Which is the Real ULC?

During 1959, Kirby Hensley founded the Universal Life Church, in the city of Modesto, CA.   It was established on the foundation of Kirby’s belief that religion should be free, and that that freedom has to be asserted in order to be protected.   Kirby promised to ordain all who asked, free of charge, no questions asked.

Jealous clergy and priests of more well-known or mainstream religions (which Kirby referred to as the “Big Dog” churches) asserted that a clergy-member must endure years of seminary training and be approved by a committee, adhere to doctrinal standards, and additional such requirements.  Of course, those same people had no answer when it had been brought to their attention that Peter and Paul as well as the rest of the disciples had no seminary training.   Approval or traditional training take on less importance when you look at the long litany of abuse committed by so many ‘approved’ or ‘trained’ priests.  Sorry to say that, many good individuals have been discouraged from going after their ministry by just such obstacles.  Many other churches still exclude women from the pulpit, even in the 21st century!

According to Kirby, any real person should be able to get ordained with out having to dance to anyone else’s tune, and so he set out to establish a church that would enable this.  Fairly rapidly, the Universal Life Church, as it became known throughout the world, has evolved and grown in popularity and size.   The church has become well-known and established throughout the years, enough that many well-known proudly proclaim their membership, as well as having the Universal Life Church be used as part of the plot on numerous tv shows.  Whenever people mention the Universal Life Church, it is the original Modesto headquarters that folks are talking of.

Sadly, but not surprisingly, that degree of notoriety continues to attract multiple con artists who use the good name of the church to try and line their own pockets.   Employing the methods of those who would sell phony Rolex watches (calling them ‘Romex’ or the like), these rip-off artists created spin-offs making use of the title of ULC, but adding things like ‘network’ or ‘monastery’ to misdirect folks.    Kirby, having not imagined such dishonesty or the simplicity with which such deceptions would be perpetuated throughout the internet, never tried to trademark the name ‘Universal Life Church’, and even encouraged the various congregations of the church to use the name.  That left the field wide open for deceptions, and over the internet today, such falsehoods are happening in rapidly growing numbers.

Employing UPS maildrops or operating out of trailer parks (which can be confirmed using google maps), these fakers not only are claiming they belong to the ULC, but that they ARE the original Universal Life Church.    Making use of all manner of tricks and word games to get a bit of Google-love, some have even managed to climb well up in the search engine listings, which have resulted in tons of ministers who assume they have been ordained by the Universal Life Church of Modesto, but who had been really inadvertently associating with one of these dishonest groups.

By creating a whole new definition of ‘truth’, these groups created sites as well as blogs and such, twisting the facts in some cases, spouting flat-out lies in others.  For example, they tell new ministers that they HAVE TO purchase credentials in order to be legally ordained.  While it is correct that a handful of states do require the minister to register with the state in order to officiate weddings, most states do not have such a requirement.  It’s certainly not necessary for anything except for conducting a wedding.   Genuine ULC sites know this and would never pressure you to order anything. More than that, real ULC sites give a good deal of information away at no cost.

1 scammer urges ministers to buy “Letters of Good Standing”, suggesting that they are necessary in order to perform marriages and perform other functions of the referends.   The number of states that require the letter is very small and Modesto will send the letters free of cost. The only exceptions are for the couple of states that require a notarized letter – there is then a fee for the notary.

The ULC has 2 ‘official’ web sites.  Established in 1997, ulc.net is the oldest active authorized website for the ULC.  It offers an online application for ordination, an active forum, a directory of ministers and congregations (listing with the directory is optional), a reading library, support desk, prayer request page and an online bookstore where ministers are able to find ceremony books and additional items to assist them in their ministry.  If you want to confess online, there’s a place to do that.  The other official site is that of the administrative headquarters office, which continues to be located in Modesto, California.  It can be found at ulchq.com.   The ULC Seminary is another respected site and also provides various items of interest to ULC ministers, and has been affiliated with the real church in Modesto It’s a well-established and respected site. With both the Bookstore and the Seminary, the advice is free and they are there to answer their phones and offer support.

Be cautious of any othe sites.  There are plenty of honest sites out there, created by upstanding ULC ministers, but anyone claiming they ARE the ‘real’ Universal Life Church, or claiming to be the only Christian one or any site you get a bad negative gut reaction from, don’t be led astray.   If it did happen that you inadvertently went to 1 of the other sites, be forgiving of yourself over it. You are far from the first they have deceived and they make it their business to do it.

You do not need to take my word for it, the records speak for themselves.  Check the corporate records for any church which claims to BE the Universal Life Church.  You can do that by looking at the Secretary of State for the state in which they are located.   If you take a look at the records in CA, you’ll find that the original Universal Life Church became incorporated during 1962 as being a non-profit.  (While they did open in 1959, Kirby didn’t incorporate until 1962.)    Others, in they event records for them exist at all in the official state records, will show they only started operations just a few years ago. to be legally ordained, run away fast with both hands holding tight to your pocketbook!

The Universal Life Church has opened the way for millions to become ordained and to follow their dreams and are pleased that so many other churches have taken up the torch to assure that same freedom.   Hundreds of churches today began to model their ordination processes after the ULC, which has been outstanding to see. The honest churches establish a unique name for themselves and make an effort to distinguish their ministry and mission in other ways as well.  Other people, who don’t believe in the idea of doing that which is right, will simply take the well-known name and distort it for their own means, knowing that most individuals won’t check into the difference – At least not until it is too late, and they have been separated from their money!

Please do your homework. Seek ordination from a reputable source and find a site that gives you a good feeling to visit it.

Kevin Andrews invites individuals to become a minister through his authorized ULC website. Amy Long also runs a legitimate Universal Life Church site, which is affiliated with ULC Headquarters in Modesto, CA.

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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 in Metaphysics and much more. 

You can  become an ordained minister, for free,  and for life, so use this Free Online Ordination, link.

This  online seminary, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of minister supplies.   

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

What's the Real Universal Life Church

The Universal Life Church was founded in 1959, in the town of Modesto, CA by Kirby Hensley.   Kirby believed strongly in the freedom of religion and that to be protected, this freedom has got to be exercised.   From the start, there had been narrow-minded people who bristled at Kirby’s promise to ordain any real person who asked, without charge, with out training, or without any questions asked or cash exchanging hands.

Jealous clergy and priests of much more established or traditional religions (which Kirby named the “Big Dog” churches) claimed that the minister must have years of seminary training and be approved by a committee, adhere to doctrinal standards, and other such requirements.  

Naturally, they had no response after it had been pointed out that Peter and Paul as well as the rest of the disciples received no seminary training.   Approval or traditional training take on less importance when you come to acquaint yourself with the long list of abuse committed by so many ‘approved’ or ‘trained’ priests.  Due to these types of headlines, many very warm-hearted individuals have hesitated to go after their calling.  Many other churches still exclude women from the pulpit, even in the 21st century!

Becoming ordained ought to be a personal decision, between you and The Supreme Being (or just you and yourself), so Kirby established the Universal Life Church to make this happen.  His church was known worldwide as the Universal Life Church (ULC) and quickly grew in popularity and membership.   Today, the church has become well known, and many celebrities have even proudly announced that they are reverends of the ULC.  Whenever folks think of the Universal Life Church, it is the church headquartered in Modesto which they’re thinking about.

Unfortunately, that notoriety and acclaim inevitably drew the attention of scam artists and other people who would look to line their pockets by ’borrowing’ the well-established name of the church.   Like the scammers who sell counterfeit Rolex watches under the name “Romex”, these charlatans created spin-offs with similar- sounding names, a few of them even utilizing the name of the original church, but adding something like “network” or “monastery”.  Kirby, having not considered such chicanery or the ease with which such lies would be perpetrated on the internet, never tried to trademark the name ‘Universal Life Church’, and even suggested to the various congregations from the church to use the name.  That left the field wide open for deceptions, and on the internet today, such falsehoods are happening in rapidly growing numbers.

Recently, a few of these spin-offs have had the audacity to proclaim that not only are they connected to the ULC, but that they ARE the original or real ULC. One even claimed that Kirby Hensley had sold him the ULC in 1964, when that person was only 4 years old!   Making use of all types of tricks and word games to garner a bit of Google-love, some have even managed to climb well up in the search engine listings, which has resulted in tons of people who think they have been ordained by the Universal Life Church of Modesto, but who had been really dealing with 1 of these unscrupulous groups.

By creating a whole new definition of ‘truth’, these groups created sites and blogs and such, twisting the facts in some cases, spouting flat-out lies in others.  One such lie told is that ministers must buy credentials to be legal.  While it is correct that a handful of states do require the minister to register with the state in order to officiate marriages, the majority of states do not have such a requirement.  It’s certainly not required for anything other than performing a wedding.   Genuine ULC sites know this and wouldn’t dream of pressuring you to purchase anything. More than that, good ULC sites share a lot of stuff away at no cost.

One particularly offensive scammer pushes ministers to purchase “Letters of Good Standing”, suggesting that the letters are required by law in order to perform marriages and perform additional functions of the ministers.   The number of states that require a letter is very small and Modesto will send the letters free of charge. The only exceptions are for the couple of states that require the notarized letter – there is then a fee for the notary.

The ULC has 2 ‘official’ web sites.  ULC.net is the oldest active web site of the church, established in 1997.  It provides an online application for ordination, an active forum, a directory of ministers and congregations (listing in the directory is optional), a reading library, support desk, prayer request page and an online bookstore in which ministers are able to find ceremony books and additional items to help them in their ministry.  Should you wish to confess online, there is a place to do that.  The other official site is that of the administrative headquarters office, which continues to be located in Modesto, California.  It can be found at ulchq.com.   The ULC Seminary, also affiliated with Modesto, provides a huge assortment of online seminary training courses, free weekly emails of several kinds, and a lot of free training It’s a well-established and respected site. Both the Seminary and the Bookstore provide outstanding minister support and guidance for both new and experienced ministers.

Take caution with any of the other sites who claim to be ULC.  You will find a lot of honest sites out there, created by upstanding ULC ministers, but anyone claiming they ARE the ‘real’ Universal Life Church, or claiming they are the only Christian 1 or any site you get a bad feeling from, don’t be led astray.   If you are though, don’t be disappointed.  Many other people have also been fooled before you, and it is painfully easy to have it happen to you.

You don’t have to take my word for it, the records speak for themselves.  Check the corporate records for any ULC which claims to BE the Universal Life Church.  You can do this by looking at the Secretary of State for the state in which they’re located.   You’ll easily find that the real Universal Life Church became incorporated during 1962, as a non-profit in the city of Modesto, CA.  (The ULC began during 1959, but didn’t incorporate until 1962.)    Other sites, in they event records for them exist at all in the legal state records, will show the others only started operations only a few years ago. to be considered legally ordained, run away quickly with both hands holding tight to your pocketbook!

The Universal Life Church, has been a pioneer in assuring that religion remains free and available to all who ask.   Hundreds of churches today have modeled their ordination processes after the ULC, which has been great to see. Genuine ULC Churches support the ideal of doing that which is right, and will clearly and honestly state their intentions and mission as well as doing what they can to set themselves apart.  Others, who don’t subscribe to the idea of doing that which is right, will simply take the well-known name and distort it for their own means, knowing that many folks won’t check into the difference – That is, until their hard-earned cash is in the hands of a scam artist.

Please take the time to check the sites out. You matter and your ordination is important so please find an honest church who offers you more than a way to spend your cash.

Kevin Andrews encourages individuals to become a minister through his authorized ULC site. Amy Long also runs a legitimate Universal Life Church site, which is affiliated with ULC Headquarters in Modesto, CA.

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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 in Metaphysics and much more. 

You can  become an ordained minister, for free,  and for life, so use this Free Online Ordination, link.

This  online seminary, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of minister supplies.   

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Universal Life Church

1. Gay Jewish Ceremony Same-sex marriage is not supported in orthodox Judaism, but like most religions there are Rabbis that are willing to support a couple's union despite sexual orientation or interfaith issues.

American Rabbi Miriam Jerris advocates Secular Humanist Judaism and has adapted the Jewish wedding ceremony for gay couples. The different belief systems of Secular Humanist Judaism means that although religious traditions are incorporated into the gay wedding ceremony, the focus is on the human aspects of their union rather than on any particular religion.

Rabbi Jerris says that couples should select parts of the Jewish gay wedding ceremony that reflect the backgrounds of the couple, and incorporating rituals or symbols from their respective cultural or religious upbringings. In a typical Jewish-Christian gay wedding ceremony, for example, couples use a chuppah, or wedding canopy, and the ceremony involves the drinking of wine, a unity candle, readings, and a breaking of the glass. The significance, symbolism, and origins of these traditions is explained by the Rabbi to the gathered guests.

For Jewish couples, Rabbi Patricia Karlin-Neumann, also American, has adapted a traditional ceremony that acknowledges the different relationship of the gay couple while staying close to the religious traditions of a Jewish wedding.

Couples should talk to their local temple or contact gay-friendly Jewish groups for information on a Rabbi to conduct a gay Jewish wedding ceremony.

Gay Wedding Ceremony

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The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Universal Life Church

By Bernard A. Jones

The Anointing Of Increase Universal Life Church Psalms 35:27- declares, let the Lord be magnified, which has pleasure in the prosperity of His people. Deuteronomy 8:18- declares that it is God that gives us power to get wealth that He may establish His covenant which He swear to our fathers. Ephesians 5:17- admonishes us to be not unwise, but wise understanding what the will of the Lord is. Jesus reveals unto us the will of God as He declared in John 10:10- I am come that you may have life, and that you may have it more abundantly. The Apostle Paul affirms the fact that it is the will of God that the saints prosper by telling Timothy to trust in the living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy {1Timothy 6:17}. Matthew 6:10 tells us that the will of God is the same for heaven as it is for the earth and we know for a fact that there is no poverty in heaven so that tells me that it is not the will of God that there be poverty on the earth and especially in the lives of His children. Matthew 7:11 informs me that If man knows how the give good gifts to his children, how much more shall our heavenly Father gives good things to them that ask Him. Some misinformed saints thinks that God is trying to correct or chastise them through withholding things from them, but the word of God tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16 that God corrects us through His word, not through poverty. The word of God tells us in Romans 8:37 that we are more than conquerors through Christ that loves us and we can trust the word of God because according to Psalms 137:2 God has magnified His word above His name. So let us take hold of Romans 12:2 and renew our minds according to the will of God concerning our prosperity. Let us cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, {2 Cor.10:5} who gives us richly all things to enjoy{1 Timothy 6:17}. God, that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not, alone with Christ, freely gives all things?{Romans8:32} God has given us the Son that is most precious too Him, so shall He also give us the miracle and the basic needs of this earthly journey, trust Him. Bernard A. Jones www.forministry.com/30331wolci ******************************* 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 in Metaphysics and much more.    You can  become an ordained minister, for free,  and for life, so use this Free Online Ordination, link.   This  online seminary, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of minister supplies.      Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Universal Life Church

Wedding Ceremonies
Secular Ceremonies Couples can choose to have a secular ceremony if they feel their faiths would conflict, if they have no particular faith or if they particularly want an agnostic or atheistic ceremony. One good thing about a secular ceremony is that you don't have to fit in with any regulations -“ most ceremonies are based around asking for a god's blessing, adapting church ceremonies to fit in with a couple's wishes. Secular ceremonies are solely about the couple's commitment to each other.

There are several types of secularist ceremonies. Humanist celebrants offer wedding ceremonies that concentrate on the power of the human spirit and do not invoke or refer to any type of religion, god or deity. Humanist celebrants in America are certified by a division of the American Humanist Association and will generally talk with couples to help them decide what they want their ceremony to be like.

Atheist ceremonies take a stand against religion, acknowledging that the couple come together for their shared love and do not ask the authority of any god to bless their union. Couples may have friends read passages of favorite texts to demonstrate the couple's feelings for each other.

Gay wedding vows for secular gay ceremonies can take any form a couple wishes, although it is generally a good idea to look at existing vows for inspiration. A couple may wish to include a favorite love poem or inspirational writing in their vows, as well as a list of promises to their spouse. 

Gay Wedding Ceremony

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The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Universal Life Church

This funeral ceremony was for young suicide.  It was co-celebrated by an ULC Minister and a Catholic Priest. The parents of the boy are long divorced and estranged.  It was very painful.  But everyone said that they were comforted by the service. FUNERAL SERVICE FOR JEREMY November 13, 2007     Opening   (ULC officiant)     To everything there is a season. A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to reap; A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; A time for every purpose under Heaven.    Ecclesiates 3:1-8     We gather here today to say goodbye to Jeremy, our beloved and loving Son, Grandson, Brother, Cousin, Nephew and Friend. We come together to share our grief, love and compassion. With heavy hearts we understand that Jeremy had a disease, an addiction that took him from us. We seek his forgiveness for our failures and to forgive him for his weaknesses so we can focus on a path to celebration. A celebration of our Jeremy who touched and charmed everyone who knew him. We will miss Jeremy, who was wonderfully intelligent, loving and always brought his unique perspective to any topic of conversation. The Jeremy that loved to challenge conventional wisdom, and enjoyed reading Philosophy and was interested in ancient Civilizations and cultures. We will always remember Jeremy's quick wit and the gentle caring love he had for his pets, especially Rocky, his boyhood friend, and most recently Roxy. We will all miss our beloved Jeremy and are here to celebrate the boy and man who enriched all our lives.     PRAYER FROM CHURCH    (Father John) ……   Scripture recited by the congregation       The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pasture, He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul, He leads me in the Paths of righteousness for his name sake.   Yea, though I walk through the valley of The shadow of death, I fear no evil, for thou Are with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.   Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies, thou anoints my head with oil, my cup runs over.   Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  23rd Psalm …..   Blessing of the Body       (Father John)   Music by Coldplay, "The Scientist" …..   Eulogy by the father   Where do I begin? I am not a writer. I am a father who has lost one of the most precious gifts god has ever given me. It seems like only a moment ago I was a child myself pushing the boundaries and limits my own parents tried to set for me. A moment has passed and now I stand here in a place I could never have imagined.  Jeremy my son so easy to love and yet at times he made it impossible to like him.  Jeremy was at times brilliant and beautiful, hateful and frustrating, funny and sarcastic.  He was hard on the people who loved him most.  Jeremy and I would say goodbye to each other on the phone when he was little, I would say I love you more than all the stars in the sky, he would say I love you more than all the sand on the beach, I would say all the leaves on the trees, this would continue for a short time until someone would declare a winner, usually (Jeremy).  Today I won't say goodbye because although the years will pass and I will struggle to take each breathe and live each day as if tomorrow may never come, it will only be a moment and I will be with you, my son.  I pray you are at peace and know how truly loved you are.  All the stars in the sky, all the sand on the beach.  It's a tie. Nobody won.   All My Heart         Your Dad …..   Poem read by the sister   When I come to the end of the road, and the sun has set for me I want no rites in a gloom-filled room, why cry for a soul set free? Miss me a little but not too long and not with your head bowed low. Remember the love that we once shared miss me but let me go. For this is a journey that we all must take and each must go alone. It's all a part of the Master's plan- a step on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick at heart, Go to the friends we know, And bury your sorrow in doing good deeds, Miss me, but let me go. …..       (ULC officiant)   It is painful and difficult and happy and joyous to let go and it is time.  Godspeed, dear boy, may flights of angels guide thee to thy rest.      …..   (Father John)   Let us all rise, join hands, and recite the Lord's Prayer. …..   (ULC officiate)   We offer the opportunity for those who chose to come forward to say goodbye. …..   Amazing Grace sung by a cousin …..   (Father John)   The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance Upon you And give you peace. Submitted by Rev. Tony Grimwade ******************************* 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 in Metaphysics and much more.  You can  become an ordained minister, for free,  and for life, so use this Free Online Ordination, link. This  online seminary, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of minister supplies.    Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Wedding Stories

Universal Life Church 
Cheap Bride

This happened at my own wedding.  It is now one of my most treasured memories.  After my darling groom got up and made his speech (he has a very fierce stutter and we had 100 guests, so I was very proud - he said it so smoothly) he asked that my mum and dad come up to the front as he had a very special present for them.  he handed them a big box and asked them to open it in front of everyone.

They ripped off the lovely paper to find inside - a used VCR.  When we first started dating, my Dad's VCR broke.  My groom happened to have the exact same one, so he offered it as a loan to Dad until he got a new one.  My smart-alec father replied "how about we do a fair trade - I get the VCR and you can keep my daughter?"  He thought it was a very funny joke, eventually got a new VCR and returned groom's.

Fast forward 2 years to the wedding day, and the deal was kept.  He got the VCR and my groom got me.

Now it's a running family joke that I was a cheap bride....

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The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site 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.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar