The Universal Life Church is proud to announce a new official religious holiday, "Universal Day", for all ULC members and ministers. The first annual Universal Day will be official held on November 3, 2020 and we encourage all of our members in Arizona to help us celebrate the occasion! Universal Day can be observed in many different ways, and you'll find a few great tips for how to do so in Arizona in the following. There is no “right” way to celebrate Universal Day. If none of the suggestions on this page resonate with you, please feel free to come up with your own activities or create your own holiday traditions. Any way you decide to celebrate, make sure that it remains true to the ideals behind Universal Day. Check out the list of ideas below for some great inspiration!
1. Become Ordained in Arizona
Step number one in the celebration is to get ordained and become a member of the Universal Life Church Ministries! For those who are not already ordained: the process is entirely free and the online application (found on our website and at the link below) takes just a few moments to complete. Follow this link to join us as an official ULCM member:
2. Vote in Arizona
Voting has always been used as a tool to make and create change. By voicing our collective support for a better vision of the future, individuals can help society realize its higher goals. Engaging in this essential voting process by casting yours is one the very best ways to take action on Universal Day.
If you are registered to vote in Arizona, then you will be able to make the request for an absentee ballot using the state-specific application. Request it soon! Don't wait until the last minute! Get those ballots in early and leave plenty of time to make sure your ballot is processed on Universal Day!!
Voter Registration Details
- In-person Registration Deadline: 10/5/2020
- Mail Registration Deadline: Postmarked 10/5/2020
- Online Registration Deadline: 10/5/2020
- Election-Day Registration: Not Allowed
Register to Vote
In the event you aren't already registered voter in Arizona, we'd invite you to follow the link below to sign up!
Taking Time Off Work
If you’ll be casting your vote in person at a physical polling location, please make sure to abide closely by the advice of the CDC and public health authorities to make sure everyone can participate safely in Universal Day. Inquire with your employer if you are scheduled to work and are in need of accommodation to cast your vote. You can also check the employee handbook to see if they have a policy which allows you to allow you to perform this important civic duty. If they give you any push back when you ask for your time to vote, you can inform them that you will be observing the religious holiday Universal Day on November 3rd. Work exemptions for religious holidays are very firm, and you should be given the time for religious observances. Each and every vote counts! Make sure that whichever way you cast your ballot, you do so in according to your own beliefs and values.
3. Write to Elected Officials
Other than voting, there are other great ways to participate in positive change in your community. Reach out directly to the elected officials who represent you to let them know where you stand on major issues by taking the time on Universal Day to email, send a letter, or leave a message. We have gathered the contact information in a database for you. All you need to do is input your zip code in below to view contact information for your representative to reach out on Universal Day.
4. Meditate or Pray
Use the time you have off for Universal Day to connect further with your inner self, and channel your energies into a spiritual goal or activity. Try a meditation, a prayer, or another method that you enjoy to tap into the positive forces of the universe you find truth in. Change grows from the seeds of mental clarity gathered during reflection. Many challenges which once appeared daunting may seem solvable after some time.
5. Help Build Community
Perhaps now, louder than ever before, the world is calling out for positive change . The kind that can only be achieved by human kind working together towards a common goal. Use Universal Day as a reason to think about ways you can get involved in your community to make a difference. Use your time to demand real change from those in power. Don’t forget to connect with other members of the ULCM on social media who are active in the fight:
Stay Connected
Today with all of the social media and technology there are more ways than ever to spark action. If you are internet savvy, consider starting an online petition by banding together with others who want to get involved. Or observing safety guidelines, you can join a protest in your local area. Put pressure on lawmakers to make change. You could choose any number of ways to get involved. Regardless of what participation in Universal Day looks like to you, we are all capable of effecting change in the world.