PASTORS, ETC., IN POOR AREAS: I’m working on a piece for Commonweal about couples who get married in church, in order to be married in the eyes of God, but don’t register with the state because they would lose welfare benefits (inc apartments, health benefits etc). If you know anyone who has done this, or if you know pastors who may have performed these weddings, could you encourage them to get in touch with me? My email is on the sidebar there, and if you email me, I’ll send you my cell phone number. Because the legal status of these marriages is somewhat doubtful, I’d be willing to offer various degrees of anonymity (first name only, or something like that).

Thank you, and of course, please pass this around!