ULC - IN THE NEWS
Local officials deny marriage licenses, dispute federal ruling
![ULC in the News](/assets/themonastery/images/press/localdeny.jpg)
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
![ULC in the News](/assets/themonastery/images/press/unitarian.jpg)
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
![ULC in the News](/assets/themonastery/images/press/ulcstock.jpg)
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
![ULC in the News](/assets/themonastery/images/press/noavail.jpg)
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
![ULC in the News](/assets/themonastery/images/press/license.jpg)
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
![ULC in the News](/assets/themonastery/images/press/alabama.jpg)
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
Online Ordinations no longer for just Weddings
![ULC in the News](/assets/themonastery/images/press/ulcstock.jpg)
Online ordinations are widely known to be helpful when someone is getting married (particularly a friend or family member, or when a couple has differing religious beliefs), but more and more people are using their Universal Life Church ordinations for much more than just weddings.
Source: The Charlotte Observer
Can I chose My Best Friend over my Sister for Maid of Honor?
![ULC in the News](/assets/themonastery/images/press/ejean.jpg)
Choosing a maid of honor might seem like an easy task, but can also cause a bit of drama. If you have a sister who isn't on the best of terms with you, this article sheds some light on how to avoid drama while choosing your maid of honor.
Source: ELLE
Watertown couple makes history with first ever wedding at CNY Pride Festival
![ULC in the News](/assets/themonastery/images/press/pridefestival.jpg)
The CNY Festival hosted it's first wedding at the Inner Harbor. Michelle LaVancha and Sara Verne were the first wedding of the CNY Festival, and hundreds of people turned out to support.
Source: Syracuse NY
6 Ways to Trim Your Wedding Budget
![ULC in the News](/assets/themonastery/images/press/weddingbudget.jpg)
Today's weddings are costing a lot more than they did a few years ago, A survey of 13,000 brides showed the average wedding costs about $28,000+! This article will help you if you're trying to trim the costs of your big day. Everything from the dress, to the reception, to the wedding officiant is up for debate when you're trying to save a few bucks in your wallet.
Source: U.S. News
How to Become a Legal Wedding Officiant
![ULC in the News](/assets/themonastery/images/press/howtobecome.jpg)
There are many rewarding aspects of being an ordained minister. Joining two friends in matrimony and helping be a part of a couple's happiest day together are just a few. Becoming an ordained minister is easy and this article helps walk you through it.
Source: oureverydaylife
The Bachelor TV Host Gets Ordained and Performs a Wedding
![ULC in the News](/assets/themonastery/images/press/harrison.jpg)
The Universal Life Church ordained Chris Harrison, the host of the wildly popular Bachelor and Bachellorette reality shows on June 28th 2012. He notably has used his ordination from the ULC to perform a wedding for his television show's producers Cassie Lambert and Pete Scalettar.
Source: PRWEB
Universal Life Church calls upon Google to Block Services in "Hate States"
![ULC in the News](/assets/themonastery/images/press/ulcstock.jpg)
The Universal Life Church calls for economic sanctions on 'hate states' and for other organizations to fight the cause as well. For too long institutions designed to protect and preserve hate have been allowed to exist. The ULC is asking Google to sanction their search engine in these states.
Source: PRWEB
ULC Joins fight against autism
![ULC in the News](/assets/themonastery/images/press/ulcstock.jpg)
The Universal Life Church, a nationally recognized online ordination organization, publicly announced that if they received 1000 new Facebook likes, they would contribute $1,000 dollars to fight against autism. The Church also said that they urge their thousands of ordained ministers to join the fight against this crippling disability.
Source: PRWEB
More College Students Becoming Ordained Ministers
![ULC in the News](/assets/themonastery/images/press/ulcstock.jpg)
Today, more and more people are becoming ordained. The newer generation is trending towards having more of a connection with their minister rather than pay extra for a clergy member of some church. The amount of students becoming ordained has doubled in recent years.
Source: Kentucky Kernel
NYC Pop UP Chapel offering Free Central Park Weddings
![ULC in the News](/assets/themonastery/images/press/ulcstock.jpg)
Awaiting the verdict on marriage equality in Albany, many New Yorkers paid attention to their smart phones awaiting the news. Soon after, a 'Pop Up Chapel' came about where an ordained minister through the Universal Life Church did free weddings.
Source: Village Voice
Something About Me Makes People Want To Marry
![ULC in the News](/assets/themonastery/images/press/powersvestednytimes.jpg)
I explore the business that is the online ordination industry. From Dudeism, to Wicca, I show you just how easy it is to get ordained, how much it costs, and how easy it can be. 'I plan to officiate many more times, because something that's 'good for life' doesn't come around all that often.'
Source: The New York Times
Elvis Has Left the Chapel
![ULC in the News](/assets/themonastery/images/press/elvis-cartoon.jpg)
Being married by an Elvis impersonator is so last century. Now, in the age of reality TV and Twitter, celebrities are more accessible than ever to do your wedding for you.
Source: The New York Times
![ULC in the News](/assets/themonastery/images/press/ulcstock.jpg)
Being afraid of a life addressed simply as mister, Brendan Baumgardner describes his experience and how he found the Universal Life Church, and the obtainable epithet that would suit him.
Source: The Georgetown Voice
Chapel Bound: Getting Ordained Online
![ULC in the News](/assets/themonastery/images/press/ulcstock.jpg)
The process of getting ordained online might seem a bit confusing, but it doesn't have to be. This article explores all the different options, discusses pros and cons, and ultimately serves as a guide to anyone looking for online ordination through the Universal Life Church.
Source: The Wall Street Journal