SPIRITUALIST CHURCH OF CANADA 83 Ottawa Street North Hamilton Ontario L8H 3Y9 E-mail - info@spiritualistchurchofcanada.com

MISSION STATEMENT

THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF SPIRITUALISM

1.The Fatherhood of God.

2.The Brotherhood of Man

3.The Communion of Spirits and the Ministry of Angels.

4.The Continuous existence of the Human Soul.

5.Personal Responsibility.

6.Compensation and retribution hereafter for all good or evils deeds done on earth.

7.Eternal Progress open to every human soul.

     Further, to organize and conduct courses and classes for spiritualistic instruction.
To provide for the education and license of fit and proper persons as authorized preachers, lecturers and demonstrators of the Religion of Spiritualism and for the ordination of pastors. To assist in, promote and unite Spiritualist Churches, societies, organizations and persons across Canada into one general Spiritualist Church. To organize new churches, societies, missions and branches thereof, and to affiliate with other similar organizations in the world.
 

A LIBERAL INTERPRETATION
 

1. The Fatherhood of God

    God is the eternal creative life force. The Father of the human family ,including all life. That which is seen has been created by that which is unseen. We as Spiritualists point to the existence of all life and the universe itself as proof/evidence of God. God is, therefore, we are. God manifests himself directly and indirectly in all things. Acceptance of this Principle suggests acceptance that we are all children of God. The Fatherhood of God is a term of reference and not a definition. There is much more to Spiritualism than a definition of God. God has no gender. God is the creator, the prime mover. One example is to look at God as light from Whom many sparks emanate. These sparks vary in brightness and areas different from one another as we are from each other. These sparks, of course, are us. We each contain the spark of God within us all. This is the soul. It is the soul's energy, which creates the auras that surround us. It is interesting to note that when Moses came out of the burning bush and down the mountain he said, when asked what he had seen, that he had seen the Light of God and that it burnt in each and every one of us.
 

2. The Brotherhood of Man

    If God is our Father, then are we not therefore all brothers and sisters all members of the same divine family? As with all families, it is not always easy to get along with each other. We should recognize our individual obligation to love, care, and support one another. Essentially, we recognize our relationship to one another and therefore endeavor to respect that relationship and love the spark that is contained within our brother/sister. And even though we often fail, we know that our elder brothers and sisters in the Spirit World stand at our side, praying that we will do better. Try our best is all we can do...and not even the angels can do better than that!
 

3. The Communion of Spirits and the Ministry of Angels

    The KEY of the religion of Spiritualism. Not only does it tell us that life is eternal but that communion with spirits and the ministry of highly evolved spirits (angels) is a natural and desirable progression within the confines of earthly life. In other words, it has sometimes been a lost art. It is a re-emergence and continuance of the powers displayed by Jesus, Moses and so forth, and that we are guided and communicate with those on the higher side of life. Time and time again, under the right conditions, friends, relatives and those who have gone before, take the opportunity to communicate back and show that they still take an interest in human affairs. Communion also means 'three'. Two things come together to produce a third, i.e. a message, a healing, a philosophy and so forth. The idea of angelic beings also acts as a reference point when contemplating our soul's individual journey.
 

4. The Continuous Existence of the Human Soul

    Life truly is eternal. But also, you progress by your own efforts. The soul cannot be destroyed. As Albert Einstein proved, you can not destroy anything, only change its form. This too is true of the spirit. The goal of human life is not the grave! We continue to exist and progress. In this life you have to help yourself, no one will do it for you. God and the Spirit World will always help, but you have to do the legwork.
 

5. Personal Responsibility

    Personal responsibility does not stop at death of the physical body. You are ultimately responsible for your thoughts, actions, and deeds. You need to gain as full an understanding of this Principle as possible. Recognize now that you have the power for change and that it is your responsibility. It begins now!

                                 As you sow, so shall you reap
                                As you do, so you are
                                As you think, so shall you become
 

6. Compensation and Retribution Hereafter for all the Good and Evil Deeds Done on Earth

    The beauty of the Seven Principles is how they flow into one another. Personal responsibility very much applies here too. It should not be taken to mean reward and punishment by a divine power. It is again, a bit like the karmic wheel. When delivered to the Spirit World, one person's life there, spiritually, will be proportional to the good and evil deeds done in this life. All good deeds on the part of genuine motives bring their own rewards. This starts here and now on the earth plane and not when we reach spirit. When we pass, we go to the world we have made for ourselves.
 

7. Eternal Progress Open to Every Human Soul

    You must develop your own individual spiritual qualities if you are to progress. This path is lined with failures, trials, and sacrifice usually far beyond what you ever imagined. The good student must be prepared as best they can be. They must be in control. As has been alluded to, the spiritual blessings are proportional to the sufferings. Stimulation too higher and ever-finer vibrations within the soul will raise you to the Divine. When we become a worker in the vineyards of God, we must make sacrifices. Our hearts will be broken but we don't really mind because it is God. We know that when God opens our eyes and gives us glimpses of truth our broken hearts will be mended, made stronger and better for and by the will of God.

    The Seven Principles are a way of life. They are not something to be learned parrot fashion. They were given to us in 1854 through the trance Mediumship of Mrs. Emma Hardinge Britten, a great Medium and early pioneer of the Spiritualist Movement.

MEMBER CHURCHES
 

	SPIRITUALIST SOCIETY AND GATEWAY PSYCHIC CENTER
Address:	1609d Kensington Road N.W. Calgary, Alberta T2N 3R2
Phone:	(403) 270-3341
Contact:	Rev. Karen Voegelie
Email:	contact@gatewaycentre.ca
Visit Website - www.gatewaycentre.ca

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	CALGARY FIRST SPIRITUALIST CHURCH
Address:	1603 - 6th Ave N.W. Calgary, Alberta T2N 0W1
Phone:	403-283-1102
Contact:	Rev. Ella Groves
	[403] 278-5085 kegroves@telus.net
Email:	info@calgaryfirstspiritualistchurch.ca
Visit Website - www.calgaryfirstspiritualistchurch.ca

	SPIRITUALIST SOCIETY OF BURLINGTON
Address:	3027 New Street Burlington Ontario L7R 1K3 In Roseland Plaza
Contact:	Rev. James Kinnear
Phone:	(905) 639-0956
Email:	Spiritualist@cogeco.ca

SPIRITUALIST CHURCH OF CANADA GUIDELINES
 
 

CERTIFICATION

     1.CERTIFICATES

    Any person in good standing as a subscribing member of the SPIRITUALIST CHURCH OF CANADA, may, upon satisfying the conditions imposed by the SPIRITUALIST CHURCH OF CANADA, be granted a certificate stating the phase of work for which the recipient is qualified. Personal, educational and training qualifications as well as experience may be assessed by the BOARD OF GOVERNORS or its appointees in lieu of these conditions.
 
 

    11. APPLICATIONS

    Applications for a certificate must be accompanied by an entrance fee, which shall be refunded in the event of the application not being accepted. Applications must further be accompanied by a statement by "TWO" OFFICERS" of the Church of which the applicant is a member, verifying the statements made by the applicant and testifying as to the ability of the applicant to demonstrate the phase of Mediumship for which the certification is sought.
 
 

   111.CONDITIONS

    This certificate may be revoked for cause at any time, but otherwise shall remain in effect as long as the holder maintains subscribing membership in the SPIRITUALIST CHURCH OF CANADA, reasonably continues to practice for the good of Spiritualism, does not lose his/her ability to demonstrate the phase of spiritual gifts to which his/her certificate refers and generally conducts hi/herself in such a way as will not bring discredit upon him/herself, the cause of Spiritualism or on the SPIRITUALIST CHURCH OF CANADA to which he/she belongs.
 
 

    1V. SPEAKER

    The certificate as a Speaker maybe granted to an applicant who satisfactorily passes an examination to determine his/her knowledge of the philosophy of the religion of Spiritualism. This examination is to determine his/her command of the principle language of the congregation to which he/she belongs and his/her ability to expound before an audience, phases of Spiritualist philosophy in an intelligent manner. Those applying for a Speakers certificate must have knowledge contained in the SPIRITUALIST CHURCH OF CANADA'S basic course of study, or equivalent experience of presenting at least twelve (12) talks in their own, as well as other Spiritualist Churches.
 
 

     V.CLAIRVOYANT

    The certificate for Clairvoyant may be granted to an applicant who satisfactorily explains how he/she understands how he/she functions under his/her mediumistic powers or gifts when demonstrating. Those applying for a certificate in Clairvoyance must have knowledge contained in the SPIRITUALIST CHURCH OF CANADA'S basic course of study, or equivalent and the experience to carry the complete Spirit demonstration of the service.
 
 

    V1. SPIRITUAL HEALER

    The certificate for the Spiritual Healer may be granted upon the applicant, in addition to complying with the requirements of Clauses! and!! as stated, submitting three (3) letters of testimony from persons who have received treatment through the mediumship of the applicant. The applicant must also possess a clear understanding of his/her limitation by law in the practice of Spiritual Healing. Those applying for a Spiritual Healer certificate must have knowledge contained in the SPIRITUALIST CHURCH OF CANADA'S basic course of study, or equivalent and the experience of practicing Spiritual Healing for a minimum of two(2) years.
 
 
 

   V11. ORDINATION

    The SPIRITUALIST CHURCH OF CANADA will receive applications from any Spiritual person desiring to qualify as an Ordained Minister of the religion of Spiritualism whom:

1. Has a subscribing membership in the SPIRITUALIST CHURCH OF CANADA for at least two (2) years prior to the application.

2. Has an Accredited Worker's Certificate for Clairvoyance, Speaker, Spiritual Healer and practiced continually for two (2) years prior to the application.

3.Has graduated from a school or course of education approved by the SPIRITUALIST CHURCH OF CANADA and at least five (5) -advanced subjects of the applicant's choice, having studied the remaining available subjects.

4. Has reasonable knowledge of contemporary literature on Spiritualism and its authors and of the history of Spiritualism.

5. Has reasonable knowledge of the growth and nature of comparative religions.

6. Has reasonable ability to conduct a complete service in the language of the applicant in an audible manner.

7. An Ordained Minister shall be entitled to the prefix "REVEREND" to his/her name while in good standing with the SPIRITUALIST CHURCH OF CANADA. No distinguishing dress or stole or other insignia indicating a Ministers calling, other than that approved by the SPIRITUALIST CHURCH OF CANADA shall be worn.
 
 

  V111: TRANSFER OF ACCREDITATION

    Before placing their application, an applicant for transfer of accreditation must be an active member of the SPIRITUALIST CHURCH OF CANADA for a minimum of two (2) years, provided this can be reduced under exceptional circumstances by the Board Personnel, education and training qualifications, as well as experience will be assessed by the Board of Governors or it's appointees.
 
 

    1X: PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES

1. All accredited Worker or Ordination Certificates will be presented at the next following Semi-Annual or Annual Member Meeting, unless otherwise approved by the Board of Governors or it's appointees.

2.Where possible and if requested a representative from the Board of Governors will attend the home Church of the member for presentation of the certificate.

WHAT IS SPIRITUALISM?

    Teaching and philosophy have been communicated from time to time by advanced spirit beings. These have dealt with the purpose of life and the destiny of man based on the revelation that he survives earthly death and leads an active life in spirit dimensions. The realization that man actively lives beyond the grave so profoundly alters the, conception of life that it has given rise to an entirely new religious outlook, which is diametrically opposed to many of the fundamental ideas of traditional religion, and is known as Spiritualism.

    What is known as Modern Spiritualism began in 1848 when sensational happenings in Hydesville led to rapid developments throughout the United States and Canada, eventually reaching Europe including Britain. Nowadays, the largest Spiritualist organization in Canada is the Spiritualist Church of Canada based in Toronto Ontario, and it is recognized by Federal. Government as the legally established religious body for Spiritualism. It has an extensive education and training program and its philosophy is based on the Seven Principles, which do not lay down rules but encourage people to discuss and think about their attitude to life. Influenced by these Principles as well as its scientific and philosophical ramifications, for many people Spiritualism has become more than just a religion; it has become a Way of Life.
 

DEFINITIONS
 

SPIRITUALISM:

Is the Science, Philosophy and Religion of continuous life, based upon the demonstrated fact of communication through mediumship with those who live in the spiritual plane. Spiritualism is a rational religion for a materialistic world. It will bring back a sense of spiritual values. Spiritualism affirms that man survives the change called death and that his spirit maintains a continuous existence in a spiritual world, which surrounds and interpenetrates our material world, the truth of this assertion being scientifically proven through communication with the spirit through mediumship. Spiritualism strives to understand and to comply with the Physical, Mental and Spiritual Laws of Nature, which are the Laws of God.
 

MEDIUMSHIP:

Is the ability of human instruments to attune themselves through their inherent Psychic facility to the vibrations of the spirit people and through peculiar chemical properties of their physical bodies to produce the ectoplasm necessary for the manifestation of physical phenomena. In mental phenomena the intelligence is conveyed entirely through the mind of the medium. The phenomenon of Spiritualism involves the psychic powers of a medium and the directing powers of spirit intelligences. Spirit communication requires the co - operative efforts of these two factors and under suitable conditions, communications can take place.
 

ECTOPLASM:

is an outer layer of protoplasm; an emanation from the medium's body an etherealized substance, which is sensitive to thoughts and exudes from the mucus membrane of the medium's body. It is used as the basis of all manifestations of physical mediumship. (Word coined by Richet)
 

COMMUNICATION:

We all live by the power of suggestion. Over a period of time, one habitually makes the positive effort to bring thoughts of spirit from the subconscious to the conscious mind by positive suggestion and after a while it becomes a physiological process. If a more powerful 'negative' suggestion is made by a biased skeptic, this will cause the subconscious to respond to the stronger negative suggestion and destroy the process of communication. Sympathy and harmony between spirit, medium and the recipient of a spirit message is the first essential to successful communications. Through development, the medium becomes more sensitive to vibrations from the spirit world and more selective of the controlling spirits who become guides, or helpers, each specializing in some function for which the medium is used as an instrument: e.g. Healing, Clairvoyance, Trance, Speeches, Automatic Writing, etc.
 

PHYSICAL PHENOMENA:

Is the simplest and most primitive form of physical phenomena. It's special characteristic is that the effects produced can be perceived by the physical senses so that witnesses have no doubts and those with materialistic views of life which prevent them from accepting survival evidence have become convinced that discarnate spirit are able to manifest and thereby provide indisputable evidence of life after so-called death.

NOTE:

Clairvoyance literally means "Clear Seeing" but in Spiritualism it has a technical meaning and refers to psychic sight. Clairvoyance may be either SUBJECTIVE or OBJECTIVE. It is often difficult if not altogether impossible, for even the clairvoyant to distinguish between the two. Other definitions can deal with phases of these two forms.
 

SUBJECTIVE CLAIRVOYANCE:

Is that psychic condition of a human being, who thereby becomes a medium, which enables spirit intelligences through the manipulation of the nerve centers of sight, to impress or photograph upon the brain of the medium, pictures and images which are seen as visions by the medium without the aid of the physical eye. These pictures and images may be of the things spiritual or material, past or present, remote or near, hidden or uncovered, or they may have their existence simply in the conception or imagination of the spirit communicating them.
 

OBJECTIVE CLAIRVOYANCE:

Is that psychic power of function of seeing objectively, spiritual beings, objects and things by and through the spiritual sensorium which pervades the physical mechanism of vision, without which objective clairvoyance would be impossible. A few persons are born with this power; in some it is developed, and in others it has but a casual quickening. Its extent is governed by the rate of vibration under which operates; thus a clairvoyant may see objectively spiritual things which to another may be invisible, because of the degree of difference in the intensity of the power.
 

CLAIRAUDIENCE:

Clear- hearing or Soul- hearing, the ability to hear with the split ear, the voices of those who have made the change called death.
 

CLAIRSENTIENCE:

Clear-sensing or Soul-sensing the ability to sense the spirit people and to receive their impressions. Sometimes called impressional mediumship.
 

CRYPTETHESIA:

A word coined by Professor Charles Richet, to cover all the mental phases of mediumship.
 

PSYCHOMETRY:

Is Soul- measuring (psyche meaning soul and metry measuring). It is the ability of the medium to read from vibrations emanating from articles held in the hand and to give the names and messages of people connected with the article. It is sometimes called a form of clairvoyance because psychic vision and intuitive ability of the soul to sense invisible relationships are at times indistinguishable from each other.
 

CONCENTRATION:

Is the ability to focus the mind upon a given point or object and to hold it there to the exclusion of all else.
 

MEDITATION:

Means to reflect upon, to ponder over. As you reflect upon the great truths of life you will come into a consciousness of God, for the fullest expression of life is through a realization of spirit and is found in those silent moments when we raise our vibrations to contact those of the higher forces.
 

DEFINITIONS of MEDIUMSHIP:

There are two kinds of mediumship: Physical phenomena and Mental phenomena. Physical phenomena are of such a nature that any person sitting with the medium during its manifestations can hear or see what is happening.

In mental phenomena the intelligence is conveyed entirely through the mind of the medium. The sensitive will see clairvoyantly the form of the spirit and will describe its features, form and clothing. In addition to this, the spirit voice will be heard clairaudietly so that communication can be repeated to the person sitting with the medium. Some sensitives are clairsentient. They are unable to see and hear spirit in the strictest sense of the word but are able to sense, to feel the presence and conditions of spirit and thereby relay accurate descriptions and messages.

Sometimes the medium will develop a state of trance so that spirit can control the speech of the medium in a more direct manner. In a similar way the spirit can often control a medium's hand and convey what it has to say in writing. In such mental forms of communication however, the medium's subconscious mind tends to color, to some extent, what is being given but even this disadvantage cannot prevent facts being given which are totally unknown to the sensitive.
 
 

Some of the Physical Phenomena are:
 

TABLE TILTING:

Is done by spirit employing the use of ectoplasmic rods from a physical medium. The ectoplasm is built up in the body of the physical medium but is actually contributed to by all the sitters and surroundings, as well as a spirit chemist. A rod is attached to the leg of the table and spirit is able to move the table in answer to questions put forth, thereby building up a form of communication. If the table is particularly heavy, the ectoplasm is formed into a lever mechanism to take the weight. At all times this ectoplasm is attached to the medium's body.
 

RAPS:

Used from a spirit entity were formed into a method of communication- one tap for yes, two for no. The Modern Spiritualism Movement was initiated from the Hydesville experience in 1848 through this preliminary form of communication with spirit. The raps from spirit have been known to be so sophisticated as to make the sound of a match scratching and can be anything from a soft tap to a loud bang.
 

TELEKINESIS:

Is energy in motion as used in the phenomena of moving objects through the air. It has been known that when a sitter changed his position in the circle, the object is brought to the correct person. The object is witnessed as rising into the air and put gently into the hand of the recipient. This is a description of LEVITATION, through mediumship, of all articles (APPORTS) or objects, ectoplasm being the basis of the manifestations.
 

DIRECT VOICE:

Is accomplished with the aid of a horn or trumpet, usually of aluminum, which is used to intensify the spirit voices. It is also used as a cabinet into which the sound vibrations are drawn and in which the ectoplasmic vocal organs, necessary for articulation, are materializes. The trumpet will move around the circle and come to rest in front of the sitter it wishes to address. It has been shown to gently tap a sitter to indicate its intentions but with all its movements around the circle, it has never been recorded that the trumpet hit anyone by accident.
 

SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPHY:

Is the appearance of a spirit entity on photograph paper. The photograph paper is held between the hands of a sitter and a reproduction will appear; some photographs have been a copy of existing photographs and sometimes it is an entirely new pose. Mediums have been known to find "extras" on their photographs of specific events.
 

MATERIALIZATION:

Is a phase of which consists of the production of an ectoplasmic replica of the spirit entity's former human body. The medium enters a state of deep trance, slowly the ectoplasm begins to flow from the body and take form, the figure remains constantly linked to the medium by a channel of nourishment, a sort of umbilical cord. The spirit appears in 3 dimensional form, which can be seen and felt by any person, although ectoplasm is avery sensitive substance and must be handled with caution, and only when the controlling spirit gives permission. It is also likely to disintegrate when exposed to light; a dark red light is usually the only illumination.
 

SPIRITUAL HEALING:

Is the healing of the spirit body to manifest in the human body through spirit power by means of mediumship. Healing comes under both the mental and physical phases of mediumship. Vibration always plays an important part in all healing both mental and physical. The definition of vibrationis "an act of oscillating, moving".
 

PSYCHIC ART:

Is the ability of an artist to attune with the spirit connected to the sitter, through a trance state and to draw the likeness of this spirit entity. With eyes tightly shut during the entire process, the selects the colored charcoals to be used, separates them from the pack and proceeds to draw, still with the eyes tightly shut.

AUTOMATIC WRITING:

Is the control of the hand of the medium during the process of writing. The medium is in a trance state relinquishing physical control of the hand.

In the early history of Modern Spiritualism physical phenomena was common, but it required years of practice to develop the physical medium and the exposure was limited. For the manifestation of results from physical mediumship it is necessary for the medium to be in a deep trance state, produce ectoplasm, have dark surroundings (no white light- a red light is permissible) limit the number of sitters which led to many instances of fraud and misdeeds. Spiritualism was first to recognize and eliminate these frauds from their ranks, but it colored the opinion of the general public.