Ceremony

Kendra and jere7my have merged their Mennonite and Quaker traditions into a ceremony that reflects them both. Kendra's brother-in-law Don will officiate.

The ceremony will begin with significant readings from some of jere7my's and Kendra's friends, after which the assembled guests will be invited to join in singing a hymn that is traditional at Mennonite weddings, "Let me be your servant" (pdf | midi).

The core of the ceremony will be a period of Quaker reflection and contemplation. If you are moved to share thoughts or stories about the couple during this time you are joyously invited to do so. Kendra and jere7my will signal the end of the silent reflection by standing and joining hands; at this point they will exchange their vows.

At the close of the ceremony, jere7my's mother Lin will present the wedding certificate. The newly married couple, the officiant, and the attendants will sign the certificate before the assembled guests; the certificate will then go on display in the second floor reception room, where the guests will have a chance to sign it during the reception. [Please do! —eds.]

Kendra and jere7my would like to ask that you wear something that will make you happy.

Reception

A reception will follow at the same location, catered by Harvard Square's own Café of India. The wedding cake from Konditor Meister, on display in the upstairs reception room, will be cut and served afterward.

» Childcare

Supervised childcare will be provided during the reception, in the church's nursery attached to the upstairs reception room. Special thanks to Kendra's cousin Meg for her help.

In addition to the two reception spaces and the nursery, guests are invited to (respectfully) explore the Old Burial Ground adjacent to the church, which dates to 1635. Kendra would like you to know that it contains Latin, which she will translate upon request (or, indeed, with no prodding whatsoever).

Registry

Kendra and jere7my have partnered with the I Do Foundation for their wedding registry. The Foundation offers guests the option of making a charitable donation in the happy couple's honor to either the Mennonite Disaster Service or the Nature Conservancy, or of choosing a traditional gift, from which a portion of the cost will be donated to the charities. Both options, and further details, can be accessed via the wedding homepage at the I Do Foundation.

Wedding Dance

For their dancer and musician friends, Kendra and jere7my will host an English-Scottish wedding dance from 8:00 to 11:00 that evening at the First Unitarian Society in Newton, with an open band headed by Melissa Running, Josh Burdick, and Ken Allen. See the wedding dance website for directions and additional information.

The program is designed for experienced dancers, but non-dancers are of course welcome to observe, and to join the dancers for tea.