Rev. Richard Rossiter
My name is Richard Rossiter, and I am a former United Methodist pastor who served congregations for sixteen years in the Colorado and West Michigan Annual Conferences. I chose to relinquish my credentials on February 4, 1996. After serving nearly three years as an openly gay United Methodist Pastor in Coloma, Michigan, I needed to ""let go"" of my childhood church in love. The United Methodist Church would not honor my blessed relationship. During those difficult days, it felt like I continued to be part of an abusive relationship… it was time to let go and live authentically with myself, my life-partner and God.
Today, I have reaffirmed my ordination with the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC) and am serving again as pastor! My spiritual gifts and talents are being used in a denomination that affirms and celebrates my gay soul and my relationship. What a blessing UFMCC is to the world!
Today is the fourth anniversary of my choice to relinquish my United Methodist ordination. How appropriate that on this day I would write this letter and send this stole. I rejoice in the mystery of it all and pray often for the United Methodist Church.
I live with my life-partner, the Rev. Perry Wiggins in Oak Park, Illinois. He and my children, Elizabeth and Matthew Rossiter, continue to be precious gifts to me.
",2000,"Richard Rossiter and his partner, Perry Wiggins, were both ordained United Methodist ministers. Richard relinquished his ordination in 1996, and now serves as a pastor in the Metropolitan Community Church. In a poignant note, Richard mentions that this stole was made on the fourth anniversary of his relinquishing his ordination -- clearly this was the UMC's loss and the MCC's gain! In addition to his own stole, a Signature Stole honoring Richard was donated by Coloma, MI United Methodist Church, the last United Methodist church that Richard served (#635). Perry, who also gave a stole to the collection (#510), is attempting to retain his ordination in the UMC as retired clergy.
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
","United Methodist Church^^Metropolitan Community Church",,,"Clergy Activist,Illinois,MCC,Methodist,Ordination,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),Rossiter, Richard,Theology,United Methodist Church,Wiggins, Perry",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 892,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/892,"Perry Wiggins",,,,,,,"Perry Wiggins",,,,,,510,"Oak Park, Illinois (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Perry Wiggins","Perry Wiggins
This stole was contributed by Perry Wiggins, a United Methodist pastor who took an early retirement in 1998. Perry served for twenty-five years in local churches, on a district staff, as a hospital and hospice chaplain, and in social service agencies. Despite deep roots in the denomination including a grandfather and great-grandfather who were Methodist preachers, Perry decided that he could no longer serve with integrity as an active United Methodist clergy person and a gay man. He hopes the ""retired relationship"" will allow him to relate to the denomination (or not relate to it!) on his own terms rather than the church's. This stole was made for him by his mother, Jane Wiggins, in 1971, the year he was ordained a deacon and served during the summer as a ""minister in training"" at his home church, First UMC in Redlands, California. Perry and his life partner, the Rev. Rich Rossiter, live in Oak Park, Illinois.
",2000,"Perry Wiggins and his partner, Richard Rossiter, were both ordained United Methodist ministers. Perry is attempting to retain his ordination as retired clergy. Richard, who relinquished his ordination in 1996, also gave a stole to the collection (#511). He is now a pastor in the Metropolitan Community Church. In addition, a Signature Stole honoring Richard was donated by Coloma, MI United Methodist Church, the last United Methodist congregation that Richard served (#635).
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
","United Methodist Church",,,"Clergy Activist,Illinois,Methodist,Ordination,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),Rossiter, Richard,Theology,United Methodist Church,Wiggins, Perry",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 891,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/891,"Anonymous (""To the family of Jesus Christ: If by chance you are reading this letter..."")",,,,,,,Anonymous,,,,,,509,"Unknown, (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Anonymous (""To the family of Jesus Christ: If by chance you are reading this letter..."")","ANONYMOUS
To the family of Jesus Christ: If by chance you are reading this letter, I want to thank you for your courage to be here and to read these words. What ever it is that has brought you here, I ask a special blessing upon you. As Peter followed Christ, Christ has brought you here. It will be your choice to choose how to respond.
First, regardless of your own sexual orientation, being gay is not the worst thing that can happen to you. For myself, it has not been the curse I was taught it to be. Not everyone that is gay has HIV or AIDS. The gay community is a diverse community within itself. For myself, it has been a blessing that has opened many more doors than I ever thought possible. While some doors have been closed, I have been blessed with the most loving and kind people I could ever have hope to have met or have known.
Second, while my orientation was not a choice, it was my choice to choose how to respond. I could have chosen to lie. But I decided to practice what I was preaching. I made the choice to embrace what God created and I decided to love.
As our culture continues to open up and accept homosexuality, the lack of inclusiveness, openness and integrity of the church will continue to fall into question. As Jesus said himself, ""What so ever you do to the least of each other, so you do unto me,"" can be seen as an indictment against how the church is responding to this issue.
As a minority group, the gay, lesbian, transsexual and transgendered community will never become a dominant force within any particular denomination. It is not a question of forcing an agenda or converting people to a different lifestyle. It is about being inclusive and opening doors to everyone and allowing everyone to have a voice to speak. It is about opening all biblical texts and being open to all images of God that are contained in scripture, not just the ones we like or embody what we want to believe. It is about practicing the family values of love, trust, honesty, and dignity of all people.
It is no accident that the gay community chooses the rainbow as a symbol and sign of our community. As the rainbow was a covenant between God and humanity, it has become a sign of inclusiveness for all. We may not be able to choose our orientation, but we do have the choice to choose between love and hate, to support or tear down. We can become victims of our own bigotry or we can open our hearts, minds and souls to a loving God that works through many people of all types, shapes, colors and sexual orientations.
God has indeed given us a choice. I for one, choose to love.
",2000,"This anonymous stole, with its thoughtful, provocative ""open letter,"" 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
Karin Lamberson
Newport, Oregon
I grew up in the Trinity United Methodist Church in Toledo, Oregon, nestled in the lush forests of the Coast Range. I have always been active in church activities, such as Sunday School, choir, food share, Christmas pageants, youth group and especially camp. As soon as I was old enough, I went to summer camp at Suttle Lake (near Sisters, Oregon) and from there I was hooked. Throughout the years, I have participated in camps as a camper, counselor, and summer staff member. I have a feeling that camp will always be a big part of my faith journey and personal ministry.
I am now 20, and about a year ago I came out to myself, and then to some of my friends and family, as a bisexual person. Although I am not out publicly to my home congregation, several of the members know about me. It hurts me that under the current rules of the United Methodist Church, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people cannot be ordained. I hope that through discussion and prayer, we can change this injustice for the good of all.
My younger sister, Julie, has been one of my biggest allies in my coming out journey. Since she is a much more accomplished seamstress than myself, I requested her assistance in making this stole. It's not that good, I know, but it gives me great pride to look at the stole, constructed of scraps I found in my house, and think that I made it.
",2000,"This stole was given to us in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. Karin is one of several United Methodists women who made this a ""family affair,"" enlisting the help of a sister to make their stole. 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,Bisexual activism,Lamberson, Karin,Methodist,Ordination,Oregon,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),United Methodist Church,Women and Religion",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 889,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/889,"Kevin Johnson",,,,,,,"John and Ginny Kruse",,,,,,505,"Unknown, (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Kevin Johnson","In Honor of
Kevin Johnson
From John and Ginny Kruse
Kevin was a United Methodist pastor who was ""outed"" by a member of his congregation and subsequently removed from membership in the Wisconsin Annual Conference despite exceptional gifts for ministry.
We knew Kevin when he was in Middle School.
",2000,"This is one of two stoles donated by John and Ginny Kruse in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. (See stole #504) 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
Click here to read a biographic profile of Rev. Kevin Johnson in the LGBTQ Religious Archives Network's Profile Gallery.
From John and Ginny Kruse
Parents of two daughters who are lesbian and in healthy and supportive Holy Unions. Since the recent Judicial Council decisions we feel we can no longer participate in a United Methodist congregation. John maintains his membership in the Annual Conference and will officiate for Holy Union services.
",2000,"John and Ginny Kruse donated this stole to honor their two lesbian daughters. Even though John is an ordained United Methodist Pastor, the UMC has lost the active participation of this entire family because of its discriminatory practices. However, John and Ginny continue to provide strong support to the Reconciling Ministries Network, a national organization working to create a United Methodist Church that is welcoming of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
This is one of two stoles donated by John and Ginny Kruse in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. (See stole #505) 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
PERRY R. (RICK) NEWBURY
ORDAINED ELDER
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Illinois Great Rivers Conference
Rick is an ordained elder of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference (formerly Southern Illinois). He served most of his ministry as a missionary teacher and pastor in the Red Bird Missionary Conference in Appalachia. At the age of 44, in early 1993, Rick came out as a gay man. At the time he was Superintendent of the Red Bird Missionary Conference. His bishop in Illinois refused to continue to appoint him and told him to surrender his ministerial credentials. Rick refused. He was finally allowed to ""retire"" under the provisions of the Discipline's 20-year rule. However, he continues to serve as a missionary under the General Board of Global Ministries. He presently teaches at an inner-city high school in Chicago.
",1999,"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
","United Methodist Church",,,"Chicago,Church Trials,Clergy Activist,Dell, Jade,Illinois,Methodist,Newbury, Perry R.,Ordination,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),United Methodist Church",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 886,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/886,"Anonymous (Donated by Laurie Clark)",,,,,,,"Rev. Laurie Clark",,,,,,493,"Unknown, (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Anonymous (Donated by Laurie Clark)","ANONYMOUS
From Rev. Laurie Clark
These two stoles honor two ministers.
Two of the most important, most faithful United Methodist ministers in my life are also gay men. I am thankful for their caring, wisdom, preaching, teaching, and prayers that have shaped my life in Christ.
I look forward to the day when these two ministers can be who they are, and wear their ordination openly.
",1999,"This is one of two stoles given to us by Rev. Laurie Clark in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. (See also stole #492)
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
JONATHAN JAMES VIGNE
Colorado
From Jean Vigne
I am sending the much used communion stole of my late husband, Pastor Bill Vigne (William G. Vigne, Troy Conference, UMC) in honor of our gay son, Jonathan, who had hoped to follow in his father's footsteps. On my advice he decided not to go to seminary. He ministers everyday as a teacher of the deaf at the Colorado School for the Deaf in Colorado Springs.
",1999,"The brief narrative on this stole barely begins to tell the story of a young man who embraced the faith of his parents and whose father inspired him to consider the ministry. Knowing, however, that her son would face a world of pain and rejection from the United Methodist Church that he hoped to serve, his mother encouraged him to offer his gifts in the service of those who would embrace him. No son or daughter should have to face this kind of discrimination; no mother should feel such urgency to protect their child from the church!
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
","United Methodist Church",,,"Ally,Colorado,Methodist,Ordination,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),Theology,United Methodist Church,Vigne, Jonathan James",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 884,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/884,"Anonymous (United Methodist Elder, California)",,,,,,,Anonymous,,,,,,484,"Withheld, California (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Anonymous (United Methodist Elder, California)","AnonymousThis intricately cross-stitched 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
LOUISE (WEZE) DAVIS
1982
Local Pastor, South Indiana
1984-87
Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary
1985-87
Student Pastor
1987-1990
Deacon, South Indiana
1990-1996
Left Church Completely
1996-98
Church Member
1998-99
Christian Educator -- Conference Grant
1999
Church Member
Desire Church Position
But the Church is not open to ALL of me
2000
???
This was one of the earliest United Methodist stoles included in the Shower of Stoles collection. 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
TIM TENNANT-JAYNE
I received my Master of Divinity degree in 1980 from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, OH. I was ordained an Elder in 1982 in the Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church.
In 1985 I went on leave of absence as I came out as a gay man and moved to Minneapolis, MN. Then in 1992 I was place on administrative location with Iowa.
Since then I've earned a Master of Arts in Religious Leadership in 1995 from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, New Brighton, Minnesota. I have now begun my own ministry of friendship to the male prostitutes in the Loring Park area, called Legends Street Ministry. The call doesn't end just because the organization doesn't want you.
This Pentecost stole was designed by me and made by my ex-wife and myself. I wore it at my ordination. In the photo, I'm in the back row, second from the left; the one in white in a sea of black. Perhaps even then I should have known that a normal life was not for me…
",1998,"Tim Tennant-Jayne's stole was among the first United Methodist stoles donated to the Shower of Stoles collection. The picture attached to the stole is a photograph of the class ordained as Elders by the Iowa Conference in 1982. Everyone in the photo is wearing a black pulpit robe except for Tim, who is garbed in white. Tim tells me that the Bishop took exception to his choice of color; from that point on ordinands were required to wear black robes.
Although Tim has not served in an official capacity with the United Methodist Church for over twenty years, he has carved out an important ministry on the streets of Minneapolis, working with those who are routinely overlooked and unwelcome in the church.
Martha Juillerat
Founder, Shower of Stoles Project
2006
","United Methodist Church",,,"Clergy Activist,Methodist,Minneapolis,Minnesota,Tennant-Jayne, Tim,Theology,United Methodist Church",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 881,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/881,"David R. Holmes",,,,,,,"Rev. David R. Holmes",,,,,,477,"Council Bluffs, Iowa (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"David R. Holmes","Worn by a child of God baptized, confirmed and ordained in the United Methodist Church. Though saddened to take disability leave in 1993, at least I no longer had to live a dishonest life and suffer such inner turmoil.
I was often told in the churches I served over 25 years, ""David, you were born to preach."" True… and I was also born gay! Will I ever be allowed to serve openly the church I have known and loved all my life?
Rev. David R. Holmes
Council Bluffs, Iowa
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
Common Pain,
Common Hope
The 8th Annual National Conference hosted by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Allied Seminarians
March 19-21-1999
Chicago, Illinois
The Chicago Theological Seminary and Meadville/Lombard Theological School
",1999,"""Called Out"" was a gathering of LGBT seminarians that met for many years in Chicago either at McCormick Theological Seminary or CTS. Although students from all over the U.S. and from many denominations came to the conference, it tended to attract large numbers of Presbyterian seminarians from the central third of the country. This was due in part to strong Presbyterian leadership over the years, especially Marilyn Nash, who contributed countless hours of organizational work and creative worship design to the conference. (Marilyn Nash's story can be found under her stole entry, #396.)
Martha Juillerat
Founder, Shower of Stoles Project
2006
My name is Tracy Smith and I earned my M.Div. From Boston University School of Theology in 1984. I grew up in the United Methodist church and was very active in the youth and camp programs throughout my junior and senior high years of school. I felt called to ministry during those years, preparing myself by first attending a Christian college for four years.
I realized I was a lesbian my last year of college. I continued with my plans of theology school not knowing really what this would mean for my career. The pastor of my church where I sought to be ""in care"" found out that I was a lesbian at the end of my first year at BUSTH. I was outed by another student in the same conference. My pastor said he would make it his mission to see to it that I never ministered in a church. He was a member of the Board of Ordained Ministers in the Michigan Eastern conference. He stuck by his word and was successful in keeping me out of ordained ministry in the United Methodist denomination. I was offered the opportunity to write a statement that I believed homosexuality was wrong, not keeping with Christian teaching, and that I would remain celibate. If only I would sign…
I did not sign a statement. There were many years of struggle, being lost, and in the end being found. I have a successful private practice in psychotherapy where I work with gay, lesbian and heterosexual people. I am truly honored that I am allowed to journey with people during some of the most significant times of their lives. I am able to fulfill my call to ministry in my work. What is of God will prevail if we continue to be faithful!
Besides my practice of 11 years, I am the Minister of Outreach at Euclid Ave. UMC in Oak Park, IL. During this time of turmoil Euclid made a bold statement in creating a position to reach out to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. My heart aches during communion because I know that even with the taking of this position it does not change the reality that I can not administer the sacraments. Until something radical changes, I will not be ordained. The beautiful stole you view will never be mine to wear.
I am blessed with a partner of 15 years. Together we have created a family, a 3 year old daughter and a 16 month old daughter who we have adopted internationally. My partner is out of the country as I write this to bring our youngest daughter home! Life is full! People and politics have not always been good to me but I can say that God is good and has been good to me.
",1999,"This stole was given to us in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. The United Methodist Church has turned away a treasure in denying Tracy Smith the opportunity to pursue her call to ordained ministry. Fortunately, Euclid Ave. Church recognized Tracy's abundant gifts and made a place for her on their staff.
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,Illinois,Methodist,Ordination,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),Smith, Tracy,United Methodist Church,Women and Religion",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 878,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/878,"Anonymous (Ordained Lesbian Pastor, Baltimore-Washington Conference, UMC)",,,,,,,Withheld,,,,,,467,"Withheld, (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Anonymous (Ordained Lesbian Pastor, Baltimore-Washington Conference, UMC)","Ordained Lesbian Pastor, Closeted,
Baltimore-Washington Conference
United Methodist Church
Born and nurtured in the United Methodist Church, I have endured cruel and unusual treatment from the leadership and lay persons in the church who opposed women pastors. I daily experience the oppression of the church that I love and from whom I learned the lifestyle of living inclusively on behalf of all persons regardless of race, gender, national origin or sexual orientation. Let us move beyond the law and live as Paul taught, as free persons, and as Jesus taught and lived, with the law of love in our hearts!
",1999,"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
Dedicated by K.E. Butler, called to ministry in the PCUSA, a student at McCormick Seminary. Lesbian, bipolar, suffering in mind and spirit. I gift this stole, as I will most likely never wear one, to those of the dream -- and the conviction for justice.
Ich Glaube an Alles noch nie Gesagte
I believe in all that has never yet been spoken.
I want to free all that waits within me
so that what no one has dared to wish for
may for once spring clear
without my contriving.
If this is arrogance, God, forgive me,
but this is what I need to say.
May what I do flow from me like a river,
no forcing and no holding back,
the way it is with children.
When in these swelling and ebbing currents,
these deepening tides moving out, returning, I will sing you as no one ever has,
streaming through widening channels
into the open sea.
Rainer Maria Rilke
",2003,"This stole was donated during a display at McCormick Seminary in 2003. The display was sponsored by ""Acts 10:15"", an LGBT student group at McCormick. Acts 10:15 is also a Student Chapter of More Light Presbyterians. The donor is an extraordinarily bright young woman who carries the double burden of bipolar disease and the church's discriminatory practices against LGBT people, the combination of which she knows will undoubtedly prevent her from being ordained.
Martha Juillerat
Founder, Shower of Stoles Project
2006
Marvelous are your works!!!!!!
Psalm 139:14
Elder Chris Paige
I PRAISE YOU!!!!!!
For I am wonderfully and fearfully made.
For it was you who formed my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you! For I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Marvelous are your works!
Oh, how well my soul knows that fact!
My body was no mystery to you, when I was made in secret, and intricately woven in the depths of the earth…
Psalm 139:13-15
This stole honoring Chris Paige, an ordained Elder, is one of twelve stoles given to the Shower of Stoles collection by Tabernacle United Church in Philadelphia. All twelve stoles are similar in size and style. The three signature stoles are white and the nine individual stoles are purple; most have matching pastel flannel binding on the ends of the panels.
Tabernacle United Church, United Church of Christ and Presbyterian union church located adjacent to the University of Pennsylvania campus, has a long history of activism, from its community organizing and support of a school for Black children in the mid-1800's to its more recent history of sanctuary in support of Central American refugees, peace activism, and outspoken advocacy on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. Tabernacle is both a More Light and Open and Affirming congregation, working for the full inclusion of LGBT people in the life and leadership of the church.
Martha Juillerat
Founder, Shower of Stoles Project
2006
Click here to read Chris Paige's biographic profile in the LGBTQ Religious Archives Network's Profiles Gallery.
This stole is dedicated to women who have lost jobs in churches because of sexual orientation
Beccie Bruckner
Dedicated in a service of worship at McCormick Theological Seminary
Chicago, Illinois
January 14, 1998
This is one of several stoles donated in 1998 by students at McCormick Theological Seminary.
Martha Juillerat
Founder, Shower of Stoles Project
2006
First Pres. Church
Albany, NY
(Note: A “signature stole” is one that is covered with the signatures of both gay and straight members of a congregation, denominational governing body, or other organization. These stoles serve the dual purpose of showing support for LGBT persons, while also protecting their anonymity by including their names as ""one among many"".)
This stole was donated together with matching stoles from Union College in Schenectady, NY and First United Presbyterian Church of Troy, NY. First Albany is a More Light church, working for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into the life and leadership of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Martha Juillerat
Founder, Shower of Stoles Project
2006