"Item Id","Item URI","Dublin Core:Title","Dublin Core:Subject","Dublin Core:Description","Dublin Core:Creator","Dublin Core:Source","Dublin Core:Publisher","Dublin Core:Date","Dublin Core:Contributor","Dublin Core:Rights","Dublin Core:Relation","Dublin Core:Format","Dublin Core:Language","Dublin Core:Type","Dublin Core:Identifier","Dublin Core:Coverage","Item Type Metadata:Text","Item Type Metadata:Interviewer","Item Type Metadata:Interviewee","Item Type Metadata:Location","Item Type Metadata:Transcription","Item Type Metadata:Local URL","Item Type Metadata:Original Format","Item Type Metadata:Physical Dimensions","Item Type Metadata:Duration","Item Type Metadata:Compression","Item Type Metadata:Producer","Item Type Metadata:Director","Item Type Metadata:Bit Rate/Frequency","Item Type Metadata:Time Summary","Item Type Metadata:Email Body","Item Type Metadata:Subject Line","Item Type Metadata:From","Item Type Metadata:To","Item Type Metadata:CC","Item Type Metadata:BCC","Item Type Metadata:Number of Attachments","Item Type Metadata:Standards","Item Type Metadata:Objectives","Item Type Metadata:Materials","Item Type Metadata:Lesson Plan Text","Item Type Metadata:URL","Item Type Metadata:Event Type","Item Type Metadata:Participants","Item Type Metadata:Birth Date","Item Type Metadata:Birthplace","Item Type Metadata:Death Date","Item Type Metadata:Occupation","Item Type Metadata:Biographical Text","Item Type Metadata:Bibliography","Item Type Metadata:Embed Code","Item Type Metadata:Volume Number","Item Type Metadata:Issue Number","Item Type Metadata:Publication Year","Item Type Metadata:Publication Date","Item Type Metadata:Table of Contents","Item Type Metadata:Honoree","Item Type Metadata:Stole Text","Item Type Metadata:Contribution Date","Item Type Metadata:Contribution Story","Item Type Metadata:Denomination","Item Type Metadata:YouTube ID","Item Type Metadata:Vimeo ID",tags,file,itemType,collection,public,featured
1051,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1051,"Rev. Lucas Hergert",,,,,,,"Rev. Lucas Hergert",,,,,,1148,"Livermore, California (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Rev. Lucas Hergert","Rev. Lucas Hergert
Unitarian Universalist
Livermore, CA
I have been incredibly blessed to grow up in a faith community that is welcoming to people of all sexual orientations. I was thirteen when I came out as a gay man. My spiritual home, St. John’s Unitarian Universalist Church, embraced me and welcome the gifts that I brought.
It was in high school that I began considering the ministry. Being active in my youth group, volunteering for committees, and engaging in social justice were all things that I loved. I couldn't imagine my life without church. And so I became open to the idea that religious leadership was my path.
After graduating from Harvard Divinity School in June of 2009, St. John’s ordained me to the ministry. The ceremony included many of my mentors, my family, and people who had watched me grow up in the church. It was a moving ceremony.
I now serve as the minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Livermore, CA. That congregation is also struggling to create a more just and compassionate world for all people, LGBT people included. I am humbled to be a minister in this religious tradition, and grateful for its prophetic commitment to love and justice.
",2010,,"Unitarian Universalist",,,"California,Clergy Activist,Hergert, Lucas,Ordination,Unitarian Universalist",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0
1052,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1052,"Gay Straight Alliance at Methodist Theological School (Solidarity Stole)",,,,,,,,,,,,,1149,"Delaware, Ohio (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Gay Straight Alliance at Methodist Theological School (Solidarity Stole)","Gay Straight Alliance at Methodist Theological School
Ecumenical
Delaware, OH
We are gay, lesbian, straight, bisexual, and queer.
We are United Methodist, United Church of Christ, Presbyterian Church (USA), Disciples of Christ, American Baptist, and Unitarian Universalist.
We are students, professors, and administrators.
We are ordained. We are awaiting ordination. We are denied ordination.
We are Sunday School teachers, musicians, and children and youth leaders.
We are progressive, liberal, and conservative.
We are hopeful.
",2010,,Ecumenical,,,"Ally,American Baptist/USA,Christian Church (Disciples of Christ),Ecumenical,Ohio,Ordination,Presbyterian Church (USA),Unitarian Universalist,United Church of Christ,United Methodist Church",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0
1053,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1053,"Fresno Wesley United Methodist Church",,,,,,,,,,,,,1150,"Fresno, California (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Fresno Wesley United Methodist Church","Fresno Wesley United Methodist Church
Fresno, CA
25 Years Reconciling
1984-2009
",2009,"Donated in celebration of their 25th anniversary of becoming a Reconciling Congregation.","United Methodist Church",,,"California,Clergy Activist,Methodist,Ordination,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),Theology,United Methodist Church",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0
1054,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1054,"Carol Scherfenberg",,,,,,,"Carol Scherfenberg",,,,,,1151,"Los Angeles, California (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Carol Scherfenberg","Carol Scherfenberg
United Methodist
Los Angeles, CA
This stole, and many like it, were given to participants at the United Methodist Church World Conference in Fort Worth, Texas in April, 2008, by the Parents Reconciliation Network.
I wore this stole during Soulforce’s prayer vigil for full inclusion of LGBT people.
The vote of the assembly did not go in our favor.
",2009,,"United Methodist Church",,,"California,Clergy Activist,Los Angeles,Methodist,Ordination,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),Scherfenberg, Carol,Soulforce,United Methodist Church,Women and Religion",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0
1055,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1055,"Rev. Al Schon",,,,,,,"Katherine and Darlene HawkerSelf",,,,,,1152,"St. Louis, Missouri (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Rev. Al Schon","Rev. Al Schon
United Church of Christ
St. Louis, MO
Al’s Schon’s call to ministry began early in his life and so too the circuitous path towards ordination. As he describes the journey, Al laughs gently and says that God is surely a man, because a woman would have asked for directions.
Born and raised in one of the United Church of Christ’s predecessor denominations, Al’s early call to ordained ministry was postponed with the responsibilities of marriage and parenthood. His spiritual pilgrimage led him to the Roman Catholics and a brief sojourn as a Franciscan candidate before returning to the United Church of Christ. Consistently his path included service within and beyond the institutions of the Church.
Following many years of serving as a lay leader, Al’s gifts for ministry were affirmed with a call, first to licensed ministry in 2008 as a Pastoral Associate with Peace UCC and now to ordination. As a gay man in the church, Al knows the definition of dissonance and the value of standing in the gap. Patiently and intentionally, he has words to create safe space in the church for all those who sojourn.
The Reverend Albert Schon
Ordained on May 19, 2012
Peace United Church of Christ
St. Louis, MO
",2012,,"United Church of Christ^^Roman Catholic Church",,,"Clergy Activist,HawkerSelf, Darlene,HawkerSelf, Katherine,Missouri,Ordination,Schon, Al,St. Louis,United Church of Christ",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0
1056,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1056,"Rachel Small Stokes",,,,,,,"Mandi Janis",,,,,,1153,"Unknown, (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Rachel Small Stokes","Rachel Small Stokes
United Methodist Church
Rachel began her life in the United Methodist Church, and felt called by God to the ministry at age thirteen. She served in leadership and chaplaincy positions through high school and college, and preached several times for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Wesley Foundation. Her gifts for ministry were highly affirmed, and after college she accepted a call to become a United Methodist US-2 Missionary.
During that time, she also became more and more aware that she was a lesbian. After her mission service, she went to the UMC seminary, Candler School of Theology at Emory University, and prepared herself to become a closeted clergywoman. However, as she saw the anger, rancor and hate in the upper echelons of her beloved denomination, that choice became untenable. She eventually made the very difficult decision to leave the United Methodist Church and to join the United Church of Christ, a denomination that welcomed her and many others with open arms. Hers is a story with a happy ending for everyone but the UMC. She was ordained in the UCC in 2009, and married her partner of seven years in 2012.
",2012,"The stoles for Rachel Small Stokes and Mark Gruber were made and donated by Mandi Janis.","United Church of Christ^^United Methodist Church",,,"Gruber, Mark,Marriage Equality,Methodist,Stokes, Rachel Small,United Church of Christ,United Methodist Church,United States,Women and Religion",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0
1057,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1057,"Mark Gruber",,,,,,,"Mandi Janis",,,,,,1154,"Unknown, (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Mark Gruber","Mark Gruber
United Methodist Church
As the song of a United Methodist pastor, I grew up with deep love for Jesus Christ and His church at the center of my life. In 1983, after beginning a career in elementary education, I felt my own powerfully clear call to the ordained ministry. Heeding that call, the following year I began full-time seminary studies and began serving a Northern Virginia parish as assistant pastor. My sense of joy and certainty in responding to God’s call was absolute.
Unfortunately, I began my studies and parish ministry in the year that this denomination issued its decree against the ordination of “self-professing” homosexuals. While I had not yet declared my sexual orientation – to myself or to the world at large – its reality was becoming undeniably clear inside me. Not wishing to be an embarrassment to the church I loved, and believing that I had been created for better than a life of loneliness and lies, I withdrew from seminary and returned to the teaching career that I had previously begun.
To this day, twenty-six years later, I grieve my departure from the path I had begun toward ordained parish ministry. God has blessed me with continuing opportunities to serve within this troubled denomination that I love, despite it all, and with the miracle of a wonderful husband with whom to share my life and faith journey.
",2012,"The stoles for Mark Gruber and Rachel Small Stokes were made and donated by Mandi Janis.","United Methodist Church",,,"Gruber, Mark,Janis, Mandi,Methodist,Ordination,Theology,United Methodist Church,United States",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0
1058,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1058,Anonymous,,,,,,,"A.G., a member of the United Methodist Church",,,,,,1156,"Unknown, (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Anonymous,"Anonymous
United Methodist Church
Western Jurisdiction
I have faithfully served as a United Methodist Church Clergy Woman for over 30 years. I was single and celibate until I was 35 years old, not being able to reconcile my sexual orientation with my call to ministry. Unfortunately, I was also very lonely and feeling less than “whole.” It was beautiful and also terrifying the day I said, “Yes” to being in a relationship with another Clergy Woman. We have been in a committed relationship for over 16 years. There is no doubt that God has been with us on this journey, and we have been blessed by being in ministry in the United Methodist Church. We hope and pray for the day the United Methodist Church will openly affirm that the church has been blessed by our ministry.
With honor and respect I am donating this stole worn by my pastor during her 30+ years in ministry. It is with a heavy heart that this stole must be donated as “Anonymous” to protect her in her current ministry. I pray that this stole will be her voice until the day she can speak openly and freely herself.",2012,,"United Methodist Church",,,"Clergy Activist,Methodist,Ordination,United Methodist Church,United States",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0
1059,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1059,"Sacred Worth (Candler School of Theology)",,,,,,,,,,,,,1157,"Atlanta, Georgia (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Sacred Worth (Candler School of Theology)","Sacred Worth,
Candler School of Theology
Ecumenical
Atlanta, GA
Sending Forth Service
April 18, 2012
Sacred Worth is an organized group of LGBTQ and allied seminarians at Candler School of Theology, who seek to support the diverse expressions of human love and sexuality among all of God’s children and is committed to acts of justice, education, conversation, and celebration with Candler, Emory University, and the larger community. Each year we have a Sending Forth service where we recognize and bless those in our community who are heading into the church and the academy. We also recognize the loss of leadership that the church has brought upon itself in excluding LGBTQ people. This stole was placed on the altar next to an unlit candle, symbolizing the loss of light, life, and love that has been and continues to be excluded from the Body of Christ.",2012,,Ecumenical,,,"Atlanta,Clergy Activist,Ecumenical,Georgia,Ordination,Theology",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0
1060,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1060,"First Congregational Church UCC, Boulder (Solidarity Stole)",,,,,,,"Barbara and Scott Reed",,,,,,1158,"Boulder, Colorado (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"First Congregational Church UCC, Boulder (Solidarity Stole)","First Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
Boulder, CO
This stole is dedicated to our many members and friends who have been called into ordained service to God, but have been denied that call by their home denominations. With deep gratitude to all our LGBTQ brothers and sisters for sharing their gifts, presence and inspiration among us in the UCC, we pray for the day when the household of God allows all to freely serve in the denomination of their choice. When God calls us to share our talents and gifts, may we be truly free to answer that call in the wholeness of our being God’s children.
This stole is a collage of handprints of members of our congregation with words of support and affirmation – a symbolic laying on of hands with the fervent hope that these hands might help to bring about healing.
Colorado’s first Open and Affirming congregation of the UCC – proudly proclaiming and living God’s inclusive welcome since 1987.
",2012,,"United Church of Christ",,,"Ally,Colorado,Open and Affirming in the UCC (ONA),Ordination,Reed, Barbara,Reed, Scott,United Church of Christ",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0
1061,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1061,"Elder Sandy Steelman",,,,,,,"St. Luke Presbyterian Church",,,,,,1159,"Minnetonka, Minnesota (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Elder Sandy Steelman","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.
",2012,,"Presbyterian Church (USA)",,,"Minnesota,Ordination,Presbyterian,Presbyterian Church (USA),Steelman, Sandy,Women and Religion",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0
1062,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1062,"Minnetonka United Methodist Church (Solidarity Stole)",,,,,,,"The adults of Minnetonka United Methodist Church",,,,,,1160,"Minnetonka, Minnesota (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Minnetonka United Methodist Church (Solidarity Stole)","Minnetonka United Methodist Church
United Methodist Church
Minnetonka, MN
This ally stole was created in recognition of our church becoming a Reconciling Congregation in 2010. Following a lengthy discernment process, the membership of Minnetonka United Methodist Church voted to adopt a Welcoming Statement by an overwhelming majority. Our statement reads:
The vision of Minnetonka United Methodist Church is to follow Christ’s example and, as a Reconciling Congregation, to welcome persons of all sexual identities and orientations into this faith community.
We are the 20th church in Minnesota to become a Reconciling Congregation. Since then, our church membership has continued to grow. Let this stole bear witness to our hope for the full inclusion of all God’s family in the life and work of the church.",2013,,"United Methodist Church",,,"Ally,Methodist,Minnesota,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),Theology,United Methodist Church",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0
1063,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1063,"Minnetonka United Methodist Church (Solidarity Stole)",,,,,,,"The youth of Minnetonka United Methodist Church",,,,,,1161,"Minnetonka, Minnesota (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Minnetonka United Methodist Church (Solidarity Stole)","Minnetonka United Methodist Church
United Methodist Church
Minnetonka, MN
The vision of Minnetonka United Methodist Church is to be caring, inclusive, and Spirit-filled in all we do. Our commitment is to follow Christ’s example and, as a Reconciling Congregation, to welcome persons of all sexual identities and orientations into this faith community. This ally stole was signed by youth in our church. The Reconciling Committee presented anti-bullying information to the youth, as part of our discernment process in becoming a Reconciling Congregation in 2010. Let this stole bear witness to our hope for the safety and full inclusion of all God’s children.
",2013,,"United Methodist Church",,,"Ally,Methodist,Minnesota,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),Theology,United Methodist Church",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0
1064,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1064,"MCC of Louisville (Solidarity Stole)",,,,,,,"Metropolitan Community Church of Louisville",,,,,,1162,"Louisville, Kentucky (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"MCC of Louisville (Solidarity Stole)","Metropolitan Community Church of Louisville
Metropolitan Community Church
Louisville, KY
“And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.”
1 Peter 5:10
I was cast aside by the denomination in which I grew up, and responded by leaving organized religion for thirty years. Then I discovered MCCL. I found a spiritual home that I didn't even know I was seeking. I found a loving group of individuals who had been rejected by the very institutions that should have embraced them as children of God. I found a place where the Holy Spirit was vibrant. And I found a group made richer by the contributions of other seminarians and clergy who had also been rejected by their original denominations. This is not about me; it is about us. My story is their story. My pain, theirs. And most importantly, my redemption is theirs, too. The incredible richness that they bring to the ministries of our church is beyond measure. Through suffering we have been transformed, and by the journey have become the instruments through which God works to bring about healing and love for all. If the church is the Body of God, then MCCL is its heart.
",2013,,"Metropolitan Community Church",,,"Ally,Clergy Activist,Kentucky,MCC,Ordination",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0
1065,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1065,"Susan Deitrick ",,,,,,,"Susan Deitrick",,,,,,1166,"Unknown, (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Susan Deitrick","Susan Deitrick
Roman Catholic
This stole came to me in Mexico City in the summer of 1994. What was especially poignant about this time and place and experience is that first of all, I was to speak to a predominantly Catholic congregation. I, Susan Deitrick, who grew up Catholic, having received my calling in the second grade at St. Joseph’s Church in Canton, Ohio. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Pray that the Lord of the harvest sends laborers.” In my young heart, I knew Jesus was calling me. The problem was that I was a girl called to the priesthood. The Catholic Church still hasn’t heard Jesus, who called His own mother, as well as Mary Magdalene and many other women, including me. In fact, in my visit to Our Lady of Guadalupe, she gave me the message to deliver to this people that had never seen or heard a woman preach. She let them know that they were the new Juan Diego, called to be a church for her son Jesus Christ.
The second thing that made this ironic is that I was called to Mexico City to sit on the credentialing committee for some Mexican about-to-be clergy. In the process, I was asked to perform the Holy Union of a Mexico City pastor and his spouse.
Last of all, as I was leaving to come to Mexico City, my very special niece was killed in an auto accident. My brother and all her family were devastated beyond consolation. She had just turned 24. I had to choose her funeral or God’s calling. I went where God led me.",,,"Roman Catholic Church",,,"Catholic,Deitrick, Susan,Feminism,Mexico,Roman Catholic,Theology,Women and Religion",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0
1066,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1066,"Pastor Colleen Foley",,,,,,,"Pastor Colleen Foley",,,,,,1163,"Louisville, Kentucky (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Pastor Colleen Foley","Juston
Metropolitan Community Church
Louisville, KY
From my earliest memories, I knew God. I wasn't taught that, I seemed to have come into the world knowing that. I grew believing in Jesus, but my relationship was with God my Father. When I reached maturity, I struggled with the God I always knew and the interpretations of “Christians” that judged me an “abomination.” I spiraled closer to suicide. On my darkest night, convulsing in tears, begging God to change me, I fell asleep and awoke, directed by the Holy Spirit to read Matthew 19:11–12. Jesus was affirming that He knew I was born gay and there was nothing about me He wanted to change. Jesus struggled with traditionalists and legalists, and they wouldn't accept Him and chose to crucify Him. The Christian traditionalists and legalists of today are part of the Church and the Body of Christ, and with their best intentions, their words couldn't be further from the example of Jesus. The Covenant of Jesus is inclusive and unconditional love offered freely to all. ",,,"Metropolitan Community Church",,,"Ally,Foley, Colleen,Kentucky,MCC",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0
1067,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1067,Juston,,,,,,,Juston,,,,,,1164,"Louisville, Kentucky (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Juston,"Juston
Metropolitan Community Church
Louisville, KY
From my earliest memories, I knew God. I wasn't taught that, I seemed to have come into the world knowing that. I grew believing in Jesus, but my relationship was with God my Father. When I reached maturity, I struggled with the God I always knew and the interpretations of “Christians” that judged me an “abomination.” I spiraled closer to suicide. On my darkest night, convulsing in tears, begging God to change me, I fell asleep and awoke, directed by the Holy Spirit to read Matthew 19:11–12. Jesus was affirming that He knew I was born gay and there was nothing about me He wanted to change. Jesus struggled with traditionalists and legalists, and they wouldn't accept Him and chose to crucify Him. The Christian traditionalists and legalists of today are part of the Church and the Body of Christ, and with their best intentions, their words couldn't be further from the example of Jesus. The Covenant of Jesus is inclusive and unconditional love offered freely to all. ",,,"Metropolitan Community Church",,,"Kentucky,MCC,Queer/nonconforming,Theology",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0
1068,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1068,"Michelle Kanatzar",,,,,,,"Michelle Kanatzar",,,,,,1165,"Louisville, Kentucky (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Michelle Kanatzar","Michelle Kanatzar, Deacon
Metropolitan Community Church
Baptist
Louisville, KY
I always knew that I was destined to serve God in a public way. Yet, something stood in my way. I was a lesbian in a very strict Baptist church. I decided it wasn’t going to stop me from serving God. I started working with kids at only 12 years old and even decided to get my degree in Biblical Studies.
I was able to hide my identity until my mid-twenties, but was finally outed. My studies were over and I no longer could work with the kids or be a member of the church. I never felt like I had lost God, but I felt like I would never have a way to reach others.
Then, 15 years ago I found Metropolitan Community Churches. I have been able to work with kids again, interpret services, and most importantly become a Deacon of my local congregation. My story is so much like so many others that are forced out of the church that they grew up in. I am one of the lucky ones that find a place to use my gifts for the benefit of God. I pray that others may find that safe place.",,,"Metropolitan Community Church^^Baptist",,,"Baptist,Kanatzar, Michelle,Kentucky,MCC,Ordination,Women and Religion",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0
1069,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1069,"Anonymous Ordained Elder",,,,,,,,,,,,,1167,"Unknown, (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Anonymous Ordained Elder","Anonymous Ordained Elder
United Methodist Church
I knew I was gay when I felt and answered God’s call to ordained ministry. For over thirty years of ministry and marriage I struggled with the tension of not being able to be genuine and accepted for who I am. I was silent when the church struggled with the homosexual issue, afraid I would become a casualty if I spoke up or out. Living in that tension finally broke me physically, mentally and spiritually. Suspected of being gay, I was placed on disability leave. At the next General Conference, the rules were changed and I became eligible for retirement, so I retired in my early 50’s. For now I still have my orders, but I am not welcome to serve. I am healing and learning that God loves me as a gay man, and I am still struggling with my call. I hope and pray that I live to see the day when the United Methodist Church truly has open hearts, open minds, and open doors.
I donate a Lenten stole, purple, with part of John 3:16 on it, because I, we, are members of the world God loved and loves. This stole was made for me by a friend – the friend who offered me a home and family when the United Methodist Church was no longer either to me.",,,"United Methodist Church",,,"Methodist,Ordination,Theology,United Methodist Church,United States",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0
1070,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1070,"Rev. Elizabeth Hall",,,,,,,"More Light Ministries Team of First Presbyterian Church, Troy, NY",,,,,,1168,"Troy, New York (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Rev. Elizabeth Hall","The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth S. Hall
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Troy, NY
For 14 years I was a parish minister in two different PC(USA) churches.
When I fell in love with a woman, I knew I would have to leave my beloved ministry. I could not with any integrity serve the church, preaching of God's love and justice for all people knowing the PC(USA), and several people in the pew, could not accept me, or worse, would condemn me. Integrity, for me, is the integration of my internal feelings with my external actions. I could have no integrity if I pretended to live one way so that people would accept me, knowing full well this is not who I am.
The sentence, ""I found God in myself, and I loved her, I loved her fiercely,"" became my fully integrated self. Outside the church, I have felt this full integration of me, God, and the world. I was, and am, at peace with God. I am still not at peace with the church.
The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth S. Hall
Honorable Retired
Spouse Pamela M. Palumbo
Dedicated on Sunday, November 16, 2008
First United Presbyterian Church - Troy, NY
Given by the More Light Ministries Team
***
The Pink Triangle
Dedicated to Rev. Elizabeth Hall
Designed by Quilt Artist Renee Kroner Hoagland
Having been raised to believe we are all equal and should be treated with dignity and respect, it is sad to realize not much has changed in the last 75 years.
75 years ago Hitler started his campaign of terror and hate. Everyone knows about the near annihilation of the Jews. However, few people know the extent of Nazi madness and how many other groups of people were selected for death. As each group was selected for deportation to the death camps, the Nazis needed a way to categorize their captives so they could keep accurate records of their madness. They gave each group a colored triangle to wear on their camp uniforms. Jews wore yellow stars (two triangles), criminals wore green and homosexuals wore pink triangles. There were many others, sadly too many to mention here.
I wanted to express my sadness over the fact that we still find it impossible to accept those members of our society who are different. The Bible teaches us that we are all God's children. Why then, do so many of us believe his love is only for a select few?
This stole is designed to remind us that we still carry old prejudices and more work needs to be done to bring God's love to all. The dark pieced background represents the rigid attitudes and prejudices towards the sexually disenfranchised. As well as the loneliness and despair they must feel by not being able to fulfill their calling to serve the church and live openly. The ""Holocaust"" triangles remind us the LGBT members of our society are still discriminated against, even those called to serve God.
It is meant to be uncomfortable to look at, thereby forcing us to address our prejudices.",,,"Presbyterian Church (USA)",,,"Hall, Elizabeth,More Light Presbyterians for LGBT Concerns,New York,Ordination,Presbyterian,Presbyterian Church (USA),Theology","https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/25e67519c0c5d904ca16101562f78f18.jpg,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/4920bae9554d97cf32094e1a185f4b63.jpg,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/4d7422d426d28c910591a7af6b3a9b4c.jpg,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/6fff3586ff74d3bae34b222e2858479c.jpg",Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0