The Universal Life Church is proud to announce a new official religious holiday: Universal Day. The first annual event will be held on November 3, 2020 and we are encouraging all of our members in New Mexico to take part in marking the occasion! Universal Day can be observed in a variety of ways, and you'll find a few helpful ideas for how to do so in New Mexico by perusing the guide below. That said, there is no “correct” way to celebrate this occasion. If the suggestions included on this page resonate, don't hesitate to come up with your own activities or create your own holiday traditions. However you decide to celebrate, be sure that your actions remain true to the ideals that undergird Universal Day. Check out the list of ideas below for some inspiration!
1. Become Ordained in New Mexico
Step one in the celebration process is getting ordained! For those not already members of the Universal Life Church Ministries, the process is entirely free and the online application takes only a few minutes to complete. Follow this link to become an official ULCM member:
2. Vote in New Mexico
Voting has always been used as a force for change. By supporting a collective vision of the future via the ballot box, individuals have the power to assist society in realizing its higher aims. Engaging in this important process by casting a vote is one the best ways to take action on Universal Day.
So long as you are registered to vote in New Mexico, you will be able to request an absentee ballot using the application for your state. You should make that request soon! And remember to mail in your ballot with time to spare to ensure it gets processed on Universal Day!
Voter Registration Details
- In-person Registration Deadline: 10/6/2020
- Mail Registration Deadline: Postmarked 10/6/2020
- Online Registration Deadline: 10/6/2020
- Election-Day Registration: Not Allowed
Register to Vote
In case you aren't already a registered voter in New Mexico, we'd invite to follow the link below to sign up!
Taking Time Off Work
If you’ll be casting your vote at a physical polling location, please closely abide by the advice of the CDC and medical experts to be sure you're participating safely in Universal Day. Should you happen to be scheduled to work on that day and are concerned you may not have time to cast your vote, keep in mind that most employers are flexible and will provide accommodations to allow you to perform this vital civic duty. However, if for some reason your workplace does not give you time to go and vote, you should know that the laws surrounding religious holidays are quite firm. You can politely let your employer know that you will be observing a religious holiday, Universal Day, on November 3 and formally request accommodations from them in order to celebrate. Don't forget: your vote counts! Whichever way you cast your ballot, you should do so in alignment with your own beliefs and values.
3. Write to Elected Officials
Going to the ballot box is just one way to advocate for change in society. Another great option for participating in Universal Day is to reach out directly to the elected officials who represent you and tell them where you stand on the issues facing the world today. You can make a phone call, write an email, or send a letter to their office with a message you think they should hear from you, as a valued constituent. These representatives might be the ones holding office and making decisions, but don't let them forget the purpose of that position: to act as an advocate for those they are representing. In case you don't have their contact details handy, we've gathered all that info in a database for you. Just input your zip code below to learn how to contact your representatives on Universal Day!
4. Meditate or Pray
Sometimes change must come within. Connecting with your inner self can be a wonderful strategy for channeling your energy and how your external self should proceed. Set aside a chunk of time on your own to meditate, pray, or otherwise get in touch with the forces of the universe you find power and truth in. Change and action are the fruits of mental clarity and consciousness. With a little reflection, challenges which once appeared daunting may seem doable after all.
5. Help Build Community
There’s a famous saying: “may you live in interesting times.” Safe to say that is proving accurate. Perhaps more than ever before in our lifetimes, the world is crying out for change – the kind that requires humanity work together as one. To mark Universal Day, think about ways you can get involved in your local community and demand real, lasting change from those in power. As part of this effort, don't forget to use social media to connect with other members of the ULCM who are active in this common goal:
Stay Connected
Digital technology has given regular people the tools to participate in direct action from the safety of their homes. If that’s where you feel most comfortable, consider starting an online petition to advocate for reform. If you’d rather put your feet on the street, you could take part in a protest effort (following all necessary safety guidelines, of course), or seek out organizations in your area that are asking for volunteers. And remember – this is by no means an exhaustive list of how to get involved, just some suggestions. Regardless of how you choose to participate in Universal Day, know that we are all capable of effecting change if we put our minds to it.