New York City Archives - Universal Life Church Monastery Blog

"Bling Bishop" Guilty of Fraud, Faces 45 Years in Prison

March 14th, 2024

Brooklyn's "Bling Bishop" Lamor Whitehead has been convicted of defrauding members of his congregation, and now faces up to 45 years in prison. What should be done to church leaders who take advantage of their position?

Political & Religious Controversy 68 Comments

NYC Synagogue Hosted Massive Secret Wedding Amidst COVID Lockdown

December 3rd, 2020

Earlier this month, a group of Orthodox Jews threw a massive wedding party in total secrecy, even as thousands attended. It's left NYC officials wondering how exactly to punish them, and how exactly they pulled it off.

Political & Religious Controversy 59 Comments

"Why Only the Jews?" Orthodox Protesters Burn Masks in Defiance of COVID Shutdowns

October 9th, 2020

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is putting new lockdown restrictions in place to combat the spread of COVID-19, but some Orthodox Jewish communities say they're being unfairly targeted during the NYC crackdown.

Political & Religious Controversy 62 Comments

Conversion Therapy Advocates Win Legal Battle Against NYC

July 16th, 2020

Conversion therapy advocates scored a rare legal win against New York City, as NYC is forced to pay out over $100,000 in damages and attorney's fees to an Orthodox Jewish psychiatrist who offers conversion therapy.

LGBTQ & Human Rights 51 Comments

NYC Mayor Threatens Churches Holding Services During COVID-19 with Shutdown

April 1st, 2020

With some churches still holding services in NYC against the state's guidelines for combating COVID-19, Mayor Bill de Blasio is saying he'll shutter churches permanently if they continue to host weekly services.

Political & Religious Controversy 106 Comments

ULC Minister's Social Distancing Wedding Goes Viral

March 31st, 2020

A social distancing wedding on an NYC sidewalk has gone viral. The minister, ordained by the Universal Life Church, officiated from the fourth story window and the witnesses and guests looking on from a safe distance.

Weddings 3 Comments

America’s First All-Muslim Police Force Draws Backlash

February 8th, 2019

America's first all-Muslim, all-volunteer community police force is up and running in New York CIty, but some residents aren't happy about the development. Are they right to be concerned?

Political & Religious Controversy 87 Comments

Does NYC Hate Christians? Chick-fil-A Story Sparks Controversy

April 20th, 2018

The New Yorker, a magazine sometimes criticized for having an elitist tone, has turned its attention to one of America's most beloved fast food joints: Chick-fil-A. In a recent article, writer Dan Piepenbring crucifies the popular restaurant chain for its “pervasive Christian traditionalism," and warns readers about “Chick-fil-A’s creepy infiltration of New York City.”

Political & Religious Controversy 51 Comments

Joan Rivers Performs a Wedding with ULC Ordination

February 19th, 2013

In one of the Universal Life Church Monastery's more star-studded wedding celebrations, veteran comedian Joan Rivers performed a wedding ceremony this past Valentine's Day for her two friends using her online ordination certificate. The happy couple was celebr

Celebrity Ministers 1 Comment

Soap Star Performs a Wedding as ULC Minister

August 27th, 2012

soap opera star Colleen Zenk, known for her role as Barbara Ryan in As The World Turns, officiated the wedding for a pair soap opera fans in iconic Times Square in New York City.

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