The Universal Terran Church
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- This article is about the Neopagan organization called the Uniterran Church. For articles on Unitarian beliefs, see Unitarianism.
History
Uniterran Paganism or Uniterranism dates back to September 2002 and was originally conceptualized in Lakeland, Florida. The original High Council was founded a year later on July 23, 2003 in Victor, New York. The group's by-laws were ratified in Victor, NY on September 27, 2003.
The members chose the word "Church" because of its rareness of use in Pagan groups. Its use is intended to restore a positive image to the word "church." The word "Terra" is the Latin word for "Earth." "Terran" is another word for "Earthling" or "Human." The use of this word signifies a great affection for and dedication to the Planet Earth. It is termed a "Universal" Church because there are branch Parishes in several other nations besides the United States.
The Universal Terran Church (also known simply as UTC) originally chartered as a Congregation of the Universal Life Church based in Modesto, California. The first ritual of the group was held on November 1, 2003 in observance of Samhain or "Ancestor's Day." An observance of Yule, Christmas and Hanukkah was held on December 20, 2003 and was the Church's first official "All Faiths Day" ritual. Each Sabbat since has been observed with some form of ritual or fellowship. Weekly and Monthly "Breakfasts" were held on Sundays to promote fellowship among members and, quite often, some form of spiritual or educational literature or poetry has been shared at the close of these gatherings. Between September 2003 and April 2005, the founding group formed a church Board of Directors known as the High Council, wrote By-Laws, and Articles of Incoporation. They published a newsletter and aurthored a handbook for new members. In March 2005, Rev. Mirlin Poplar was interviewed by David Langley, Diane Langdon and Catie Chester of Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York for the Harvard Pluralism Project during an Ostara celebration. This was to be the last activity organized by the original group.
In April 2005, members of the High Council of The Universal Terran Church independently broke away from the main body of the church over disagreements with the leadership of the church and formed a new group, The Circle Of All Paths, which carbon copied itself after the original group. After much debate, the newer group agreed to make changes to distinguish itself as being different and separate from the Universal Terran Church. The Finger Lakes chapter of UTC in New York State struggled to reorganize over a period of months, led by Mirlin Poplar. In August 20005, a camping retreat called "AugustFire" was organized by the Rev. Keith Veeder who took on the role as Vice-President, but after pressure from the Church of Satan, to which he belonged, he resigned from UTC vowing no further contact with the church.
Meanwhile, the Sunshine Grove chapter was founded in Daytona, Florida by Rev. Kourtnie James and flourished. UTC- Florida participated in and led the way for the Pagan Pride Day activities in Volusia and Flagler Counties. It was welcomed by the Local Unitarian Universalist church which gave use of their facilities and fully supported the new UTC Chapter. Between September 2005 and February 2006, the Sunshine Grove chapter's membership tripled and began hosting regular clergy training seminars and ritual events.
In June 2006, the newsletter for UTC, The Pathfinder was restarted and published just in time for Summer Solstice observance. Membership in the overall organization has climbed steadily despite the set back encountered by the founding New York chapter.
The Sunshine Grove chapter of UTC is the sponsor of the 2006 Volusia/Flagler County Pagan Pride Day in DeLand, Florida.
It is the goal of the Universal Terran Church to be independent and registered as a 501c3 Non-Profit "Church" organized for the purposes of Religion. UTC is now based in Rochester, New York.
What Constitutes Membership?
It was decided early on that membership in any online Yahoo! Group or forum did not constitute membership in the Universal Terran Church. In order to be a member of UTC, each individual must fill out and sign a membership form. Without submitting this signed form, an individual cannot claim membership in the Universal Terran Church. Those under the age of eighteen must have a parent or guardian give written consent by filling out a consent form. This form MUST be signed in the presence of a Notary Public before it can be valid. Membership is free; there is no obligation to tithe. All memberships are for life.
Branch Parishes
The first attempt at establishing a parish was in the state of Florida by Pastor Cela SilverMoon in November 2003. Later in September 2005, this chapter was officially chartered by Rev. Kourtnie James as the Universal Terran Church of the Sunshine Grove in Daytona Florida.
Virginian, Canadian and Australian Yahoo! Groups were formed in November 2003 as well. Official Chapters include: Chapin, NY; Finger Lakes Region, New York; and Daytona, Florida.
These groups have formed Yahoo! Groups and have been meeting on a local basis. Various states have started UTC Yahoo! Groups for the sole purpose of trying to start state Parishes. It is the intention of UTC to allow these groups a certain amount of autonomy while helping to spread core beliefs without proselytizing.
Anyone can start a chapter in any location simply by downloading the charter application from the website at [Documents].
Core Beliefs
The primary belief of adherents to Uniterranism is that "All Paths are Valid."
Bearing this in mind, UTC is primarily Neo-Pagan, but the Church is open to all religions, including mainstream and "not-so-popular" left-hand paths. The Church believes that the Earth (Terra) is "alive and sacred" and that it is the duty of citizens of Earth to care for it and preserve it. Another goal of UTC is to educate Pagans about paths they may not be familiar with and to help teach tolerance of these paths. The Church teaches "D.A.R.T." which is an acronym for Diversity, Acceptance, Respect, and Tolerance. These four ideals are what UTC strives to teach others and Church members. "Service to Humanity" also plays a strong role in Uniterran belief.
"Fellowship" is a core value of Uniterrans and there is a belief that wherever members gather, a spiritual experience is taking place regardless of whether a ritual is being held. Like many Pagan groups, UTC does not believe in proselytizing, but UTC does seek to introduce "Uniterran Paganism" to others by inviting others to join with it, either in person or on the Internet.
Role of Clergy
Clergy in the Church are dedicated to a three-year training course that includes elements of Pagan religions, mainstream religions, crafts of the Craft, journal work, goal setting, and teaching. After three years, a Clergy Examination must be passed.
Clergy members plan and coordinate ritual, solemnize handfastings, teach and give counseling. They help teach in the community at large and they give community service. It is the responsibility of each Clergy member to set an example of "Servant Leadership." Before one can lead, one must serve others. Most Clergy within the Church have specific areas of responsibility. Within the Church there is a "High Council" made up of nine adults, all of whom have specific duties. Members of the Church who are not at least 18 years of age may not serve on the High Council but may be appointed or elected to certain positions of leadership within the Church.
Most leadership positions within UTC have a Mundane Title and a Magickal Title. Some examples of these include but are not limited to: Senior Pastor/High Priest(ess), Assistant Senior Pastor/High Priest(ess), Education Coordinator/Abecedarian, Chief of Security/Master Guardian, Chief of Fire Safety/Master Fire Tender, Secretary/Scribe, Pursewarden/Treasurer, Music Director/Master Bard, and Health Care Specialist/Master Healer. These titles are used interchangeably depending upon the particular event that is taking place.
Organization of Groups
The Mother Church is located in Rochester, NY. A splinter group can form in any state or nation outside the USA.
These splinter groups usually organize online by way of Yahoo! Groups. Should members wish to form a Parish, they may make an application for Clergy Training. If accepted, the leader is given a "Temporary Ordination" that can only be made permanent upon successful completion of the Clergy Training Program.
That individual may start a Parish with three or more members. They most hold planning meetings every three months and they must meet to practice in some form of religious service at least once a month, whether it be for holiday observance, ritual, magickal practice or general fellowship.
Each Parish is given autonomy and is responsible for their finances and programs, but they must dedicate themselves to UTC's core beliefs. There is an annual fee of $25 to charter from UTC but there is no requirement to tithe other than that.
Programs
The first program established by the Church was the Order of Wizards, which is a community service-based group, but that program is currently under revision. The Church also has an Education Department dedicated to the teaching of Pagan ways, Herbalism, Divination, mainstream beliefs, Conservationism, drumming, and human awareness topics. A children's program is also being developed that will help Pagan parents with young children to make various path resources available to their young ones.
Standards of conduct
Uniterrans follow various forms of personal conduct, but the Church promotes "D.A.R.T, ” as described above. The Wiccan Rede of "An it harm none, do what thou wilt" is also a guiding principle for many members. The Wiccan Rede is generally interpreted as meaning that individuals find out what their destiny is and fulfill it, as long as they refrain from intentionally harming another life or themselves. Those who follow a left-handed path are welcome within the Church and are asked to be respectful and tolerant, just as those on the right-hand path must be. Uniterrans are encouraged to continue their own private practice but are asked to peacefully meld their path with the paths of the general membership while practicing and serving UTC and to avoid activities that would lend power to negativity.
Holidays
The eight festivals of the Wheel of the Year are observed, with the addition of Chinese New Year. The festivals are:
- Ancestors' Day (Samhain),
- All Faiths' Day (Yule, Christmas, Hanukkah),
- Chinese New Year
- Imbolc
- Ostara
- Beltane
- Midsummer
- Lughnasadh
- Mabon.
Ways of Worship
Fellowship - The highest form of worship in the Church is "fellowship and bonding." This above all else is what the Uniterran Church teaches pleases the God and Goddess, because fellowship promotes communication and understanding among human beings. The Church believes that this inevitably leads to cooperation, compromise and eventual peace. Peace is the highest goal of humanity. Therefore, many events are scheduled just for the purpose of fellowship.
Ritual - Ritual is a combination of Traditional Wicca, Eclectic Paganism and Eastern Religions. Ritual planning usually takes into consideration the various traditions of those members active within the Church and may vary from ritual to ritual.
Observances - Some Church holidays are observed by feasting, fellowshipping and various other activities, without holding a formal ritual.
Prayer - Prayer in various forms is encouraged. Prayer can be silent or "aloud." Prayer can be spellwork, the sending of healing energy or good vibes, or things that are given to give protection or good energy.
Sacraments - Traditional cakes and ale are used, as well as other forms of food and drink. While alcohol is not used in rituals, private use by members is not discouraged.
Divination - Individual members may use various forms of divination to help others and themselves as needed and requested. Tarot, rune stones, prayer, scrying and many other forms are welcomed and accepted.
Current Directors
- Senior Pastor/President: H. Rev. Douglas "Mirlin Poplar" Moorefield
- Vice-President: Rev. Kourtnie James
- Secretary: Jr. Rev. Faeth Flamiano
- Librarian: Gavin Kent
- Firetender: Robb Dorazio
- Florida Delegate: Rev. Kourtnie James
- Maiden Emeritus: Faeth Flamiano
- Crone Of The Church: Agnes "Angel" Teeple
External links
References
by Pentacrux Publishing, Copyright 2005 by The Universal Terran Church
Currently, handbooks and path material are available that will hopefully be available for eBook publication by mid-2006.
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