Bill (Former PCUS pastor)
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Stole Text
Bill
A pastor in the PCUS, his increasing unhappiness with the enforced secrecy shrouding his personal life led him to leave the ministry.
Contribution Story
This is one of twelve stoles donated by Merrill Proudfoot in honor of friends and colleagues. We have no other information about Bill other than what is written on this stole. (The PCUS was a predominantly Southern denomination that merged with the larger United Presbyterian Church to form today's PC (USA), so he was most likely serving churches in the Southeastern U.S.) It does speak, though, to the hundreds of pastors, particularly in earlier years, that simply "disappeared," resigning from pastorates and leaving the ministry under one pretext or another, moving away, melting away from view -- not necessarily because they were under suspicion, but because they could no longer stand the pain and isolation caused by having to live a lie.
Martha Juillerat
Founder, Shower of Stoles Project
2006
Archival Record
Stole Number: 116
Honoree(s): Bill (Former PCUS pastor)
Donor(s): Merrill Proudfoot
Geography: Unknown, (USA)
Faith Tradition: Presbyterian Church (USA)
Donation Date: 1995