Catering With A Cause

 I want to dedicate this post to a wonderful organization my niece turned me on to.  That's her and her husband at their wedding on December 29th.  I'll be writing a post about their wedding a little later.  But here they are, Amber and Forrest, eyeing their cakes, before the cake cutting ritual.

Right now I want to focus on their caterers, who did a fabulous job and made amazing food.

Thanks first to Jerri Greenberg of Girl With 3 Dogs Photography for these pictures. Family friends (I married her and her husband, Rob) she and Rob captured the day, and our relaxed family so well.  I thank her, too. 

Amber, my niece, in her volunteer work for the Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce had learned about 'Catering With A Cause,' a part of the Interfaith Food Shuttle, which is part of the Interfaith Food Council in Chapel Hill.  So knowing their wonderful food and solid professionalism, she contacted them to cater her wedding held at The Community Church in Chapel Hill, Unitarian Universalist.  It's where her brother was married, and where I was one of the ministers from 1995 to 2000.  And they do open their doors to non-members to marry there.

It's a not for profit catering program to generate revenue for funding our programs which work to alleviate hunger in the greater Triangle. As they say, 'A delicious way to impact your community!'

The menu they provided included curried potato salad (it had cran-raisins in it and was delicious), kale salad (yummy!), chicken satay, very tender beef roast and more.  

They customize menus with you, prepare the food in their facility and use this process as a way to train people in their program in the art of catering.



Here the bride's and groom's fathers are anticipating the feast.











The staff with Catering With A Cause were really lovely, warm, and delightful in the presence.  They also cooked, served, and cleaned the kitchen with grace and good spirits.  They were a joy to have in Amber and Forrest's big day.






My husband and I had a great time, and went back for seconds.  I rarely if ever go to a wedding reception.  We're homebodies so my favorite place is to come home to him.  Since this was a family affair, this wedding was home.  And Catering With A Cause added to that feeling of being very well cared for.  I can't thank them enough. 

Pat and Beth Wed With Huge Smiles at The Community Church in Chapel Hill

I had the delight of marrying Pat and Beth earlier this month at The Community Church of Chapel Hill, Unitarian Universalist.  This was a special occasion in many ways.  First, this is one of the two churches I served as a minister. It was a while ago, 1995-2000, but it still feels like home.  Next Beth and Pat are two very wonderful people with very loving families and friends and it was a treat to celebrate their love.  Of course, I wish I could have made it legal, too and if NC ever does make that possible, I will sign their license with great joy.

Thanks to Kara Johnson, our professional photographer at Kara Johnson Photography for these wonderful photos.  She has a gift of really bringing the day to life.

Beth's mother created the bouquets, and the cake was provided by Guglhupf Bakery and the catering by Mediterranean Deli in Chapel Hill, known as Med Deli to locals.  Yummmm.  Emily, their friend, played the piano during the ceremony.  And thanks to The Community Church sound production volunteers for all the help with the microphones.  They really do a good job.

But I'm getting a little ahead of myself by starting with their kiss.  Both Beth and Pat's fathers walked them down the aisle.

An aisle made even more lovely by this small child playing in it. I'm so glad Kara got that picture so Beth and Pat can enjoy that moment, too.

This picture shows how lovely this sanctuary is.  And couples who are not members can rent it for their ceremony.  This picture is taken from the choir loft.

The next several pictures are also from the choir loft.

This picture was taken when their community all cheered their support for Beth and Pat and the marriage they are creating.















Friends read e. e. cummings poem, 'i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart), and an excerpt from Anne Morrow Lindbergh's book, 'The Gift from The Sea.'

They chose beautiful vows:  'to affirm the relationship we have been building together, and in the presence of our family and friends, I promise to commit my love to you; to explore life with you; to honor your individuality; to find compromise in conflict; to support you through life’s changes; and to nurture and strengthen the love between us, on this and every day, for the rest of our years.

In 2008 they began growing their love. They describe the adventure of growing their love as the sweetest most joyful experience of their lives.  It was my joy to be with them when they deepened their commitment to each other by joining together in marriage.  I wish them many blessings and from the Apache Wedding Prayer, 'may their years be good and long upon the earth.'

Calvin and Pat's Wonderful Wedding

It's especially a treat when you can officiate the ceremony for dear friends.  I've known Pat and her younger daughter, Katie, for, goodness, it must be almost 10 years by now and love them both.  Then in 2009 I had the joy of officiating her daughter, Beth's wedding to Mike on Ocracoke Island.  Another blessing and a great couple.  Then when Pat met Calvin, and Ruben and I got to see their attraction grow into a love that kept maturing and growing, we were delighted.  Besides - they both have wacky senses of geeky humor.  Just our style.


They were married in June at a church where I used to be one of the ministers so it felt, in many ways, like coming home.  The Community Church of Chapel Hill Unitarian Universalist is a lovely church, newly remodeled, filled with light, color and art.  And it has a big fellowship hall for a reception.  And they rent to non-members.  It's all good.

Pat's daughters, Katie and Beth were two of her attendants, as you can see from the Charlie's Angels pose. They inherited their mother's sense of humor.  Hallelujah!

Here is part of what we said to guests in their opening words.  I planted the ideas for these words and they crafted the words. 

....This is a love that grew from friendship and common interests. They met at a Meetup group called RDU Geeks,.... At first, their friendship was based on sharing popcorn at the movies. Their first date was playing Scrabble at Calvin’s favorite hangout, The Open Eye Café. The fact that Pat was willing to spend an evening playing Scrabble was a good sign for Calvin. On their second date, Calvin proved his ability to sit still at a Durham Bulls game and even learned to keep score. These first two dates cleared the way for even more exciting dates like taking recycleables to the dump. Somewhere along the way, there was a first kiss. The deal was sealed for Pat when he took charge when Pat had pneumonia. The deal was sealed for Calvin when she supported him through his mother’s last days. Today they complete their journey to come together as a family.'

Their ceremony was them, to a sweet and loving 'T,' all the way through to the kiss.

One of their close friends is Tracey who is a baker who used to bake professionally as Sugarpunk, but decided that the professional part had too many restrictions.  Now she just bakes for close friends and you can see how good she is.

If you haven't seen the movie, 'Up' then you won't get the reference.  If you have, you'll be amazed at the likeness.  It's also one of Ruben's and my favorite movies.

Don't forget to notice the dog, Doug, or is it Dug, at the bottom who's best line in the movie is 'I luv you.!'

Tracey also baked the groom's cake.  A surprise for Calvin.  Yes this is the cake.  Both these folks are readers and science fiction fans.  Another amazing cake.  I don't know how she does it!

A close up for even more amazement!

Pat comes from a large family of siblings who really know how to party.  Add Calvin's family, their mutual friends, and DJ Mark McNally of Joe Bunn  DJ Company to the festivities, and they danced well into the night.  I must admit that Ruben and I were really tired that night so left early, and were sleeping blissfully by 11PM.

Thanks to Kerry Bassett, their friend and photographer for these great photos.  Heather at Triangle Catering for their amazing food.  I tasted all of it! And to Linda, at Harris Teeter for their flowers.  Also wonderful. 

It's fun to have Pat and Calvin still in my life.  With so many wonderful couples I know them only for that special moment of their wedding (and the planning of it).  As Candide would say, 'This is the best of all possible worlds.'  Not long after their wedding, Ruben went to see 'Cowboys and Aliens' with them.  Now that's good friends.  I wish them much joy every day.  And I hear they now have 2 new kittens.  New adventures in loving, and parenting.  :-)