Scott Anderson

SCOTT D. ANDERSON
Ordained January 9, 1983
Ordination set aside April 3, 1990

This stole was given to me on my first anniversary as Pastor of Bethany Presbyterian Church in Sacramento, California. 

The stole is handcrafted with traditional Hmong stitchery and includes symbols of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the World Council of Churches.

Approximately 15% of the membership of Bethany Presbyterian Church are Southeast Asian refugees.

This remarkable work of art was one of the original 80 stoles that were on display on Sept. 16, 1995 when I set aside my ordination before Heartland Presbytery (see stole #1 for details).

This hand-stitched stole was a gift to Scott from a Hmong family in his church. The geometric designs are traditional Hmong stichery, and a Hmong couple are dressed in brightly colored clothes of celebration. Scott's commitment to the ecumenical movement are reflected in symbols that represent the Presbyterian Church (USA), the celtic cross of the reformed faith and the World Council of Churches.

Scott was "outed" by a member of his congregation, and was subsequently forced to set aside his ordination. The vast majority of his congregation supported him, though; when Scott stood to make his final statement before his presbytery, thirty members of his congregation rose and came forward to stand with him.

Fortunately, Scott landed on his feet. He went on to serve as the Executive Director of the California Council Of Churches -- as an openly gay man in a committed relationship -- and later accepted the same position with the Wisconsin Council of Churches.

Martha Juillerat
Founder, Shower of Stoles Project
2006