Comments on: The $25 might be the easy part...

Question: The $25 might be the easy part...

NotMyselfRightNow — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 07:38:47 -0800

What is involved in, or how would you write, "a letter of reference stating the applicant's high standard of character"?

By: crush-onastick

crush-onastick — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 07:52:35 -0800

i've had to write these sorts of letters for my students sometimes. generally, i tell a specific story about how the person conducted herself through an ethical dilemma (fortunately, this comes up periodically in academic and legal settings) or how that person particularly responded to a specific capital-D duty.

if i don't have that sort of biographical detail to draw on, the other option is a discussion of the usual civic indicators of good character: no difficulties with the law, strong affiliation with a religious institution, demonstrated dedication to volunteer work, never late in debt repayment. just stuff that says "i was in a position of authority over this applicant and she was clear, tidy, respectable and trustworthy to the extent that i saw."

By: unSane

unSane — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 07:56:52 -0800

You write a letter stating 'The applicant has a high standard of character'. Not being funny. Explain what this means to avoid it only having one sentence. "In my dealings with him/her I have found him/her truthful at all times, reliable, professionally ethical etc etc etc.

The answer is in the question.

By: JMOZ

JMOZ — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 08:04:20 -0800

I'm going to agree with unSane- for this type of thing, it sounds like it's a binary check (someone other than the people getting married wrote a letter of recommendation that basically says the person has a high standard of character). I can't imagine they're going to judge the merit of the letter for this type of thing.

crush-onastick's advice is good for a more serious letter, such as an employer or something where the content of the letter is likely to be considered.

By: rxrfrx

rxrfrx — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 08:26:39 -0800

I'm sorry to not answer your question directly, but you should know that this process is totally unnecessary in MA. You can go to a website like The Universal Life Church, become a member of the clergy in a matter of minutes (and for no money), and be thus qualified to solemnize a marriage in MA.

By: brain_drain

brain_drain — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 08:35:48 -0800

unSane's approach is sufficient in most contexts. If you want to be extra careful, you might call the number listed on the webpage to verify that this is all you need.

By: NotMyselfRightNow

NotMyselfRightNow — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 09:34:37 -0800

Thanks everyone.

rxrfrx, thanks for the ULC idea. I had been batting it around earlier, and never did anything. I just jumped onto their site thinking it was going to be a joke. Five minutes later, I realized I agreed with them more than I do with the religion I was raised on. Hmmm...

By: rxrfrx

rxrfrx — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 09:56:10 -0800

NMRN, the ULC itself might be some kind of joke, but the credential is legit enough to be OK for marriage in MA. I think there was a piece about this in the Wall Street Journal some years back.