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The
School of Universal Worship
89 Lindsey Hill Road • Worthington, MA 01098
(413) 238-5887 • Fax: (413) 238-7790
email: cheragtraining@hughes.net
Dear Friend,
It is a great privilege to serve as a Cherag in the
Universal
Worship. One is called upon to help bring the Message of Unity to
humanity in our time. Becoming a Cherag is a sacred commitment to
living the religious life and communicating that attunement to all one
meets. The School of the Universal Worship was organized to
answer
Pir Vilayat's call for a comprehensive
training program for; future Cherags. During the over
fifteen years of its existence it has sought to meet that call and to
create
a consistent procedure for the selection, approval and training of
Cherag
candidates.
PROCEDURE FOR ORDINATION AS A CHERAG IN THE
UNIVERSAL
WORSHIP
-
APPLICATION:
Complete and submit the application form which is available from the
Universal
Worship Secretariat (26 First Street, Albany, NY 12210).
-
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION: The Cherag
applicant's guide
in the Sufi Order is asked to write a letter of
recommendation.
The letter should describe the applicant's attunement, qualities, and
experience
as it would contribute to the Universal Worship; his or her history of
involvement with the teachings of the Message and the training given in
the Sufi Order; and potential ways in which he or she could serve as a
Cherag.
-
PHOTOGRAPH: The candidate is
responsible
for submitting a clear, passport or larger size recent photo of
him/herself.
A natural, smiling pose is preferable to an expression of somber,
lifeless
"spirituality". A Cherag should represent the Universal Worship
in
an appropriate manner, and this includes grooming and general
appearance.
-
REVIEW AND NOTIFICATION: Pir Vilayat
has instituted
a small committee to assist in evaluating prospective Cherag
candidates.
This committee will review all applications after receiving the above
information.
Recommendations are submitted to Pir Vilayat for his final
review.
The nominees and guides are notified as quickly as possible, but due to
Pir Vilayat's busy schedule it is often not possible to give an exact
date
for review. Normally it will be within six months of
application.
We will notify you upon our decision but feel free to contact the
Secretariat
if you have questions regarding your status.
-
CHERAG CANDIDACY: Those approved
become
Cherag Candidates. They are then asked to complete The Religious
Dimensions
of the Message study course and submit answers to
30 questions contained in the course on various aspects of the
course. (This course, including cassette tapes, is available
directly
from Omega Publications, 246 Darrow Road, New Lebanon, N.Y.
12125,
(518) 794-8183 for $ 80.00. The list of questions is available
from
the Universal Worship Secretariat.) The answers to the questions
will be reviewed as completed by an experienced reviewer. When
all
30 have been completed they will be submitted to the review committee
for
a final review.
-
TRAINING: Prior to ordination
the Cherag
candidate should receive training in how to conduct the service.
This can be done either at one of the annual training sessions held
each
summer, by attending a class for Cherags at a local center, or by
working
directly with an experienced Cherag/Mentor. For questions
regarding
this portion of the training please contact the Secretariat.
-
ORDINATION: Upon successful
completion
of the written work and training requirement the candidate will be
recommended
for ordination and will receive a letter confirming this status. An
approved
candidate may then be ordained by Pir Vilayat or a Siraj.
Ordinations
by Pir Vilayat are usually done at a camp or seminar. Details on the
exact
procedure will be included in the letter of confirmation.
-
ON-GOING TRAINING: It is
important that
new Cherags receive on-going training in the conduct of the service and
the duties of the Cherag. This can be done locally in Cherag
classes
if these are available, or at camps and seminars which are offered
periodically.
Normally the new Cherag will be expected to apprentice him/herself with
a more experienced Cherag for a period of time following ordination.
Please address all application materials or requests
for
further information to:
The
School of Universal Worship
89 Lindsey Hill Road • Worthington, MA 01098
(413) 238-5887 • Fax: (413) 238-7790
email: cheragtraining@hughes.net