It is time, and we are adding a new holiday to the calendar: Universal Day! This November 3, we invite all Universal Life Church Ministries members in Maryland to join us in celebrating this very special new holiday. There are so many ways to observe Universal Day, continue reading on to learn about a few of the ways you might celebrate in your state.
1. Become Ordained in Maryland
Have you been ordained yet? If not, it is the first step! The ULCM believes that anyone who feels called to minister has the right to take charge of their own spiritual life by becoming ordained. We are famously known as ones that facilitate that process on our websites. The ordination application process is completely free and only takes a few minutes of your time. If you'd like, click the big button below to begin that process.
2. Vote in Maryland
Step number two is get out and VOTE! Voting is the greatest way of making your voice heard and focusing your power to actualize a better tomorrow. It goes without saying this is a strange year for all of us, but we encourage you to do what you can to mark Universal Day by taking part in this essential civic duty.
If you live in Maryland and are registered as a voter there, you can ask your state to send you an absentee ballot. You have to apply with your state to receive that ballot, but that way you can safely vote from home. Below we have included a link to the absentee ballot application for you to fill out and send in. Please make sure to request that ballot and return it with plenty of time to ensure it gets tallied on Universal Day!
Voter Registration Details
- In-person Registration Deadline: 10/13/2020
- Mail Registration Deadline: Postmarked 10/13/2020
- Online Registration Deadline: 10/13/2020
- Election-Day Registration: Yes, In-Person
Register to Vote
Don't worry if you are not registered to vote yet. We have included the link you to get on the rolls at the button below.
Taking Time Off Work
Medical professionals at groups like the CDC have created guidelines for ways that you can better protect your health when interacting with others. We ask you to heed this advice if you are voting in-person on this Universal Day. Most employers have a plan in place to provide reasonable accommodations allowing employees to vote; you should check with the Human Resources department at your company to understand what rights you have. In the unusual event that you are having issues securing the freedom from your employer to vote, you may consider letting them know that you plan on observing Universal Day on November 3rd. Celebrating a religious holiday offers additional federal protections and requesting a religious accommodation will insure you have time off that you need to get to the polls. Whether you plan to vote by mail or in-person, take your time to do research and make your choices carefully. This is your biggest chance to speak your truth, and help mold a better world.
3. Write to Elected Officials
And once you've voted, don't stop speaking there! The job of improving the world and making it a better place never stops. One more fantastic way to observe Universal Day is by writing to leaders elected to represent you. Clearly communicate to them what you value, and how they can help create the progress you want to see in your community. Enter your zip code below to see the contact information for your representatives, and then use it to send a letter or email!
4. Meditate or Pray
We've been talking a lot about different ways that you can communicate your personal beliefs to other people, but it's equally important for you to take time to communicate with yourself! Each individual is on their own journey through the universe. It is important that on Universal Day, in addition to advocacy, you honor that journey by taking a few moments to reflect, pray, or meditate so you can better understand who you are. Whatever you call it, taking time to think about what you believe is right, and what you can do to make that happen, can get you better in touch with yourself. An old adage teaches us that each and every journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step - we would argue that it begins when you decide on your destination. With a goal in mind and heart, you're ready to start marching!
5. Help Build Community
Being a minister of the ULCM means you are already a leader in your community. We're so awed to see the good that you do every day, and hope that Universal Day gives you even more opportunity to organize for good in the future. We have already listed some of our favorite ways to individually mark this special new holiday, but true power often comes in numbers. By connecting with other courageous, outspoken, and powerful people like yourself in your community, it is possible to multiply the progress happening around you.
Stay Connected
We encourage you to reach out to like minded people (careful to maintain all health guidelines) in order to rally together and make use of your joined voices.