John L. Ames

I was ordained in 1989 and have served three calls since then. My first was in a parish and the other two have been with faith-based social service agencies.

I am very out. It is nothing less than a miracle that the ELCA has not kicked me out. We have a Bishop here in the Metro. Chicago synod who is progressive on gay/lesbian issues. This is the reason I’m still on the roster.

I was a good friend of Phil Knutson. I remain angry that he killed himself out of the shame placed upon him by the church for being gay and having AIDS.

Originally a part of the collection of stoles housed by ReconcilingWorks (formerly known as Lutherans Concerned), this stole was donated by them to the Shower of Stoles Project in 2015.