Local Spiritualist Church is one of a few in Illinois

Margaret Downing photo The Journal
Christabelle Spiritualist Church is located on the west side of Cherry Valley.

By Margaret Downing
Reporter
As defined in Wikipedia, “Spiritualism, in philosophy, is a characteristic of any system of thought that affirms the existence of immaterial reality imperceptible to the (physical) senses.
“The Modern Spiritualist movement dates from 1848” with the Fox sisters of Hydesville, New York…”
There are seven Spiritualist churches listed in Illinois, and five in Wisconsin according to information derived from the National Spirtualist Association of Churches.
The Christabelle Spiritualist Church, 8002 Service Road, Cherry Valley, has been located at that site since 1925.
Continuing on with Wikipedia’s information: “Spiritualist churches are places of worship for the practitioners of Spiritualism. The Spiritualist service is usually conducted by a medium. Generally, there is an opening prayer, an address, the singing of hymns, and finally a demonstration of mediumship. Healing circles may also be part of the formal proceedings.
“Spiritualism is a religious movement based on the belief that the spirits of the dead exist and have both the ability and the inclination to communicate with the living. The afterlife, or the ‘Spirit world,’ is seen by spiritualists, not as a static place, but as one in which spirits continue to evolve.
“A medium is said to have psychic abilities but not all psychics function as mediums. The term ‘clairvoyance,’ for instance, may include seeing spirit and visions instilled by the spirit world. The Parapsychological Association defines clairvoyance as information derived directly from an external physical source.
“‘New Age’ is a term applied to a range of spiritual or religious beliefs and practices that developed in Western nations during the 1970s.”
As noted by Ruth Maklezow, local student, medium, and clairvoyant reader “I have been a Spiritualist since the age of 10 when my mother found out that I was ‘talking to Spirit.’
“I have been attending the Spiritualist Camp and this church for many years. My mediumship in spiritualist growth is largely due to this church and I love being a spiritualist because it is in my heart.
“The gift that Spirit has bestowed upon me is to help others and continue to learn and grow and live life as Spiritualist.”
After speaking with former pastors, George and Patti Kittnar, and current members, an understanding grows of just what a Spiritualist Church encompasses.
Spiritualist Churches follow these principles:
“Declaration of Principles:
• “We believe in Infinite Intelligence.
• “We believe that the phenomena of Nature, both physical and spiritual, are the expression of Infinite Intelligence.
• “We affirm that a correct understanding of such expression and living in accordance therewith, constitute true religion.
• “We affirm that the existence and personal identity of the individual continue after the change called death.
• “We affirm that communication with the so-called dead is a fact, scientifically proven by the phenomena of Spiritualism.
• “We believe that the highest morality is contained in the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
• “We affirm the moral responsibility of individuals and that we make our own happiness or unhappiness as we obey or disobey Nature’s physical and spiritual laws.
• “We affirm that the doorway to re-formation is never closed against any soul here or hereafter.
• “We affirm that the precepts of Prophecy and Healing are Divine attributes proven through Mediumship.”
Or…the “Simplified Form:”
• “We believe in God.
• “We believe that God is expressed through all Nature.
• “True religion is living in obedience to Nature’s Laws.
• “We never die.
• “Spiritualism proves that we can talk with people in the Spirit World.
• “Be kind, do good and others will do likewise.
• “We bring unhappiness to ourselves by the errors we make and we will be happy if we obey the laws of life.
• “Every day is a new beginning.
• “Prophecy and healing are expressions of God.”
Some history and background, as taken from various websites in relation to Spiritualism and Churches follows:
“Spiritualism is a religious movement based on the belief that the spirits of the dead exist and have both the ability and the inclination to communicate with the living. The afterlife, or the ‘spirit world,’ is seen by spiritualists, not as a static place, but as one in which spirits continue to evolve.
“These two beliefs: that contact with spirits is possible, and that spirits are more advanced than humans, lead spiritualists to a third belief: that spirits are capable of providing useful knowledge about moral and ethical issues, as well as about the nature of God.
“Some spiritualists will speak of a concept which they refer to as ‘spirit guides’ or specific spirits, often contacted, who are relied upon for spiritual guidance. ‘Spiritism,’ a branch of spiritualism developed by Allan Kardec and today practiced mostly in Continental Europe and Latin America, especially in Brazil, emphasizes reincarnation, having lived past lives.
“Spiritualism developed and reached its peak growth in membership from the 1840s to the 1920s, especially in English-speaking countries. By 1897, spiritualism was said to have more than eight million followers in the United States and Europe, mostly drawn from the middle and upper classes.
“Spiritualism flourished for a half century without canonical texts or formal organization, attaining cohesion through periodicals, tours by trance lecturers, camp meetings, and the missionary activities of accomplished mediums. Many prominent spiritualists were women, and like most spiritualists, supported causes such as the abolition of slavery and women’s suffrage.
“By the late 1880s the credibility of the informal movement had weakened due to accusations of fraud perpetrated by mediums, and formal spiritualist organizations began to appear. Spiritualism is currently practiced primarily through various denominational spiritualist churches in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.”
Some information relayed recently by Pastor Carol Luetkens with the Wonewoc Spiritualist Camp in Wisconsin gave some insight on the subject.
“It’s not easy being a Spiritualist…the road to re-formation is never closed. Follow the precepts of doing kindness to and for others. We need to truly look at ourselves, which shouldn’t be difficult. What matters is what is inside of us, in our hearts, and how we treat others.
“We are all special, love is one of the biggest things we can give and accept. Use kindness in dealing with others and look at situations in a positive way, this is what a good Spiritualist does. Life is short. We are here on a journey, make it a learning experience!”
Spiritualism covers many different areas, such as clairaudience, spirit communication, after death communication, “take away” visions when a loved one dies, ‘past life’ regression, premonitions, and other topics. If interested in finding out more, visit Christabelle Spiritual Church for an 11 a.m. service on Sundays or call 779-772-5950. Following the service, which also includes readings and healings, a potluck is held in a nearby building.