For more information on the Universal Life Church, Click here

James Is a Portland native and loves the Pacific Northwest! He has been interested in matters of the spirit for as long as he can remember. Cutting his teeth on Greek and Norse mythologies, James' interest in spirituality expanded to encompass folklore and world religions.

Active in the Portland theatre community for 25 years, James felt a strong spiritual connection in performance that he is very passionate about! In the winter of 2002, at the request of dear friends, James became ordained by the Universal Life Church of Modesto California in order to officiate at their wedding. His friends felt uncomfortable going to a church they had never attended, or to a justice of the peace. They were looking for a spiritual alternative that they could be comfortable with. James loved the experience and was deeply honored to perform the ceremony.

One wedding begat another and soon James discovered he had a flare for officiating and really enjoyed it. Having gone to weddings where the officiant was not familiar with the couple, and the couple was clearly uncomfortable with the setting and the officiant. Or finding that some officiants were too detached from the couples or equated solemnizing with tedium, James knew he had something different to offer. He felt he could bring a fun, fresh, funkier, yet spiritually resonant style of officiating to the community. Offering an approachable style and a wealth of experience with public speaking, James wants to provide a wedding alternative that is easy, fun and uniquely designed just for you!