Why I Became Ordained by Rev Wagar

My name is Rev. Connie R Wagar.

Thank you.

I was first led to your site by a friend in AZ who wanted me to marry him and his soon to be wife. The problem was the relatives of these tow were a mix of religions. The couple were young Pagans. One set of parents were Mormons, and the other Methodist. Many other relatives varied from Baptist to Catholic. The couple wanted a service that did not bring disharmony to anyone if possible. They wanted to include their own vows as well as more formal "sounding" vows, excluding the use of Jesus's name. This called for a complete new written vow set for them. (and this was my first wedding). Need I say panic set in, and I sat for days writing and re-writing the new vows. In the end I had a completed set of two different ceremonies and set of vows.

I also incorporated the families in the service, letting them know the new marriage would not succeed if the families were not supportive of the couple and their wishes. 

At the completion of the services, I had several family and friends walk up and say they loved the service, and never once did I break with the wishes of the couple and it seemed no one had realized I spoke of "their" god and blessings  and guidance, but never once brought ANY specific religion into the service. IT was lovely, and of the 150 people present not one complained about the service.

Weeks before the ceremony I had queried the couple to see how dedicated and serious they were. I offered advice to them and reminded them to never go to bed angry. To remember it is all an uphill trip that cultivated in  what energies they would put forth into it.

More services followed and all were required me to write services dedicated to the couples style of life, and many had to be tailored to the different beliefs of the family's. I now find myself pleased to have brought these folks to the beginning of their new journeys and hope they find life together a success.

I also have had the sad duty's of being there for folks who were in the process of passing. One instance was with a client I was with as a caregiver for. The lovely lady and her husband were  German and Lutheran.

 The husband was aware I was not of their faith, but had seen the sticker in the window as Minister. The visiting Nurses had a woman who was a Chaplin trained in many religions and had been called. The phone rang and we found she was not able to get there through traffic and the husband looked frantic. HE took my hand and asked if I could help her to find the Lord. She needed last rights.

 I happened to have my formal ministerial clothing in the car and some of the books from your offices. The husband followed me in to stand with her as I did as he asked. She knew me as a caregiver and smiled. I had nearly finished when the Chaplin arrived, I offered to give way to her but she shook her head and took the woman's other hand as I spoke and guided her to her to the hands of her Lord.

She smiled and her husband took the hand from the Chaplain. HE also took my hand with tears as she passed with a smile and such peace. 

I checked on him a few days later and he invited me in. We sat and talked, and he thanked me for what I said and how I did the service. And then he smiled, and said she knew I was Pagan he told me though I had Never told her. HE said it was what was in my heart that had taken her "home" and with that I wiped the tears from my eyes and hugged him as I left.

That was why I became ordained.

Rev. Connie R Wagar

Seminary student - David Sherman

David Sherman Musick b. August 18, 1949. Oildale, California.

I've been a Christian my whole life. I believe the Messiah is God's Anointed one, and the only begotten of the Father. I have felt the call of God in my life from an early age and indeed, went to seminary at 18 in Waxahatchi Texas. The school was the school of my denomination. I dropped out to join the Navy during the VietNam war and stayed in the Military service for 30 years. At some point I realized that denominations and pet doctrines undermine the teachings of Christ, and strip the Word of God of its Spiritual dimensions by the divisive nature of their separate agendas.

I have devoted to follow the dictates of my heart and get to the unshakable and basic foundations of 1st century Christianity. So for the last 30 years I have sought out the Word of God in my own and have arrived at my own conclusions. This is why I chose ULC and it's understanding of liberty and freedom of religion. Its freedom of ordination appeals to me because I don't need a man to qualify me for the ministry. God will do that. If I fail, it will be because I called myself into His ministry instead of the other way round.

To God be the glory. David.

New ULC Seminary Student - Rev. Taylor

Dear Rev. Amy,

I am Michael Taylor

Date of Ordination: 27 June 2012

  I apologize for sending so many e-mails, but I am happy, humbled, and yet also befuddled and frightened by the reality of Ordination.  I joined thru the seminary site because seminaries are where the minister can learn his or her profession. 

First a little about myself.:  I am 52 yrs old, of African American descent, I was received into the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church by baptism shortly after birth.  I am the product of a mixed marriage: Southern Methodist father, and Roman Catholic mother.  I was educated thru the Catholic school system from K-12  I have felt the call to Ministry of some sort since my youth, but was always stymied; first by my father who was spiritual, but not religious and who did not agree that I had a true call, and by  the religious orders that I was attracted to for lack of academic rigor.

I would like to concentrate my ministry, (at least I feel the call to), on weddings, and visitation of the sick, lonely.  I presently work as a security officer at a local hospital.  For over 14 years I have worked at a number of hospitals, and have had many conversations on spiritual matters with employees, patients, and even some of the ordained chaplains and other clergy. On some of those occasions the person I had talked to had asked me if I was a minister or priest.

I was unchurched for almost 20 years.  I had a falling out with my faith tradition, and I am ashamed to say it,  walked away from God. but even though I walked away from him I did not stop believing in him.   In the intervening 20 years I looked into some other belief systems, but never felt that God was calling me to ministry thru them. 

 In 2000 I turned 40 and started to notice in the obituary column guys that I had gone to school with and began to take stock of where I was, where I wanted my life to go.  I encountered someone who reconnected me with my faith tradition, began to study my faith.  I found that after 12 years of parochial school I did not learn much about the faith tradition that is Catholicism.  I encountered The Teaching Company and their wonderful products of college level courses that explored many subjects including faith, spirituality, religion, and philosophy.  I also joined the Knights of Columbus a catholic men's service organization. and began to read their mail courses on the faith, but two things stymied me, one at 40 I was too old for ordination in the religious orders that I was interested in, and that lack of academic rigor reared its head again.  I would need two masters degrees one in theology or divinity, and one in Spanish before ordination.

I encountered the ULC thru a friend who is ordained and does weddings at Renaissance Fairs around California. I started search the websites and almost joined the monastery, Luckily I knew that there is no such thing as an independent catholic priest.  Under canon law a priest must be incardinated with a diocese under the authority of the ordinary, (bishop).

As stated I am happy, humbled, befuddled, and yes frightened by the reality of ordination.  I am hoping that the seminary will help me on my path to serve the community of faith as a ULC minister.

Respectfully,

Rev. Michael Taylor ULC

Ordination by Rev. Mewett

Greetings Amy,

Courtesy demands I should submit my credentials to you confirming viability of ordination.

* Four years Baptist Theological seminary Sydney, Australia. Graduating with Diploma of Divinity

* Three years study with Melbourne University College, Melbourne, Australia.

   Graduating with Licentiate of Theology       .........   L.Th.

* Current, working with Salvation Army Chaplaincy Department as Court Councillor

Reason for ordination request:   Transferred to Methodist Ministry by invitation - Methodist Church no longer exists in Australia - now Uniting Church.  Resigned - Unable to accept new concept.

Because of chaplaincy work and increasing demands for ministry - the request is made for ordination

Added qualification: Two years with Melbourne Unuversity College - Diploma in Religious Education.

Should ULC see fit to add a post nominal this would be appreciated.  Twenty years ago a US seminary agreed to grant a Bachelor of Religious Education and commence on Masters.

Your attention is appreciated.

                                              Warmest regards - Albert (Al Mewett)

Fray (chaplain for prisons, hospitals and nursing homes)

 Thank you for allowing me to be ordained.  I am a retired Activity director for nursing homes and assisted living . I worked closely with the ill and dying and with their families, friends.  I loved what I did so much I think the calling of becoming a Chaplain is what the heavenly father wanted for me to do in the first place.  I have patients, humility, compassion and respect and love for every soul here on earth no matter what their beliefs or where they come from or religion color we are all the same in fathers eyes. don't you think?  Any way i want to minister to the prisons, jails, to our lost souls and to the terminally ill and their families.  And what ever else I'm called upon to do for the heavenly fathers work.

My personal religion is Wiccan\ Pagan but I do believe in the almighty father and mother earth and her creations.  God created the heavens and earth but mother nature rules the earth wind fire water to some degree along with the heavenly father. and paganism for my love of all nature and all living things god created to help with nature balance of things here on earth.  I also believe in the devil cause without belief in satin you can't believe in heavenly father!  There is good and evil in the world today and Jesus did die for our sins, and I am so thankful for this due to the fact the state of which the world lies in!  Meaning holy wars and crimes will go on till the revolution says in the bible the 7 seals will be reveled and the world as we know it shall parish! Blessed be and in his holy name amen.  

ULC Seminary Student - Rev. Walsh

Rev. James Michael Walsh III    

Location: Atwater, Ohio

Ordained: August 12th, 2012

Seminary Story:

I have always had an interest in religion. I was born a Roman Catholic, but converted to Orthodoxy when I was 18. I always had an interest in serving from a ministerial position, but having been married, widowed, and now married again, the Church would never ordain me to the priesthood (Orthodox priests can only be married once). So I will never be able to realize that desire of mine through my Church. One night, the thought came ot mind to check the net and look into ordination regulations, etc...long story short, I found ULC! What I really like about ULC is that they allow you to remain in your Church...or whatever faith you are in...while enabling you to serve your fellow man, and God, with more authority, and direction.

I am looking forward to the seminary courses, and learning as much as I can. Reasons being that I love furthering my own knowlege, and also to add more *credibility* to my ordination for those who are convinced that being a minister requires degrees, etc. I also look forward to sharing those special moments of all those that my calling brings me in contact with.

God bless!

Sincerely:

Pastor Jim Walsh