We're adding a new holiday to the calendar: Universal Day! This November 3rd, we invite all members of the Universal Life Church Ministries in Illinois to join us in celebrating this very special new holiday. There are myriad ways to observe Universal Day, so read on to learn about a few of the ways you might celebrate in your state.
1. Become Ordained in Illinois
Are you ordained yet? If not, that's the first step! The ULCM believes that anyone who feels so-called has the right to take charge of their own spiritual life by becoming ordained, and we famously facilitate that process on our websites. The ordination application process is totally free and only takes a few minutes. If you'd like, click the big button below to get that process started.
2. Vote in Illinois
Step two - VOTE! Voting is a great way of making your voice heard and channeling your power to actualize a better tomorrow. Obviously this is a strange year for all of us, but we'd encourage you to do what you can to mark Universal Day by taking part in this special civic duty.
If you live in Illinois and are registered to vote there, you can ask your state to send you an absentee ballot so you can safely vote from home! You'll have to apply with your state to receive that ballot, and you should do so soon. Below you'll find a link to that application for you to fill out and send in. Please do remember to return your ballot soon to ensure it gets tallied on Universal Day!
Voter Registration Details
- In-person Registration Deadline: 10/7/2020
- Mail Registration Deadline: Postmarked 10/6/2020
- Online Registration Deadline: 10/18/2020
- Election-Day Registration: Yes, at Local Election Office
Register to Vote
Not registered to vote yet? Not to worry! You may still have time to get on the rolls by clicking the button below.
Taking Time Off Work
Medical professionals at groups like the CDC have issued guidelines for the ways in which you can better protect your health when interacting with other people, advice you should pay attention to if you are voting in-person on this Universal Day. Most employers provide reasonable accommodations to allow employees to vote; you should check with Human Resources to understand what rights you have. In the event that you are having trouble securing the freedom from your employer to vote, you might consider letting them know that you plan on observing Universal Day on November 3rd, and requesting a religious accommodation. Whether voting by mail or in-person, take your time to do your research and make your choices carefully - this is your chance to speak your truth and help create the world you want to live in!
3. Write to Elected Officials
And once you've voted, don't stop speaking up! The job of making the world a better place never ends. One more fantastic way to mark Universal Day is by writing to the leaders elected to represent you. Take the time to communicate to them what you value, and how they can help you make progress for your community. We'll make it easier for you--enter your zip code below to see the contact information for your representatives!
4. Meditate or Pray
We've been talking a lot about ways that you can communicate your beliefs to other people, but it's equally important for you to take the time to communicate with yourself! Each of us is on our own journey through the universe, and it is critical that on Universal Day, in addition to advocacy, you honor that journey by taking a few moments to reflect/pray/meditate - whatever you want to call it - so you can better understand who you are, what you think is right, and what you can do to make that happen. An old adage teaches us that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step - we'd argue that it actually begins when you decide on a destination. With a goal in mind and heart, you're ready to start marching!
5. Help Build Community
As a minister of the ULCM, you are already a leader in your community. We're so amazed to see all of the good that you do every day, and hope that Universal Day will give you even more opportunity to organize for good in the future. We've already listed a number of ways that you can individually mark this special new holiday, but true power often comes in numbers. By connecting with other brave, vocal, and powerful people like yourself in your community, you can multiply the progress happening around you.
Stay Connected
We would encourage you to reach out to like minded people like these (of course maintaining all health guidelines) to rally together and make use of your joined voices.