ROD BRAGG
Having been raised in rural West Virginia, Rod always knew he wanted to be a minister. He would follow in his dad's footprints. He also knew that he was gay but, through prayer, thought he could deny that part of his life.
He married in 1977, had two children, and was ordained in the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1984. When he came to terms with his homosexuality and spoke to his bishop about it, he was asked to leave the ministry. Reluctantly he did this.
Today Rod works in the mental health field, is in a 9 year committed relationship with his partner, Windle and they have adopted a child, Reggie. They happily live in Nashville, Tennessee.
",2000,"This stole was given to us in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the UnitedMethodistChurch 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
","United Methodist Church",,,"Bragg, Rod,Clergy Activist,Methodist,Ordination,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),Tennessee,Theology,United Methodist Church",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 968,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/968,"Leonard and Roger (Donated by Marshall Campbell and Pacific Northwest Chapter, MFSA)",,,,,,,"Marshall Campbell and the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action",,,,,,676,"Unknown, (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Leonard and Roger (Donated by Marshall Campbell and Pacific Northwest Chapter, MFSA)","Given in Memory of
Leonard and Roger
Who grew up in United Methodist Churches, and left their churches for other faiths, but remained more friendly to Methodism than Methodism was to them.
",2000,"This is one of four stoles (#675-677) given to us by the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA). MFSA was founded in 1907 by several Methodist Episcopal clergy (including Frank Mason North, author of ""Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life"") to direct church attention to the enormous human suffering among the working class. Immediately the Federation became Methodism's unofficial rallying point for the Social Gospel and achieved in 1908 the adoption of the first denominational social creed. Today, the Federation unites activist United Methodists to promote action on the liberation issues confronting the church and society and to witness to the transformation of the social order that is intrinsic to the church's entire life, including its evangelism, preaching, counseling, and spirituality. As an independent organization, MFSA works primarily through the ministries of the United Methodist Church, supporting and augmenting peace and justice ministries at the local, conference, and national levels, calling the church to expand its understanding of the radical call of the Gospel to be the inclusive, justice-seeking, risk-taking Body of Christ.
These stoles were given to us in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the UnitedMethodistChurch 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
","United Methodist Church",,,"Clergy Activist,Methodist,Ordination,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),Theology,United Methodist Church,United States",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 967,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/967,"United Methodist Friends and Colleagues",,,,,,,"Pacific Northwest Chapter, Methodist Federation for Social Action",,,,,,674,"Unknown, (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"United Methodist Friends and Colleagues","PNWThis is one of four stoles (#675-677) given to us by the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) in honor of United Methodist friends and colleagues. MFSA was founded in 1907 by several Methodist Episcopal clergy (including Frank Mason North, author of ""Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life"") to direct church attention to the enormous human suffering among the working class. Immediately the Federation became Methodism's unofficial rallying point for the Social Gospel and achieved in 1908 the adoption of the first denominational social creed. Today, the Federation unites activist United Methodists to promote action on the liberation issues confronting the church and society and to witness to the transformation of the social order that is intrinsic to the church's entire life, including its evangelism, preaching, counseling, and spirituality. As an independent organization, MFSA works primarily through the ministries of the United Methodist Church, supporting and augmenting peace and justice ministries at the local, conference, and national levels, calling the church to expand its understanding of the radical call of the Gospel to be the inclusive, justice-seeking, risk-taking Body of Christ.
These stoles were given to us in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the UnitedMethodistChurch 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
","United Methodist Church",,,"Clergy Activist,Methodist,Ordination,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),Theology,United Methodist Church,United States",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 966,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/966,"William Ritchey",,,,,,,"Pacific Northwest Chapter, Methodist Federation for Social Action",,,,,,675,"Unknown, (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"William Ritchey","WILLIAM RITCHEY
PACIFIC NORTHWEST CONFERENCE
",2000,"This is one of four stoles (#675-677) given to us by the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA). MFSA was founded in 1907 by several Methodist Episcopal clergy (including Frank Mason North, author of ""Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life"") to direct church attention to the enormous human suffering among the working class. Immediately the Federation became Methodism's unofficial rallying point for the Social Gospel and achieved in 1908 the adoption of the first denominational social creed. Today, the Federation unites activist United Methodists to promote action on the liberation issues confronting the church and society and to witness to the transformation of the social order that is intrinsic to the church's entire life, including its evangelism, preaching, counseling, and spirituality. As an independent organization, MFSA works primarily through the ministries of the United Methodist Church, supporting and augmenting peace and justice ministries at the local, conference, and national levels, calling the church to expand its understanding of the radical call of the Gospel to be the inclusive, justice-seeking, risk-taking Body of Christ.
These stoles were given to us in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the UnitedMethodistChurch 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
","United Methodist Church",,,"Clergy Activist,Methodist,Ordination,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),Ritchey, William,Theology,United Methodist Church,United States",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 965,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/965,"Leonard Deen Thompson",,,,,,,"Leonard Deen Thompson",,,,,,672,"Louisiana (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Leonard Deen Thompson","LEONARD DEEN THOMPSON
LOUISIANA CONFERENCE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1963-1985
Men and women dress up and speak aloud.
They speak in your name, O Lord,
And say all evil against us.
Did you not know us in our mother's womb?
Did you not walk with us through the waters of baptism?
Did you not call us by name?
Turn not away from us.
Hold us by your hand.
And walk with us until your kingdom rules in the hearts of all your creation.
Deen 3-28-2000
",2000,"This stole was given to us in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the UnitedMethodistChurch 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
","United Methodist Church",,,"Clergy Activist,Methodist,Ordination,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),Theology,Thompson, Leonard Deen,United Methodist Church,United States",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 964,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/964,"Signature Stole honoring Anonymous Colleagues in the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church",,,,,,,"Brenda S. Willis",,,,,,671,"Unknown, (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Signature Stole honoring Anonymous Colleagues in the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church","The creator of this stole has been an ordained clergywoman in the UMC since 1975, serving churches for 18 years in the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference before retooling for her current appointment as a Chaplain of Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell, Montana.
In the winter of 200 she wrote to a few friends: ""From the very first days of my entrance into the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference, in 1978, I have been blessed with mentors who were, for me personally, pastor in my own spiritual life. Some were ordained, some were not. Some of these persons have been gay and lesbian persons. I have quietly supported those gay and lesbian mentors and advocated for change within the UMC. As the UMC gathers in Cleveland, OH this May, I want to give witness to my belief that Christ welcomes us all to the Communion Table, and that God is inviting us in the UMC to do a new thing.
There are many of us in the UMC who have felt our integrity compromised by the UM Book of Discipline's exclusive language stating, ""Homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching."" It is my prayer that this year at General Conference there will be a change in that language and those whose ministry and membership we have denied will be invited home. When that language is changed, it is also my prayer that those more conservative folks at the Communion Table with us will not leave the UMC, but will stay at the table.
",2000,"This stole was given to us in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the UnitedMethodistChurch in Cleveland, OH. It was created by Brenda Willis and on behalf of a group of friends who wished to honor their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender friends and colleagues in the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. (Note: A “signature stole” is one that is covered with the signatures of both gay and straight members of a congregation, denominational governing body, or other organization. These stoles serve the dual purpose of showing support for LGBT persons, while also protecting their anonymity by including their names as ""one among many"".)
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
","United Methodist Church",,,"Ally,Clergy Activist,Methodist,Ordination,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),United Methodist Church,United States,Women and Religion",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 963,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/963,"Signature Stole (St. Paul School of Theology, Kansas City MO)",,,,,,,"Students at St. Paul School of Theology",,,,,,670,"Kansas City, Missouri (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Signature Stole (St. Paul School of Theology, Kansas City MO)","SIGNED BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY OF SAINT PAUL SCHOOL OF THEOLOGYThis Signature Stole was made by students at St. Paul School of Theology and sent to us in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the UnitedMethodistChurch in Cleveland, OH. St. Paul School of Theology is one of seven seminaries affiliated with the United Methodist Church. (Note: A “signature stole” is one that is covered with the signatures of both gay and straight members of a congregation, denominational governing body, or other organization. These stoles serve the dual purpose of showing support for LGBT persons, while also protecting their anonymity by including their names as ""one among many"".)
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
","United Methodist Church",,,"Ally,Clergy Activist,Methodist,Missouri,Ordination,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),United Methodist Church",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 962,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/962,"Anonymous ""Pastor Dave""",,,,,,,Anonymous,,,,,,669,"Unknown, (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Anonymous ""Pastor Dave""","Pastor Dave",2000,"This anonymous 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.
","United Methodist Church",,,"Methodist,Ordination,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),United Methodist Church,United States",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 961,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/961,"Anonymous (""I have been an Elder in good standing under appointment in the United Methodist Church for over thirty years. I choose to remain a silent gay man..."")",,,,,,,Anonymous,,,,,,668,"Unknown, (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Anonymous (""I have been an Elder in good standing under appointment in the United Methodist Church for over thirty years. I choose to remain a silent gay man..."")","ANONYMOUS
I have been an Elder in good standing under appointment in the United Methodist Church for over thirty years. I choose to remain a silent gay man, for I know that God has called me, challenged me, enabled me to be effective for God's sake (regardless of Church rules). This call has brought many to a new life in Jesus Christ in these three decades. These gifts from God have brought healing, wholeness, and reconciliation within this ministry.
The stole is a cherished gift from a gay priest of another denomination.
Praise the God who knows, who cares, and who reaches out to love all in Jesus Christ.
",2000,"This anonymous 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
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.
",2000,"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
This is one of thirteen stoles given to us by Dumbarton UMC in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. Dumbarton is a Reconciling congregation, working for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into the life and leadership of the United Methodist Church. 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
","United Methodist Church",,,"Clergy Activist,Methodist,Ordination,Osborn, Lisa,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),United Methodist Church,Washington, D.C.",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 958,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/958,"Doug Nelson",,,,,,,"Dumbarton United Methodist Church",,,,,,725,"Washington, District of Columbia (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Doug Nelson","Doug Nelson
This stole is submitted for Doug Nelson, a member of Dumbarton UMC in Washington, D.C., who opted not to pursue ministry in 1985 when he came to terms with his gay sexual orientation. Doug currently works as a licensed professional counselor in Fairfax, VA. He served as the Nurture Cluster Chairperson at Dumbarton from 1997-1999 and he currently teaches Sunday school for the high school juniors and seniors. Doug may have been quite a pastor.
As a student at Bucknell University, Doug actively participated in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and became president of his chapter his junior year. By his senior year, Doug was acknowledging his sexuality and knew the church's stance against gay persons serving as ministers. Doug opted to pursue his master's degree in counseling rather than attend seminary to pursue ministry.
Doug shared Bucknell's University Prize for Men, an award that distinguishes the outstanding graduating senior for his potential to serve the community. The other recipient of the award currently serves as senior pastor of a Presbyterian congregation in West Hartford, CT. Might Doug be serving as a pastor of a Methodist church had the church's policies on gays in the ministry been different?
As a counselor, Doug has helped many adolescents and adults with mental health and substance abuse problems. Some clients have discussed issues of faith and spirituality with him in session. In some respects, not wearing a ministerial collar has given Doug the opportunity to help persons who feel quite distant from their church upbringing to reexamine their faith. Doug brings his Spirit-filled gifts to his counseling practice. Yet many of his high school and college friends still wonder why a church would reject Doug's gifts simply because he is an openly gay man.
",2000,"This is one of thirteen stoles given to us by Dumbarton UMC in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. Dumbarton is a Reconciling congregation, working for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into the life and leadership of the United Methodist Church. 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
","United Methodist Church",,,"Clergy Activist,Methodist,Nelson, Doug,Ordination,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),Theology,United Methodist Church,Washington, D.C.",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 957,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/957,"Nina Boal",,,,,,,"Christ United Methodist Church",,,,,,662,"Columbia, Maryland (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Nina Boal","Love is the fulfilling of the law
Nina Boal
Christ UMC, Columbia, MD
previously St. John's UMC, Baltimore, MD
choir member
scripture reader
make and donate crafts for church fundraising
This church is important to me because it brings me the Good News of Jesus' teachings. Jesus did not condemn love, He praised and extolled is. Jesus is my salvation.
The Bible reading embroidered on my stole (Romans 13:8) illustrates how Scripture praises loving relationships.
The Bible is on my stole because I have found it to contain wisdom beyond all belief -- more wisdom than humans who seek to change its meaning can know. Humans can know this true wisdom if they would only open their hearts.
God is love.
",2000,"This stole arrived with thirteen stoles given to us by Dumbarton UMC in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. Dumbarton is a Reconciling congregation, working for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into the life and leadership of the United Methodist Church. 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
This stole arrived with thirteen stoles given to us by Dumbarton UMC in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. Dumbarton is a Reconciling congregation, working for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into the life and leadership of the United Methodist Church. 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
","United Methodist Church",,,"Ally,Methodist,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),United Methodist Church,Washington, D.C.",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 955,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/955,"David Shipley",,,,,,,"Dumbarton United Methodist Church",,,,,,659,"Washington, District of Columbia (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"David Shipley","DAVID SHIPLEY
BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON CONFERENCE
David Shipley was a member of the Baltimore-Washington Conference who struggled mightily to hold together his call to ministry and the ordination ban of gays and lesbians within the United Methodist Church. When the stress finally became too much, he decided that he needed to withdraw. During his life he gave strong support to various ministries leading a mission trip to Africa. When he was diagnosed with the AIDS virus, he shared his story with many young people before he died. David, you are still missed.
",2000,"This is one of thirteen stoles given to us by Dumbarton UMC in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. Dumbarton is a Reconciling congregation, working for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into the life and leadership of the United Methodist Church. 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
","United Methodist Church",,,"AIDS,Clergy Activist,International Human Rights,Methodist,Ordination,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),Shipley, David,United Methodist Church,Washington, D.C.",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 954,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/954,"Colleagues in the Baltimore-Washington Conference",,,,,,,"Rev. Mary E. Kraus and Dumbarton United Methodist Church",,,,,,658,"Washington, District of Columbia (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Colleagues in the Baltimore-Washington Conference","This stole is for all the wonderfully talented individuals called by God to the ordained ministry who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered whom I have served with in the Baltimore-Washington Conference and who continue to seek to live faithfully their call within the United Methodist Church. May God's prophetic healing work within all our lives.
Rev. Mary E. Kraus
Dumbarton UMC, Washington, D.C
This is one of thirteen stoles given to us by Dumbarton UMC in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. Dumbarton is a Reconciling congregation, working for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into the life and leadership of the United Methodist Church. 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
JUDGE JEFFERSON CLEVELAND
In memory of Judge Jefferson Cleveland. His work, as editor of the Songs of Zion hymnbook will be an enduring legacy to the United Methodist Church. His death of AIDS in 1986 was hidden by the Black church community. We honor him and his ministry of music.
",2000,"This is one of thirteen stoles given to us by Dumbarton UMC in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. Dumbarton is a Reconciling congregation, working for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into the life and leadership of the United Methodist Church. 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
My story: Anonymous
My love for the United Methodist Church runs deep. My faith was nurtured from my baptism in my father's hometown church, through summers at UM church camps, Sunday school classes, conference youth leadership positions and a vibrant college ministry program. Many individuals, both gay and straight have demonstrated the love of God in my life through the steps of my journey. After graduating from college, I chose to spend the next two years in UM mission service as a US-2. My ""call"" to ministry became undeniable during my time as a US-2. As I worked in an organization serving immigrants and educating local churches, I realized that my love for people and my passions for social justice and spirit-filled life could be united completely in ordained ministry as a UM Deacon in Full Connection. What a wonderful discovery!
But because I identify myself as a bisexual woman, I am unable to pursue such a vocation in the United Methodist church at this time. I have completed the first part of the study process for ordination candidates, and I find myself at a crossroads. Should I even go to seminary? Will I pursue my calling and my passion for ministry and social justice in the church, only to be rejected by the very same church that has loved and supported me so strongly until now?
My church taught me that I am a beloved child of God who possesses many gifts and skills to share with the world. My church taught me to speak out against injustice and to live in love. To be able to use my gifts, to work for justice and to serve the world through the UM Church would be a great blessing in my life. I believe that my church will change. Until it does, I will live out my ministry in other ways.
The Stole:
The tree on the right side of this stole symbolizes both the offering of myself in ministry, and the nurture and growth the church has provided in the lives of many GLBT young people. We are like leaves springing forth from this sturdy trunk, offering our gifts, our skills and our youthful enthusiasm to the church and to greater society in love and service.
This stole honors LGBT US-2's who have served the UM church through the US-2 young adult mission program and have also been ""called"" into ministry within the UM church. IN giving two years of our lives to volunteer mission service in the UMC, we have already responded to our call. As a result of our church's exclusionary stance on homosexuality, we are forced to choose between fulfilling our call to ministry in the church in silence, or being open about our God-given gift of sexuality and thus being unable to serve.
",2000,"This is one of thirteen stoles given to us by Dumbarton UMC in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. Dumbarton is a Reconciling congregation, working for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into the life and leadership of the United Methodist Church. 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
Is she or isn't she?
They look at my dreadlocks.
They make assumptions.
Is she or isn't she?
Yes!
Who am I?
I'm a Child of God.
Rev. Donna M. Butts
Doctor of Ministry Student, 1998-Present
Pastoral Intern, Mt. Zion UMC, Baltimore Maryland, 10098-2000
Editor, Wesley Journal, 1999-2000
Sales Associate, Cokesbury Wesley Store 1998-Present
This is one of thirteen stoles given to us by Dumbarton UMC in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. Dumbarton is a Reconciling congregation, working for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into the life and leadership of the United Methodist Church. 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
In honor of Chip Aldridge and his ministry
The Rev. William D. (Chip) Aldridge, Jr.
I declared myself as a Candidate for Ministry in the United Methodist Church when I was 16 -- it was not until I was 33 that I was actually ordained. It was a journey I followed diligently and with discernment. I take great joy in my corporate life at Dumbarton UMC and my home life with a partner of more than 15 years. And I find much fulfilling in my ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary. I am haunted by the question of where my ministry might have taken me, what I could have done for God and the UMC -- if there was not always an impending threat that could be used against me or the church-related institution in which I work.
My stole was made by three current students at the Wesley Theological Seminary. Purple -- in Mardi Gras traditions is the color for Justice (Gold for power and Green for faith). Purple is also the color in our church season of Lenten ""Preparation."" It has the logo for the Reconciling Congregation Program -- and acknowledges my ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary.
",2000,"This is one of thirteen stoles given to us by Dumbarton UMC in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. Dumbarton is a Reconciling congregation, working for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into the life and leadership of the United Methodist Church. Chip Aldridge, Director of Admissions at Wesley Theological Seminary, has been active in the Reconciling movement for many years, both locally and nationally.
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