ANONYMOUS
Honoring a United Methodist probationary member becoming an elder who is committed to celibacy.
",2000,"This is one of three stoles (#576, 577, 578) given to us by Laura Wilson 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
ANONYMOUS
Honoring a United Methodist probationary member who is being discontinued (SA&P)
",2000,"This is one of three stoles (#576, 577, 578) given to us by Laura Wilson in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. (We have no other information about this anonymous person, and are unsure what the reference to ""SA&P"" means.) 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
ANONYMOUS
Honoring a United Methodist full-member elder colleague who took honorable location.
",,"This stole was given to us in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. (""Honorable location"" refers to the status of a minister who has not been appointed to a specific ministry by his or her Annual Conference.) 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
",,,,"Methodist,United Methodist Church,United States",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 911,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/911,"Signature Stole (Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church, Oak Park IL)",,,,,,,"Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church",,,,,,572,"Oak Park, Illinois (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Signature Stole (Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church, Oak Park IL)","(No narrative, signatures only)",2000,"This stole was given to us in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. (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,Illinois,Methodist,Ordination,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),United Methodist Church",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 910,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/910,"Anonymous (A lesbian couple, both United Methodist pastors in the Western Jurisdiction)",,,,,,,Anonymous,,,,,,571,"Unknown, (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Anonymous (A lesbian couple, both United Methodist pastors in the Western Jurisdiction)","ANONYMOUS
This stole is given anonymously by a lesbian couple currently serving as pastors in two United Methodist churches in the Western Jurisdiction. We met in seminary and finally recognized the love we share. Together, we are in ministry as God has called us. We pray that we will be able to share our love and our calling openly and not be forced to leave ordained ministry in order to remain in relationship. We give the stole with the hope that someday we will be able to end our silent witness and celebrate God's inclusive love publicly.
",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
Sandra Smith
Master of Divinity
Emory University
Given by Jan Curran
Master of Divinity
Emory University
Currently Chaplain at
Mountain Area Hospice
Asheville, North Carolina
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,Curran, Jan,Methodist,Ordination,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),Smith, Sandra,United Methodist Church,United States,Women and Religion",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 908,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/908,"Anonymous (United Methodist minister, underemployed as an 'out' lesbian, returned to the 'closet' to pursue an appointment)",,,,,,,Anonymous,,,,,,566,"Unknown, (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Anonymous (United Methodist minister, underemployed as an 'out' lesbian, returned to the 'closet' to pursue an appointment)","ANONYMOUS
I was ordained deacon in 1968 and elder in 1971 and served in the United Methodist Church for 13 years before pursuing additional graduate study. I came out to myself in the 1980's and with my partner raised two lovely children. The cabinet in my conference found itself in a dilemma over my appointment. Following church rules to the letter, they were required to appoint me, but they did not find a situation where they wanted to try it. I lost count of the number of years that I was told ""We have too many ministers,"" or ""We have no place for you.""
Finally I showed up at an annual conference with everything I owned on a moving truck ready to move to an appointment. They decided that I was serious about doing ministry. I realized that they were afraid to face charges of violating the Discipline, even though they were required to appoint me. I helped create an appointment at a local church, and worked there receiving pay that increased from $6000 to $12000 a year, no benefits and no pension.
By the late 1990's I was single. I thought that being single and celibate might be an advantage, but it made little difference. I re-entered the closet to take an appointment, but I lived under constant fear someone would ""tell"" the people in the local church. I felt totally isolated because part of being true to who I am is talking about the incredible forms of oppression that I feel in my church and in the horrible forms of biblical study and theology that support it. I need to be able to speak and write about the injustices that abound, not only to unbind parishioners and people in society who are harmed by these things, but also to help free those who do the injustices. They, too, expend a great deal of energy being bound by their fears.
Now I am serving another appointment. I am free to pastor people of all persuasions, including GLBT persons. I may speak freely from the pulpit but I may lose my congregation. I am free to fall in love and be a celibate partner of someone of my same gender, but it could cost my appointment or my career or both.
What I have gained in this struggle with the church is faith forged in fire. I know that God is love and that Jesus followed the way of love rather than the way of law. I know that the mission of the church is not to ""make disciples"" of the Discipline, or disciples who give lip service to Jesus. The mission of the church is to follow Jesus' example and do the work of love and justice in the world, to bind up the broken-hearted and bring release to those who have imprisoned themselves in their minds.
",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
M.M. UMC
Sarah Lutheran
Janie & Diane UMC
Tim UCC
Myself UMC
Shelly UMC
Sun and Rain Create Beautiful Rainbows
",2000,"This anonymous stole, representing seven individuals from three different denominations, 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 six Signature Stoles given to us by Wesley UMC in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. (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,California,Methodist,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),United Methodist Church",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 905,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/905,"Signature Stole (Wesley United Methodist Church, Fresno CA)",,,,,,,"Wesley United Methodist Church",,,,,,532,"Fresno, California (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Signature Stole (Wesley United Methodist Church, Fresno CA)","Allies and Supporters, Wesley UMC, Fresno, CA",2000,"This is one of six Signature Stoles given to us by Wesley UMC in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. (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,California,Methodist,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),United Methodist Church",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 904,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/904,"Signature Stole (Wesley United Methodist Church, Fresno CA)",,,,,,,"Wesley United Methodist Church",,,,,,531,"Fresno, California (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Signature Stole (Wesley United Methodist Church, Fresno CA)","Allies and Supporters, Wesley UMC, Fresno, CA",2000,"This is one of six Signature Stoles given to us by Wesley UMC in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. (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,California,Methodist,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),United Methodist Church",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 903,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/903,"Signature Stole (Wesley United Methodist Church, Fresno CA)",,,,,,,"Wesley United Methodist Church",,,,,,530,"Fresno, California (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Signature Stole (Wesley United Methodist Church, Fresno CA)","Allies and Supporters, Wesley UMC, Fresno, CA",2000,"This is one of six Signature Stoles given to us by Wesley UMC in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. (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,California,Methodist,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),United Methodist Church",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 902,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/902,"Signature Stole (Wesley United Methodist Church, Fresno CA)",,,,,,,"Wesley United Methodist Church",,,,,,529,"Fresno, California (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Signature Stole (Wesley United Methodist Church, Fresno CA)","Allies and Supporters at Wesley UMC, Fresno, CA",2000,"This is one of six Signature Stoles given to us by Wesley UMC in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. (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,California,Methodist,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),United Methodist Church",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 901,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/901,"Signature Stole (Wesley United Methodist Church, Fresno CA)",,,,,,,"Wesley United Methodist Church",,,,,,528,"Fresno, California (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Signature Stole (Wesley United Methodist Church, Fresno CA)","Allies and Supporters at Wesley UMC, Fresno, CA
",2000,"This is one of six Signature Stoles given to us by Wesley UMC in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. (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,California,Methodist,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),United Methodist Church",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 900,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/900,"Anonymous (""I have found that having AIDS has made me even more sure of God's love for me and for all persons..."")",,,,,,,Anonymous,,,,,,523,"Unknown, (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Anonymous (""I have found that having AIDS has made me even more sure of God's love for me and for all persons...)","Anonymous
I have found that having AIDS has made me even more sure of God's love for me and for all persons. But as a UM pastor I felt unable to share this experience, even with those who had chronic or terminal illnesses, and was thus unable to share the stories with which I could most effectively witness to my faith and to God's love.
Because of this, I found it increasingly difficult to preach and teach that if we Christians were truly open, if we truly loved one another unconditionally as the Lord commands us, we would be able to share our problems as well as our joys with each other.
For some years I was able to live with the church law against homosexuality, even though I knew in my heart that it was un-Christian. But, because of the denomination's increasingly harsh stance against some of God's children, which is so foreign to my own experience of Jesus and his message, I finally found it necessary to leave the pulpit. I felt forced to choose between Christ and the Church.
Strangely, while many will say my homosexuality is a sin, what I really wonder is if in fact my real sin is my refusing to serve God in the way that was clearly God's will for me.
Unfortunately, even having given up the pulpit, I feel it is necessary to remain anonymous.
",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
I am a child of God
Jesus loves me. This I know, for the Bible tells me so.
God created me… Just as I am and that creation is good! Gen 1:27, 31
Jannine Jennings
Former Elder, Wapato Community Presbyterian Church, Wapato, WA
Member, Wallingford United Methodist Church, Seattle, WA
Elder - Clerk of Session - Trustee - Sunday School Teacher - Co Chair, Pastor Nominating Committee - Youth Leader - Chair, Finance Committee - Turkey Carver - Chair, Christian Education Committee - Friend - Confidant - Single Woman
And then came Amendment B - The Presbyterian Church said that I was no longer welcome to serve. Even though no one in the local church knew I was a lesbian, I knew. And I knew I could not lie to God about my sexuality or defy Church law. So, I left the church, wondering if there would ever be a place where I could serve in Christian community and be accepted for all of who I am.
Fortunately I've found a Reconciling United Methodist Church where I can freely worship and serve God. Here I am accepted. Here there is no fear. Here my wounds are healing. Here I've grown to accept myself more fully.
However, I know this does not exist at every church. Both clergy and laity are still suffering and discriminated against. The tears will not stop flowing from my heart until all God's people are allowed to worship and serve openly, without the fear of being rejected or violating Church law.
",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
ANONYMOUS
Lesbian Candidate for Ordained Ministry in the United Methodist Church
This stole is dedicated to the ones who have served the United Methodist Church (and the larger collection of Christian churches everywhere) in silence. The strong silent ones of the past, of the present, and of the future. May I learn their strength. May I share their sorrow. May I inherit their hope. And many I never back down in my commitment to this holy ministry of reconciliation. We WILL overcome… someday.
This stole is not perfectly made -- that is apparent. The transparent fabric is symbolic of my hope to be transparent to all with whom I come in contact; I do not like hiding things. You see the everything that would not otherwise be seen, and it's not made with expert hands. Like many of the things I do, it's a work in progress -- like me, all of God's children, and the church we serve. Together, striving for perfection, it will all come together.
",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
Founded in 1852, the historic Wesley United Methodist Church in downtown Minneapolis was the first United Methodist congregation established west of the Mississippi River and boasted the first pipe organ in the city of Minneapolis. In September, 1940 Wesley hosted the first state meeting of the Women's Society of Christians Service (WSCS) with 1,000 women in attendance; WSCS was a forerunner of today's United Methodist Women. In 1986, Wesley became the first Reconciling congregation in the state of Minnesota, and is counted among the first ten churches in the nation to declare themselves part of this new movement to work for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into the life and leadership of the United Methodist Church.
This stole was given to us in advance of the 2000 General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, OH. (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,Methodist,Minneapolis,Minnesota,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),United Methodist Church",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 896,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/896,"Anonymous (Donated by Kelly Turney)",,,,,,,"Kelly Turney",,,,,,516,"Unknown, (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Anonymous (Donated by Kelly Turney)","Anonymous
I studied alongside this insightful, gentle spirit during our M.Div. Years and I knew he'd make a great pastor. I wasn't so sure of myself but he knew from an early age that he was called and pursued a church vocation all his life.
He was a leader in his local church growing up - at every age level - then served with distinction at the denominational level in Nashville. When he became a candidate for ordination, his West Virginia conference was so pleased. They needed pastors, true, but this was a boy they had raised to love God and serve the church and they were so proud.
But at school, he began to draw away from his conference, trying to shield himself from the pain of rejection he knew he would face. His secret, his sexual orientation, would change how the conference perceived their golden son. He ""came out"" to his Board of Ordained Ministry right before the vote. The Board asked him to withdraw the statement. ""Take it back and we'll pass you."" As he recounted that moment to me, you could see how the pride for the UMC was knocked out of him as immediately, completely and shockingly as having the wind knocked out of your body.
""They wanted me to lie! If I would just lie to them they'd vote me in."" What a bizarre concept he thought - they admitted he was qualified (even a gay man) but they wanted him to be dishonest. Yet living a lie was completely incompatible with the theology, integrity and understanding of being a child of God that the church had taught him growing up.
He's now a respected and valued leader in the Episcopal Church and has a lovely home with his partner. They have a beautiful life together serving God.
",2000,"A number of people who have read this story at displays of the Shower of Stoles have commented on its appalling irony -- that the United Methodist Church should directly encourage someone to lie, and then punish him for choosing to maintain his integrity and tell the truth. It is fortunate, indeed, that this young man decided to leave a church that would ask such a thing of him, and instead offer his considerable gifts in service to a church that has wholly embraced him.
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
Anonymous Gay United Methodist Pastor
Michigan
After years of self-hate and doubt, I have come to believe the truth that God loves me just as I am and accepts me as a whole person just as I am. However, my church currently does not. As a result I remain closeted and anonymous. I pray for the day when my congregations will know me as I fully am…a whole person. I pray for the day when hatred ceases and we are truly a UNITED Methodist Church which welcomes all people.
",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