Search Results for "NH-New%2520Hampshire/town/belknap/Center-Harbor"

The Rainbow Logo

One of the most meaningful wedding ceremonies I have performed as a New Hampshire Justice of the Peace was on Loon Mountain in September, with a panorama of the White Mountains before us. Rather than that priceless vista, however, it was the couple and our special connection that made it memorable. It all started when they came across a picture of me standing in front of a rainbow flag. The two women had wanted to be married for years but were stymied by the laws of their home state, North Carolina. When the US Congress repealed the infamous DOMA, the […]

5 Tips To Writing Your Own Wedding Ceremony

While it may be true that the ceremony is the radiant sun of your wedding day, around which every other wedding festivity orbits, it is also true that many brides (and grooms) put off until the last moment the design of that all-important center to their nuptials. Why, you ask yourself, why did you tell your JP that you and your fiancée would write the ceremony? Is it too late to ask for help? It’s never too late, until it is. So call your JP now! (and read these tips to snap you out of your panicked brain freeze.) 1. Get Help from […]

Is a Wedding Rehearsal Necessary?

I’m a Tom Brady fan. Brady, as you may know, is the quarterback for the New England Patriots. He’s considered one of the best —  if not the best — quarterback to ever play professional football. But he didn’t start out that way. He has never looked like the prototypical quarterback. Which is why in high school and college, other quarterbacks were brought in to replace him. But he won. They didn’t. In the NFL draft he was forgotten. He was so skinny. He was slow. I think he still owns the record for the slowest time for quarterbacks in the 40-yard dash […]

Union Leader: 7/17/2020

The following op-ed was published in the New Hampshire Union Leader on July 17, 2020. It calls for Governor Sununu to issue an executive order to undo the temporary marriage officiant authorization. Loretta Jay: Amendment undermines marriages… literally ON THE second to last day of the session, the New Hampshire Senate tacked an unrelated amendment onto a guaranteed-to-pass bill. This move, done without notifying constituents, gives anyone temporary authorization to officiate a marriage. This will increase the risk of coronavirus spread. The House passed the bill the next day. New Hampshire needs Governor Sununu to step in and halt this […]

Become a Justice of the Peace in Connecticut

  The good news about becoming a JP in Connecticut is that there are no special requirements, no exams to take or fees to pay. Many people become a JP because they want to perform marriage ceremonies. They join the Justice of the Peace Association to receive professional development, network with other JPs, and get their profile listed on findaJP.com, where couples go to find their perfect officiant. How the Process Works People to Talk To  If you Belong to a Political Party If You are Unaffiliated The Process The state of Connecticut regulates the activities of JPs and determines how many […]

Ending Child Marriage – NH 2021

  HB60: An Act to End Child Marriage Members of the Justice of the Peace Association are strong advocates to end child marriage. As a result, working on members’ behalf, JPus submitted written testimony to the New Hampshire Child and Family Law Committee supporting HB60. If successful, then this bill will finally end child marriage in the state. Below, see the additional links for related JPus activity to end child marriage in NH and other states. Related Links ★ Information about our advocacy and partnerships for officiants about child and forced marriage. ★ Education and training for officiants about child and forced marriage […]

JP for a Day

In support of JPs, JPus opposed JP for a Day. The bill died in committee. In March 2018 a bill came before the Connecticut General Assembly’s (CGA) Judicial Committee to create a JP for a Day. JPus mobilized our membership and engaged with the Connecticut Town Clerk Association. As a result of our advocacy both submitted testimony opposing this legislation (SB-396). In addition to testifying before the Judiciary Committee on March 9, 2018, JPus submitted written testimony. We were successful, and the bill died in committee. Read all about the behind-the-scenes activity here. Related Links See all of JPus’ efforts to address the problems […]

NH Bill to End Child Marriage

On January 22, 2023, the Justice of the Peace Association submitted testimony to New Hampshire’s Children and Family Law Committee in support of HB34. The legislation would change the minimum age to marry in the state to 18 – no exceptions. Read JPus’ testimony. Related Links Information about our advocacy and partnerships for officiants about child and forced marriage. JPus has been on the forefront of legislative activity to end child marriage in other states Follow our state-by-state changes to marriage laws How membership voted to join the Coalition to End Child Marriage Education and training for officiants about child and forced marriage  

Conference 2021 – Speakers & Exhibitors Help

  Our first virtual conference is powered by Accelevents and can be attended via computer, tablet or mobile device. Answers to general questions about the conference can be found below. If you are new to online conferences like ours, Accelevents has provided an introduction to virtual events. FAQs – Speakers I’m a Speaker in a session, what do I do? As a speaker, you will need to access the Accelevents Backstage link to be able to start your live broadcast. Instructions are here to earn the steps from start to end on how to join an event as a speaker. Note: Chrome […]

Website Updates Coming Soon

In order to keep up with current technology and security measures, JPus is launching a new website version of findaJP.com and JPus.org. The primary purpose of this update is to improve the websites’ performance, speed, and security. It will also make it easier for administrators (Loretta and Atlantis) to manage all the different components. For this reason, changes to the general appearance will be minor. Stay tuned for an announcement of an official launch date in the near future. For now, read more about the upcoming updates below. Front-End Updates There will NOT be a full visual redesign of findaJP […]

HB295 before NH Senate Judiciary Committee

Following is the statement to the New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee opposing bill HB295, which would have allowed a special marriage officiant in the state. The hearing was held on Tuesday, April 23, 2019. JPus’ managing member Loretta Jay testified opposing the legislation. In addition, JPus submitted a written statement with 40 NH members and JPs who also signed on. Read about the problems with this bill and what JPus did about it. Send JPus an email ([email protected]) letting us know that you are an ally. Be sure to include your hometown and we’ll keep you in the loop in case the […]

Gender Neutral & Affirming Wedding Terms

Gender inclusive wedding terms

That feeling when both you and your guests feel included at your wedding ceremony? Priceless! Be proactive to ensure this is a reality. Using gender neutral and affirming wedding terms is one step to achieve your goal. Think about the words that you are using and if they carry additional (unwanted or unnecessary) significance. For instance, to do this focus on the relationship, rather than the gender. Words matter Your engagement is a special time of your relationship. As your wedding day approaches, the excitement builds. Naturally, you want to enjoy the process. Especially as you begin a new life […]

Member Testimonials

See what our members say about the JP Association … and then Join! Connecticut | Florida | Maine | Massachusetts | New Hampshire | Vermont