Anonymous

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

Ed.D., Ed.M., M.S., M.Div., B.S. OTS

Episcopal

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

I left my tenure track faculty position at an Ivy League university to follow my calling that first emerged in childhood. I spent three years in discernment before leaving to be sure. I was a cradle Episcopalian and had been accepted and supported by the rector and vestry of my parish for ministry. I needed to find a Bishop who would be open to me as a lesbian woman since the bishop of my diocese was not. In seminary, I met a Bishop from Maryland who was open to ordaining BGLT people, but he was recruiting minorities from other denominations at my Episcopal seminary so they would become Episcopalians. There was no interest in those of us who were cradle Episcopalians, gay and psychiatrically healthy. It has been ten years since I left university teaching, and I still am not ordained. I am trying to get known all over again by another denomination in another state, living as a student, and barely surviving economically. The pain has been tremendous.

This stole was blessed and given to the Project at a special ecumenical worship service on November 4, 2007 in Toledo, OH.

David Lohman
Faith Work Coordinator
National Gay & Lesbian Task Force's Institute for Welcoming Resources
Home of the Shower of Stoles Project
2007