35 20 2500 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/7b5c1dd15371c144c4b46b6807b596de.jpg 0b8a9f4dece7fbdf889b3438f12f40a4 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 El-Farouk Khaki 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. Elaine Ely (Dickinson) Stole Text ELAINE ELY (DICKINSON) Lansdale, Pennsylvania Formerly: Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, United Methodist Church Currently: Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ In 1987, I was a thirty-seven year old wife and mother when I was called to the ministry at a youth retreat lead by a Christian rock group called "Servant." They performed a song called "We are the Light," and as the sang, God said, "You, Elaine, are my light. I need you." That weekend I committed my life to God's work, whatever that might mean. Following all the appropriate channels of prayer, counseling, mentorship and guidance that the church had to offer, I entered seminary and pursued ordination. I had grown up in the (United) Methodist Church and had never considered affiliating with any other denomination. During my education and preparation for ordination, I came to appreciate why the United Methodist Church was so right for me -- the message of and focus on grace, the celebration of our pluralism, and the fact that decisions are based on not just scripture and tradition, but also experience and reason. I was thrilled, humbled, awed and inspired when ordained a deacon in 1991, was appointed to my first church, and accepted my stole, proudly bearing the United Methodist emblem of cross and flame. I loved parish ministry. I went on to be ordained an elder in 1993, a year that became one of transition beyond my wildest imagining. 1993 was the year I came to understand myself more fully, and realized what, in retrospect, has been a part of me all my life. I am a Lesbian. I took a leave of absence from my church in order to spare my congregation the pain of my life struggles. And then, out of fear of losing the privilege of ministry, which was so important to me, I relinquished my credentials in the United Methodist Church. I had to give it up to have a hope of ever being able to do it again. At a time in my life when I most needed a church family, I could not turn to the church I knew and loved without the fear of tragic repercussions. Over these past seven years, I have grieved many losses -- even as I have celebrated a number of gains. I grieve the loss of my UMC, but I celebrate being able to be honest with myself, my family and my church about who I am. I grieve with and for my brothers and sisters in UM ministry who face each day knowing they must live a lie in order to follow God's call. My ministry now is Hospice chaplaincy where I speak freely to colleagues and co-workers of my partner of seven years and our five month old son. I have been granted Privilege of Call in the United Church of Christ, where I do not fear identifying myself as a lesbian. I remind myself that my promise to God (who knew I was gay long before I did) was to dedicate my life not to the UMC but to God. Therefore, I sadly offer my stole, and pray that the day will come when the UMC will find its way clear to understand, recognize and affirm the absolutely vital ministry that can and needs to be done by your gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. There is nothing I would love more than to be able to pastor as a openly gay UM clergywoman. Denomination United Methodist Church United Church of Christ Contribution Date 2000 Contribution Story This stole was given to us in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. In 1999, the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) inquired about the possibility of having a display of the Shower of Stoles at the General Conference the following April. At the time, there were only around twenty United Methodist stoles in the collection. We decided to introduce the Shower of Stoles to the Reconciling community by bringing the twenty UM stoles and about a hundred others to RMN’s Convocation in Denton, TX over the Labor Day weekend. Stoles started to trickle in during the fall, and by February they began coming in droves. In all, we received 220 United Methodist stoles – the vast majority of them arriving within eight weeks of the Conference. Thanks to a monumental effort by a number of volunteers who pitched in to help record, inventory, sew labels and make last-minute repairs, all of the new stoles were present in Cleveland. Twenty more people brought stoles directly to Cleveland, bringing the total number on display to 240. Towards the end of the General Conference, twenty eight lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender United Methodists and allies stood on the Conference floor in silent protest over the Conference’s failure to overturn the ban on LGBT ordination – a profound witness and act of defiance for which they were later arrested. As these twenty eight moved to the front of the room, another 200 supporters stood up around the balcony railing, each wearing one of the new United Methodist stoles. Hundreds more stood in solidarity as well, in the balcony and on the plenary floor, wearing symbolic “stoles” made from colorful bands of cloth. A group of young people from Minneapolis, members of a Communicant’s Class, had purchased bolts of cloth the preceding evening and stayed up all night cutting out close to a thousand of these “stoles.” In less than eight months, a handful of stoles had grown to become a powerful, visible witness to the steadfast faith of LGBT United Methodists nationwide. 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 665 Title A name given to the resource Elaine Ely (Dickinson) Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Lansdale, Pennsylvania (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Elaine Ely (Dickinson) Clergy Activist Ely, Elaine (Dickinson) Ordination Pennsylvania Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program) United Church of Christ United Methodist Church Women and Religion 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. Elder Dick Hasbany Stole Text Dick Hasbany Elder Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church San Francisco, California Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) 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 95 Title A name given to the resource Elder Dick Hasbany Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant San Francisco, California (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Dick Hasbany 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. Elder from Central Presbyterian Church, Louisville KY Stole Text Ten identical white stoles with rainbow ribbons are from Central Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. They honor the ten self-identified gay and lesbian elders who have served on Central's session since the church became a More Light Church in the early 1980's. These stoles were made by a young man who is a custom lampshade maker by trade, with the church's hope that they "will speak to the whole church for all of us who are part of its life, even though the church may not know it." Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) Contribution Date 1996 Contribution Story Central Presbyterian was one of the early More Light congregations, the first in Kentucky, working for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the life and leadership of the Presbyterian Church. Central practiced what it preached, ordaining LGBT persons as elders from the time they first became More Light. This stole is one of ten beautiful white satin stoles created by a talented artisan in the congregation for display at the 1996 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA). 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 328 Title A name given to the resource Elder from Central Presbyterian Church, Louisville KY Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Louisville, Kentucky (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Central Presbyterian Church Kentucky More Light Presbyterians for LGBT Concerns Ordination Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) 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. Elder from Central Presbyterian Church, Louisville KY Stole Text Ten identical white stoles with rainbow ribbons are from Central Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. They honor the ten self-identified gay and lesbian elders who have served on Central's session since the church became a More Light Church in the early 1980's. These stoles were made by a young man who is a custom lampshade maker by trade, with the church's hope that they "will speak to the whole church for all of us who are part of its life, even though the church may not know it." Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) Contribution Date 1996 Contribution Story Central Presbyterian was one of the early More Light congregations, the first in Kentucky, working for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the life and leadership of the Presbyterian Church. Central practiced what it preached, ordaining LGBT persons as elders from the time they first became More Light. This stole is one of ten beautiful white satin stoles created by a talented artisan in the congregation for display at the 1996 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA). 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 327 Title A name given to the resource Elder from Central Presbyterian Church, Louisville KY Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Louisville, Kentucky (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Central Presbyterian Church Kentucky More Light Presbyterians for LGBT Concerns Ordination Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) 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. Elder Gail K. Russell Stole Text Reimagine God Reimagine the Church Gail Russell Elder, 1968 Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church Chicago, Illinois Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) Contribution Date 1997 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 318 Title A name given to the resource Elder Gail K. Russell Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Chicago, Illinois (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Elder Gail K. Russell Chicago Illinois Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) Russell, Gail K. 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. Elder Lois Rifner Stole Text Lois Rifner, Ph.D. Elder First Presbyterian Church Bloomington, Indiana Personnel Committee Child Advocacy Network founding member Leadership Team Presbyterian Health, Education, and Welfare Association Vice-President Executive Committee Author "We Won't Let it Happen Here!" Psychologist Partner to Kim who completes and sustains me who shows me the love of God Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) Contribution Date 1995 Contribution Story 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). Lois Rifner is a clinical psychologist and ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church. She has served as President and long-time volunteer with the Presbyterian Health, Education, and Welfare Association of the Presbyterian Church (USA). A tireless advocate for children, Lois is the author of We Won't Let It Happen Here!: Preventing Child Abuse in the 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 41 Title A name given to the resource Elder Lois Rifner Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Bloomington, Indiana (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Lois Rifner Clergy Activist Indiana Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) Rifner, Lois Women and Religion 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. Elder Sandy Steelman Stole Text Elder Sandy Steelman Presbyterian Church (USA) Minnetonka, MN Sandy and her partner Lori joined St. Luke Presbyterian Church in 2006. Sandy’s gifts of leadership were quickly discovered and she was elected an elder in 2007, serving capably and joyfully for three years. This stole was created for Sandy by St. Luke member Nancy Fisher. Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) Contribution Date 2012 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 1159 Title A name given to the resource Elder Sandy Steelman Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Minnetonka, Minnesota (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource St. Luke Presbyterian Church Minnesota Ordination Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) Steelman, Sandy Women and Religion https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/43c7574997773268d04d3310b67d9542.jpg 0e75367b50ba71ad6ed20d4ae9ef9424 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/344fd751467e182d61d31eb0a72394a7.jpg b0baf4588957cd44740a2f892c2a37c2 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. Elders and Deacons Stole Text ELDERS AND DEACONS THIRD CHURCH ROCHESTER NY Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) Contribution Date 1996 Contribution Story We received about a dozen stoles from members of Third Church over the years. The first five are identical designs with a name and personal symbol added to each. This one honors a significant number of LGBT elders and deacons who have served Third Church in the past. Third Church prides itself on having been in the vanguard of movement and change throughout its history. In 1953, Lilian Alexander brought to the session of Third Church a proposal to ordain women as clergy in the Presbyterian Church. Her overture passed through the session to the local presbytery and on to the General Assembly, where it was adopted, opening the way for the first woman, Margaret Towner, to be ordained in 1956. Third has a long history of peace and justice activism throughout the world. They are a More Light congregation, working for the full inclusion of LGBT persons in the life and leadership of the 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 165 Title A name given to the resource Elders and Deacons Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Rochester, New York (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Third Presbyterian Church Alexander, Lilian More Light Presbyterians for LGBT Concerns New York Ordination Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) Towner, Margaret https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/7ac253f039d105d67f516d2ffd46db58.jpg 5ddfb227875fa2e9319be08a09ee3bbb Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. 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 Eleonore & Rev. Oliver Powell 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. Elise Harris Stole Text ELISE HARRIS Park Slope UMC Brooklyn, NY I was raised an Episcopalian but largely abandoned the church during college and the years after, because of a sense that there was an opposition between my faith and my sexuality and my politics. I was politically active in the gay, AIDS, and choice communities for years, but missed out on a religious life. PSUMC has really changed that for me; I have pledged for two years, attended Social Action committee events, and have brought other lapsed churchgoers to the building to them how it is possible to integrate one's whole life. I intend to be more active on the worship committee and with the Christmas pageant in the future. Denomination United Methodist Church Contribution Date 2000 Contribution Story This is one of thirty one stoles from Park Slope United Methodist Church included in a display of UM stoles at the 2000 General Conference of the UMC in Cleveland. All are made from identically sized pieces in turquoise, lavender and purple cotton batik, With only 200 members, Park Slope has donated the largest number of stoles to the collection from a single United Methodist congregation. A diverse community, Park Slope's creed is: Hand in hand, we the people of the Park Slope United Methodist Church -- black and white, straight and gay, old and young, rich and poor -- unite as a loving community, in covenant with God and the Creation. Summoned by our faith in Jesus Christ, we commit ourselves to the humanization of urban life and to physical and spiritual growth. A scrappy congregation utterly committed to putting their faith into action, Park Slope has been unrelenting in its pursuit of justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the UMC. Although perhaps not the ideal some in the church may have in mind, Elise is nevertheless a model evangelist: one who rediscovered faith after drifting away from the church, and now shares her faith journey with others as a means of drawing them back into church as well. Her evangelistic service to the church has undoubtedly brought a sense of renewal and hope to others -- and could even save the life of someone who has lost hope altogether. May God bless her ministry! In 1999, the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) inquired about the possibility of having a display of the Shower of Stoles at the General Conference the following April. At the time, there were only around twenty United Methodist stoles in the collection. We decided to introduce the Shower of Stoles to the Reconciling community by bringing the twenty UM stoles and about a hundred others to RMN’s Convocation in Denton, TX over the Labor Day weekend. Stoles started to trickle in during the fall, and by February they began coming in droves. In all, we received 220 United Methodist stoles – the vast majority of them arriving within eight weeks of the Conference. Thanks to a monumental effort by a number of volunteers who pitched in to help record, inventory, sew labels and make last-minute repairs, all of the new stoles were present in Cleveland. Twenty more people brought stoles directly to Cleveland, bringing the total number on display to 240. Towards the end of the General Conference, twenty eight lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender United Methodists and allies stood on the Conference floor in silent protest over the Conference’s failure to overturn the ban on LGBT ordination – a profound witness and act of defiance for which they were later arrested. As these twenty eight moved to the front of the room, another 200 supporters stood up around the balcony railing, each wearing one of the new United Methodist stoles. Hundreds more stood in solidarity as well, in the balcony and on the plenary floor, wearing symbolic “stoles” made from colorful bands of cloth. A group of young people from Minneapolis, members of a Communicant’s Class, had purchased bolts of cloth the preceding evening and stayed up all night cutting out close to a thousand of these “stoles”. In less than eight months, a handful of stoles had grown to become a powerful, visible witness to the steadfast faith of LGBT United Methodists nationwide. 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 555 Title A name given to the resource Elise Harris Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Brooklyn, New York (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Park Slope United Methodist Church AIDS Clergy Activist Feminism Harris, Elise Methodist New York New York City Ordination Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program) United Methodist Church https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/f4f1e541d98b5586cf03fe85c75ddbb2.jpg 9af44924339eed7ac0147ecf5f60ea30 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/b80c8a103c8b563d08bbe188c9cf6492.jpg b7d9f401875412223562ce5e1af01663 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/8d4f35f0c55e0fbc7ce52837676d1fb1.jpg c890471641d35c5adea71152fa0c0999 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/dc1d239265097aea29b0363066e6bcad.jpg bbfa72aa69cc50ad1ba1e15270fa43c6 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/41ad26ebdc50f3690e97749763ec3617.jpg 73f2c1e62c586d7ea8de9e4a71b2bca1 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/3e1a1d32000e0a4602b0bb1feac33d9b.jpg 3b9825a59ed07955d257a525f3bfe0ec 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. Elizabeth (From her mother, Helen Fisher Andrew) Stole Text Six years ago, my daughter, Elizabeth, "came out" to her father and me as a bi-sexual woman. Although we were reeling from this information, confused, and full of questions, we knew, immediately and deeply, that Elizabeth was still Elizabeth -- the daughter we had longed for, nurtured and cherished for twenty-five years. That she had come in touch with something about her sexuality that we had never anticipated, could not change the love we held for her. We felt honored that we were one of the very first with whom she shared her long-fought struggle and discovery about herself -- that, even though she was quaking inside, she had enough trust in the love we shared to come to us. As I worked my way through the next few weeks and months, anxiety and fear began to take over. How difficult would her life become? What would this mean for her career? What sort of rejection would she experience? What sort of rejection and scorn would my husband and I have to face? Elizabeth assured us that she was okay -- and we soon learned that courage was a quality she possessed -- in addition to those of which we were already aware -- honesty, creativity, spirituality, sensitivity. Elizabeth has been fortunate in many respects. Even before she was fully aware of where her struggles with her sexuality were to lead, she became a member of the Prospect Park United Methodist Church in Minneapolis -- a church that has for years been an inclusive congregation. So she was able to "come out" to her congregation, knowing that she would be affirmed, upheld, respected and loved for who she is. I still thank God daily that she has the support of this caring, supportive community. I have not been as courageous as Elizabeth. It was only two years ago during a Lenten Study at our church in Tarrytown, New York (the congregation in which Elizabeth grew up) that I -- hands shaking, stomach in knots, and scarcely able to breathe -- shared with those whom I considered my extended family that Elizabeth is bi-sexual. God's presence was there as I was embraced -- even by the women who had just said that "they" (homosexuals) shouldn't be teaching in our schools. These people, too, knew Elizabeth and loved her -- now "they" had a familiar face. I made this stole in a crazy-quilt pattern, which symbolizes, for me, the wondrous, rich, colorful diversity God chose for creation. The signatures have been gathered from the two churches I have mentioned, as well as from my family (two of my sisters are Methodist pastors), friends, and the Women's Spirituality group I belong to at Christ Episcopal Church in Bronxville, New York. Every stitch on this stole was made with love, and with the prayer that, in the near future, all God's children will know justice, acceptance and love in all walks of life, but especially within Christ's church. I dedicate it first to Elizabeth and secondly to the churches that have expressed God's love through their love: Prospect Park United Methodist Church, the Tarrytown United Methodist Church, and Christ Episcopal Church. Denomination United Methodist Church Contribution Date 2000 Contribution Story This stole, truly, is a labor of love. Many of the stoles in the Shower of Stoles collection have been donated by family members, especially parents who have given stoles to honor their sons or daughters. As one would expect, parents have often included long notes with their stoles, telling us about their children. The story on this particular story is unique, sharing thoughts not only about a daughter's coming out to her parents, but also about a mother's struggle to "come out" to her church and community. At displays across the US and Canada, quilters have been awestruck by the work that went into assembling this stole. Not only is every piece of cloth different one from the next, but the various stitching patterns used to sew on each tiny piece each are different as well. The breathtaking beauty of this stole, the labor and care with which it was created, and the poignant honesty of the story accompanying it have combined to make this one of the most impressive stoles in the collection. This stole was given to us in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. In 1999, the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) inquired about the possibility of having a display of the Shower of Stoles at the General Conference the following April. At the time, there were only around twenty United Methodist stoles in the collection. We decided to introduce the Shower of Stoles to the Reconciling community by bringing the twenty UM stoles and about a hundred others to RMN’s Convocation in Denton, TX over the Labor Day weekend. Stoles started to trickle in during the fall, and by February they began coming in droves. In all, we received 220 United Methodist stoles – the vast majority of them arriving within eight weeks of the Conference. Thanks to a monumental effort by a number of volunteers who pitched in to help record, inventory, sew labels and make last-minute repairs, all of the new stoles were present in Cleveland. Twenty more people brought stoles directly to Cleveland, bringing the total number on display to 240. Towards the end of the General Conference, twenty eight lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender United Methodists and allies stood on the Conference floor in silent protest over the Conference’s failure to overturn the ban on LGBT ordination – a profound witness and act of defiance for which they were later arrested. As these twenty eight moved to the front of the room, another 200 supporters stood up around the balcony railing, each wearing one of the new United Methodist stoles. Hundreds more stood in solidarity as well, in the balcony and on the plenary floor, wearing symbolic “stoles” made from colorful bands of cloth. A group of young people from Minneapolis, members of a Communicant’s Class, had purchased bolts of cloth the preceding evening and stayed up all night cutting out close to a thousand of these “stoles.” In less than eight months, a handful of stoles had grown to become a powerful, visible witness to the steadfast faith of LGBT United Methodists nationwide. 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 649 Title A name given to the resource Elizabeth (From her mother, Helen Fisher Andrew) Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Minnesota (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Helen Fisher Andrew (Elizabeth's mother) Ally Andrew, Helen Fisher Bisexual activism Clergy Activist Minnesota Ordination Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program) Theology United Methodist Church 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. Elizabeth Gillis Stole Text ELIZABETH GILLIS FROM JOANNE AND PHIL GILLIS This is one of her Dad's stoles she had hope to one day wear. (Elizabeth's dad is a retired United Methodist pastor.) Her mom made the stole. Elizabeth went two years to Union Seminary, New York City, before leaving for another profession. Lovingly presented by Elizabeth and her parents, Joanne and Phil Gillis. Denomination United Methodist Church Contribution Date 2000 Contribution Story This stole was given to us in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. It is one of at least a dozen stoles representing United Methodists who had hoped to follow a clergy parent into the ministry but chose not to, or were prevented from doing so, because of their sexual orientation. In 1999, the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) inquired about the possibility of having a display of the Shower of Stoles at the General Conference the following April. At the time, there were only around twenty United Methodist stoles in the collection. We decided to introduce the Shower of Stoles to the Reconciling community by bringing the twenty UM stoles and about a hundred others to RMN’s Convocation in Denton, TX over the Labor Day weekend. Stoles started to trickle in during the fall, and by February they began coming in droves. In all, we received 220 United Methodist stoles – the vast majority of them arriving within eight weeks of the Conference. Thanks to a monumental effort by a number of volunteers who pitched in to help record, inventory, sew labels and make last-minute repairs, all of the new stoles were present in Cleveland. Twenty more people brought stoles directly to Cleveland, bringing the total number on display to 240. Towards the end of the General Conference, twenty eight lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender United Methodists and allies stood on the Conference floor in silent protest over the Conference’s failure to overturn the ban on LGBT ordination – a profound witness and act of defiance for which they were later arrested. As these twenty eight moved to the front of the room, another 200 supporters stood up around the balcony railing, each wearing one of the new United Methodist stoles. Hundreds more stood in solidarity as well, in the balcony and on the plenary floor, wearing symbolic “stoles” made from colorful bands of cloth. A group of young people from Minneapolis, members of a Communicant’s Class, had purchased bolts of cloth the preceding evening and stayed up all night cutting out close to a thousand of these “stoles." In less than eight months, a handful of stoles had grown to become a powerful, visible witness to the steadfast faith of LGBT United Methodists nationwide. 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 613 Title A name given to the resource Elizabeth Gillis 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 Joanne and Phil Gillis Clergy Activist Gillis, Elizabeth Gillis, Joanne Gillis, Phil Methodist Ordination Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program) Theology United Methodist Church United States 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. Elizabeth Hollow Stole Text ELIZABETH HOLLOW Park Slope UMC Brooklyn, NY So far I have been a fairly quiet member of the Park Slope Methodist Church -- participating in services and some community events. But what the church has offered me is a place that can bring together my desire for faith and my need for community with my sexual orientation and belief in equality. That's rare and precious -- and brought me into the church for the first time in many years. What I can offer the church may be harder to name -- but I hope it will involve all of me, with no parts hidden. Denomination United Methodist Church Contribution Date 2000 Contribution Story This is one of thirty one stoles from Park Slope United Methodist Church included in a display of UM stoles at the 2000 General Conference of the UMC in Cleveland. All are made from identically sized pieces in turquoise, lavender and purple cotton batik, With only 200 members, Park Slope has donated the largest number of stoles to the collection from a single United Methodist congregation. A diverse community, Park Slope's creed is: Hand in hand, we the people of the Park Slope United Methodist Church -- black and white, straight and gay, old and young, rich and poor -- unite as a loving community, in covenant with God and the Creation. Summoned by our faith in Jesus Christ, we commit ourselves to the humanization of urban life and to physical and spiritual growth. A scrappy congregation utterly committed to putting their faith into action, Park Slope has been unrelenting in its pursuit of justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the UMC. In 1999, the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) inquired about the possibility of having a display of the Shower of Stoles at the General Conference the following April. At the time, there were only around twenty United Methodist stoles in the collection. We decided to introduce the Shower of Stoles to the Reconciling community by bringing the twenty UM stoles and about a hundred others to RMN’s Convocation in Denton, TX over the Labor Day weekend. Stoles started to trickle in during the fall, and by February they began coming in droves. In all, we received 220 United Methodist stoles – the vast majority of them arriving within eight weeks of the Conference. Thanks to a monumental effort by a number of volunteers who pitched in to help record, inventory, sew labels and make last-minute repairs, all of the new stoles were present in Cleveland. Twenty more people brought stoles directly to Cleveland, bringing the total number on display to 240. Towards the end of the General Conference, twenty eight lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender United Methodists and allies stood on the Conference floor in silent protest over the Conference’s failure to overturn the ban on LGBT ordination – a profound witness and act of defiance for which they were later arrested. As these twenty eight moved to the front of the room, another 200 supporters stood up around the balcony railing, each wearing one of the new United Methodist stoles. Hundreds more stood in solidarity as well, in the balcony and on the plenary floor, wearing symbolic “stoles” made from colorful bands of cloth. A group of young people from Minneapolis, members of a Communicant’s Class, had purchased bolts of cloth the preceding evening and stayed up all night cutting out close to a thousand of these “stoles”. In less than eight months, a handful of stoles had grown to become a powerful, visible witness to the steadfast faith of LGBT United Methodists nationwide. 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 539 Title A name given to the resource Elizabeth Hollow Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Brooklyn, New York (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Park Slope United Methodist Church Clergy Activist Hollow, Elizabeth Methodist New York New York City Ordination Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program) Theology United Methodist Church https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/861e48c0f8a435daf11fd222ae0c9723.jpg c03bf3ea57f193f1ff385a4a6db02a71 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/532b1116d91887afce4457c6f8f791dd.jpg 9314dba0ef2dbd01ddfe8494b90d296e https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/3d6f3558c8f2a7a5cbc80cd4669976bc.jpg 9dac2721910d65ec38857787665ac234 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. Ellen Taube Stole Text At a wedding when I was 3 ½ years old, I discovered I was different from other little girls. The bride’s beauty struck no responsive chord in me as it did in my three older female cousins. During the wedding I watched the pastors, including my grandfather. I knew that someday I would be doing what I saw them doing. Growing up in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, I could not claim either the sexuality or the call to ministry that I knew were God’s gifts to me. I graduated from Seminary and was ordained in 1990, and served two calls. I lived in compliance with the ELCA’s Visions and Expectations as a closeted lesbian person, in a gradual downward spiral of loneliness and isolation. In spring of 2000, my Senior Pastor began to pray for the gift of companionship for me – a prayer I had never dared to pray for myself. In the spring of 2001, I quietly resigned my call to receive God’s gift of a life partner, hoping the ELCA would find a way to welcome me as a partnered lesbian pastor. In fall of 2002, I was in a safe place to share my story with the church as part of the “Journey Together Faithful” dialogue. My name was removed from the ELCA clergy roster in December 2002. I continue to attend an ELCA congregation, using God’s gifts in worship leadership and catechetical instruction. Denomination Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Contribution Date 2015 Contribution Story Originally a part of the collection of stoles housed by ReconcilingWorks: Lutherans for Full Participation, this stole was donated by them to the Shower of Stoles Project in 2015. 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 1228 Title A name given to the resource Ellen Taube Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Mountain Iron, Minnesota (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Ellen Taube Evangelical Lutherans of America (ELCA) Lutheran Minnesota Reconciling Works (formerly Lutherans Concerned) Taube, Ellen Women and Religion https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/dcef1e02730b922403df72164ec08655.jpg 6adbad38eb22976098ffd61b333344ca 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 The Historical Development of BIPOC Trans-spiritual Leadership Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. 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 Embarkation of Moriscos from Valencia Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived New World Encyclopedia https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Morisco 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. Emily Davidson Stole Text EMILY DAVIDSON Minister's Daughter Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) 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 274 Title A name given to the resource Emily Davidson 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 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Anonymous https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/a54bf3ceb208cb4d1e0e0854fda1485b.jpg 5b3acd883017df25f4dd3a3727e7d9b7 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 The Historical Development of BIPOC Trans-spiritual Leadership Website A resource comprising of a web page or web pages and all related assets ( such as images, sound and video files, etc. ). URL https://enfleshed.com/ 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 Enfleshed Description An account of the resource Homepage of the ENFLESHED website. A former Enfleshed image. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived ENFLESHED: Spiritual nourishment for collective liberation https://enfleshed.com/blogs/news/what-we-mean-by-collective-liberation/ Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Co-directors: Robert Monson, Rev. Anna Blaedel, Rev. M J Kaiser leadership spiritual trans inclusive transgender https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/d9f5b7c34f1202861399aa1f3119cfa9.jpg 6cb1c593517e7eb6c938e9236c118228 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. Erin Stole Text ERIN Roman Catholic Toledo, OH EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT, LIMITED BY MY CHURCH My journey to ministry in the Roman Catholic Church has been one of grace. I was not active in my church growing up. In college, I became active in Campus Ministry and it changed my life. I learned that God is love; that we are created in the image and likeness of God and therefore we have inherent dignity and worth. Studying theology in graduate school and preparing to minister within my church was incredibly empowering. My course work opened my eyes to a whole new way of seeing the world. I was introduced to liberation theology and social justice. I knew that I was called to be a campus minister. Then, I came out, and discovered what the Roman Catholic Church teaches about ''homosexuals''. I realized that my relationship with my partner is considered "intrinsically evil and objectively disordered". I have yet to discover how that label helps me to know that I am created in the image of God and have inherent dignity and worth. Serving in official church ministry, I quickly discovered the limitations placed on me as a lesbian in a covenant relationship. My ministry became a difficult and painful cross. I loved the work I knew as a campus minister. I was in a graced place to help students struggling to find their places in the world as people of faith. I love my Church, and its social justice theology. However, the deep sadness of not being able to be fully myself, not being able to allow the people to know me, was degrading. To constantly have to play the pronoun game, to deny my relationship with the woman that I love, who has taught me what God’s love is, and what God’s Grace is, was too much. I have left the ministry that I love because I could no longer stand living in constant dichotomy. I remain active in ministry outside the bounds of denominational politics and control. I am Empowered by the Spirit. I have answered my call. It is my church’s choice not to value the gifts of LGBT community brings to ministry, but I will stay faithful to the Spirit who calls. Denomination Roman Catholic Church Contribution Date 2007 Contribution Story 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 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 1116 Title A name given to the resource Erin Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Toledo, Ohio (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Erin Catholic Ohio Ordination Roman Catholic Theology https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/e8f017acb60f2108100a4db1bae179a6.jpg c40a3f7be280e2d87a3c2dddfc25e31d https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/0efd9e8f4731a9acb3bd9154891c71b9.jpg 601d036e26a2f60de2136b903f91edc6 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. Erin Swenson Stole Text Erin Katrina Swenson was ordained in November 1973 by Atlanta Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.), as Eric Karl Swensen. Eric served as a chaplain at the Georgia Regional Hospital in Atlanta before moving to Dalton, Georgia to become the Minister of Education there. Eric returned to Atlanta in 1977 to become chaplain at the Georgia Retardation Center, finally becoming a pastoral counselor in 1982. Eric has held professional positions with the Atlanta Psychiatric Clinic, Brookwood Center for Psychotherapy, The Center for Pastoral Care, and St. Luke's Training and Counseling Center. In 1995 Eric underwent a gender transition, and after many months of examination had her ordination sustained by the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta on October 22, 1996. She is currently practicing in Atlanta and is Parish Associate at Ormewood Park Presbyterian Church. Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) Contribution Date 1999 Contribution Story Erin Swenson broke new ground within mainstream Christian Protestant faith groups on October 22, 1996, when the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, by a vote of 186 to 161, sustained her ordination as a Presbyterian minister. Erin had transitioned from male to female in 1995/96 after 23 years of ordained service, and with the Presbytery's vote in 1996 she became the first mainstream minister to make a gender transition while remaining in ordained office. In 1999, Erin co-founded, with Raja Qasim, the Southern Association for Gender Education, Inc. (SAGE), an interfaith educational agency devoted to providing gender education for colleges, universities, medical groups, and faith organizations. Through SAGE Erin has presented her program across the country since 1999 in settings both large and small, from Massachusetts to San Francisco. In 1991, she was elected to the Board of More Light Presbyterians, an organization devoted to the full inclusion of GLBT people in the life and ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Erin continues to maintain warm relationships with her former spouse and their two daughters as well as her extended family. In 2003, Erin became the chair of the Health Ministries Committee of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta. According to Erin, "My ministry is about bringing full understanding and compassion not just for people who are differently gendered, but for everyone who lives in a culture where rigid gender roles impose unhealthy and unrealistic expectations for abundant living." Martha Juillerat Founder, Shower of Stoles Project 2006 The LGBTQ Religious Archives Network's oral history with Erin Swenson can be accessed <a href="https://www.lgbtran.org/Interview.aspx?ID=40">here</a>. 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 388 Title A name given to the resource Erin Swenson Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Atlanta, Georgia (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Erin Swenson Atlanta Clergy Activist Georgia More Light Presbyterians for LGBT Concerns Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) Qasim, Raja Swenson, Erin Transgender activism Women and Religion