Signature Stole (St. John the Evangelist United Methodist-Presbyterian Church, Columbia MD)

St. John United
Columbia MD

A More Light Congregation

St. John United's commitment to inclusiveness is integral to every facet of their being -- from their covenant and mission to their place of worship and even the city in which they reside.

 Columbia, MD owes much of its heritage to James Rouse, a mortgage banker, developer and most important a visionary who, in the 1960's was the driving force behind the creation of this planned community.  At a time when the ecumenical movement was flourishing, Rouse's own commitment to inclusiveness was realized in the creation of the Columbia Interfaith Centers where "the bold, new idea of different religious expressions working together where possible and having independent integrity when needed began...  Thus, from early on, Jews, Protestants, and Roman Catholics planned to live together in creative tension to maximize their respective and collective interests."   (quote from the CIC website)  Four Interfaith Centers, with a fifth being planned, provide facilities for eighteen widely diverse religious congregations.  St. John United has been under the CIC umbrella since its founding in 1969. 

 St. John United is a More Light and Open and Affirming congregation, committed to welcoming LGBT persons into the full life and leadership of the church.  This is one of two signature stoles from St. John; this one is covered with signatures, the second is dedicated to those who are "serving in silence."  These stoles were created for inclusion at the 1996 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), before the collection expanded into denominations outside the Presbyterian Church.  Therefore, only its "More Light" designation was included on the stoles.

Martha Juillerat
Founder, Shower of Stoles Project
2006