ULC - IN THE NEWS - 2025
Their First Date Was Delayed. Their Future Wasn’t
Corey Lockett and Vanessa Berentsen had a bright future. But first, he had to find a parking spot. Thankfully, a late-start first date turned into a years-long romance, culminating in a proposal that took place halfway around the world. The two were wed in Washington State by Cassie Stark, Ms. Berentsen’s best friend, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: The NY Times
From FaceTime to Face Time, In Person
Maya Vargas and Justin Mejia talked a lot for a couple of years before they went on their first date. From then on, the two were inseparable. A pair of rolling stones, they began to travel, racking up new experiences together. They were married four years to the day after they became exclusive. Shetina England, a family friend who was previously ordained through the Universal Life Church, officiated their wedding.
Source: The NY Times
She Read His Journal Entry, and Said Yes
ucker Higgins knew he wanted to marry Emma Newburger six months into dating — so they started documenting their love story. The pair became engaged in December 2023 when Mr. Higgins wrote out a proposal in their shared journal. George Parker Higgins, the groom’s brother, who was ordained by Universal Life Church for the occasion, officiated their wedding.
Source: The NY Times
For Two Octogenarians, First Came Romance, Then a Dream Home
Kathryn Scott, 82, an author and former “Dark Shadows” actress, met the author Patrick Oster, 80, when a mutual friend who likes to play matchmaker suggested they trade manuscripts. After a manuscript-critique-turned-date, they both agreed: it felt right. The couple tied the knot at a shared home in Ireland. Orlyn Kringstad, Ms. Scott’s brother, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church, officiated.
Source: The NY Times
Couple Married in Midair On a United Airlines Flight
Jake Meli and Abigail Power were married in midair while flying to their honeymoon destination in Orlando, Florida, aboard an United Airlines flight. The couple was served champagne and cake during the flight, while the Boeing 737‘s cabin was adorned with twinkling lights. Mr. Meli's brother who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion, officiated in front of a cabin full of passengers, later proclaimed to be 'honorary guests.
Source: Aviation A2Z
Remembering Malcolm-Jamal Warner
The Universal Life Church mourns Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who passed away July 21, 2025, at age 54. Malcolm became ordained in 2016 to officiate his friend and manager's wedding, embodying our mission of bringing people together through love. His generous spirit and commitment to supporting those he cared about during meaningful moments exemplified the heart of our ministry.
Source: Universal Life Church Ministers
Seeking a Friend, Finding Much More
Ernie Apreza and Kyle Labarry were looking for community in a new city when they first met 10 years ago. Along the way, they found love. After arduous career demands and travel, they decided to never be apart again. They were married at Lord Hill Farms, an event space in Snohomish, Wash., by Donald Sims, a family friend who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: The NY Times
A Big, Adorable Reveal on the Second Date
Dayton Munson and Emily Orozco hit it off over Bumble, then over a series of restaurant dates. After Mr. Munson revealed he was a single father, they quickly became entwined in each others' lives, and a proposal soon followed. The couple were wed at the Ashford Estate in Allentown, N.J., by the bride’s aunt Tracy Forsyth, who was ordained by Universal Life Church Ministries for the occasion.
Source: The NY Times
It Took Years, Some Electrical Help, Then Came the Spark
Nancy Marshall, a professor of art history, had endured the sudden loss of two partners. As she healed, she kept running into Chris Murphy, an electrician and local artist she admired. As they began seeing each other regularly at events and with friends over the next three years, their relationship blossomed. The couple became engaged in April 2024 and were married in June 2025 by Page Buchanan, a friend of the couple who was ordained by Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: The NY Times
He Met Her Parents Hours After Their First Date
Andie Cox lived in California, and Ryan Gibson in Missouri. Yet the two still managed to form a love connection after setting up a meeting in Tennessee. Their first date was such a success that Ms. Cox invited Mr. Gibson to a gathering at her Airbnb later that night, where he met her immediate family. Four months later, they were engaged. They were married in Nashville by Peter Sloterdyk, Ms. Cox’s friend who was previously ordained by the Universal Life Church.
Source: The NY Times
Five Seconds Into Their First Conversation, He Was Hooked
"I was serious about her immediately,” said the restaurateur Daniel Humm of the “Succession” actress Annabelle Dexter-Jones, whom he met at a wedding last July. Over the course of the next year, the two grew closer, falling in love with each new experience together. They tied the knot at Eleven Madison Park, Mr. Humm's 3-star Michelin restaurant. Francesco Clemente, an artist friend of the groom who was previously ordained through the Universal Life Church, officiated the ceremony.
Source: The NY Times
She Didn't Give Up on Her YouTube Dream — or on Love
Remi Cruz, known as Miss Remi Ashten on YouTube, was coy about being a social media star when she met Cal Parsons. Not only was he impressed, but he now works with her. The couple married on June 14, their sixth anniversary, at Bella Vista Estate in Santa Barbara. A friend, Phil Kunka, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion, officiated.
Source: The NY Times
They Fell in Love on the Hiking Trails
Sarah Bacon, who suffers from a rare lung disease, never expected to marry — until she met Bruce Bjork during the pandemic. After weeks of distance and precautions, the two shared their first kiss in front of a bonfire, fresh from a hike in the countryside. They were married not far from this site by a friend who was ordained by Universal Life Church for the occasion.
Source: The NY Times
Years After Being His Muse, She Hid a Proposal in His Lunch
Julia Chance modeled for Jimmy James Greene, an artist, who, in exchange, painted her apartment with great flair. Afterward, their connection deepened. Years of ups and downs culminated in a simple question, asked via a handwritten note: 'Let's make it official and tie the knot. What do you think?' The two were married at an outdoor ceremony by Ashley Nicole Williams, a Universal Life minister.
Source: The NY Times
Online Ordained Ministers of the Universal Life Church Sue Virginia Officials Over Discrimination
The Universal Life Church has sued officials in the state of Virginia after these officials indicated ULC ministers specifically were not permitted to solemnize marriages in the state in at least one case going so far as to provide a list of approved non-ULC ministers to a would-be couple applying for a marriage license.
Source: PR Web
Their Friend Rigged the Gala Seating Chart. It Worked
Malu Byrne and Andrew Kuo were set up by a mutual friend who rigged the seating chart at a gala event. Two years later, her father and Universal Life Church officiant, David Byrne, called their love story “inspiring.” The couple walked down the aisle together while Mr. Byrne sang “Heaven,” a song performed by his former band, Talking Heads.
Source: The NY Times
A Decades-Long Friendship Turns to Love
Gia Rosenblum and Stuart Miller met as teenagers and became friends. Nearly 40 years later, they fell in love. The couple eloped in Dead Horse Point State Park in Moab, Utah—a representation of the expansiveness of their love. Aimée Flynn, a Universal Life Church minister and photographer, officiated.
Source: The NY Times
The Tent Was Built For Way More Than Two
Taylor Turkmen and Ryan Milligan were married under the Gospel Tent at Jazz Fest. They gained more guests when a storm rolled through. The rain that started falling and the crowds that started gathering before they were pronounced married by their friend Jade Duplessis, who was ordained by the Universal Life Church for the occasion, raised the joy level for both.
Source: The NY Times
Celebrating With 150 Guests and Jabba the Hutt
Hayley Finetti and Emilio Lopez, who met in elementary school, opted for a "Star Wars"-themed wedding on May 4. The couple combined cultural traditions — Ms. Finetti's Jewish background and Mr. Lopez's Mexican heritage - during a ceremony for 150 officiated by Mr. Lopez's uncle, Jesse Rodriguez, who became a Universal Life Church minister for the occasion.
Source: The NY Times
After Meeting 46 Years Ago, Finally Tying the Knot
Rodney Page didn’t make a great first impression on Jennifer Welch. Four years later, his standing improved. Decades later, it improved more. The two were finally wed in a traditional ceremony 46 years to the month from when they met. The event was officiated by the bride’s friend Shawn Marie Frye, who was ordained through Universal Life Church.
Source: The NY Times
