Universal Life Church

An Open Letter to Current and Future Seminary Students
Rev. Lucinda Parker    M. Min., D.Div.

We have all been called to service for many different reasons, bringing many different backgrounds and many different aspirations. And yet, as ethical, theological servants to humankind, we all have a need to broaden our knowledge base, for only then can we truly understand not only what we believe, but to understand what others believe.

It is this basic need for knowledge that has kept theological schools and seminaries in existence for hundreds of years. The ULC Seminary continues this long-standing tradition. While some denominations in the US require one to attend seminary first and then be ordained or called to serve, ULC allows us to answer our spiritual call of service and ordination first and to pursue our training second. And while this approach is "out of the box" I have found it most useful and practical.

Over the last two years I have completed 61 credits with the Seminary. For those of you with traditional higher education, you will thoroughly understand the statement, "I hate this class but it is required." And yet, when completed, you realize that you really did learn something. Your mind was expanded. You can relate to someone else better than before you embarked upon the dreaded class. There are a few classes I have taken at the Seminary that I didn't like. They were expanding my mind and making me think. It is akin to exercising when you have been a couch potato for twenty years. It HURTS! It is work. And yet, the classes were good. The thinking and forum postings were good.

One of the strong points of the ULC Seminary is the variety of classes. We are encouraged to truly broaden our knowledge of other theologies and other spiritual quests. There are two paths to follow in the Seminary. Not traditional curricular paths, but personal paths. One is learn for one's self, to grow in our own spirituality. There are several classes designed for that and for some that may be enough. Spirit Quest is a great start for personal growth and discovery. The second path is the attainment of understanding of what others believe which enables us to better serve them from their point of view. These classes include Druidism, Paganism and Comparative Religion.

I strongly urge you to pursue at least one class from the ULC Seminary. Select the one that intrigues or interests you the most. Once a week you will receive a dose of knowledge and thought provoking exercise via email. Most of the classes include citations and bibliographies that list other readings or sites on the Web that only add to your quest of knowledge and understanding.

I am confident you will find the classes well written, well organized, and truly a path to wisdom. While no class or seminary can answer all personal questions of spirituality or theology, the offerings from ULC Seminary are well rounded. There truly is something for each of us.

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

Ordination with the , is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.


 

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.
 

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