ULC - IN THE NEWS
Clergy defy Methodist church at gay pastor's wedding
A member of a Methodist Clergy in Indiana, who identifies as a gay man, recently got married following the Supreme Court ruling. With the help of a friend ordained through ULC, the clergy man and his now husband wed on the court steps of city hall.
Source: South Bend Tribune
Couples Personalizing Role of Religion in Wedding Ceremonies
Interfaith marriages, same-sex marriages and 'traditional' marriages alike are all changing. Couples are now taking active roles in deciding what their big day will look like, in every capacity.
Source: The New York Times
Keene Activists Will Drop Tax-Exempt Appeal and Start Again
Ordination is changing. With the June Supreme Court ruling, same-sex marriage is open to anyone who identifies and wishes to be wed. This article shows the different ways online churches like the Universal Life Church are changing the way people not only get married, but go to Church in general.
Source: The Keene Sentinel
Of Cabbages and Kings: How many marriages are done in church?
'What percentage of marriages are done by clergy these days?' Justice Scalia raises some interesting questions about future weddings, highlighting mainstream culture as abandoning clergy for more alternative options.
Source: The Astorian
Conan O`brien Turns 52: Interesting Facts about the Comedian
Famous talk show host and comedian Conan O'Brien turns 52 on Saturday, 18 April, and after living more than half a century, there are quite some interesting facts that his fans may not know.
Source: International Business Times
News story or editorial? Reuters reports on that bill to eliminate all marriage (licenses) in Oklahoma
A previous Oklahoma Bill plans to eliminate government issued marriage licenses, but there is much more to the story With debate going on about who is able to wed and perform ceremonies, residents of Oklahoma are facing more roadblocks than just picking out the right venue for their reception.
Source: GetReligion
Oklahoma Bans Atheist Marriages In Hopes Of Preventing Gay Ones
A local Oklahoma atheist gives her opinion on the recent Oklahoma bill that would prevent atheists and gays from being married.
Source: Reuters
Minnesota county will issue permits for atheist weddings
Those who don't believe in a higher power still want to be married like everyone else. A vocal group of atheists in Washington County Minnesota are creating a new type of irreligion. Uniting Godlessness with the trappings of the Church, these folks are opening the doors, not to heaven, but to atheist matrimony.
Source: Reveal
Marriage Bill would not eliminate State`s involvement
With the Supreme Court rulings and subsequent public backlash, both for and against marriage equality, the business of ordination is everywhere in the headlines. This article attempts to explain the different complexities facing Oklahoma residents looking into getting married, particularly by an ordained ULC Minister.
Source: Oklahoma Watch
Melissa Carter: Now ready to preside at your marriages
Now that we will soon be able to legally get married in a church, shouldn't there be someone standing with you who personally understands what it took to get to that altar? Melissa Carter explores the options for having a pastor at your same-sex wedding.
Source: Georgia Voice
Lennie ordained as minister with Universal Life Church
Minister Barbara Lennie, recently ordained with the Universal Life Church, details her plans for her religious future, With goals to work in prisons and help young women in particular, find their way after incarceration.
Source: The Mountain Mail
Tying the knot in Loveland Ski Area on Valentine`s Day
Increasingly, wedding are being held in more and more extreme environments. In this article, Harry Heilmann, registered minister with the Universal Life Church, joined skiers and snowboarders in snowy matrimony. Holding a ceremony at 12,050 feet, Heilmann performed the ceremony to make it a truly epic Valentine's Day wedding.
Source: The Summit Daily News
Deep in Dixie, Synagogue Stands Up for Gay Marriage - and Couples Flock To Say "I Do"
The Supreme Court might be for same-sex unions, but that doesn't mean the weather is. An artic cold wave made it impossible to hold weddings outside, as did courts in Alabama who refused to issue marriage licenses to anyone, but this didn't stop couples from having a good time. Many flocked to a near by synagogue to have their big day.
Source: Forward
Madison County one of seven to issue marriage licenses to gay couples on Monday
In Alabama, seven different counties are prepping to issue marriage licenses to eagerly awaiting same-sex couples on Monday. After the Supreme Court struck down the state's ban on same-sex unions, couples statewide are on their ways to being legal recognized as married unions.
Source: Madison County Record
Local officials deny marriage licenses, dispute federal ruling
Down in Mississippi, probate judges refuse to issue marriage licenses-- but that isn't stopping coupes. Several same-sex couples are submitting applications for licenses and going forward with their ceremonies.
Source: The Flor-Ala
Unitarian, pagan and other ministers officiate gay weddings; one Methodist pastor dances
After long waits, several couples in New Orleans head off to their magnolia trees, or where ever else they have always dreamed of being married, and have the happiest days or their lives. With ordinations coming from the Universal Life Church, several couples were able to have their dreams come true.
Source: AL.com
Non-Denominational Christianity Origins: 6 Events That Led to Followers Standing Apart
Non-denominational faith systems are on the rise. In the 90's, less than 200k people in the US identified as such. Now? More than 8 million people claim to have nondenominational beliefs. Churches like ULC are leading the course into a new religious arena.
Source: Newsmax
Ordained ministers wait for chance to marry same-sex couples in Mobile, to no avail
Following the Supreme Court ruling of same-sex marriages being legal, courts in Alabama kept the their doors locked, In efforts to keep same-sex marriages at bay, courts in Mobile refused to issue marriage licenses not only to same-sex couples, but to everyone.
Source: AL.com
Equality groups gather list of officiants to perform same-sex marriages on Monday
Since same-sex marriage became legal, states all over the country are making groundbreaking strides in bringing marriage to all. In Alabama, one pride group are trying vigorously to gather as may clergy men as possible for a large round of gay marriages.
Source: WBRC
Couples in Alabama no longer need Judge and Church to Marry
Even with marriage equality still strongly opposed in Alabama, wedding officiants have it pretty easy. Any pastor or any religious society can oversee a wedding-- your friend could even perform yours. This article is an oped on navigating through the laws of Alabama so you can have your big day in peace.
Source: AL.com
