I'm a "retired" Unitarian Universalist minister, ordained in 1966, by the All  Souls Unitarian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.
   I served two congregations over a period of fourteen years,
1966-1980. 
    These are the degrees I hold: 
   -A.B. (Bachelor of Arts), University of Indianapolis, 1961; 
   -B.D. (Bachelor of Divinity), Meadville-Lombard Theological 
       School at the University of Chicago, 1966;
   -M.S. (Master of Science), University of Bridgeport  
     (Counseling), 1981

    My home address is:  199 Smith Street - Freeport, NY  11520-4323 [Freeport is located on Long Island's south shore about 45 minutes east of JFK airport, and depending on traffic 1:15 to 2:00 hours by car from the eastern border of Manhattan—See Page 5, at bottom, for a link to a map plus written directions].
   My home telephone (with an answering machine which gives my pager-beeper number) is : 516-546-6920.   I also carry a cell phone—"hands-free" in the car— which is turned on only when I leave the house; for all ceremonies outside my Home Chapel couples have this number to use on their wedding day if they wish to reach me anytime before my arrival. 
    My email address is: revwentz@verizon.net 

    I am registered (and have been since 1977) with the New York City Clerk's office, which gives authorization to perform marriages within the five boros (counties) with a New York City issued marriage license. In 2004 the City introduced the use of Clergy ID numbers.  My Clergy ID Number is: 13737.  The telephone number to call to verify my registration with the New York City Clerk's office is: 212-669-2778.   
   There is no licensing of clergy in the State of New York (one should be suspicious of any clergy who claims he or she is "licensed").  In the whole State of New York only the City of New York has a registration process.  

   To determine my status is in good standing with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), my "governing ecclesiastical body" (see below "The Law Regarding Clergy...."), contact:
       Elizabeth Miller - Director of Ministry & Professional Leadership: bmiller@uua.org - 617-948-6407 (your call will probably be handled by an assistant), or write to her: 
                Unitarian Universalist Association (Switchboard: 617-742-2100)   
             25 Beacon Street
             Boston, MA  02108-2800 
  To verify that I am a Life Member (Retired) in good standing in the continental Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association, the address is 25 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108; or phone: 617-848-0498; or email administrator@uuma.org .   

   To learn more about Unitarian Universalism—  
>National:  www.uua.org (Principles & Purposes, and to learn How To Find A Congregation Near You)
>National:  www.uuworld.org (UUA magazine—contemporary liberal religion and life, articles, etc.) 
>New York Metro Area: www.uumetrony.org
>Long Island: www.liacuu.org 

MY  PERSONAL  CREDO

"How To Live The Good Life"
by  James Wentz
(adapted from "Desiderata" by Max Ehrmann, 1927)
First Version  December 2000
Revised  December 2001
Posted Here  November 2002
[may be copied and distributed provided full credits are included]

Go placidly, amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be
   in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and
   ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to natural well being.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always
   there will be lesser and greater persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in
   the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high
   idealism and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself while becoming who you are.
Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it
   is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture courage with contemplation to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue, separation and warped assumptions.
Beyond a wholesome discipline be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a
   right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you the universe does obey the rhythm of its
   own laws.
Therefore be at peace with reality, while striving in a never-ending quest for
   truth.
And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, accept
   that only you can sustain tranquility within yourself.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Be happy.                        

Letter to the Editor
as published in Newsday (Long Island, New York), July 14, 2005, page A45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A sign could lead to safety
        I keep thinking of 8-year-old Shasta Groene, who, when in a Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, convenience store, reportedly tried to get patrons to recognize her by looking into their faces, according to police ["Documents detail abduction," News, July 6]. Hours later, she was rescued from her kidnapper, a registered sex offender, in a Denny's restaurant 40 miles away.
        There is a universal nonverbal sign that could be taught to all children (and used by people of all ages) to signal the need for emergency help.
        In American Sign Language the letter "H" (for "help") is made by pointing the right-hand index and middle fingers horizontally with the thumb folded over the ring and little finger. This hand configuration would mean the user needs help but is being watched and too scared to cry out or run.
        For just a few seconds in a public place, a young child could flash this sign when her or his abductor was not looking. People should know not to intervene, but to call the police, since a desperate kidnapper might be armed and start shooting. Let's spread this idea, and help children to help themselves if they're abducted.
                                        The Rev. James Wentz
                                        Freeport

[Note: Please copy the above, beginning with "Letter to the Editor," and include this Note, and send it to your complete email address book.  Thanks.]

The Law Regarding Clergy in New York State

      The Religious Corporation Law, Article 1, Section 2, reads, in part: "The term 'clergyman' and the term 'minister' include a duly authorized pastor, rector, priest, rabbi, and a person having authority from, or in accordance with, the rules and regulations of the governing ecclesiastical body of the denomination or order, if any, to which the church belongs, or otherwise from the church or synagogue to preside over and direct the spiritual affairs of the church or synagogue."  It therefore provides for clergy recognition with the power to officiate at weddings by being recognized by either :
        1) a local congregation designated as their clergy  [Note: Fake "clergy" claim they serve a congregation but none actually exists—except on paper, or they call their home a church "headquarters" but there is no actual church.  If a "clergy" claims to serve a congregation ask him or her when worship services are held because you might like to attend.  If this question ultimately is not answered, but instead you get the number of years they have been in business or such, or the fact they are registered with the Clerk of the City of New York or are on Town Hall lists (these government agencies do not investigate but blindly accept paperwork which can easily be fabricated) should you not ponder whether the person is a bona fide clergyperson and what would be the legal status of your marriage if he or she is eventually exposed?]   
        2) a "governing ecclesiastical body of [a] denomination or order".   My denomination is the Unitarian Universalist Association (see above).  [Note: Some fake "clergy" call themselves "nondenominational" and use the school where they obtained some type of theological certificate as their credentials, but a school is not a "denomination or order" as outlined in the law. Or they create a religious corporation with six or so people to claim it is an ecclesiastical body but in fact is no more than a piece of paper, not a public entity, and is certainly not a "denomination or order" as the law specifies.  Require as a condition to proceed that you shall receive a copy of their ordination papers [a copy of my Certificate of Ordination is enclosed with my wedding packet] or other official certification from an actual, publicly recognized "denomination or order" with a name, address and phone of a person whom you can contact to verify their status as a legitimate clergyperson.  If they refuse and/or get annoyed or angry, or hang up, because you dare to question their authority, then with whom you are dealing?  A "clergy" in the marrying business can be experienced, have the necessary skills, and come highly recommended by friends as very pleasant and competent, indeed charming, and still be a charlatan.  Caveat emptor ("Let the buyer beware")].  And...
        I ask:  If a person is performing a legal public service authorized by the state, one as important as a marriage, and refuses to provide a citizen who seeks that service with written information which verifies the person's authority to do so, then should not a citizen consider filing a formal written complaint with government agencies?  The main reason the government doesn't act, and the fake "clergy" get away with their scam, is because the public doesn't complain—people don't want to get involved and / or are too busy getting married, and so year after year these "clergy" imposters remain in business. But, anyone who has had a bad experience with a "clergy" who refuses to provide written clergy credentials can file a written complaint with the government, anonymously:
    -NY State Attorney General  - Consumer Fraud 1-800-771-7755
                                               -  Charities Bureau 1-212-416-8400
    -Your County District Attorney
    -Your Town District Attorney
    -Your NY State Senator & Assemblyperson
    -Newspapers & TV Consumer Investigators 

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