The Universal Life Church (ULC) is a non-denominational
religious organization that brings together people from all walks of life. We embrace individuals across
the spiritual spectrum; anyone who wants to join our body of faith is welcome to do so. Further, the ULC
is proud to open its doors to all people, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, or
any other defining characteristic. Since the organization's founding, we've provided legal ordination to
over 20 million ministers worldwide.
The ULC has only two core tenets that ministers must uphold:
Do only that which is right.
Every individual is free to practice their religion however they like as long as their actions
do not impinge upon the rights or freedoms of others and are in accordance with the law.
We hold no deity (or deities) over another – in our view, all belief systems are equally
valuable. Furthermore, as a member of the ULC, there are no loyalty tests or rings to kiss. We never
demand allegiance from our members, and we eschew the tithing practices used by most traditional
churches.
The ULC champions religious freedom, social justice and spiritual expression. We never
waver in our conviction that performing spiritual duties is a right that all should share, and we
will always stand up for our minister-members in this regard.
Above all, we encourage our ministers to practice their religion in whatever manner they feel most
comfortable.
Whether that means worshipping one God, or many gods; whether you choose to perform one spiritual
ceremony a
year or twenty – we stand with you. In short: the ULC welcomes you just as you are, whoever you are and
hopes to
empower you to explore your faith however you see fit.
For Our Ordained Ministers
Although some people get ordained in order to perform weddings for friends or family members, there is a lot more
to being a ULC minister than simply officiating weddings. We offer a whole host of resources to help our
ministers better understand the many options available to them. ULC ministers frequently celebrate baptisms,
officiate at funerals, serve in prison ministries, and become leaders of faith in their own communities. Here on
our website, ministers can find:
A full stocked Minister Store which offers ministry supplies, attire, church documents, and more.
Wedding training pages
Guidelines for performing funerals, baptisms, and other ceremonies
A link to the Ministers Network – a social media site created entirely for ministers
The official ULC blog
Our Good Works
The ULC supports many organizations that work for oppressed or underrepresented individuals. We are very proud of
the work and victories that we've helped to win in areas such as religious freedom and the legalization of
same-sex marriage.
We are also proud to donate to various charitable organizations. We support the National Coalition Against
Domestic Violence, New Beginnings, the Lifelong Aids Alliance, and numerous other groups that provide education
and resources for people whose lives are being affected by violence, illness, or a myriad of other
struggles.
A December to Remember
In December of 2012 the Universal Life Church hosted a first-of-its-kind mass wedding event for members and
ordained ministers of the ULC. The historic Sanctuary building in West Seattle was outfitted for a crowd of
hundreds, and ULC brothers and sisters from around the globe flocked to the celebration. At this "December to
Remember", 20 couples — both gay and straight — were joined together in matrimony in front of their
universal family. The event was initially planned to celebrate the legalization of same-sex marriage in
Washington State, but — like the ULC — was open to people of any sexual orientation or specific
ideology. The chain of weddings started at 10 AM and the celebrations carried on throughout the day and into the
night! The event was a testimony to the power of love and the triumph of our universal brother and sisterhood
over all else. The couples weren't charged anything for their use of the venue, and their guests were provided
with complimentary food, drinks, flowers, and cake sponsored by the Universal Life Church Monastery and its
partners in the event — Foodz Catering, The Sanctuary at Admiral, and JB White Entertainment Services.
The Future of the ULC
We plan to continue to ordain ministers to empower people to take control of their own spiritual life. The ULC
also fights for the rights of its ordained ministers to ensure that everyone has the right to religious freedom.
The battle to ensure that people in all 50 states are allowed to become ministers never ends under the United
States' antiquated legal system.
Our ministry will continue to address same-sex marriage and fight for the rights of people to marry any
individual they choose. Obergefell v Hodges was a major victory, but as we've seen in the past year, there are
many people who want to chip away at the freedoms that were won.
We hope to provide a voice to those whose freedoms are being violated, not only in the United States, but around
the world. We would love to have you join us in our quest for universal brotherhood, because it's only in our
togetherness that positive change can be achieved.
