ULC - IN THE NEWS - 2023
For Two Circus Performers, Love Takes Flight on and Off the Ground
A shared passion for acrobatics, costumes and bicycles led Ryan Murray and Juanita Cardenas to a wedding ceremony held in midair. Their friend James Habacker, a Universal Life Church minister, led the ceremony at the Slipper Room, a performing arts theater in Manhattan.
Source: The New York Times
When Everything Was Up for Debate — Except Their Chemistry
Stephanie Spies and Andrew Markoff were both star debaters in high school and college. Now? There’s a lot to agree upon — including marriage. Daniel Fitzmier, Ms. Spies’s debate coach, and Jonathan Paul, who coached Mr. Markoff", were ordained as Universal Life ministers to officiate for the occasion.
Source: The New York Times
He Acted Out a Charades Clue Three Years Later
Katie Schad jokingly jotted down “Marry Me Katie” as a game clue for Adam Purdy at a Thanksgiving gathering. He saved it for his proposal. Lauren M. Kurtz, a cousin of the groom who became a Universal Life Church minister for the event, officiated their wedding in front of 175 guests three years later.
Source: The New York Times
Chelsea Flower Show Hosts Its First Wedding
In the history of the 110-year event, Manoj Malde and Clive Gillmor were the first-ever couple to exchange vows at the Chelsea Flower Show in London. The two were married by Royal Horticultural Society ambassador James Alexander-Sinclair, who is a pastor in the Universal Life Church.
Source: Yahoo!
She Warmed Up to Him After Burning Man
Andrew MacRae fell for Kaitlin Green at the annual desert arts festival, but Ms. Green kept her distance until members of their camp met virtually when Covid-19 hit. Mary Ellen Deckelmann, a Universal Life minister, officiated the couple's wedding before 115 guests by the lake at Black Butte Ranch in Oregon.
Source: The New York Times
A New York-Style Elopement Supporting an Important Cause
Rohit Kalkur proposed to Stephanie Korbely with a 28-page scrapbook consisting of photo memories and love notes. Their wedding took place at an event focused on ending child marriages. Liz Norment, Universal Life Church minister and founder of 'Have Lover, Will Travel,' officiated in front of 10 guests.
Source: The New York Times
Exclusive After the First Date. Living Together Three Days Later.
Kim France and Paul Green agreed to Google each other before meeting. By the end of their first date, the creators of Lucky magazine and the School of Rock knew enough to make it official. Shirim Nothenberg, Ms. Franceâ's sister-in-law, was ordained by the Universal Life Church to marry them.
Source: The New York Times
The ‘Hot Vax Summer’ That Lived Up to Its Hype
In 2021, Megan O’Connor and her friends organized a singles outing in Brooklyn. Omar Elsayed showed up, and the two hit it off immediately. But it was a “serendipitous encounter” in Greece that sealed the deal. Amalia Culp, one of the groom's best friends from college, was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: The New York Times
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
