36 20 2500 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. Solidarity Stole (Church of Reconciliation) Stole Text Dear Reverend Juillerat, We obtained this stole during last summer's trip to El Centro Evangelico Mam, a Presbyterian mission supported by our church and located near San Juan Ostuncalco in the western highlands of Guatemala. The Mam are one of the 28 Mayan Indian tribes in Guatemala, and have their own Presbytery in the Synod of Guatemala. The weaver of this stole may well have learned her weaving at the Mam Center as part of the Center's ministry to empower widows of the "disappeared" to become self-sufficient. The stole probably was woven by one of the widows. We, the members of the Session, are sending the stole in support of your ministry of reconciling all diversities of persons to God's love. We proclaim with this brilliant purple stole the inclusivity statement of our church: "…Neither race, nor gender, nor ethnic origin, nor sexual orientation, neither age, nor infirmity, neither marital status, nor educational background, neither economic condition, nor any other aspect of personhood, will divide this Christian community, this household of God. For we are one in that which is God." With support and love, Your sisters and brothers of the Session The Church of Reconciliation 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). In offering this stole, the Church of Reconciliation chose a poignant symbol of solidarity with the oppressed, and added to it a personal statement of support from the Session that touched me deeply. Founded in 1967 with a commitment to racial reconciliation, inclusiveness and hospitality, the Church of Reconciliation is the only More Light congregation in North Carolina, working for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into the life and leadership of the Presbyterian Church. Since sending their stole for inclusion in that very first display in 1995, Church of Reconciliation has arranged to have a small display of stoles at every single meeting of New Hope Presbytery for the past eleven years. 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 59 Title A name given to the resource Solidarity Stole (Church of Reconciliation) Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Chapel Hill, North Carolina (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Church of Reconciliation American Indian Chapel Hill Covenant Network of Presbyterians Latinx More Light Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns North Carolina Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) Queer/non-conforming Theology 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. John Slade Stole Text JOHN SLADE Elder in the Presbyterian Church and a gay man. John is currently at McCormick Seminary, where he is studying for ministry in the PC(USA). Previously, John served as Youth Ministries Coordinator at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Madison, WI, for three years. John has also served in John Knox Presbytery, as well as at local, conference and national levels of the United Church of Christ. Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) United Church of Christ 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). John's stole was the first of dozens that we received over the years from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and staff at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. 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 61 Title A name given to the resource John Slade 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 John Slade Chicago Illinois Ordination Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) Slade, John 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. Anonymous (Lesbian minister from Synod of Mid-America) Stole Text ANONYMOUS MINISTER OF WORD AND SACRAMENT WHO IS LESBIAN, SERVING A CONGREGATION IN THE SYNOD OF MID-AMERICA 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). The Synod of Mid-America is a regional judicatory in the Presbyterian Church (USA) encompassing six presbyteries across Missouri, Kansas, and a small part of Illinois in the St. Louis metro area. Ann Diebert gave us no further information about this anonymous minister. 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 67 Title A name given to the resource Anonymous (Lesbian minister from Synod of Mid-America) 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 Ann Diebert Diebert, Ann Illinois Kansas Missouri Ordination Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) 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. Brent Bissette Stole Text Brent Bissette July 30, 1989 I have called you You are mine Dear PCUSA friends, My name is Brent Bissette. My family consists of myself, my partner Richard Lewis (an ordained Presbyterian elder), and my five year-old daughter Abigail. We live in Cary, NC. I was born August 21, 1962, baptized six weeks later, and many years later, ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament on July 30, 1989. I served faithfully as co-pastor of the Calypso (NC) Presbyterian Church for over four years. When I chose to "come out" to the Committee on Ministry of my Presbytery (Coastal Carolina), it withdrew it's support of my call to serve as a parish pastor within its bounds. I now work in a painted furniture shop, and look feverishly for ways to use my gifts for ministry. Not only have I been cut off from pursuing my calling "unhindered", but I lost the primary avenue I had for the economic sustenance of myself and my family. The fear and prejudice I have experienced from the Church since my "coming out" has caused me deep pain. Were it not for the joyful acceptance of my local church family, I could not have made it this far. We attend the Church of Reconciliation in Chapel Hill, North Carolina's only More Light Congregation, where I have experienced the Good News of the Gospel once again. This stole was made by Liz Evans, an elder in that congregation. She came to me and volunteered for the project saying, "Your story and those like it must be told!" So we set to work. The shell is an early Christian symbol of baptism, in which all our ministry is rooted. The rainbow represents the permanence and inclusiveness of God's love. That inclusive love is further symbolized by the material of the stole itself which was woven across the far reaches of the globe in Central America and Africa. The words come from Isaiah's Servant Songs and proclaim God's call to service of those who belong to God. On the back is the More Light Network logo, which takes the Nazi pink triangle, a symbol of derision and hate toward gay and lesbian persons, and places it upon the Cross, the greatest symbol of redemption in the Christian tradition. My name and ordination date are found there as well in the redemptive shadow of the cross. As I offer Liz's stole to God -- to the Church -- to you, I offer you words from the most reflective theologian of our household, my daughter Abi. One morning as we were planting flowers together on the deck, Abi paused from her digging and looked up at Rich and me. "Dad," she said, "you know, every flower is a little bit different, but they are all beautiful." Then there was quiet as Rich and I dared not break what felt like a hallowed silence. "And you know," she continued with all the assurance of a five year-old, "I think God loves them all!" Sounds like the Gospel to me! Your kingdom come, O Lord, on earth, even as it is in heaven. Amen. P.S. The More Light button pinned below the rainbow is offered by my partner, Rich, on behalf of all those gay and lesbian elders who faithfully serve our denomination. Shalom, Brent 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). Founded in 1967 with a commitment to racial reconciliation, inclusiveness and hospitality, the Church of Reconciliation is the only More Light congregation in North Carolina, working for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into the life and leadership of the Presbyterian Church. As the lone voice for the More Light movement in the Carolinas, the Church of Reconciliation has become a place of welcome for many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people of faith who were exiled from their home churches or who, like Brent, were forced to abandon their careers in the ministry. Along with Brent's beautifully crafted stole, CoR donated a Signature Stole as well (stole #59). Since sending these stoles for inclusion in that very first display in 1995, CoR has arranged to have a small display of stoles at every single meeting of New Hope Presbytery for the past eleven years, often including Brent's stole. 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 69 Title A name given to the resource Brent Bissette Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Chapel Hill, North Carolina (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Brent Bissette, Liz Evans, and Church of the Reconciliation Bissette, Brent Church Trials Civil Rights Movement More Light Presbyterians for LGBT Concerns North Carolina 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. Tammy Lindahl Martha Juillerat Stole Text I offer this "yoke of Christ" in celebration: of the witness and ministry of two fine and faithful Christian women and Presbyterian pastors Martha Juillerat and Tammy Lindahl and in sorrow: that serving God and God's people through the Presbyterian Church (USA) within the honesty and fidelity of their love for one another has brought them so much pain and rejection. I am confident that they will continue to be faithful to God's call to ministry and service with the fullness of their lives within or without this denominational part of Christ's Body… thus the green stole for continued growth, fruitfulness and blessing. Rev. Susan Wesley Hartley 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). Susan Hartley was a "third career" minister, having been a journalist and counselor before returning to seminary. Susan was Tammy's intern in the Grand River Parish in rural Missouri during the time that Tammy and I "came out" to Heartland Presbytery and left the ministry. She was a good friend and great support to both of us during that difficult time, and this stole from Susan was a precious gift to us. Susan is now a pastor in upstate New York, near Rochester. 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 70 Title A name given to the resource Tammy Lindahl 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 Susan Wesley Hartley Ally Clergy Activist Hartley, Susan Wesley Juillerat, Martha Lindahl, Tammy Missouri Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) Theology 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. Shawn MacDonald Stole Text THE REV. SHAWN MACDONALD This is the stole I wore on the day of my ordination, January 8, 1989, by the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy. It has the lipstick and coffee stains of years of ministry. But, like my ordination itself, it means little in the Presbyterian Church (USA). This stoles travels with the Shower of Stoles display until the time when I can wear it again with the assurance of the blessing of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) Contribution Date 1995 Contribution Story This stole was given to us anonymously in late 1995. In 1999, we received the following note and added the story accordingly: <blockquote> This Friday, January 8, will be the tenth anniversary of my ordination. A little over half of that time I have known that I am lesbian, and for the last year, I have been officially out, having sent a letter to my fellow presbyters this time last year. This Sunday we ordained elders, and it just happened that we sang some of the same hymns as were sung at my ordination, and I cried. But I was aware that the stole I wore was not my ordination stole. Mine is in the Shower of Stoles, number [seventy]-something, I've seen it every year or so. Could you change the tag to read This stole was worn by Rev. Shawn MacDonald on her ordination, January 8, 1989 by the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy. It travels with this display until the time when she can wear it again with the assurance of the blessing of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Under the rainbow in Grand Forks, North Dakota </blockquote> 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 71 Title A name given to the resource Shawn MacDonald Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Grand Forks, North Dakota (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Shawn MacDonald MacDonald, Shawn North Dakota Ordination Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) 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. Sonnie Swenston Stole Text SONNIE 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). Measuring little more than two feet long overall, and less than two inches wide, it may very well be the smallest stole in the collection. It is a miniature symbol for a woman who is small of stature, but has has an enormous heart and spirit about her. For many years Sonnie has been active in the More Light movement, in the Lazarus Project where she was honored for her volunteer services, and in many other efforts for social justice and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender folk. Sonnie is an ordained Presbyterian elder, and has served as Clerk of Session at Baldwin Park Presbyterian Church in the Los Angeles area. 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 72 Title A name given to the resource Sonnie Swenston Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Baldwin Park, California (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Sonnie Swenston California More Light Presbyterians for LGBT Concerns Ordination Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) Swenston, Sonnie 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. Paul Henderson Stole Text In Memory of PAUL HENDERSON From Carl and Shirley Dudley Paul was a graduate of McCormick Theological Seminary. Because he was not free to use his gifts for ministry in the Presbyterian Church, Paul left and was ordained in the United Church of Christ, where he devoted himself to youth ministry through the Chicago Night Ministry. Paul died of AIDS several years ago and we continue to miss him. Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) United Church of Christ 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). The Night Ministry connects with Chicago’s vulnerable youth and adults through street outreach, youth shelter and supportive services, and a mobile health outreach bus. Begun in 1976, the Night Ministry has, since the beginning, placed a special emphasis on assisting homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth, many of whom were thrown out of their homes by families who refused to accept their sexual orientation or gender identity. The Night Ministry was founded by a graduate of McCormick Theogical Seminary, and Paul Henderson was one of a number of McCormick grads who worked with the Night Ministry over the years. In 1995 Carl Dudley was Professor of Church and Community at McCormick Theological Seminary, where Shirley was Registrar. Carl later held the same position at Hartford Seminary; he is now Emeritus Faculty. 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 75 Title A name given to the resource Paul Henderson 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 Carl and Shirley Dudley AIDS Chicago Dudley, Carl Dudley, Shirley Henderson, Paul Illinois Ordination Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) Queer/non-conforming United Church of Christ 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. Anonymous (Seminary Graduate) Stole Text Anonymous Seminary Graduate Working as an Unordained Chaplain "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God's purpose." Romans 8:28 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). We have no other information about this anonymous donor. 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 76 Title A name given to the resource Anonymous (Seminary Graduate) 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 Anonymous Ordination Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) Theology 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. Helene H. Loper Stole Text Rev. Helene Hibbard Loper, Pastor Cornerstone MCC, Mobile, Alabama There are some of us still in the PC(USA) but I am one who left. The PC(USA) was my primary church experience. I was baptized in it as an infant, raised in its Sunday Schools, confirmed into its membership at age 12, married in its sanctuary and well on my way to being accepted as a gifted leader… until someone thought I was a lesbian. After some very hurtful (and out of order) experiences with a Committee on Preparation for Ministry, I realized that, in order to follow my calling of God, I would have to leave the denomination in which I had come to know God's grace and love. After coming out to the truth, which I did not learn in PC(USA) teachings, my "choice" boiled down to following God and being who God created me to be or to yielding to the restriction of a human institution, this particular denomination. My gifts and calling, my passion and commitment are in pastoral ministry. God's people, all of us, need gifted and qualified leadership. I might have move from my deep south homeland to the west coast to follow my calling to ministry, but that would have limited it and left my brothers and sisters in the southeast in their woundedness and pain. So I left the PC(USA), who I now regard as my abuser, and have formed a relationship with another denomination as partners in ministry in God's Church. I do not intend to leave a good relationship to return to my abuser. My ministry now includes many of your outcasts. These, who have been so turned away from the God you preach that they refuse to ever darken the door of a church again, often wander for years before they find a church where they can be who God created them to be. When they come to the church where I now serve God, my ministry is to spend much time and energy teaching, healing, and preaching the good news of God's love for them. They too are gifted, deeply spiritual people who seek to serve God faithfully and my role is to equip them for their ministries. I went through deep grief over leaving my spiritual heritage and I hurt for the pain of God's people who choose to remain in places where they are not fully accepted as God accepts them. I have great respect for those who are called to be advocates for truth within the PC(USA) and other denominations that refuse to accept all people who come in faith as God's chosen ones. The PC(USA) may wrestle like Jacob with God over this matter, but in the morning God will not leave you unscathed. Your limp will be the leaders and members you lost in the struggle. It may also include the loss of others who are unable to let God be God in creation and each of our callings. Yet we are all still God's one Church and I am glad that whatever divisions have happened in the Church here in this life are not the last word on our unity in Jesus Christ in eternity. There are some Christians who will be very surprised at who their neighbors, their peers in God's grace, are in heaven. In eternity I will not be segregated from my parents, my children, my brothers and sisters and my friends who continue to be active and faithful members and leaders in the PC(USA). I just wish that this could have happened before I had to leave the PC(USA). Maybe it will for others who have not yet been forced to make a choice between their calling of God and the rules of this denomination. But that depends on the actions of the PC(USA). Will you let God be creator of all, Jesus savior of all and the Spirit uniter of all? -------------- [Addendum, sent to the Shower of Stoles Project in August, 2003] A decade later… The "Hapiru" were a mixed multitude that left Egypt, along with the descendants of Abraham, to go into the wilderness to worship God. They were included in the covenant and were never singled out as more sinful or more faithful than any other person or group among the people of God. Yet there is a feel to being a "Hapiru" that I have come to understand as the years have passed since leaving the Presbyterian Church (USA). Leaving the tradition of one's birth for an unknown future in another community of faith has its moments of blessing and pain. For me the blessings have been freedom to worship and serve God in new ways. They are in finding new relationships. They are in personal growth, deeper faith and a clearer focus on living the gospel rather than preserving institutions, habits or beliefs that are incompatible with a life of faith. The pain is here too. This experience is much like a divorce. There must be a complete break with the old before a commitment to anything new is possible. The point of giving up hope for the first relationship is like the moment when one's heart finally breaks so deeply that there is no going back. While the old relationship may have some healing and even become friendly or collaborative, one can not go back and retie the cords of trust or repair the levels of intimacy that were broken. Looking at my experiences of ministry over the past decade since leaving the PC(USA), I also find that after that first "divorce" it becomes easier to let go of other relationships when they become unhealthy. The gift of a clearer focus on the gospel daily reminds me of what it costs to let go of other things in order to be a healthier person. These are the mixed feelings of a Hapiru. Now I find myself living with looser ties to things and institutions in this life as I seek truth and the realm of God. This process is necessary as God creates an exodus community of faith that will include all people in eternity. Today Christian Hapiru are mixed within denominations and sprinkled about in independent churches. But not everyone is called to become a Hapiru with respect to his or her original faith tradition. The Israelites were not asked to give up being the children of Abraham. They were told to show hospitality to the strangers among them. They are to remember that they too were once wandering Arameans. Therefore it is important for people to not easily let go of hope for repentance and healing in their tradition. When a return to faithfulness, justice and mercy is needed, God usually calls Hebrews to be the prophets to the Hebrews. So to those who yet remain in difficult places, I speak urgently of keeping your hope. While some of us are called to live as Hapiru in order to minister in God's name among the wanderers, some of you are being called to be prophets to your own people. The outcome of our mutual faithfulness will be the fulfillment of God's promise of salvation for all of us. -- Rev. Helene H. Loper Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) Metropolitan Community Church 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). For many years it was the only stole in the collection from Alabama, and one of very few from the Deep South. Helene is one of many "spiritual exiles" represented in the Shower of Stoles collection who left a denomination with discriminatory policies and renewed their ministries in a welcoming church -- in Helene's case, the Metropolitan Community Church. Like so many others, however, Helene continues to have mixed emotions over her departure from her church of origin, and holds out hope that it, too, will someday become a welcoming place. 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 79 Title A name given to the resource Helene H. Loper Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Mobile, Alabama (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Helene H. Loper Alabama Church Trials Loper, Helene H. MCC Ordination Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) Theology https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/8e94b9f578a6b35ce36ec0832f656d25.jpg d23a3ec26adaed59531d1ab57f32e0aa https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/13ec7846a494a5dcc03c986610e1b3b3.jpg 78c5582ed344cd6fc10c37e0406c2db6 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/bf8d3515b1e3412338816e7a09f720a3.jpg 7daf032d6d7bee787de96f11047d8e23 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. Carl Rosenblum Stole Text The Rev. Carl Rosenblum New York City Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) Contribution Date 1995 Contribution Story Given to us in the fall of 1995; we have no other information about Rev. Rosenblum. 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 83 Title A name given to the resource Carl Rosenblum 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, New York (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Carl Rosenblum New York New York City Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) Rosenblum, Carl https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/6f78f04e9cb5b0dae7e6a49e985abe93.jpg e3c50355f33c664fe0f301d698f0503f https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/da3161dcc9c1bda3c8435e7c7c7e8d28.jpg e926a23cc4b6c870f5bda637af5b1ca3 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. H.P. Stole Text H.P. Ordained minister Served faithfully for 13 years 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). 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 84 Title A name given to the resource H.P. 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 Withheld Ordination Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) United States https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/d05b014a701c95edc417f2c80d77064f.jpg 9cb5780e22293beb6d2278f18dcfb42c https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/bf8da55b5b1ba714352ddf66df5bc939.jpg b48faa2034752e9c48c8de3adc17e498 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. M.T. Stole Text M.T. - stays in a traditional marriage though her heart is elsewhere - a gifted minister who must live a lie 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). No other information about this anonymous minister was included with the handwritten note attached to the stole. 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 86 Title A name given to the resource M.T. 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 Withheld Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) United States https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/cb8729b80a80018aa035dedaab08a51f.jpg e1db8612eb3497e847ebf54e7a665216 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/74fa742b5204c326dbac7f8f13d680c1.jpg 4da2244e69c81edfa2cbc1f75e89374d 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. D.E. Stole Text D. E. Beloved pastor who died of AIDS. No one in the church knew. They were told it was cancer. 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). We have no other information about this anonymous minister. 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 87 Title A name given to the resource D.E. 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 Withheld AIDS Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) 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. Wendy Bratt Stole Text Wendy Bratt Grand Isle, Vermont Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) Contribution Date 1995 Contribution Story This stole was given to us in the fall of 1995. In addition to her own stole, Wendy donated one on behalf of Karen Grace (stole #91). No story was included with either of these stoles. 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 90 Title A name given to the resource Wendy Bratt Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Grand Island, Vermont (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Wendy Bratt Bratt, Wendy Grace, Karen Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) Vermont 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. Karen Grace Stole Text In Honor of Karen Grace From Wendy Bratt Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) Contribution Date 1995 Contribution Story This stole was given to us in the fall of 1995. In addition to Karen's stole, Wendy also donated her own stole to the collection (stole #90). No story was included with either stole. 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 91 Title A name given to the resource Karen Grace 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 Wendy Bratt Bratt, Wendy Grace, Karen Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) United States https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/bccbc59b8b62c2a7139e635e4ebfccdb.jpg 9f382346b246fdb1620493b16095c09b https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/06475739695c3db3a2c0be907c6cdd69.jpg 0cd699fde4d47e2485ea66b8d445a74b 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. Shelly Cochran Stole Text SHELLY COCHRAN In honor of the Sixteenth Anniversary of her Ordination 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). (Note we did not begin assigning inventory numbers until 1997, and the early numbers are not in chronological order.) We have no other information about Shelly Cochran beyond what she shared in her brief stole story. 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 93 Title A name given to the resource Shelly Cochran 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 Shelly Cochran Cochran, Shelly Ordination Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) United States 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. Chuck Collins Stole Text CHUCK COLLINS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA) Bettendorf, Iowa This stole was made for Chuck Collins by his wife, Becky Miller, for his ordination by Des Moines Presbytery in 1979. Chuck served First Presbyterian Church, Sioux Falls as Minister of Christian Education before coming out and moving to Rochester, New York. After years of teaching and working in industry, Chuck sought and was granted permission by South Dakota Presbytery to seek a call, but was unsuccessful in his search. Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) Contribution Date 1995 Contribution Story In 1995, Chuck submitted a purple Advent stole to the Shower of Stoles Project with the letters INRI embroidered on it in gold. The original stole had only his name on it, with no narrative. In March, 2005 Chuck asked us to replace the original stole with a new one. This second stole, a green one, had special meaning for Chuck, having been made by his wife for the occasion of his ordination to the Presbyterian ministry. After coming out and leaving the ministry, Chuck moved to Rochester, NY and joined Downtown United Presbyterian Church. DUPC is a More Light congregation and home of That All May Freely Serve, two organizations working for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the life and leadership of the Presbyterian Church (USA). There he found a place of welcome and strong support, which over the years gave him the inner strength and spiritual clarity to pursue his call to ministry anew. After much struggle, his home presbytery in South Dakota eventually granted Chuck permission to seek a call, allowing him to apply for ministerial positions. As an openly gay man, however, he was never able to find a church that would consider him. Chuck remains committed to his call and to the church, and I suspect that his three-decade long search will never be completely over. 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 96 Title A name given to the resource Chuck Collins Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Bettendorf, Iowa (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Chuck Collins Collins, Chuck Iowa Miller, Becky More Light Presbyterians for LGBT Concerns Ordination Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) That All May Freely Serve (TAMFS) Theology 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. Solidarity Stole (Jan Hus Presbyterian Church) Stole Text Jan Hus Church, New York City Yet More Light Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) Contribution Date 1996 Contribution Story This is one of ten stoles given to the collection by the Jan Hus Presbyterian Church in early 1996. (Note: A “solidarity 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".) Jan Hus (pronounced "Yahn Hoos") is one of the most unique congregations represented in the Shower of Stoles collection. The only Czech-Presbyterian Church in America was founded in the 1870's by Gustav Albert Alexy, a Hungarian minister whose broken Czech was so limited that his congregation, following his first service, told him very politely that they hadn't understood a word he spoke. Alexy immediately began to be tutored by Vincent Pisek, a 15-year-old Czech immigrant. When Alexy died seven years later, young Pisek took over leadership of the church while studying at New York University and Union Theological Seminary. Two stories told by the current Jan Hus congregation tell something of their singular history. The first speaks to Pisek's own unique character: <blockquote> The 1895 Morning Journal reported that in 1894 Pisek had been visiting Nebraska when a hunter killed a mother wolf and presented the new-born cub to Pisek who took it back to Jan Hus Church and raised it on a bottle. The wolf wandered freely around the church and was especially protective of the children, who also appear to have had free reign of the place. All day in the pastor's study the wolf would sit at Pisek's feet. One day the wolf was missing and they searched everywhere until they found it curled up sound asleep inside the pulpit. Neighbors complained that the church was terrorizing the block with a wolf howling from the attic. Jan Hus Church comes by its present nature from way back! </blockquote> The second story speaks not only to the highly unusual way Jan Hus came to hire its long-time Music Director, but also alludes to a close relationship between Pisek and his musician, Charles Atherton, which is memorialized in another stole from Jan Hus (stole #101): <blockquote> Around 1903, Pastor Pisek was out in the Midwest and came into a hotel bar where a man was playing the piano. The man was tall, athletic and friendly, and by the end of the conversation, Pisek had invited Mr. Charles M.H. Atherton to come to Jan Hus Church as Music Director. Atherton, an American born in 1873, had been a professional baseball player. He came to Jan Hus and became Pisek's companion and colleague here at the church for the rest of Pisek's life. (In his will, Pisek referred to Atherton as his "bosom friend.") </blockquote> Jan Hus remains a spirited and independent-thinking congregation committed to unique forms of worship and seeking to serve the poor. The church is also a Neighborhood House, housing a senior center, preschool, homeless outreach office, gym, cafeteria and theater. The sanctuary itself is shared by an Indonesian community. The Neighborhood House is also a permanent residence to a number of people who commit themselves to active participation in the life of Jan Hus church as well as serving at least ten hours each week to assisting with the many ministries of Neighborhood House. Jan Hus is a More Light congregation, working for the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the life and leadership 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 97 Title A name given to the resource Solidarity Stole (Jan Hus Presbyterian Church) 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, New York (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Jan Hus Presbyterian Church Atherton, Charles More Light Presbyterians for LGBT Concerns New York New York City Ordination Pisek, Vincent Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) Theology https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/f090181cccfdc5d5447f675e00043b81.jpg 79441933437960e6fee480ddcce9388d https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/1aecbf10cd50a7098507f9eab3373d46.jpg 4fc0d0bef27899c299b08c24377e65a8 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. Kate (Elder, Jan Hus Presbyterian Church, New York NY) Andy (Elder, Inquirer, Jan Hus Presbyterian Church, New York NY) Stole Text KATE ELDER ANDY ELDER INQUIRER JAN HUS LESBIAN Denomination Presbyterian Church (USA) Contribution Date 1996 Contribution Story This is one of ten stoles given to the collection by Jan Hus Presbyterian Church in early 1996. Kate is a lesbian and an ordained elder at Jan Hus. Andy is an elder there as well, and is an "Inquirer," the first step in the candidacy process for persons seeking a call to ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Jan Hus (pronounced "Yahn Hoos") is one of the most unique congregations represented in the Shower of Stoles collection. The only Czech-Presbyterian Church in America was founded in the 1870's by Gustav Albert Alexy, a Hungarian minister whose broken Czech was so limited that his congregation, following his first service, told him very politely that they hadn't understood a word he spoke. Alexy immediately began to be tutored by Vincent Pisek, a 15-year-old Czech immigrant. When Alexy died seven years later, young Pisek took over leadership of the church while studying at New York University and Union Theological Seminary. Two stories told by the current Jan Hus congregation tell something of their singular history. The first speaks to Pisek's own unique character: <blockquote> The 1895 Morning Journal reported that in 1894 Pisek had been visiting Nebraska when a hunter killed a mother wolf and presented the new-born cub to Pisek who took it back to Jan Hus Church and raised it on a bottle. The wolf wandered freely around the church and was especially protective of the children, who also appear to have had free reign of the place. All day in the pastor's study the wolf would sit at Pisek's feet. One day the wolf was missing and they searched everywhere until they found it curled up sound asleep inside the pulpit. Neighbors complained that the church was terrorizing the block with a wolf howling from the attic. Jan Hus Church comes by its present nature from way back! </blockquote> The second story speaks not only to the highly unusual way Jan Hus came to hire its long-time Music Director, but also alludes to a close relationship between Pisek and his musician, Charles Atherton, which is memorialized in another stole from Jan Hus (stole #101): <blockquote> Around 1903, Pastor Pisek was out in the Midwest and came into a hotel bar where a man was playing the piano. The man was tall, athletic and friendly, and by the end of the conversation, Pisek had invited Mr. Charles M.H. Atherton to come to Jan Hus Church as Music Director. Atherton, an American born in 1873, had been a professional baseball player. He came to Jan Hus and became Pisek's companion and colleague here at the church for the rest of Pisek's life. (In his will, Pisek referred to Atherton as his "bosom friend.") </blockquote> Jan Hus remains a spirited and independent-thinking congregation committed to unique forms of worship and seeking to serve the poor. The church is also a Neighborhood House, housing a senior center, preschool, homeless outreach office, gym, cafeteria and theater. The sanctuary itself is shared by an Indonesian community. The Neighborhood House is also a permanent residence to a number of people who commit themselves to active participation in the life of Jan Hus church as well as serving at least ten hours each week to assisting with the many ministries of Neighborhood House. Jan Hus is a More Light congregation, working for the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the life and leadership 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 98 Title A name given to the resource Kate (Elder, Jan Hus Presbyterian Church, New York NY) 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, New York (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Jan Hus Presbyterian Church Atherton, Charles Hus, Jan More Light Presbyterians for LGBT Concerns New York New York City Ordination Pisek, Vincent Presbyterian Presbyterian Church (USA) Theology