Da and Ma

Da and Ma<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Independent Pentecostal

<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />La Porte, IN

We once believed in the ritual and tradition of the Roman Catholic Church. A large social group in the Catholic Church decided that we were involved in too many ministries, and excluded us due to chronic illness. Neither the priest, pastor, nor the bishops would intervene in support of us continuing our ministries of many years. While mourning the loss of the church and our ministries, we were led by the Holy Spirit to a Christ-centered, open and affirming church – The New Life Community Church of Hope in La Porte, IN. We have learned truly of God’s love through the love shown us, even though most of the members are GLBT while we are straight. We were very homophobic before attending and joining this church. The Christian love shown to us by members of the church has changed us.

This Stole of Contrition asks forgiveness of our GLBT family, because we now know that our God is a god of inclusion and not exclusion!

When stoles from an exhibit in South Bend, IN were returned to us, this stole, along with this letter, were included.

Dear Friends:

Our local newspaper featured the appearance of the Shower of Stoles Project at our church. The story ran a few days before the display. We received several calls in response to the story. People were grateful for our effort and for the Stoles’ witness in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />South Bend.

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The day before the display we received a call to the church from a local couple. They told this story.

They had gay children and gay foster children. As conservative Catholics, they felt that their children were sinners. At one point, their church ostracized them for a variety of stated reasons and implied racial prejudice (the family is African American). The experience opened a new window on discrimination and their relationship with their children.

In time, the couple found their way to a GLBT Pentecostal congregation in a nearby community. Initially facing their own fears of change, the couple joined the congregation anyway and found a new spiritual home.

Since this time of transformation and healing, they have begun producing crocheted stoles. They call them “Contrition Stoles,” designed to atone for their former beliefs and behaviors and to offer a vision of hope in their God who is inclusive rather than exclusive.

After hearing this story, I asked if they might be willing to share their testimony in our Sunday morning worship service. They agreed. During the sermon time, four of our members read descriptions of four of the stoles. Then, our new friends and allies told their story. They began by singing together and then inviting the congregation to join them. In a spirit of worship, they told their story.

It was an unexpected gift, an opening for us to hear our “Still Speaking God.” We now add that stole to the larger gathering.

In Peace and Hope,

David Gerth, Pastor

Zion United Church of Christ

South Bend, IN