The Universal Life Church is proud to declare a new official religious holiday: Universal Day. The first-ever Universal Day will be held on November 3, 2020 and we encourage all of our members in Maine to take part in celebrating occasion! Universal Day can be observed in numerous different ways, and you'll find a few great tips for how to do so in Maine in the guide below. That being said, there isn't a “correct” activity for celebrating this holiday. If none of the suggestions included on this page resonate with you, please feel empowered to think up your own activities or create your own Universal Day traditions. However you decide to mark the occasion, just make sure that it remains true to the ideals behind the holiday. Scroll down for some inspiration!
1. Become Ordained in Maine
Step one in the celebration process is to become ordained and join the Universal Life Church Ministries as an official member! For those not already ordained: the process is completely free and the online application (accessible via link below) takes just a few minutes to complete. Just follow the instructions on that page to become a member!
2. Vote in Maine
Voting is an age-old force for instituting change. By voicing support for a collective vision of the future, we as individuals can push society forward and help to achieve higher aims. Engaging in this vital process on Universal Day by casting a vote is one the best ways to take action.
So long as you're registered to vote in the state of Maine, you will be able to request an absentee ballot with an application from your local election office. You should make that request soon! And don't forget to mail your ballot to the proper location with plenty of time to spare so that it gets processed on Universal Day!
Voter Registration Details
- In-person Registration Deadline: 11/3/2020
- Mail Registration Deadline: Received 10/13/2020
- Online Registration Deadline: Not Available
- Election-Day Registration: Yes, In-Person with Registrar
Register to Vote
If you do happen to be casting your vote at a physical polling location, please do follow closely the advice of public health authorities and medical experts to make sure you are staying when when participating in Universal Day. scheduled to work on that day and are concerned you may not have time to cast your vote, keep in mind that most employers will be flexible and provide accommodations to allow you to perform this important civic duty. However, if for some reason they are resistant to giving you time to go and vote, you should know that laws around work exemptions for religious holidays are quite firm. You can inform your employer that you will be observing a religious holiday, Universal Day, on November 3 and request accommodations from them in order to celebrate. Your vote counts! Make sure that whichever way you cast your ballot, you do so in alignment with your own beliefs and values.
Taking Time Off Work
If you do happen to be casting your vote at a physical polling location, please do follow closely the advice of public health authorities and medical experts to make sure you are staying when when participating in Universal Day. If you are scheduled to work on that day and are worried you won't have time to cast your ballot, keep in mind that most employers will be flexible and provide accommodations to let you perform this important civic duty. With that in mind, if for some reason your employer is resistant to giving you time to go and vote, you should know that laws around work exemptions for religious holidays are well established. You can inform them that you will be observing a religious holiday, Universal Day, on November 3 and formally request accommodations that will allow you to celebrate in a meaningful way. Remember: your vote counts! Make sure that whichever way you cast your ballot, you do so in a manner that aligns with your own beliefs and values.
3. Write to Elected Officials
Going to the ballot box is just one strategy for pushing for change in the world. Another great way to participate in Universal Day is to reach out directly to the elected officials who represent you and tell them how you feel about the important issues that affect your district and the country as a whole. You can make a phone call, write an email, or send a letter to this person's office explaining how their valued constituents (that's you) view these pressing problems. Keep in mind that while they are the one holding office and making decisions, the purpose of that elected position is to act as an advocate for the folks they represent. In case you don't have their contact information on hand, we've put together a database for you to use. 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 highly effective strategy for channeling your energy and deciding on a goal or activity for your external self to pursue. Set aside a chunk of time to spend alone and meditate, pray, or otherwise get in touch with the forces of the universe you find power and truth in. Hope and change grow from the seeds of mental clarity and consciousness. Upon reflection, challenges which once appeared daunting may seem solvable after all.
5. Help Build Community
There’s a famous saying: “may you live in interesting times.” It would be hard to argue against the accuracy of that proclamation. Now, perhaps louder than ever before in our lifetimes, the world is calling out for positive change – the kind that can only be achieved by humanity working together towards a common goal. To mark Universal Day, think about ways you can get involved in your local community to make a difference in the lives of others and demand real change from those in power. As part of this effort, don't forget to connect on social media with other members of the ULCM who are active in the fight:
Stay Connected
Digital technology has knocked down the barriers to direct action, giving anyone with an internet connection the ability to participate in larger movements from the safety of their home. If that’s where you’re most comfortable, consider starting an online petition and put pressure on lawmakers to push for reform. If you’d rather get your feet on the pavement, consider joining a protest in your area (obviously while following all recommended safety guidelines), or seek out organizations in your area that need volunteers. This is by no means an exhaustive list for how to participate in Universal Day. Regardless of you choose to get involved, remember that we are all capable of affecting real, lasting change in the world.