Renowned Spiritualist: The Reverend E. Ann Otzelberger Visits Las Vegas Demonstrating Physical Phenomena

The Rev. E. Ann Otzelberger, NST, is a Spiritualist and a worldwide recognized medium for more than 40 years. Co-pastor of The Spiritualist Church of Awareness in Winter Park, Florida, she will visit Las Vegas’ Spiritualist Desert Church (NSAC), 3355 W. Spring Mountain Road, Suite 19, Las Vegas (702-876-8783) from Jan. 22-25. Rev Ann will demonstrate physical phenomena in several different ways, including table tipping and Skotography. The two activities are considered séances and prove the continuity of life, which is a basic teaching of the National Spiritualist Association of Churches, based in Lily Dale, NY. The church’s roots are anchored in the Fox sisters’ mid-1800s mediumship in Hydesville, N.Y., in which a murdered peddler communicated with the girls through “raps,” which sounds like someone rapping upon wood. The religion describes itself as a church of “science, philosophy and a religion (www.nsac.org).” It was incorporated Nov. 3, 1893, in Washington, D.C., as a nonprofit religious organization. “Communication and proving the continuity of life is why we do this,” Otzelberger said from her Florida office. “It’s a lot of fun, too.” She described table tipping as an exercise in connecting with spirit by raising the vibration of a group of six to 10 people. The table moves about the room and will tip to answer questions. One tip for yes and two tips for no, depending on how spirits wish to answer questions. She also said ectoplasm, a substance she described as “smoky and sticky” and is said to be produced in spirit materialization. She has been doing table tipping demonstrations for several decades. One story she remembers is when a small group of people were holding a séance in a hotel years ago and the table “walked” out to the hotel keeper in another room to give him a message. “I don’t guarantee anything,” Otzelberger said. “I don’t do that because I don’t take anything for granted. Whatever spirit does is what we get. It is helpful if there isn’t a lot of negativity in the room.” Skotography is spirit photography. This is an activity that involves using photographic materials to capture images. They can be the faces of loved ones who have passed to spirit, angels, animals and plants. Otzelberger said sometimes the photograph paper will change over time, adding more images. The experienced medium remembers one time her group of students were not getting any images. After communicating with spirit she was told the developing liquid was too cold. She made the corrections and they group began to get images. She said she has limited knowledge of photography and its technology. Otzelberger, who grew up as a Southern Baptist, sits on the board of directors for the National Spiritualist Association of Churches and is president of the group’s Teacher’s Club. She has taught classes across the globe and has made predictions for “Glamour” magazine and some of her wisdom and experiences was included in “The Supernatural Side of Maine,” by C.J. Stevens. She said she and her late sister, The Rev. Pamela Ward, exhibited psychic ability and saw spirits as children growing up in Tennessee. They found the Spiritualist religion together as young women. Otzelberger said she liked the idea of no brimstone and hellfire and was “drawn to the Spiritualist religion’s nine principals.” “It’s about living in the highest vibration that you can. If you do that you don’t want to use foul language or do bad things,” Otzelberger said. “Our religion doesn’t tell you what to do or not do. It does not try to convert people. It doesn’t say you are going to hell because....For me it was like, ‘here is a whole bunch of people who believe the same thing I have always believed.’ “ Otzelberger will hold the Skotography séance Jan 23 at 7 p.m. Seating is limited. Cost is an investment of $70 and $55 for Spiritualist Desert Church members. The table tipping séance will be held Jan 24 at 7 p.m. investment is the same as the Skotography séance. She will also hold a physical phenomena seminar from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan 24. Cost is an investment of $40 and $30 for church members. Private readings are 30-minutes and must be scheduled in advance. The cost is an investment of $60. Otzelberger will serve the Spiritualist Desert Church during its Jan. 25 Sunday morning service. For more information and to schedule readings send an e-mail to spiritualistdesertchurch@yahoo.com.