RABBI JARED H. SAKS
TempleIsrael
Minneapolis, Minnesota
I am blessed to have grown up in a family that taught me to accept “all kinds, all colors,” as my father says. I am blessed to have grown up at TempleShalom in Succasunna, New Jersey where my Confirmation program included a lesson on accepting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Jews. I am blessed to have grown up in the Reform movement of Judaism towards the end of the 20th century when gay, lesbian, bisexual Jews have been able to have attended Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion at a time when the ordination of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Jews is a reality. I am blessed to serve as the Assistant Rabbi at TempleIsrael in Minneapolis, Minnesota where my homosexuality does not define my rabbinate, but rather enhances it. I am blessed to be honored by this tallit (Jewish prayer shawl) and what it represents. I am truly blessed.
",2007,"This tallit (prayer shawl) was given in conjunction with One Voice Mixed Chorus' ""Reclaiming Faith"" concerts in January, 2007.
David Lohman
Faith Work Coordinator
National Gay & Lesbian Task Force's Institute for Welcoming Resources
Home of the Shower of Stoles Project
2007
Aspen, Colorado
This stole is a gift from the Aspen Community United Methodist Church, Reverend Chuck Cram, Pastor. Several church members have signed in support of the project and in support of change.
",2007,"This stole was donated to us after they hosted an exhibit during Aspen Gay Ski Week, 2007.","United Methodist Church",,,"Ally,Colorado,Cram, Chuck,Methodist,Ordination,United Methodist Church",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1013,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1013,"Irene Zvonik",,,,,,,,,,,,,1085,"New York, New York (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Irene Zvonik","In Honor Of<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = ""urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"" />
IRENE ZVONIK
Presbyterian Church (<?xml:namespace prefix = ns0 ns = ""urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"" /><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = ""urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"" />USA)
New York City, New York
In honor of Irene Zvonik, March 17, 1924-August 19, 2003, New York City. Irene was a tireless leader and activist for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Presbyterians, working faithfully with Presbyterian Welcome to make change in the church she dearly loved. Irene dreamed that the doors of the Presbyterian Church (USA) would be opened before she passed from this earth and we work still on behalf of her dream. We miss her and know she is present with us still. This stole was dedicated in her memory at her memorial service held at West Park Presbyterian Church.
",2006,,"Presbyterian Church (USA)",,,"Clergy Activist,New York,New York City,Presbyterian,Presbyterian Church (USA),That All May Freely Serve (TAMFS),Zvonik, Irene",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1014,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1014,Anonymous,,,,,,,Anonymous,,,,,,1081,"Twin Cities, Minnesota (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Anonymous,"ANONYMOUS
Roman Catholic
Twin Cities, MN
This stole was created in honor of a two-spirit person who served for over 30 years in Twin Cities area churches ministering in the areas of music, liturgy, and pastoral ministry. After s/he was inadvertently outed to his/her pastor, the pastor no longer trusted him/her and recently terminated his/her employment. While this two-spirit person does not know what the future holds, we who have created this stole for him/her know that the beautiful spirit of this person will find a way to use his/her gifts in music and ministry to connect spiritually with other people.
",2006,"Given in conjunction with One Voice Mixed Chorus' ""Reclaiming Faith"" concerts in January, 2007.","Roman Catholic Church",,,"American Indian,Catholic,Minneapolis,Minnesota,Native American spirituality,Queer/non-conforming,Roman Catholic,St. Paul,Transgender activism","https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/055d68e267eb27b5d00642f4991b6159.jpg,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/f90a109ec7f5e8fa327311706c4a965b.jpg,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/aadf4b67190b1f1cd78f938af0c62df8.jpg",Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1015,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1015," Reconciling in Christ ELCA Congregations (Solidarity Stole)",,,,,,,,,,,,,1079,"Portland, Oregon (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Reconciling in Christ ELCA Congregations (Solidarity Stole)","RECONCILING IN CHRIST ELCA CONGREGATIONS Portland, Oregon This signature stole is given in the spirit of justice and advocacy for the ELCA. Members and friends of four Reconciling in Christ ELCA congregations in Portland have signed as a commitment to the role our Lord has for all GLBT who answer God’s call to serve as a shepherd to his flock.",2006,,"Evangelical Lutheran Church in America",,,"Ally,Evangelical Lutherans of America (ELCA),Lutheran,Ordination,Oregon",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1016,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1016,"Rev. Barbara Pescan",,,,,,,"Carol Nielsen",,,,,,1078,"Evanston, Illinois (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Rev. Barbara Pescan^^Rev. Ann Tyndall","REV. BARBARA PESCAN
REV. ANN TYNDALL
Unitarian Universalist
Evanston, IL
We have been extremely blessed in our ministries. From Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, California, to serving as co-senior ministers at the Unitarian Church of Evanston, more often than not we have been in the company of people who saw us as persons first.
Against that background, aspects of our being, such as being lesbians, were visible and received. Teachers, parishioners, colleagues and friends have encouraged us. Although our ministries were refused from time to time, even in the most glaring instance, homophobia was never the only factor in the decision. Other gay men and lesbian women pushed against institutional homophobia before us, so our way was smoothed considerably.
Were they allowed, the women and men behind the stoles in this exhibit could give so much to the world so in need of healing! We are daily grateful to Unitarian Universalist Association, congregations and our seminary for giving us opportunity after opportunity to serve.
Deepest gratitude to the Welcoming Congregation, Unitarian Church of Evanston for sending this beautiful stole to Shower of Stoles, and to Carol Nielsen who created it.
",2006,"This stole was dedicated and given to the project during a large exhibit of stoles at the Unitarian Church of Evanston.","Unitarian Universalist",,,"Clergy Activist,Illinois,Nielsen, Carol,Pescan, Barbara,Tyndall, Ann,Unitarian Universalist,Women and Religion",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1017,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1017,"Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville, NC (Solidarity Stole)",,,,,,,"Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville, NC",,,,,,1077,"Hendersonville, North Carolina (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville, NC (Solidarity Stole)","The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville, NC
A Welcoming Congregation
",2006,,"Unitarian Universalist",,,"Ally,North Carolina,Unitarian Universalist","https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/ca716be3d551e368d0a79e476739cc73.jpg,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/33558c229f5b54c96c9fb47f6ed92a9b.jpg,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/c7f594f5125781d98ecb4fc2759bca0d.jpg,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/7093b5f767eda73a6ba8db39cd905323.jpg,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/306c74e4fe37935e193b2c35029dc881.jpg",Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1018,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1018,"Marianne, Lynn, Kathleen, and Kirstie",,,,,,,"Kathleen Tillinghost",,,,,,1076,"Eureka, California (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Marianne, Lynn, Kathleen, and Kirstie","In honor of
MARIANNE, LYNN, KATHLEEN, AND KIRSTIE
Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church
Eureka, California
We present this stole in honor of the LGBT members of our church who were forced out of ministry when their orientation was known, and those unknown who left, feeling no longer at home there. They were loved and accepted only when closeted and silenced. They were active leaders in music, in liturgy, in education, and in Cursillo. They served as Eucharistic ministers, lectors, confirmation class leader, CCD director, study group and prayer group leaders and participants, music leaders, and choir members, and in almost every role in Cursillo teams.
Marianne, Lynn, Kathleen, and Kirstie –
We are sorry. We love you.
",2006,"Dear “Stole People”
(no longer Martha!)
I saw the Shower of Stoles at the United Methodist General Conference in Pittsburgh 2004.
Back home, some friends from church and I got together to make a stole for friends, church members, who had been fired and excluded.
The items sewn onto the stole were chosen or contributed by the four lesbian women involved. They also gave an OK to use their names, and contributed photos. We, their friends, discussed naming our church clearly and decided we wanted to and needed to.
The stole has been in each of our homes and displayed at a wedding for one of the couples.
Now it’s time to send it on. May their story touch hearts as mine was touched when I read – a few at a time – others’ stories in Pittsburgh.
Blessings on you and on GLBT work
Kathleen Tillinghost
","Roman Catholic Church",,,"California,Catholic,Cursillo,Pennsylvania,Roman Catholic,Tillinghost, Kathleen,Women and Religion",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1019,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1019,Erin,,,,,,,Erin,,,,,,1116,"Toledo, Ohio (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Erin,"ERIN
Roman Catholic
Toledo, OH
EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT,
LIMITED BY MY CHURCH
My journey to ministry in the Roman Catholic Church has been one of grace. I was not active in my church growing up. In college, I became active in Campus Ministry and it changed my life. I learned that God is love; that we are created in the image and likeness of God and therefore we have inherent dignity and worth.
Studying theology in graduate school and preparing to minister within my church was incredibly empowering. My course work opened my eyes to a whole new way of seeing the world. I was introduced to liberation theology and social justice. I knew that I was called to be a campus minister. Then, I came out, and discovered what the Roman Catholic Church teaches about ''homosexuals''. I realized that my relationship with my partner is considered ""intrinsically evil and objectively disordered"". I have yet to discover how that label helps me to know that I am created in the image of God and have inherent dignity and worth.
Serving in official church ministry, I quickly discovered the limitations placed on me as a lesbian in a covenant relationship. My ministry became a difficult and painful cross. I loved the work I knew as a campus minister. I was in a graced place to help students struggling to find their places in the world as people of faith. I love my Church, and its social justice theology. However, the deep sadness of not being able to be fully myself, not being able to allow the people to know me, was degrading. To constantly have to play the pronoun game, to deny my relationship with the woman that I love, who has taught me what God’s love is, and what God’s Grace is, was too much.
I have left the ministry that I love because I could no longer stand living in constant dichotomy. I remain active in ministry outside the bounds of denominational politics and control. I am Empowered by the Spirit. I have answered my call. It is my church’s choice not to value the gifts of LGBT community brings to ministry, but I will stay faithful to the Spirit who calls.
",2007,"
This stole was blessed and given to the Project at a special ecumenical worship service on November 4, 2007 in Toledo, OH.
David Lohman
Faith Work Coordinator
National Gay & Lesbian Task Force's Institute for Welcoming Resources
Home of the Shower of Stoles Project
2007
REV. MR. JAMES DENNIS BONAVENTURE CUMMINGS, MA, M.Div.
Roman Catholic
Lynwood, CA
A green priestly stole of Ordinary Time was donated on my behalf by the San Fernando Valley, CA, local chapter of Dignity USA. As an ordained Roman Catholic deacon, I contribute to the liturgical life of this community by assisting at Mass, cantoring, and presiding over prayer services, as well as volunteering for other events. It is through their sponsorship and encouragement that I am participating in the Shower of Stoles. As a personal symbol, the star pattern on my stole is similar to a design I used to decorate my confirmation stole (Bonaventure is my confirmation name). Frogs and toads are my personal totem. The stole reflects a chapter dedication to creation spirituality, the Green Man, and the annual celebration of Earth Day.
I first thought about a vocation to the priesthood in second grade, in between paramedic and lawyer, or maybe between police officer and doctor. I gave it more serious consideration in 1987 after I finished my undergraduate degree at UC Santa Cruz, and came back home after college. As part of the process of applying to seminary, I had the unfortunate occasion of being interviewed by Joseph Nicolosi (the founder of NARTH), who at that time was still approved by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to screen candidates. He came to the conclusion that I had chosen priesthood as a way to avoid confronting my homosexuality and that I should enter into therapy with him in order to be cured of my affliction. At that point in my life I considered myself ""bisexual"" and was fearful of the labels ""homosexual"" or ""gay."" I knew nothing of Nicolosi nor his bigoted views or skewed philosophy, but I did know I did not want to enter into therapy with this slimy man who used the occasion of an archdiocese psychological assessment to attempt to increase his own private practice. However, as a result of his remarks in the report, I began mandated psychotherapy with a variety of clinicians that continued on and off throughout my time with the archdiocese.
For the most part I thoroughly enjoyed my seminary and field study experiences through St. John's Seminary in Camarillo, CA. My parish internship was at St. Finbar Catholic Community in Burbank, CA. It was not until my final evaluation after four and a half years of theological study that the seminary faculty raised any concerns about my worthiness as a candidate for priesthood. I was not ordained to the transitional deaconate with my classmates, but instead was postponed a few months and then afforded a special ceremony. On June 29, 1993, the solemn feast day of Saints Peter and Paul, I was ordained in my home parish of St. John Fisher in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, the same church in which I have received all my other sacraments. As a founding member of the parish (in 1961), my mother was particularly thrilled that mine was the first ordination ceremony to be performed within the church building. I was assigned for six months to St. James in Redondo Beach, CA, and for another six months at St. Rose of Lima in Simi Valley, CA. I served as a deacon for four years as my priestly vocation continued to be questioned and ordination postponed. Throughout that time I led Bible Study and facilitated small group work. I was hired by the parish of St. Francis de Sales in Sherman Oaks, CA (an ""unofficial"" assignment), and coordinated adult education and the high school confirmation program for a couple of years. After an official placement in Holy Spirit parish in Mid-City Los Angeles, an ordination ceremony was finally scheduled for July 25, 1997, the feast day of St. James the Greater. It was cancelled at the last minute when the Cardinal Archbishop decided that he would not ordain an openly gay man to the priesthood. In my ten year pursuit, I went from being ""bisexual,"" to fully claiming my homosexuality. My transitional deaconate has turned into a permanent one. To date in 2007 after another ten years, I have not sought priestly ordination through any other avenue.
",2008,"This stole was donated by the San Fernando Valley Chapter of Dignity USA.","Roman Catholic Church",,,"California,Catholic,Church Trials,Cummings, James,Dignity,Ordination,Roman Catholic,Theology",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1021,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1021,"Rev. Julie Flowers",,,,,,,"First Baptist Church of Beverly",,,,,,1119,"Beverly, Massachusetts (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Rev. Julie Flowers","REV. JULIE FLOWERS
American Baptist
Beverly, MA
Signed at Rev. Flowers’
ordination at First Baptist
Church of Beverly
January 27, 2008
",2008,,"American Baptist/USA",,,"American Baptist/USA,Baptist,Flowers, Julie,Massachusetts,Ordination,Women and Religion",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1022,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1022,"Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference (Signature Stole)",,,,,,,"Jean Peters",,,,,,1118," Illinois (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Signature Stole (Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference)","ILLINOIS GREAT RIVERS ANNUAL CONFERENCE
United Methodist Church
Words of Hope from The Lion King:
""Simba, let me tell you something that my father told me. Look at the stars. The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars. So whenever you feel alone, just remember that those kings will always be there to guide you - and so will 1.""
How we need our community to support us!
This stole represents the thousands of witnesses to the fully inclusive church – those who currently are working for full inclusion and those who have gone before us.
With each signature, we reflect the light from the stars, answering, sometimes awkwardly, and sometimes clearly, the love we have for each who has had to make a choice – stay or leave.
And for those who had no choice – those who were asked to leave – the love we have for the courage it took to try to make a difference.
When you look up at the stars, try to remember the ones who are no longer with us, those whom God called to minister to the church.
May we find hope in messages written on this stole that they will tell of the support and the hope we have that one day the United Methodist Church will truly live the message of Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.
And so it is.
Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference
June 2008
Meredith Bischoff
Community of Christ
Chino Hills, CA
I was born and raised in the church, and have always been active, when called to the priesthood I was glad to serve. I am now a co-pastor of a welcoming and affirming Community of Christ congregation and an activist in the Welcoming Church Movement. It is my answer to God’s call to serve. Most people in my congregation know I am bisexual, some still do not. Most church members I know outside my congregation are unaware. When we include sexual orientation and gender identity in our liturgy, I feel included and loved by God.
",2008,,"Community of Christ (formerly RLDS)",,,"Bischoff, Meredith,Bisexual activism,California,Community of Christ,Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,Theology,Women and Religion",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1024,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1024,"Allen Hose",,,,,,,"Meredith Bischoff",,,,,,1121,"Long Beach, California (United States)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Allen Hose","Allen Hose
Community of Christ
Long Beach, CA
Now that I am 57 years old, I have come to a realization about life in general. I used to think that people had to think, act, and even in some ways look the same, and that even one church was preferred over another. But in the reality of life, and what I now believe, we are not the same nor should we be the same. For it is in those differences that makes each one of us unique; whether straight or gay, male or female, black or white, Christian or Muslim, rich or poor, or any other label that humanity tries to put on us, we are all important to the human link of (and yes, even animal) existence. If whatever Deity (or not) one believes in, what matters most is how we treat each other, and that is why there are so many differences in humankind. If it were not so, we would all be sheep!
While a member of the Mormon Church, Allen was called to the office of elder and served faithfully in his ward and at the Los Angeles Temple until he was excommunicated for being gay in 1979. Allen is now a member of Basileia: An Open Door Community of Christ.
",2008,,"Community of Christ (formerly RLDS)",,,"California,Church Trials,Community of Christ,Hose, Allen,Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,Theology",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1025,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1025,"Brian Sadler",,,,,,,"Meredith Bischoff",,,,,,1122,"Unknown, (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Brian Sadler","Brian Sadler
Community of Christ
They say that I am unique and that mine is an important story that needs to be told. That it would be simple to put it into writing. That has not been my experience as I have struggled with this request.
What makes it extra hard for me is knowing that I am not unique or euphonious. It is a story that has, sad to say, been repeated by many others before, much more eloquently.
It is easy to pass as fitting-in, being part of a church, crowd, or groups, but being out and being the “other” in the society at large is an eye-opening experience that somehow transcends words. Becoming aware of how different and unimportant I am to the church, suddenly I feel invisible.
I find myself becoming “hetero-phobic” (irrationally fearful of heterosexuals).
It hurts so deep that I am not sure I can get beyond it.
Brian was called to the office of Teach in the Community of Christ in 1989 and served in his home congregation until he stopped attending.
",2008,,"Community of Christ (formerly RLDS)",,,"Bischoff, Meredith,Community of Christ,Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,Sadler, Brian,United States",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1026,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1026,"Anonymous Members of the Class of 2009 (Candler School of Theology)",,,,,,,"Sarah Werner",,,,,,1123,"Atlanta, Georgia (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Anonymous Members of the Class of 2009 (Candler School of Theology)","Anonymous Members of the Class of 2009
Candler School of Theology, Emory University
Atlanta, GA
This stole has been donated by the members of Sacred Worth at Candler School of Theology in honor of LGBT students who graduated in 2009 and who have been silenced in ministry because of their sexual orientation. We honor their gifts for ministry and pray for illumination for the leaders of their faith communities.
",2009,,Ecumenical,,,"Atlanta,Ecumenical,Georgia,Ordination,Werner, Sarah",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1027,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1027,"Anonymous Members of the Class of 2010 (Candler School of Theology)",,,,,,,"Sarah Werner",,,,,,1124,"Atlanta, Georgia (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Anonymous Members of the Class of 2010 (Candler School of Theology)","Anonymous Members of the Class of 2010
Candler School of Theology, Emory University
Atlanta, GA
This stole has been donated by the members of Sacred Worth at Candler School of Theology in honor of LGBT students who graduated in 2010 and who have been silenced in ministry because of their sexual orientation. We honor their gifts for ministry and pray for illumination for the leaders of their faith communities.
",2010,,Ecumenical,,,"Atlanta,Ecumenical,Georgia,Ordination,Werner, Sarah",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1028,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1028,"William J. Freeman",,,,,,,"Rev. Dr. June Goudey",,,,,,1125,"Simi Valley, California (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"William J. Freeman","William J. Freeman
Roman Catholic
William J. Freeman, a Catholic deacon, participated in the ordination of Rev. Dr. June Goudey, December 9, 1979 at the United Church of Christ in Lynnfield, MA. His gift to her that day was this stole, which he could no longer wear, as he was leaving the church. He wrote the following Call to Worship for that
service of ordination:
We live in confusing and threatening times. We hear the voices of those who speak of a world in which deceit, injustice, and exploitation are as constant as the darkness of night. We hear the voices of those who profess a bleak perspective – empowered by political systems – where people are defined as: at the very least dispensable, often worthless, and at the worst inconsequential. We hear within ourselves voices that tempt us to believe that we are imprisoned by an inner world of personal insecurities, biting loneliness, and a thousand unnamed anxieties.
But what we do today is an act of defiance.
We say “no” to these voices. For we assemble, as a community of faith, to acknowledge and remind each other that the message of hope does lives and grow in our times.
We say “no” to these voices as we proclaim the Light which chases away all shadows. We trust in the One who bursts open the shackles of pain, ambiguity, limitation, and even death.
We say “yes” to God’s continued presence in our lives – presence which reigns victorious over deceit, injustice, and exploitation.
We say “yes” as we give witness to the Ordination of you, June, that you may be enabled to bind the broken, encourage the weak, and heal those in pain.
We pray that the One who shines eternal will empower you with the brilliance of a New England Lighthouse that beacons weary sailors to the safety of her shores and guides refreshed navigators along uncharted courses.
",2010,,"Roman Catholic Church",,,"California,Catholic,Clergy Activist,Freeman, William J.,Goudey, June,Ordination,Roman Catholic,Theology",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1029,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1029,"Rev. Christopher Ian George",,,,,,,,,,,,,1127,"Acapulco, Mexico",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Rev. Christopher Ian George","Rev. Christopher Ian George
1949-2009
Metropolitan Community Church
Rev. Christopher George was a man of God with a welcoming spirit and a heart of compassion. Christopher’s spiritual journey began in the Church of England, where he grew up. In his early twenties, he immigrated to Canada where he met is life partner of 35 years, Gordon Allsopp. Christopher experiences a call to ordained ministry and began to explore his call with the Anglican Church of Canada. He discovered they were unable to incorporate his spirituality and sexuality with the same level of comfort that Christopher had, and this left him feeling unable to follow God’s call on his life.
In the late eighties, Christopher and Gordon began attending MCC Winnipeg where they were joined in Holy Union. This began Christopher’s journey with MCC and again stirred his call to ministry. In 2000, he was ordained at MCC Lubbock, TX by Rev. Elder Troy Perry, the found of Metropolitan Community Churches. Christopher served as Associate Pastor of MCC Lubbock and as Senior Pastor of Victory Garden MCC in Clovis, NM. MCC provided him the opportunity to live out his faith as an openly gay man, and fulfill the lifelong call of God in his heart.
This stole was made for Christopher by his sister-in-law, and represents his firm belief in a God who loves all people unconditionally and who binds us together with the grace and peace of Christ.
",2010,"This stole was donated to the collection during Metropolitan Community Churches' General Conference in Acapulco, Mexico in June, 2010.","Metropolitan Community Church",,,"Ally,MCC",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1030,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1030,"Rev. Bob Jones",,,,,,,"Rev. Gordon McCoy",,,,,,1126,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Rev. Bob Jones^^Rev. Paul Whiting","Rev. Bob Jones
Rev. Paul Whiting
Metropolitan Community Church
I inherited this bandanna stole from my close friend, Rev. Bob Jones, who died of AIDS in August, 1992. Bob was raised in the United Methodist Church in Kansas, where, in the mid-seventies, he had a same-sex relationship blessing. Shortly after the ceremony, the bishop found out and Bob and his partner were asked to leave the church. In 1978 Bob was licensed as clergy in the Metropolitan Community Church. He moved to Liverpool, England in 1988 where he served the MCC congregation until his death.
I was raised in the Pentecostal Assemblies in Britain. After attending Mattersey Bible College, I began pastoral ministry and was licensed by the Assemblies of God in 1980. The following year I was outed and ousted. After spending several years exploring a vocation in the Anglican Church, I joined Metropolitan Community Church and in 1988 because transfer clergy. My ordination was affirmed by MCC in 1996 upon moving to the USA. I have served MCC congregations in Manchester, England, Des Moines, IA, Gainesville, FL, West Palm Beach, FL, and most recently, London, Ontario.
– Rev. Paul Whiting
",2010,"This stole was donated to the collection during Metropolitan Community Churches' General Conference in Acapulco, Mexico in June, 2010.