38 20 857 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/11fe4947bb73172628dcd05b77e540ac.jpg 1657ddcf6c01eb22c78f7b21672a7a0d https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/36014afbe49c8d65c0cf8899c9d876f6.jpg e5da6c9f34063708919f62fd11231662 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Dan (Roanoke Presbyterian) Stole Text Dan Raised a Presbyterian. When the Nominating Committee of his Kansas City church proposed him for elder, homophobic persons mounted a telephone campaign and defeated him with a floor nominee. Dan was later ordained Deacon in another Presbyterian congregation. Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) Contribution Date 1995 Contribution Story This is one of twelve stoles donated by Merrill Proudfoot in honor of friends and colleagues. Dan and Merrill both attended Roanoke Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, MO. Roanoke was for many years very supportive of LGBT folk and counted many among their members and leadership. This changed rapidly when a new, conservative pastor arrived and aggressively initiated a number of actions that created an openly hostile environment for the LGBT members who were still active in the church. This activity reached a climax when Dan was nominated to be ordained an elder. A small group in the congregation mounted an ugly, hate-filled phone campaign to have Dan defeated and replaced by a last-minute nominee. Although their campaign was successful, the bitter fight surrounding this action split the church. Dan left, and all of the other LGBT members, including Merrill, soon followed. Roanoke was located in the heart of a young, progressive, gay-friendly neighborhood in Kansas City, and was just down the road from the Kansas City campus of the University of Kansas. Sadly, this church, which once had a bright future, with the opportunity to be in mission to a large unchurched population, soon gained a decidedly negative reputation in the area. The church is now closed. Martha Juillerat Founder, Shower of Stoles Project 2006 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 113 Title A name given to the resource Dan (Roanoke Presbyterian) Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Kansas City, Missouri (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Merrill Proudfoot Missouri Ordination Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) Proudfoot, Merrill Theology https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/b79c76d2c60810638afa0f62faed7a9a.jpg d03d570fa0e6a9a5c0463ae758f9eab7 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Gerald Santiago Stole Text GERALD SANTIAGO Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) Contribution Date 1996 Contribution Story This is one of fifteen stoles from members, elders, deacons, and pastoral staff at West Hollywood Presbyterian Church (WHPC). West Hollywood Presbyterian Church is a historical icon in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community as well as the Welcoming Congregations movement. WHPC was at the forefront of the civil rights movement in Los Angeles and in the early 1960's began to close each service by singing the civil rights anthem "We Shall Overcome" - a tradition that continues to this day. As early as 1964 (five years before the Stonewall rebellion), West Hollywood Presbyterian Church hosted what is believed to be the first openly Gay Men's "Rap" Group in the city of Los Angeles and the church began to minister to the spiritual needs of the Gay & Lesbian community who had been drawn by its message of inclusiveness. Soon nationally known spiritual author Chris Glaser would launch "The Lazarus Project" at WHPC - A program to advocate for Gay & Lesbian spiritual and human rights. In October of 1984, WHPC called an openly gay man, the Reverend Dan Smith, to serve as its pastor. Dan continues to be the only minister in the country serving a Presbyterian congregation who went through the entire call and installation process as an "out" gay man. While proudly continuing its tradition of progressive spirituality and activism, this multi-cultural congregation feeds approximately 4,000 hungry and homeless people each year, builds homes for economically-challenged families under the "Habitat for Humanity" program, offers an HIV Spiritual Support Group, provides a "Children's Church" program and continues to openly take stands on political issues involving civil rights. West Hollywood Presbyterian also claims to espouse a theology that is "perhaps the most pro-feminist in Los Angeles." Martha Juillerat Founder, Shower of Stoles Project 2006 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 240 Title A name given to the resource Gerald Santiago Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Hollywood, California (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource West Hollywood Presbyterian Church AIDS California Civil Rights Movement Clergy Activist Feminism Glaser, Chris Lazarus Project Ordination Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) Santiago, Gerald Smith, Dan Theology https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/13609f13f1248cdcce797c40f90b1e80.jpg afb2680e84681a3a9eb9fcebbd6f35dd https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/f446bbd13b95ce02c2ca08d1f5435eb6.jpg 0794ad51192ced19221003b1b925c29f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Jamie ("Jamie, my friend") Stole Text Jamie, my friend Contribution Date 1996 Contribution Story We know nothing about the honoree or donor of this stole. It arrived along with about 30 stoles from Rutgers Church in New York, but had no accompanying note. Something about it, though, has touched people over the years. Its simplicity -- a cross cut from braided string, a cut-out moon and sequin stars on black cloth -- and the few words written so carefully in silver ink, have stopped many people and made them ask of me, "What can you tell me about Jamie?" We have no answer to the question -- it remains in the the air, and leaves a sadness. The church's forced silence has left us with one more story -- one more person -- that we will never know. Established in 1798 in lower Manhattan, Rutgers has a long history of involvement in social justice and community development issues. Rutgers is a More Light congregation, working for the full inclusion of LGBT persons in the life and leadership of the Presbyterian Church. Along with More Light Presbyterians, Rutgers is a sponsor of Presbyterian Welcome (an affiliate of That All May Freely Serve) and the Covenant Network in their common pursuit for the end of discrimination against LGBT persons in the Presbyterian Church. Martha Juillerat Founder, Shower of Stoles Project 2006 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 268 Title A name given to the resource Jamie ("Jamie, my friend") Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Unknown, (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Unknown Covenant Network of Presbyterians More Light Presbyterians for LGBT Concerns Ordination Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) That All May Freely Serve (TAMFS) United States https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/915ecba4df0beaa316bd046975772fb5.jpg 8b5b3e7c9293824b5d895dad9b039ea3 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/2d32a39a5f70f85ac3b274aaa6126b46.jpg 3caf29b3e17523b68856905e366e4fda Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Tommy Pritchard Stole Text Tommy Pritchard PC '86 CTS '95 Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) Contribution Date 1996 Contribution Story In 1997, North Decatur Church donated about a dozen stoles to the collection. A few stoles honored members of the church, a few more were Signature Stoles from the congregation. The final few stoles were made to honor LGBT persons known to the church (although not necessarily members there) who serve the Presbyterian Church in silence. Tommy Pritchard is a graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary. Martha Juillerat Founder, Shower of Stoles Project 2006 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 355 Title A name given to the resource Tommy Pritchard Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Decatur, Georgia (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource North Decatur Presbyterian Church Georgia Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) Pritchard, Tommy https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/ea9b7823d452f6a991e02e00c2161354.jpg 546a2d718d46180d7f03f23e27939ad1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Signature Stole (One of the first signature stoles, source unknown) Stole Text (Signatures only, no narrative) Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) Contribution Date 1996 Contribution Story (Note: A signature stole is one that is covered with the signatures of both gay and straight members of a congregation, denominational governing body, or other organization. These stoles serve the dual purpose of showing support for LGBT persons, while also protecting their anonymity by including their names as "one among many".) This is one of the first Signature Stoles, which was created in advance of the 1996 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Information as to when or where the stole was created has been lost. The names contained on the stole do not have any commonality beyond the Presbyterian denomination. Martha Juillerat Founder, Shower of Stoles Project 2006 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 295 Title A name given to the resource Signature Stole (One of the first signature stoles, source unknown) Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Unknown, (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Unknown Ally More Light Presbyterians for LGBT Concerns Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) United States https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/c08e83c09aa762a47e2588ea6f3b5a96.jpg 3c654ff4d109f5caf73f2819c137beb9 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/2673216a8d41fcf3afe2bcd4adfcb63f.jpg 57b72cb5212532d13adad8f219371b49 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Robert E. Clover Paul G. Schwendener Stole Text A gift from The Rev. Doug Huneke Representing 40 Years as Ordained Elders: Robert E. Clover Paul G. Schwendener Westminster Presbyterian Church Tiburon, California Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) Contribution Date 1995 Contribution Story Doug Huneke is a great friend and fierce ally of LGBT folk. Pastor of a More Light congregation and active in the Welcoming movement for decades, Doug contributed this stole to honor two ordained elders, both gay men, in gratitude for their long and faithful service to God and the Presbyterian Church. This stole 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). Martha Juillerat Founder, Shower of Stoles Project 2006 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 78 Title A name given to the resource Robert E. Clover Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Tiburon, California (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Rev. Doug Huneke Ally California Clover, Robert E. Hunkeke, Doug Ordination Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) Schwendener, Paul G. https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/ca9ba435e65cd35359475e4b37cfd134.jpg 175ef6ca781098f44e7ffdb0b85d9f4e https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/962a3557c7b59c838ab7265442ef0247.jpg f9621d4bbbdb31daad3df730a6d978f4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Ann Davis Catherine Mahaday Stole Text Elder Ann Davis and Member Catherine Mahaday Married in a Service of Holy Union September 30, 1995 Northside Presbyterian Church Ann Arbor, Michigan Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) Contribution Date 1995 Contribution Story The debate around marriage equality has been as contentious in the Presbyterian denomination as it has every other church. Through several pieces of legislation, the General Assembly has offered a split decision, adamantly defending a pastor's right to pray over whomever they will -- thus allowing for the blessing of a commitment service -- while outlawing any attempt to equate a commitment service to a "wedding" or referring to it as a "marriage." Nevertheless, Ann Davis' identification as an Elder here makes a bold statement. Ordination of "self-avowed, practicing homosexuals" is banned in the PC(USA); one can be ordained if one vows to remain celibate. The current complexity of Presbyterian law, and the conundrums raised by subsequent court decisions, has left governing bodies in a patently ridiculous place: A pastor can bless a couple's commitment to each other, but a governing body cannot infer sexual contact from that blessing. If, then, someone would wish to challenge Ann's ordination, they would have to come right out and ask, "Do you, or don't you?" It is my fervent prayer that someday the Presbyterian Church -- and all other denominations -- will be far more interested in our faith and our service to God than they are in the minute details of our private lives. Martha Juillerat Founder, Shower of Stoles Project 2006 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 307 Title A name given to the resource Ann Davis Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Ann Arbor, Michigan (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Northside Presbyterian Church Davis, Ann Mahaday, Catherine Marriage Equality Michigan Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) Women and Religion https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/6873e80ef1d7a8039443d38f57479d6d.jpg 39a3cc7835eec3d8763d2ddf65591ad7 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Bill Watson Jeff Milward Stole Text BILL WATSON SJP JEFF MILWARD Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) Contribution Date 1996 Contribution Story This is one of about thirty stoles donated by First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto. First Palo Alto, a More Light congregation, has for decades been on the forefront of the movement for full inclusion of LGBT persons into the life and leadership of the church and greater society. Among the many leaders of the movement who have come from this congregation is Mitzi Henderson, former national President of PFLAG and national Co-Moderator of More Light Presbyterians. Martha Juillerat Founder, Shower of Stoles Project 2006 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 134 Title A name given to the resource Bill Watson Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Palo Alto, California (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource First Presbyterian Church California Henderson, Mitzi Milward, Jeff More Light Presbyterians for LGBT Concerns Ordination Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) Watson, Bill https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/3df9262eeff281d2ea889121d8b7735a.jpg b9a02980e7fcb2fd6d2e8cbbe63443e3 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/c61350b8479bc1d3d90dd742ee33de26.jpg 4881aa9612e48a9df0b118592f39cf29 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Kris (One of a group of eighteen Lutheran college students in New York) Stole Text KRIS ELCA NY Denomination Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Contribution Date 2001 Contribution Story This is one of eighteen stoles made by an group of LGBT Lutheran college students in NY; sixteen are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and two belong to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), a far more conservative branch of American Lutheranism. All eighteen stoles have been patterned identically out of rainbow colored felt; each has a first name in block letters on one panel, and either "ELCA" or "LCMS," and "NY" on the second panel. The eighteen students represented by these stoles came to know each other by meeting at an ecumenical event, and they decided to keep meeting together informally. The students were particularly concerned with providing support for one of their two new LCMS friends. Although this young man was not "out" to anyone outside the group, he had been mercilessly abused by his family and his church on the mere suspicion that he was gay, and he feared for his life. Almost all of the other students are "out," but instead of simply trying to push their friend out of the closet, out of his church or away from his family, they chose instead to "sit with him," to be patient, offer their friendship and support, share in Bible study, and provide a listening ear until the young man's fears subsided and he could "find his own way." These stoles were given to me when I directed a display of stoles at the Tang Museum on the campus of Skidmore College in 2001. One of the ELCA students drove to Saratoga Springs, NY to deliver the stoles and tell me their story. As an act of solidarity with their one friend, all eighteen chose to put only their first names on the stoles. The student who delivered the stoles talked with me for quite awhile, but he, too, chose to tell me only his first name and he left no contact information. Although I don't know these students beyond the bit that they chose to share with me, I am touched by their story and impressed with the bond of faith and friendship they have formed. When I asked how their friend was doing, the student smiled and said, "He's getting his spiritual life back." And, he added, "He has changed our lives, too." Martha Juillerat Founder, Shower of Stoles Project 2006 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 818 Title A name given to the resource Kris (One of a group of eighteen Lutheran college students in New York) Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant New York (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource A Group of Lutheran College Students Evangelical Lutherans of America (ELCA) Lutheran New York https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/40b30f0fd7f9ba7460542d3ef1f8de92.jpg d254bae6495797da3b543cbbddb3ec3d https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/7876e5bff2f49b534c4e06d802db31e2.jpg ec23252baed2e6b9ade13360be5bbc2f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. James (One of a group of eighteen Lutheran college students in New York) Stole Text JAMES ELCA NY Denomination Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Contribution Date 2001 Contribution Story This is one of eighteen stoles made by an group of LGBT Lutheran college students in NY; sixteen are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and two belong to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), a far more conservative branch of American Lutheranism. All eighteen stoles have been patterned identically out of rainbow colored felt; each has a first name in block letters on one panel, and either "ELCA" or "LCMS," and "NY" on the second panel. The eighteen students represented by these stoles came to know each other by meeting at an ecumenical event, and they decided to keep meeting together informally. The students were particularly concerned with providing support for one of their two new LCMS friends. Although this young man was not "out" to anyone outside the group, he had been mercilessly abused by his family and his church on the mere suspicion that he was gay, and he feared for his life. Almost all of the other students are "out," but instead of simply trying to push their friend out of the closet, out of his church or away from his family, they chose instead to "sit with him," to be patient, offer their friendship and support, share in Bible study, and provide a listening ear until the young man's fears subsided and he could "find his own way." These stoles were given to me when I directed a display of stoles at the Tang Museum on the campus of Skidmore College in 2001. One of the ELCA students drove to Saratoga Springs, NY to deliver the stoles and tell me their story. As an act of solidarity with their one friend, all eighteen chose to put only their first names on the stoles. The student who delivered the stoles talked with me for quite awhile, but he, too, chose to tell me only his first name and he left no contact information. Although I don't know these students beyond the bit that they chose to share with me, I am touched by their story and impressed with the bond of faith and friendship they have formed. When I asked how their friend was doing, the student smiled and said, "He's getting his spiritual life back." And, he added, "He has changed our lives, too." Martha Juillerat Founder, Shower of Stoles Project 2006 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 812 Title A name given to the resource James (One of a group of eighteen Lutheran college students in New York) Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant New York (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource A Group of Lutheran College Students Evangelical Lutherans of America (ELCA) Lutheran New York Ordination Theology https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/af47cfb2add4970ed8dae4897fca83f8.jpg 088799715af15caeeb91b1c1690e94c7 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/61012bf1106287fffbb0470359b0844d.jpg cdfb7b86c9dfe83c7e0a317dfd3044e5 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Red (One of a group of eighteen Lutheran college students in New York) Stole Text RED ELCA NY Denomination Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Contribution Date 2001 Contribution Story This is one of eighteen stoles made by an group of LGBT Lutheran college students in NY; sixteen are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and two belong to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), a far more conservative branch of American Lutheranism. All eighteen stoles have been patterned identically out of rainbow colored felt; each has a first name in block letters on one panel, and either "ELCA" or "LCMS," and "NY" on the second panel. The eighteen students represented by these stoles came to know each other by meeting at an ecumenical event, and they decided to keep meeting together informally. The students were particularly concerned with providing support for one of their two new LCMS friends. Although this young man was not "out" to anyone outside the group, he had been mercilessly abused by his family and his church on the mere suspicion that he was gay, and he feared for his life. Almost all of the other students are "out," but instead of simply trying to push their friend out of the closet, out of his church or away from his family, they chose instead to "sit with him," to be patient, offer their friendship and support, share in Bible study, and provide a listening ear until the young man's fears subsided and he could "find his own way." These stoles were given to me when I directed a display of stoles at the Tang Museum on the campus of Skidmore College in 2001. One of the ELCA students drove to Saratoga Springs, NY to deliver the stoles and tell me their story. As an act of solidarity with their one friend, all eighteen chose to put only their first names on the stoles. The student who delivered the stoles talked with me for quite awhile, but he, too, chose to tell me only his first name and he left no contact information. Although I don't know these students beyond the bit that they chose to share with me, I am touched by their story and impressed with the bond of faith and friendship they have formed. When I asked how their friend was doing, the student smiled and said, "He's getting his spiritual life back." And, he added, "He has changed our lives, too." Martha Juillerat Founder, Shower of Stoles Project 2006 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 815 Title A name given to the resource Red (One of a group of eighteen Lutheran college students in New York) Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant New York (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource A Group of Lutheran College Students Evangelical Lutherans of America (ELCA) Lutheran New York https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/2b2e59e06477fc9e4163509f9b1204f9.jpg 0a11a08f45b941dd09722128e4d15ad7 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/b86029809ab6d54949bda1216d2d82c4.jpg a48d32fb9db2281c11e7cbefe4311ca4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Tina (One of a group of eighteen Lutheran college students in New York) Stole Text TINA ELCA NY Denomination Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Contribution Date 2001 Contribution Story This is one of eighteen stoles made by an group of LGBT Lutheran college students in NY; sixteen are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and two belong to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), a far more conservative branch of American Lutheranism. All eighteen stoles have been patterned identically out of rainbow colored felt; each has a first name in block letters on one panel, and either "ELCA" or "LCMS," and "NY" on the second panel. The eighteen students represented by these stoles came to know each other by meeting at an ecumenical event, and they decided to keep meeting together informally. The students were particularly concerned with providing support for one of their two new LCMS friends. Although this young man was not "out" to anyone outside the group, he had been mercilessly abused by his family and his church on the mere suspicion that he was gay, and he feared for his life. Almost all of the other students are "out," but instead of simply trying to push their friend out of the closet, out of his church or away from his family, they chose instead to "sit with him," to be patient, offer their friendship and support, share in Bible study, and provide a listening ear until the young man's fears subsided and he could "find his own way." These stoles were given to me when I directed a display of stoles at the Tang Museum on the campus of Skidmore College in 2001. One of the ELCA students drove to Saratoga Springs, NY to deliver the stoles and tell me their story. As an act of solidarity with their one friend, all eighteen chose to put only their first names on the stoles. The student who delivered the stoles talked with me for quite awhile, but he, too, chose to tell me only his first name and he left no contact information. Although I don't know these students beyond the bit that they chose to share with me, I am touched by their story and impressed with the bond of faith and friendship they have formed. When I asked how their friend was doing, the student smiled and said, "He's getting his spiritual life back." And, he added, "He has changed our lives, too." Martha Juillerat Founder, Shower of Stoles Project 2006 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 826 Title A name given to the resource Tina (One of a group of eighteen Lutheran college students in New York) Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant New York (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource A Group of Lutheran College Students Evangelical Lutherans of America (ELCA) Lutheran New York https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/473bb9cdb9f990f53aaf4e30d0e3a234.jpg 97245bb3a4ca009b08bbdc14aebbccbf https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/a9a2df282ae5a0dc2213b1ae1be1a18d.jpg d17b3d8d8b2fb18f03417327d8b12b01 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Barb (One of a group of eighteen Lutheran college students in New York) Stole Text BARB ELCA NY Denomination Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Contribution Date 2001 Contribution Story This is one of eighteen stoles made by an group of LGBT Lutheran college students in NY; sixteen are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and two belong to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), a far more conservative branch of American Lutheranism. All eighteen stoles have been patterned identically out of rainbow colored felt; each has a first name in block letters on one panel, and either "ELCA" or "LCMS," and "NY" on the second panel. The eighteen students represented by these stoles came to know each other by meeting at an ecumenical event, and they decided to keep meeting together informally. The students were particularly concerned with providing support for one of their two new LCMS friends. Although this young man was not "out" to anyone outside the group, he had been mercilessly abused by his family and his church on the mere suspicion that he was gay, and he feared for his life. Almost all of the other students are "out," but instead of simply trying to push their friend out of the closet, out of his church or away from his family, they chose instead to "sit with him," to be patient, offer their friendship and support, share in Bible study, and provide a listening ear until the young man's fears subsided and he could "find his own way." These stoles were given to me when I directed a display of stoles at the Tang Museum on the campus of Skidmore College in 2001. One of the ELCA students drove to Saratoga Springs, NY to deliver the stoles and tell me their story. As an act of solidarity with their one friend, all eighteen chose to put only their first names on the stoles. The student who delivered the stoles talked with me for quite awhile, but he, too, chose to tell me only his first name and he left no contact information. Although I don't know these students beyond the bit that they chose to share with me, I am touched by their story and impressed with the bond of faith and friendship they have formed. When I asked how their friend was doing, the student smiled and said, "He's getting his spiritual life back." And, he added, "He has changed our lives, too." Martha Juillerat Founder, Shower of Stoles Project 2006 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 811 Title A name given to the resource Barb (One of a group of eighteen Lutheran college students in New York) Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant New York (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource A Group of Lutheran College Students Evangelical Lutherans of America (ELCA) Lutheran New York https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/1829f93957c5dc2d6e1000a577db5609.jpg e3c2e6f2ce3af8bcf2d85d0d52f02601 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/f4df9b49c3b3aa69e7d95be098f97a62.jpg 8d3119d7bfac8d5f15798f9e363d4e40 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Robert (One of a group of eighteen Lutheran college students in New York) Stole Text ROBERT LCMS NY Denomination Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod Contribution Date 2001 Contribution Story This is one of eighteen stoles made by an group of LGBT Lutheran college students in NY; sixteen are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and two belong to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), a far more conservative branch of American Lutheranism. All eighteen stoles have been patterned identically out of rainbow colored felt; each has a first name in block letters on one panel, and either "ELCA" or "LCMS," and "NY" on the second panel. The eighteen students represented by these stoles came to know each other by meeting at an ecumenical event, and they decided to keep meeting together informally. The students were particularly concerned with providing support for one of their two new LCMS friends. Although this young man was not "out" to anyone outside the group, he had been mercilessly abused by his family and his church on the mere suspicion that he was gay, and he feared for his life. Almost all of the other students are "out," but instead of simply trying to push their friend out of the closet, out of his church or away from his family, they chose instead to "sit with him," to be patient, offer their friendship and support, share in Bible study, and provide a listening ear until the young man's fears subsided and he could "find his own way." These stoles were given to me when I directed a display of stoles at the Tang Museum on the campus of Skidmore College in 2001. One of the ELCA students drove to Saratoga Springs, NY to deliver the stoles and tell me their story. As an act of solidarity with their one friend, all eighteen chose to put only their first names on the stoles. The student who delivered the stoles talked with me for quite awhile, but he, too, chose to tell me only his first name and he left no contact information. Although I don't know these students beyond the bit that they chose to share with me, I am touched by their story and impressed with the bond of faith and friendship they have formed. When I asked how their friend was doing, the student smiled and said, "He's getting his spiritual life back." And, he added, "He has changed our lives, too." Martha Juillerat Founder, Shower of Stoles Project 2006 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 810 Title A name given to the resource Robert (One of a group of eighteen Lutheran college students in New York) Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant New York (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource A Group of Lutheran College Students Evangelical Lutherans of America (ELCA) Lutheran New York https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/de1709516104f53f09faddf82ae1d34b.jpg 1264d74ecb355df70486f14796435949 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/79cd43678306894207d783051ec29e05.jpg 00bc8041e8e354d9d2ea7de8b4bbfb30 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Bett (One of a group of eighteen Lutheran college students in New York) Stole Text BETT ELCA NY Denomination Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Contribution Date 2001 Contribution Story This is one of eighteen stoles made by an group of LGBT Lutheran college students in NY; sixteen are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and two belong to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), a far more conservative branch of American Lutheranism. All eighteen stoles have been patterned identically out of rainbow colored felt; each has a first name in block letters on one panel, and either "ELCA" or "LCMS," and "NY" on the second panel. The eighteen students represented by these stoles came to know each other by meeting at an ecumenical event, and they decided to keep meeting together informally. The students were particularly concerned with providing support for one of their two new LCMS friends. Although this young man was not "out" to anyone outside the group, he had been mercilessly abused by his family and his church on the mere suspicion that he was gay, and he feared for his life. Almost all of the other students are "out," but instead of simply trying to push their friend out of the closet, out of his church or away from his family, they chose instead to "sit with him," to be patient, offer their friendship and support, share in Bible study, and provide a listening ear until the young man's fears subsided and he could "find his own way." These stoles were given to me when I directed a display of stoles at the Tang Museum on the campus of Skidmore College in 2001. One of the ELCA students drove to Saratoga Springs, NY to deliver the stoles and tell me their story. As an act of solidarity with their one friend, all eighteen chose to put only their first names on the stoles. The student who delivered the stoles talked with me for quite awhile, but he, too, chose to tell me only his first name and he left no contact information. Although I don't know these students beyond the bit that they chose to share with me, I am touched by their story and impressed with the bond of faith and friendship they have formed. When I asked how their friend was doing, the student smiled and said, "He's getting his spiritual life back." And, he added, "He has changed our lives, too." Martha Juillerat Founder, Shower of Stoles Project 2006 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 814 Title A name given to the resource Bett (One of a group of eighteen Lutheran college students in New York) Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant New York (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource A Group of Lutheran College Students Evangelical Lutherans of America (ELCA) Lutheran New York https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/9e85eecd3ceb952671587e73df85872d.jpg 47678c673b928e84dcd3f59b5fe0dd5d https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/b55300e73ee0e2abd5f5a7b6e194fa44.jpg 6d58f063fc550a8c565cc63c3dd783d8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. David (One of a group of eighteen Lutheran college students in New York) Stole Text DAVID ELCA NY Denomination Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Contribution Date 2001 Contribution Story This is one of eighteen stoles made by an group of LGBT Lutheran college students in NY; sixteen are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and two belong to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), a far more conservative branch of American Lutheranism. All eighteen stoles have been patterned identically out of rainbow colored felt; each has a first name in block letters on one panel, and either "ELCA" or "LCMS," and "NY" on the second panel. The eighteen students represented by these stoles came to know each other by meeting at an ecumenical event, and they decided to keep meeting together informally. The students were particularly concerned with providing support for one of their two new LCMS friends. Although this young man was not "out" to anyone outside the group, he had been mercilessly abused by his family and his church on the mere suspicion that he was gay, and he feared for his life. Almost all of the other students are "out," but instead of simply trying to push their friend out of the closet, out of his church or away from his family, they chose instead to "sit with him," to be patient, offer their friendship and support, share in Bible study, and provide a listening ear until the young man's fears subsided and he could "find his own way." These stoles were given to me when I directed a display of stoles at the Tang Museum on the campus of Skidmore College in 2001. One of the ELCA students drove to Saratoga Springs, NY to deliver the stoles and tell me their story. As an act of solidarity with their one friend, all eighteen chose to put only their first names on the stoles. The student who delivered the stoles talked with me for quite awhile, but he, too, chose to tell me only his first name and he left no contact information. Although I don't know these students beyond the bit that they chose to share with me, I am touched by their story and impressed with the bond of faith and friendship they have formed. When I asked how their friend was doing, the student smiled and said, "He's getting his spiritual life back." And, he added, "He has changed our lives, too." Martha Juillerat Founder, Shower of Stoles Project 2006 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 820 Title A name given to the resource David (One of a group of eighteen Lutheran college students in New York) Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Unknown, New York (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource A Group of Lutheran College Students Evangelical Lutherans of America (ELCA) Lutheran New York https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/00ecbe469382113399a78ce61746e0aa.jpg ba533152eb24ad6e612678a2438ed467 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/17bca3c0c1ea6c7ec110b5755bcc9167.jpg aa4030b83acfcc76c7289f171c057c5b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Rick (One of a group of eighteen Lutheran college students in New York) Stole Text RICK ELCA NY Denomination Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Contribution Date 2001 Contribution Story This is one of eighteen stoles made by an group of LGBT Lutheran college students in NY; sixteen are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and two belong to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), a far more conservative branch of American Lutheranism. All eighteen stoles have been patterned identically out of rainbow colored felt; each has a first name in block letters on one panel, and either "ELCA" or "LCMS," and "NY" on the second panel. The eighteen students represented by these stoles came to know each other by meeting at an ecumenical event, and they decided to keep meeting together informally. The students were particularly concerned with providing support for one of their two new LCMS friends. Although this young man was not "out" to anyone outside the group, he had been mercilessly abused by his family and his church on the mere suspicion that he was gay, and he feared for his life. Almost all of the other students are "out," but instead of simply trying to push their friend out of the closet, out of his church or away from his family, they chose instead to "sit with him," to be patient, offer their friendship and support, share in Bible study, and provide a listening ear until the young man's fears subsided and he could "find his own way." These stoles were given to me when I directed a display of stoles at the Tang Museum on the campus of Skidmore College in 2001. One of the ELCA students drove to Saratoga Springs, NY to deliver the stoles and tell me their story. As an act of solidarity with their one friend, all eighteen chose to put only their first names on the stoles. The student who delivered the stoles talked with me for quite awhile, but he, too, chose to tell me only his first name and he left no contact information. Although I don't know these students beyond the bit that they chose to share with me, I am touched by their story and impressed with the bond of faith and friendship they have formed. When I asked how their friend was doing, the student smiled and said, "He's getting his spiritual life back." And, he added, "He has changed our lives, too." Martha Juillerat Founder, Shower of Stoles Project 2006 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 817 Title A name given to the resource Rick (One of a group of eighteen Lutheran college students in New York) Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant New York (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource A Group of Lutheran College Students Evangelical Lutherans of America (ELCA) Lutheran New York https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/82d53e8d7d494ec9af1391f57fbfaa20.jpg d646fcff9dc1a0c20951ff7affe0be6b https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/0ae395bd5d6bc9f5b802a22f9cd37a29.jpg 3dee2d3b5f737bb9229fb34e6e996bc4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Don (One of a group of eighteen Lutheran college students in New York) Stole Text DON ELCA NY Denomination Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Contribution Date 2001 Contribution Story This is one of eighteen stoles made by an group of LGBT Lutheran college students in NY; sixteen are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and two belong to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), a far more conservative branch of American Lutheranism. All eighteen stoles have been patterned identically out of rainbow colored felt; each has a first name in block letters on one panel, and either "ELCA" or "LCMS," and "NY" on the second panel. The eighteen students represented by these stoles came to know each other by meeting at an ecumenical event, and they decided to keep meeting together informally. The students were particularly concerned with providing support for one of their two new LCMS friends. Although this young man was not "out" to anyone outside the group, he had been mercilessly abused by his family and his church on the mere suspicion that he was gay, and he feared for his life. Almost all of the other students are "out," but instead of simply trying to push their friend out of the closet, out of his church or away from his family, they chose instead to "sit with him," to be patient, offer their friendship and support, share in Bible study, and provide a listening ear until the young man's fears subsided and he could "find his own way." These stoles were given to me when I directed a display of stoles at the Tang Museum on the campus of Skidmore College in 2001. One of the ELCA students drove to Saratoga Springs, NY to deliver the stoles and tell me their story. As an act of solidarity with their one friend, all eighteen chose to put only their first names on the stoles. The student who delivered the stoles talked with me for quite awhile, but he, too, chose to tell me only his first name and he left no contact information. Although I don't know these students beyond the bit that they chose to share with me, I am touched by their story and impressed with the bond of faith and friendship they have formed. When I asked how their friend was doing, the student smiled and said, "He's getting his spiritual life back." And, he added, "He has changed our lives, too." Martha Juillerat Founder, Shower of Stoles Project 2006 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 825 Title A name given to the resource Don (One of a group of eighteen Lutheran college students in New York) Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant , New York (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource A Group of Lutheran Students Evangelical Lutherans of America (ELCA) Lutheran New York https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/2a8e8f3a0f00fd87efc1909a99104cad.jpg 669700d8542eb76789ad1e4bbf5f8c00 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/f4fcfb0f3c878311da9a5c218b31ac29.jpg 8d2457337055ec829ee8cee42af814ac https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/39d3c94e101550f3d94e297e4079eb9e.jpg 8b5feb3646d356c3266c8b07ad42e8e4 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/0d5179ddc9bc7d450479af432fd586de.jpg 4c555550fefc932bb6621aa8bca79325 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/19ee7c9b877f24064cd4ef459161dbe1.jpg 20e860a56d24ae0889848c62efae0b1e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Steven V. Sprinkle, Ph.D. Stole Text STEPHEN V. SPRINKLE, PhD Brite Divinity School Texas Christian University Fort Worth, Texas I am a gay Christian minister, ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1977. Every church I have served in Connecticut, North Carolina, and Texas has grown. My singleness made the members of my churches wonder, but they never knew I was gay. I was afraid to come out. Twice I was targeted with suspicion. Graffiti was written on my house. My car tires were slashed. An anonymous letter was circulated once, alleging terrible things. In an attempt to drive me away, my pet Basset hound, Beau, and my English bulldog, Buck, were butchered and hung up in the back yard of my parsonage. There was a lot of fear in my life. By grace, I didn't buckle and run. The closet never protected me, though I once thought it did. My dearest friend in ministry advised me, "If there are no secrets, Steve, there can be no ambushes." Finally, I was ready. I came out. Fully. It was the best thing I ever did. Though I regret my silence, and acknowledge that I left every major prejudice pretty much intact in the churches I served, I rejoice in the voice I have now. I teach in seminary, I preach and administer the sacraments in a whole new way. The old fears die hard. But as I exercise my full power as a gay man and a Christian, it becomes less and less important that I may be afraid. I hope I can speak for myself and others for a long time. I have never been defrocked. I am grateful to stand with my sisters and brothers who have been. Grace abounds. Denomination Baptist Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Contribution Date 2001 Contribution Story This stole was donated to the Shower of Stoles collection when I visited Brite Divinity School in 2001. Stephen Sprinkle is the Director of Field Education and Supervised Ministry, and Associate Professor in Practical Theology at Brite. He was ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), but he is now a minister in the Alliance of Baptists. Steve's stole is one of six that I took with me everywhere I went. While the main focus of denominational debate in recent years has centered on around LGBT ordination, none of the stories on these six stoles is concerned primarily with ordination. Instead, each speaks to the church's complicity in the spiritual and physical violence aimed at LGBT people. In many ways the church has avoided this complicity by sanitizing the debate and reducing our lives to an "issue" -- the issue of ordination, or the issue of marriage equality. Doing so has allowed the church to keep the focus of its debate in-house and, more important, to cast LGBT persons as the "problem," rather than the church's own homophobia. I read Steve's stole to virtually every church I visited. Generally, I did so without introduction -- this shocking story speaks for itself. The power of the story is redoubled by the fact that it is told without anger or bitterness, and that it ends with a seemingly impossible declaration of faith: "Grace abounds." The only thing I would ever add to the reading of the story was to mention that Steve had added a line of small brass bells at the bottom of the stole, so he would "never be silenced again." Without comment, this story would blow the lid off a congregation's polite debate and force people to look squarely into the face of spiritual violence against LGBT people. It was one of the most effective stories in the entire collection for moving congregations from debate to constructive action. I have read this story hundreds and hundreds of times, to groups all over North America. Its powerful effect on me has never lessened, and never will. Martha Juillerat Founder, Shower of Stoles Project 2006 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 693 Title A name given to the resource Steven V. Sprinkle, Ph.D. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Fort Worth, Texas (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Steven Sprinkle Baptist Clergy Activist Ordination Sprinkle, Steven V. Texas Theology https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/111c940781b3cf51366a4d175e23e719.jpg 5ff27c901b006b52b880affec8022fb0 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/6994eb497435a51f6fbd4b7dbce30c3e.jpg 7853492df10423faeb5fb349126d1cc5 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Susan Louise Mabey Stole Text (first panel) The Rev. Susan Louise Mabey Toronto, Ontario I learned to love God in the Presbyterian Church, to love Jesus in Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, and to love God's justice in the United Church of Canada. I learned to be honest about myself in a wilderness of pain and, later, in the Metropolitan Community Churches. While the United Church struggles toward full inclusivity, I offer this stole for all those who continue to lay down their lives for a church Someone already died to save. In loving memory of the Rev. Sylvia Dunstan. (second panel) The movement towards full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons in the United Church of Canada began in 1981, when Susan Mabey was denied ordination in the Toronto Conference because of her sexual orientation. The outcry over this denial began a time of national study and dialogue in the United Church. During this time Susan left the United Church and accepted a call to a congregation in the Metropolitan Community Churches. The United Church began ordaining gay and lesbian persons to the ministry in 1988. This stole was given to Susan on the tenth anniversary of the United Church's historic decision, at the annual meeting of the Toronto Conference on May 23, 1998, Dundalk, Ontario. Susan's stole was the first one given to the Shower of Stoles Project honoring a Canadian minister. Denomination United Church of Canada Metropolitan Community Church Contribution Date 2000 Contribution Story It is a rare thing for a church to say, "We were wrong." It is rarer, still for a church body to repent for having acted unjustly, and to offer a public apology to one who was wronged. But such were the circumstances surrounding the dedication of this stole in honor of Rev. Susan Louise Mabey. As the story on this stole indicates, Susan Mabey's quest for, and subsequent denial of, ordination in the United Church of Canada set off a firestorm within the denomination. The ensuing debate ended seven years later when, in 1988, LGBT persons were accorded the right to be ordained in the United Church. By then, however, Susan had left, accepting a call to Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto (the largest MCC congregation in the world) and returning to the University of Toronto to earn her PhD. In 1998, the Toronto Conference chose to mark the tenth anniversary of the ordination of LGBT persons by inviting Susan back and acknowledging her enormous personal sacrifice that made this occasion possible. This stole was prepared by an active LGBT lay leader in the conference, and was dedicated at a service of worship honoring Susan. She said, understandably, that she had very mixed feelings about returning to the Toronto Conference, and that she debated whether she would accept the invitation or not. In the end, however, she was glad that she had made the decision to come; it offered some closure on an immensely painful chapter in her life. It is fitting that, at the service of ordination for new ministers in the conference, one of the ordinands was a young gay man from the United States who had emigrated to Canada from the U.S. to be with his Canadian partner. This was the first display of the stoles in Canada -- and the first in a hockey rink. The Conference delegates were seated on the covered floor of Dundalk's municipal rink. 200 stoles were arranged on coat hangers along the glass wall surrounding the rink, creating a striking backdrop to the plenary. The Shower of Stoles Project is honored that Susan Mabey's stole could be the first Canadian stole included in the collection. Sylvia Dunstan, to whom this stole is dedicated, was a minister, prison chaplain and prolific hymnodist in the United Church of Canada. Many of her hymns are included in the hymnal of the United Church of Canada, and well as other denominations across the globe. She was and "out" lesbian during much of her career in the church. Sylvia died of cancer in 1993 at the age of 38. Martha Juillerat Founder, Shower of Stoles Project 2006 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 424 Title A name given to the resource Susan Louise Mabey Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Toronto, Ontario (Canada) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Members of the Toronto Conference, United Church of Canada Canada Church Trials Clergy Activist Dunstan, Sylvia Mabey, Susan Louise MCC Ordination Toronto United Church of Canada United Church of Christ Women and Religion