Justice of the PeaceNewsletter
December 2011
If you prefer, read the newsletter on the Web.
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In This Issue: JP Conference RecapMy First Wedding Reality TV Wedding This JP Has an IPad! Two Stories from the NY Times: Interim Survey Report Join the JP Association |
THE vote is in... JP CONFERENCE WAS THE BEST!
Over 90 JPs from Conecticut were joined by Massachusetts JP Maria Taylor and New Hampshire JPs Bobbie Wilkins and Pat Cook at the Fall JP Association conference in Hartford. Guest speakers included CT Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, Registrar of Vital Records Jane Purtill, and Jason Shusterman of Advanced Lighting & Sound Solutions. Renowned wedding guru Peter Merry came the farthest (Dallas) and did double duty as the groom in a mock ceremony and as afternoon entertainer/educator.
Peter involved
the audience in games and discussions to build
self-confidence in their important role at a wedding
-- and its value. 'Don't sell yourself short' was
his message. As the person who
orchestrates the ceremony, the JP/officiant has the
ability to make a special day in the couple's lives
extraordinary. Huge thanks for their
presentations to jpUS members Bettie-Jeanne
Rivard-Darby, Shelley Schulman and Ernest Adams.
For more about the conference, see Bettie and Jim
Darby's photos and the
Justice of the Peace Association's
Facebook page.
We were lucky that the Conference was scheduled
on a Friday between two freak snowfalls. Saturday's
storm wreaked havoc for New Englanders, some
of whom lost power for a week or more. One happy
outcome of both the Conference and the storm
resulted in the next story.
It's not
even Valentine's Day yet, but this newsletter is all
about love... and weddings. Not a bad way to begin a
New Year!
My First Wedding
"As the Simsbury state representative dealing with public safety and other issues, I was very glad I attended the workshop last week. On November 1, I performed my first wedding at our town's storm shelter (because it was the only warm place in town!) and it got tons of news coverage as a feel good story in an otherwise bleak day.
I used what I learned about personalizing the ceremony and I held a black three-ring binder like the mock wedding JP [Shelley Schulman] did. That was very helpful.The couple was delighted with the personalized wedding service I created for them and with the support of the 300 shelter residents who looked on, even though they were complete strangers! It was a hoot!" Linda Schofield , Simsbury CT JP
Reality TV: A Same-Sex Wedding in New York
Another wedding with an unusual audience took place that first week of November. This one was in New York City and performed by late-night TV host Conan O'Brien -- on the show. Watch it here.
Who Says JPs aren't Up-to-Date?
"Thanks for
offering the JP Pocket Calendar, but I don't really use them,"
writes JP and Captain Gary Chiljean of Bridgewater Massachusetts.
"I've gone high tech with my weddings now, by reading the
ceremony from my iPad. This way I can also video tape the bride as
she comes down the aisle." Wow!
In the video at left, Gary captures a precious moment in a
ceremony at the Royal Sonesta in Cambridge.
Did he really
want to share his secret weapon with other JPs?
"I have no secrets," he replied via email. "I've always
been willing to share my ideas with anyone willing to listen."
Any low-tech Justice of the Peace Association
members out there who can still use a 2012 pocket calendar,
let us know.
from the N.Y. Times...
Making a Judgment on Love
A judge makes an exception and conducts a rush wedding for a
couple of 38 years.
Read this poignant story from the NY Times "Modern Love" series.
Marriage Renewals Are In!
An NYT article about the popularity of
marriage renewal ceremonies -- religious,
secular, multi-couple. Are marriage renewals a growing part of your JP business?
Share your
stories.
Interim Survey Report
The JP Survey revealed so many facets of the practices of
responding JPs that we plan to devote a future
issue of the JP Newsletter to it!
A quick snapshot: Survey respondents were from CT, MA,
NH and VT. More than three-quarters are over 50
years old, and twice as many women responded than men.
Here's a sampling
of the results showing that many JPs already have taken
control of the wedding ceremony, as Peter Merry
encouraged us to do. Asked what services
they offer to couples
(other than as the officiant), responses were:
Findings also offered insight into how JPs market themselves and
where they are looking for a little extra support. Fortunately,
that's
what the JP Association does! If you're not already a member, why not start the New Year off
right?
Join
the JP Association and get listed on findaJP.com. If you join in
January, we'll send new members a JP canvas tote bag. We all can use a
little extra support! Happy New Year, everyone.
"Thanks for
offering the JP Pocket Calendar, but I don't really use them,"
writes JP and Captain Gary Chiljean of Bridgewater Massachusetts. "I've gone high tech with my weddings now, by reading the ceremony from my iPad. This way I can also video tape the bride as she comes down the aisle." Wow!
In the video at left, Gary captures a precious moment in a ceremony at the Royal Sonesta in Cambridge.
Did he really want to share his secret weapon with other JPs?
from the N.Y. Times...
Making a Judgment on Love
A judge makes an exception and conducts a rush wedding for a couple of 38 years. Read this poignant story from the NY Times "Modern Love" series.
Marriage Renewals Are In!
An NYT article about the popularity of marriage renewal ceremonies -- religious, secular, multi-couple. Are marriage renewals a growing part of your JP business? Share your stories.
Interim Survey Report
The JP Survey revealed so many facets of the practices of
responding JPs that we plan to devote a future
issue of the JP Newsletter to it!
A quick snapshot: Survey respondents were from CT, MA,
NH and VT. More than three-quarters are over 50
years old, and twice as many women responded than men.
Here's a sampling
of the results showing that many JPs already have taken
control of the wedding ceremony, as Peter Merry
encouraged us to do. Asked what services
they offer to couples
(other than as the officiant), responses were:
Findings also offered insight into how JPs market themselves and
where they are looking for a little extra support. Fortunately,
that's
what the JP Association does! If you're not already a member, why not start the New Year off
right?
Join
the JP Association and get listed on findaJP.com. If you join in
January, we'll send new members a JP canvas tote bag. We all can use a
little extra support! Happy New Year, everyone.
Please
let us know if you prefer not to receive this Newsletter and we'll take you
off the list.
We welcome your feedback and appreciate news or features of
interest to JPs. Please send your suggestions, comments and submissions to
newsletter@jpus.org