paperwork question for starting a THC Ministry

Rev. Thomas Keister

along with the THC Ministry and ULC credentialing, do I need to file an Congregational Agreement with the ULC, or is my ordination there and registraion here stand alone to form a local THC Ministry? I just received my Honorary D.D. from the ULC, and it came w/ the Congregational charter form. Any answers would be greatly appreciated
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the Rev. Dr. T. Keister

The Lord only knows what condition my condition is in.

**Mystic Power** · Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 9:42 am Post subject:

Hi Rev Thomas, and welcome aboard!

You do not need the ULC congregational agreement, unless you simply want one. Your ULC ordination and THC Ministry sanctuary kit are all you need.

Follow Your Bliss
Ben
_________________
"We are the Ones we have been waiting for."
~Hopi Elder ~

"In Lak'ech"
~ Ancient Mayan: "I am another YOU." ~

buekerc1 · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 8:43 am Post subject:

then whats the added benefit of having my marriage licence? and who do i apply to receive that marriage licence?

**Mystic Power** · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 9:44 am Post subject:

If your state offers a license to perform marriages, or similar certification, it's yet another official state credential to put in your minister's folder.

Some states do...some do not.

ULC does offer a letter stating that you are ordained and can perform marriages, but I've never bothered with it.

Your THC Sanctuary kit will have a letter stating that you can perform marriages.

The states I've lived in offer no certification, but only require that one be a legally ordained minister.

Bliss
Ben
_________________
"We are the Ones we have been waiting for."
~Hopi Elder ~

"In Lak'ech"
~ Ancient Mayan: "I am another YOU." ~

Stokes · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 4:41 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the input, Ben.

This raises a question that's been puzzling me a bit.

When I completed the ULC ordination online I downloaded and printed out the certificate from them. It's been a few months since then and I've never received any type of ID card or anything in the mail. The only thing that I have from ULC is the downloaded certificate with my name on it.

A few weeks ago, I sent them an e-mail requesting some type of comfirmation that I am, in fact, a bonified ULC ordained minister and received no reply or anything from them yet. Can you tell me with any reasonable certainty if the downloaded certificate should be sufficient proof of my affiliation?

I've heard of other people receiving ULC wallet ID's and other documents. How critical do you think these items are for legitimacy purposes?

thanks,

Bud
_________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Where love is, there God is also.

-Mahatma Gandhi

**Mystic Power** · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 5:04 pm Post subject:

Over the years, I've had 'em all at one time or another.

My wallet sized ULC Minister I.D. finally just disolved... I'm not sure where I put my large credential certificate....it's probably in another state.

Right now, all I've got is the ULC website print-out certificate and that's legally good enough. Online ordination is legal. ULC will have a record of your ordination. They're just too lazy to respond without some "incentive."

Admin-wise, and other-wise, the ULC has sure gone downhill since Hensley's death. They're still up and running, but the "new managment" just isnt up to snuff.

I'm sure they'll respond quick enough if you include a $5 or $10 donation with your inquiry...but I'm satisified with my little print out certificate.

Bliss,
Ben
_________________
"We are the Ones we have been waiting for."
~Hopi Elder ~

"In Lak'ech"
~ Ancient Mayan: "I am another YOU." ~

**Mystic Power** · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 5:06 pm Post subject:

P.S.

I've performed weddings from Colorado to Florida since 1980... and never once have I had to show a state official anything.

But...I've never lived in a state that "licensed" ministers.

The state licensure of ministers sounds patently unconstitutional to me.

Bliss
Ben
_________________
"We are the Ones we have been waiting for."
~Hopi Elder ~

"In Lak'ech"
~ Ancient Mayan: "I am another YOU." ~

Stokes · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 5:07 pm Post subject:

**Rev. Rodger L. Poole** · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 5:21 pm Post subject:

Hi Gang,

This is something I have some experience in, so let me share with you what I know.....

If you are ordained through ULC, you can get proof of your ordination anytime you want. You need to order a "minister credential certificate" from http://ulc.org/ under the 'minister products' section. This is considered a critical document in establishing your legitimacy, so if you dont have one, GET ONE. They are $5.00....You need to give them your name, and the date in which you were ordained, they will do the rest.

I have a ULC I.D. card in my wallet, let me tell you why. They offer a certain card that allows you to have one entire line of text to say basically whatever you want. You cant use words like Cannabis, Reiki, etc...But I got put on mine in HUGE letters above my name "THC Ministry". I think this is a good idea because it shows that I am ordained...Says "Reverend" before my name; It shows that I am ordained through the ULC, which is legally recognized...And it shows that I am a minister with THC all at the same time. It is nicely made, and only cost about 8 bucks. It is not necessary, but I think you get alot for your money.

The ULC offers (for free) Letters of Good Standing, which is required in some states to apply for a License to Solemnize Marriage. However, if it is not legally required by the state you live in, they will not furnish you with one. Perhaps you could email them and arrange one for a small donation for their time, if you dont legally need it.

If you wish to know what documents you need to obtain a License to Solemnize Marriage in your state, just Google to find the website for your Secretary of State, and they will have the requirements on there. I actually can proudly say I have one of the few License to Solemnize Marriage certificates that actually say "THC MINISTRY" on it!

The things I feel is necessary for you to show sincerity/legitimacy are:

1. Ministers Credential.
2. License to Solemnize Marriage certificate for your state.
3. THC Ministry Sanctuary Kit

I think everything else might be icing on the cake, but great to do and further entrenches your sincerity and legitimacy. The above are not necessarily listed in order of importance.

Hope this helps ya out!
_________________
Stop being a slave to Cannabis, and do something with your life! How much is smoking weed going to cost you before you will WAKE UP?

Put down the bong

and pick up a book every once in a while for Pete's sake.

"Compassion to those that deserve it, and Justice for all others."

**Mystic Power** · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 5:34 pm Post subject:

Sounds OK to me.

Might help and can't hurt. Laughing

Bliss
Ben
_________________
"We are the Ones we have been waiting for."
~Hopi Elder ~

"In Lak'ech"
~ Ancient Mayan: "I am another YOU." ~

**Mystic Power** · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 5:36 pm Post subject:

P.S.

I doubt that any minister-licesensure state ever refuses anyone.

1. They can't, constitutionally.
2. It's just another source of income for them.

Bliss
Ben
_________________
"We are the Ones we have been waiting for."
~Hopi Elder ~

"In Lak'ech"
~ Ancient Mayan: "I am another YOU." ~

Stokes · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 7:05 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the helpful info, Rev. Poole.

My state (PA) only requires that I be an ordained minister in order to perform marriage ceremonies, so I believe that I'm OK there.

As far as the ULC goes, if I can't even get them to return an e-mail confirming my ordination I sure don't know how I'll get a wallet card out of them.

I hope the $5.00 isn't what's keeping them from confirming my ordination? Maybe I'd better send it to them just in case.

Rev. Stokes
_________________
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Where love is, there God is also.

-Mahatma Gandhi

**Brother Adam** · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 8:44 pm Post subject:

Hey Stokes, I ordered a ministers package from the ULC about a week and a half ago. So far I have received my clergy badge, large minister parking placard, and removable ULC window sticker. In the envelope was a letter stating that I should receive my wallet ID and official credential sometime up to 10 days plus mailing time.

Disturbing part was the post card I received at the same time that was mailed by itself. It asked when and where I was ordained, and if I could send a copy of my online ordination back. So, I emailed them several times about it, and have dropped a copy of my online ordination in the mail to them. The emails haven't been answered, and I have no idea where my ordination stands at this moment. They still mailed the first part of my package so I hope they did find my stuff....Either way I'm keeping a copy of the online ordination for my personal records. I'm hoping that I am on record in Modesto, and I know I signed up at the right place www.ulc.org because there are said to be a few fake ULC sites online....oh well! Just have to wait and see what happens.

**Rev. Rodger L. Poole** · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 9:45 pm Post subject:

**Mystic Power** · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 10:02 pm Post subject:

Easier and wiser....like flowing water in a stream simply flowing around the rock.

Plenty of time to erode the rock, later. Laughing

Bliss
Ben
_________________
"We are the Ones we have been waiting for."
~Hopi Elder ~

"In Lak'ech"
~ Ancient Mayan: "I am another YOU." ~