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Universal Church of the Master In Service to Humanity since 1908

Universal Church of the Master In Service to Humanity since 1908. January 30, 2014 Rev. Mary Garry, President. Agenda/Outline. Review of agenda and goals for the day Year of the Horse What is our purpose ; as an individual and a church What is spirituality ; spiritualist church

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Universal Church of the Master In Service to Humanity since 1908

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  1. Universal Church of the MasterIn Service to Humanity since 1908 January 30, 2014 Rev. Mary Garry, President

  2. Agenda/Outline • Review of agenda and goals for the day • Year of the Horse • What is our purpose; as an individual and a church • What is spirituality; spiritualist church • History of UCM • Overview of UCM Structure • What impacts a church in today's world

  3. UCM service is as varied as its Ministers • What are the elements of UCM’s service • Charters • Healers • Teachers/ Sponsors • Individual Ministerial practices • Prayer work • TAGA • Spiritual Memorials • Messages/ Medium

  4. Life Purpose • Basic question we all ask: is life purposeful ? • How will I find my life’s purpose • Bird Brain • God Gene or Soul ? inner guidance • One fairly universal purpose is to return to Source • May be compromised by competing priorities

  5. Is there a “God Gene” • History reveals that Human Beings are spiritual animals • Man and Woman began to worship as soon as they became recognizably human • They created religion as soon as they created art • This creation appears to be more mystical than fear based • From Karen Armstrong, History of God

  6. God is an experience • Belief is an understanding or commitment to a set of propositions or dogma • Faith is something within that enables us to trust in something more.. • Once you believe in the divine it gets harder to define the divine… • Jews may not say the name of God • Muslims must not attempt to depict an image of God

  7. Role of a Church in this process • Provide an established frame of reference (teachings) • Establish activities that to supports the individual’s ability to stay on purpose (practices) • Offer community for individuals of like-minded companions on similar paths (support)

  8. Spirituality; Spiritualist • Spirituality: leads to finding purpose and meaning in life • Spiritualist: one who believes in mediumship, sometimes healing, remains controversial, subject to misunderstanding and difficult to validate • often belongs to a Spiritualist Church • Defined in Wikipedia as being led by a medium

  9. Role of UCM as a Church • Belief that there are many paths up the mountain… ( we aren’t the only answer) • A well traveled path is wider • A prophet inspired path usually has more light • It is possible to create your own path, but requires more energy and focus • UCM…a well lit frontage road, with permissible detours and benches ( personal view)

  10. Role of UCM as a Church • Church rules can never substitute for inner guidance or conscience ( not a lot of Dogma) • No organization can anticipate every challenge • We must internalize our decision making • stop to evaluate behavior choices • “that small voice within” would probably be a little louder if we listened more often

  11. History of UCM • Context of the times • Between WWI and WWII • Initiating Element • Soldiers going to war: both they and their family wanted some comfort, hope • Unscrupulous “readers, spiritualists” gave it to them at a gouging, exorbitant price • Communities responded attacking all “spiritualists”

  12. History of UCM • Daddy Briggs was a visible, charismatic, outspoken spiritualist. ( Hollywood Stars attended his meetings) • Ordained people on the spot; no training or background • Quickly came to the attention of authorities who questioned whether UCM was really a church.

  13. History of UCM • Dr. Fitzgerald was president of the church in the window between the aggressive search and prosecution of Mediums and the acceptance of UCM and other spiritualist churches. ( Hence the true stories of having to hide lists of members, which included approved mediums, from unannounced searches.)

  14. History of UCM • Dr. Fitzgerald was a quiet, scholarly and intellectual; had a previous church of his own, but purchased UCM from Daddy Briggs who was ready to retire. • Realized he needed to establish evidence that UCM was a church: wrote the New Text of Spiritual Philosophy and Religion, then wrote the Ministers’ Guide and Services Book further defining UCM as a church.

  15. History of UCM • The offices were moved to San Jose, CA by Rev. Robert Ferguson when his analysis determined that area was less hostile to Spiritualist Churches than other CA cities. • Moved to San Leandro with the Revs. Margraves • Back to San Jose with Rev. Birdie Peterson, Remained here with Revs. Lavona, Sandy and Mary.

  16. Universal Church of the Master UCM Headquarters Board of Trustees Administrative Responsibilities Regulatory Compliance Financial Solvency Educational priorities Ethical Oversight Standards of Practice Organizational Direction Influencing Governmental Agencies Federal Laws re non- profits State licensing laws IRS code Rules of incorporation Divine Source Spiritual Guidance Charters Ordained Ministers Healers Longer training Auxiliary Church May sponsor students May perform legal ceremonies i.e. Weddings Less training Practice limited by statute Healing focus Auxiliary Church Multiple focus In Service to Humanity since 1908

  17. UCM Headquarters In service to our Ministers Board of Trustees / Office Manager Administrative Responsibilities Office management, files, ledgers Communications, internal and external Vendor selection and management i.e. insurance, attorney Resource for questions Organization Direction Standards of Practice Regulatory Compliance Financial Solvency Educational Resources Ethical Oversight Review of Annual Renewals Investigation of Complaints Remain Connected to Membership Statutory Analysis Review of like Churches Internal discussion groups Organization Survey Needs Analysis Resource utilization Review of current teaching Continuing Education Classes Development of Sponsoring Ministers Ministerial Licensing State registration IRS accounting standards Budgeting Fund raising Expense management COMPANY NAME

  18. UCM In service to our Ministers Board of Trustees / Office Manager Ordained Ministers (Reverends) Authority to: Charter a Church; Sponsor Student Misters; Facilitate Prayer and Healing Circles; Provide Legal Services i.e. Weddings, Memorials and Pastoral Counseling Legal Ceremonies Standards of Practice Healing Circles Charter a Church Ministerial Sponsor Prayer Circles TAGA Personal Recovery Integrated Medicine Statutory Analysis Review of like Churches Internal discussion groups Weddings Increase the light energy Influence the change in the world Help individuals remain connected Place for Ministerial Practice Reach more Public Community Improved Tax Deduction for followers Teach the Work, Keep the Legacy going. Support Individual growth COMPANY NAME

  19. UCM In service to our Ministers Board of Trustees / Office Manager Licentiate Ministers (Healers) Authority to: Facilitate Prayer and Healing Circles; Ceremonies, Memorials and Pastoral Counseling Degree Educational Program value Ministers got degree’s No degree students obtained ministry Focus Licentiate Ministerial Sponsor Healing Ministry Requires one year study Usually an interim step to Ordination Legal Protections Successful defense of member based on long history of church and standards Increasing number of ministers limit focus to Healing Requires one year study Development of gifts of the spirit Medium, Message Teach the Work, Keep the Legacy going. Support Individual growth COMPANY NAME

  20. Charter InformationAuxiliary Church Charter Transfer Current Charter Base Requires Board Termination of Charter Charters Charter Owner Requires Tax ID By Federal Law, resources return to Mother church. Please put transfer plan in place Obtained on line from IRS responsible for own tax activities Leverage UCM’s 501(c)3status May only be transferred to UCM Minister in good standing 27 Charters who exercise Continuum of activities Ordained Minister in good standing Owns the Charter At least three members besides President, who must be charter owner

  21. Factors Impacting Church at this Time • Legal Accountability for Headquarters and Ministerial Practices • Accelerated Change for the individual and the Universe • Competing Environments and Practices at a time of constricted resources • The Goal focus on our Principles…

  22. In Summary • There is Nothing Else But God • There is an Illusion of Separation from God • The process of Returning to God is: Living and Teaching Expanded Consciousness of The Universal Truth God & I Are One * From the UCM Centennial Presentation of Revs Arlene Phalen and Becca Thompson

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