While many churches may be able to prescribe a certain flavor such as "Baptist" or "Protestant" upon themselves, I would argue that even they would have a hard time defning exactly what it is they believe in on an individual basis. All truths are therefore relative.

ULC only truly has one standing tenant: that the beliefs of their membership are the beliefs of their ministry. From an official standpoint, all beliefs are equal. You may find members that find your particular branch of our great encompassing church distasteful on a personal level, but we are all bretheren.

This creates a certain interesting dynamic as the church is therefore composed of -all- beliefs, including those who have no particular religious leanings and find ministership an amusement. In such an environment one cannot even entertain a conversation about the deeper truths the Church should be following as a whole.

All are welcome, and that's good enough.

My friend Michelle made them a million years ago when we both worked together. They are modified choir robes with added trim around the edges and pockets sewn in at my request. It is a very simple working garment and has served me well over the years.

On the inner shoulder are the secret initials "ALT" which stand for Anal Libra Tendencies, facts of life that both my friend Michelle and I must deal with.

As of 4/1/2006, eight marriages in ten years with only one divorce. This is as good or better than traditional clergy in the state of California. As of this writing three children have resulted from the weddings I've performed (so far as I know!)

Generally speaking all these people have been my friends with one exception, and they were my neighbors. On every occasion I have felt enormously blessed by the opportunity to actually marry someone. I always try to conduct myself in a manner according to that responsibility.

Its garunteed that something will be forgotten, something will be screwed up, and people will get jacked up about small details. I feel like it is always my responsibility as a minister to lend an extra set of hands when necessary. I always try to temper my helpfulness with the understanding that this is not my day, that I am here to perform a task and that while I will do several such ceremonies, this will be the only one for this couple and this particular group. They will remember no other ceremony.

Not really. I think the only one that really dissapointed me was my friend Michelle who ended up eloping on me and going to Jamaica. I had really wanted to wear the robes she'd made at her wedding, but that's been about it.

While I am a generally upstanding member of society, I am aware that I may not fit the traditional image of "officiant" someone may have.

I think the most important thing is that the couple should be as comfortable as possible with the people they work with. Everybody should enjoy themselves, nobody should feel pressured or stressed.

Sometimes that means that I don't get the nod and I understand that decision completely.

(This question is often asked in this form, but the general question that seems to be asked is "if I end up deciding I don't want to go with you, is your little heart going to be broken?" No, because I'm a professional. And yes, this means that I'm perfectly available to work standby at weddings I would not even otherwise be invited to. I consider that part of the general ministerial responsibility.)