Rev Joe

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Posts posted by Rev Joe

  1. I have attached a pdf of the Wisconsin marriage statutes.

    You don't have to register to perform a marriage. Most counties give out instructions to the officiant as to how to fill out the marriage certificate.

    Wisconsin has recently changed their forms and now the witnesses have to both sign and print their names. Also some counties don't make the couple sign ahead of time, but they are supposed to sign prior to the ceremony.

    stat0765.pdf

  2. If the issuing license state is Texas, then it may be allowed as some of the county web sites mention that the wedding can take place anywhere.

    snipped from dallas county: http://www.dallascounty.org/countyclerk/marriage-license.php

    Can I use my Texas marriage license to get married in another state?

    A marriage license issued in the State of Texas can be used for ceremonies in other States. Please contact your out-of-state officiate before applying for a State of Texas marriage license. Please keep in mind your license will only be recorded in the County and State in which you applied.

    I would check with someone in your state to see if it is legal for you to perform a marriage this way as most states say that a marriage can only be performed with a valid marriage license from the state the marriage is to take place in.

  3. It does look like they forgot to take out this section in 765.002 which is a definition for a term that was deleted in section 765.17.

    (2) In this chapter “church under his or her ministry” includes
    any congregation, parish or place of worship at which any member
    of the clergy is located or assigned and also any administrative,
    missionary, welfare or educational agency, institution or organization
    affiliated with any religious denomination or society in this
    state.

  4. What if you perform the ceremony on the 9th when you ask the couple for their "I do's" they then write down their answers and place them in sealed envelopes which you hold onto until the 12th and then you officially pronounce them man and wife through e-mail or skype on the 12th.

    I don't think that would work at it could be considered a 'proxy' wedding and that is not legal in most states.

    Your safest bet would be to do a 'commitment' ceremony on the 9th and then do a short legal ceremony (in person with witnesses, if your state requires witnesses) on the 12th.

  5. Having done about 200 weddings I have only used contracts about 5 times and only for couples who request them. Maybe that is a bad business practice on my part, but that is how I do it. I am a member of the AAWO Wedding Officiant Yahoo group and some on there have 5 page contracts and some don't use any. I can send you a copy of what I have if you would like but based on what I have heard on the Yahoo group, it is not all-inclusive as far as covering all contingencies.

  6. I know the ULC Seminary isnt a "fake ULC Site." I was just responding to the post that said her site was strange and overpriced. As I mentioned I found that some of the items on her site to be cheaper (the Stoles) the stores here. I also found she has some nice items for us, like the Minister Pins, the Removable Minister window decal, etc...

    Now as for the "fake ULC Sites" I have warned people who ask me what the ULC is about those sites, and direct them to either ULC.net or ULCHQ.org, letting then know that those are the official ULC sites for the original ULC based on Modesto, I do let them know that there is one other "approved" site the ULCSeminary.org, that while not official, is recognized and does have a good working relationship with Modesto, and will forward any ordination request right to Modesto.

    Now I do check the "fake ULC Sites" regularly, to see what content they might have that I may find useful, such as Ceremonies. I will also admit I have seen one or two items on the Monastery store that have peaked my interest such as the Baker's Pastorial Handbook set (Bakers Wedding Handbook, Bakers Funeral handbook and Ministers Service manual), though I have yet to break down and order from them, and if I do I would probably be using a pre-paid debit card with just enough to cover the cost of what I order. I do know I will order from here, Modesto or the Seminary first if the exact same product is offered, before giving any money to the Monastary or any other "ULC Site."

    I think you had a typo in the above. ULCHQ.com is the modesto site and ULCHQ.com is the monastery site.

  7. I am kind of excited and nervous as in 53 days I am performing my first marriage. As a minister of the ULC, and also a bible college student, so this is an exciting opportunity. So far I have led a few sermons and communion for the campus ministry, but a wedding is quite an event!

    Anyways, if anyone wants to leave feed back of their experiences or may offer some advice, that would be awesome.

    I agree that practice is needed. Don't just read the ceremony, but read it out loud so you can hear how it is going to come out or have someone listen and give advice.

    You will be nervous for the first couple of ceremonies so don't worry if you are.

    Good luck!

  8. I do charge for performing weddings, commitment ceremonies and vow renewals as it is a part-time business for me. I also charge extra to perform rehearsals. I do give discounts, depending on circumstances. I also pay taxes on this income (after appropriate deductions). I do require a deposit to hold the date/time for the couple. In a few instances I have charged a mileage fee due to the distance. My fees are here: http://www.idoidos.com/feesandfaqs.html. I have been doing about 20 - 40 ceremonies a year for the last 4 years.

    Joe

  9. CO and O2 levels back to normal: 100%. Sudden death risk lowered: 100% . Taste and Smell senses regained: 92.36% Standardization of Respiratory Function: 61.57% Elimination of physical dependence of nictoine: 26.39%. BUT! I don't think that last one takes the patch into account.

    Doesn't matter, still didn't smoke. :P

    Thanks, everyone. I'm glad I have a decent support group. To be honest, I wasn't really sure about posting it on the forum at all. But, you guys have been part of my life for so long..it seemed to be the thing to do.

    :thumbu:

  10. If you can admin this place for 9 years, you have more than enough will power to deal with anything in life.

    Carry pics of your kids. If you haven't yet thrown out the packs opf cigs, tape pics of your kids to the cig pack. That way each time you reach for one, you have that pic staring at you to remind you why you wanted to give it up.

    Other people have a cuss jar... start a cigarette jar. Take the money you would throw into smoking and toss it in the jar. Watch the money grow, and treat yourself with the cash. Better yet, treat yourself and the kids. Then everyone can enjoy the benefits of your healthier life. Want a great motivator to keep going, look at their smiles when you can treat them and share your success. It will also help drive their desire to support you.

    All the best. You got this.

    I agree with the above! Good luck and if you feel yourself weakening, remember you have people here you can give you support!

  11. By whom?

    Not by the I.R.S.

    Churches Need Not Apply

    In order to be considered for tax-exempt status by the IRS an organization must fill out and submit IRS Form 1023 and 1024. However, note what the IRS says regarding churches and church ministries, in Publication 557:

    Some organizations are not required to file Form 1023. These include:

    Churches, interchurch organizations of local units of a church, conventions or associations of churches, or integrated auxiliaries of a church, such as a men’s or women’s organization, religious school, mission society, or youth group. These organizations are exempt automatically if they meet the requirements of section 501©(3).

    Churches Are “Automatically Tax-Exempt”

    According to IRS Code § 508©(1)(A):

    Special rules with respect to section 501©(3) organizations.

    (a) New organizations must notify secretary that they are applying for recognition of section 501©(3) status.

    © Exceptions.

    (1) Mandatory exceptions. Subsections (a) and (b) shall not apply to—

    (A) churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or associations of churches.

    This is referred to as the "mandatory exception" rule. Thus, we see from the IRS’ own publications, and the tax code, that it is completely unnecessary for any church to apply for tax-exempt status. In the IRS’ own words a church “is automatically tax-exempt.”

    http://www.trinity-edu.com/page.html?id=41

  12. I thought that churches are tax-exempt by default and that the 501c3 designation was only needed if contributors wanted to deduct charitable contributions or if you wanted to apply for a grant. There are many churches that are not 501c3 and are still considered tax-exempt.