ULC - IN THE NEWS
They Started Their Union on a High … at Over 11,000 Feet
It was in Aspen that Jessica Schoenfeld and Zach Sperling found their happy place — and planned a wedding at a mountaintop beach club. Jillian Salant, who is the groom’s best friend, was ordained by the Universal Life Church to officiate the wedding.
Source: The New York Times
When Broadway Shuttered, Her Next Act Was an Improv Proposal
While cooking a meal during the pandemic, Miki Abraham asked Alex Grayson, a fellow actor, if he wanted to get married. He quickly agreed — once he was certain she meant it. The two were married by friend and fellow actor, Richard E. Waits, who became a Universal Life Church minister for the occasion.
Source: The New York Times
They Knew From the Start (but the Dogs Needed Convincing)
While Catriona Duncan and Sarah Palmisano felt an instant connection, their dogs took longer to warm up to one another. Three years and one dog therapist later, everyone lives happily ever after. The couple was married by 'Reverend Granny:' Catriona's grandmother, Mary Ann Judy, who became a Universal Life Church minister for the occasion.
Source: The New York Times
A Secret Crush Goes Public in a Work Meeting
A colleague and crush became something more in 2021, when two nature lovers took a chance on expressing their feelings. The path to marriage was marked by a wintry hike, culminating in a short ceremony officiated by the groom's twin brother, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: The New York Times
Mom, I’m Telling You, She’s the One
The happy couple profiled in this New York Times story wasted no time falling head over heels in love. Six years after first saying "I love you," they were married in an intimate ceremony, by a friend who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: The New York Times
When Two Acrobats Fall Head Over Heels — for Each Other
Caitlin Reichel and Kristy Graziano met through a friend and bonded over their shared interests as acrobatic performers. Time spent watching each other practice their art turned into formal dates, which paved the way to comfortable nights at home. The two said 'I do' at a fanfare-filled wedding, officiated by Caitlin's sister, Amy Wright, was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: The New York Times
The Care Package That Revived Their Relationship
The newlyweds profiled in this New York Times story met as Air Force pilots and went through some ups and downs before a care package caused the bride to take a second look at the possibility of a relationship. Their recent wedding was officiated by a mutual friend who became an ordained Universal Life Church minister for the occasion.
Source: The New York Times
For These World Travelers, Home Base Is Wherever They Are Together
The couple in this New York Times story married recently after spending nearly a decade together, sometimes long-distance, in cities around the world. The bride's father, an ordained Universal Life Church minister, officiated.
Source: The New York Times
Theater Brought Them Together, But a Dead Rat Sealed the Deal
The New York Times profiles a couple who met through their work in the national touring production of 'Phantom of the Opera.' Their recent wedding was officiated by a friend of the groom who is also an ordained Universal Life Church minister.
Source: The New York Times
Remembering Joseph Weber: Proud ULC Minister
Joseph A Weber passed away on March 17, 2023, at the age of 77 years. Joe was an avid handyman, cat lover, and proud minister of the Universal Life Church. He lived a life filled with accomplishments, and we honor his memory.
Source: Legacy.com
State Bill Threatens LGBTQ Marriage in Tennessee, Opponents Say
A bill that was recently passed by a Tennessee House committee may allow officiants to bar access to marriage based on religious or conscientious objection, according to opponents of the bill. The Universal Life Church maintains its commitment to religious freedom and the freedom to marry, having sued Tennessee over a 2019 law banning online-ordained officiants from performing marriages.
Source: Memphis Flyer
A Relationship That Moved Like a Rolling Stone
In this New York Times story, a couple in their sixties - one a writer and caregiver for her mother and daughter, the other a retired graphic designer and guitarist performing the Keith Richards role in Rolling Stones tribute bands - married four months after their first meeting. Their ceremony was officiated by an ordained Universal Life Church minister.
Source: The New York Times
A Plot Fit for a Rom-Com
The New York Times profiles a Brooklyn couple who were close friends for a decade before they became a couple 10 years ago. Their recent wedding was officiated by a mutual friend who is an ordained minister of the Universal Life Church.
Source: The New York Times
She Found Love in a Surprising Place: A CD Pile
The couple in this New York Times story were married 15 years after connecting on social media, and 30 years after the bride discovered the groom's music through her job at a college radio station. Their recent Beatles-themed wedding was officiated by an ordained Universal Life Church minister.
Source: The New York Times
A Networking Event That Sparked a Romantic Partnership
In this New York Times profile, we're introduced to a couple who met at a networking event. Today, they're partners in life as well as in business. Their ceremony was officiated by a mutual friend who became an ordained Universal Life Church minister for the occasion.
Source: The New York Times
''An Annoying Question' That Led to a Big One
The New York Times profiles a couple who met in 2013 while one was Christmas shopping at the other's place of employment. Their recent wedding was officiated by a Universal Life Church minister."
Source: The New York Times
Their Connection Proved Stronger Than the Elements
The Washington DC-area couple profiled in this New York Times piece clicked immediately on their first date. They were recently married in New Orleans in a ceremony officiated by the bride's sister-in-law, an ordained Universal Life Church minister.
Source: The New York Times
Finding Love Through the Art of Combat
The New York Times profiles a couple who met and bonded over a shared passion for Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Their recent Los Angeles wedding was officiated by a Universal Life Church minister, the business partner of one of the brides.
Source: The New York Times
A Trip (Without Arguments) That Sealed the Deal
The local couple profiled in this New York Times story met organically, through mutual friends, and knew they were right for each other after a conflict-free international trip. Their recent wedding was officiated by a mutual friend who became an ordained Universal Life Church minister for the occasion.
Source: The New York Times
Their Mothers Brought Them Together. Loss Cemented Their Bond
The New York Times profiles a New Jersey couple whose mothers were friends who joked years ago that the groom should've taken the bride to prom. Their wedding took place at the same venue as her prom, and was officiated by a Universal Life Church minister.
Source: The New York Times
