, if they are in need of help, grant them guidance with your Hochmah,( Wisdom ).Please Bless all who have ascended before us Let them know as we light a candle that this light is to help them receive our energy in our constant thoughts. And Dearest G-d, Please bless all of your children, no matter which tribe they may have started from or where they are today, they, we, are all YOUR CHILDREN. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit grant us all the Green Light.AMEN ******************************* The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary whe
Saturday, October 08, 2011
Wedding Words
Wedding Stories
