Shower of Stoles
On October 5, 2009, Brea Congregational United Church of Christ proudly hosted the “Shower of Stoles,” a traveling collection of extraordinary liturgical stoles. As described by it’s national sponsor, the Institute for Welcoming Resources, the “Shower of Stoles celebrates the gifts of gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender (GLBT) persons who serve God in countless ways, while also lifting up those who have been excluded from service because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.” This project bears witness to the lives and voices of GLBT persons of faith who must either conceal their sexual orientation, or who have been denied ordination solely on this basis. The project provides mute, but eloquent testimony to their having been silenced by their faith communities.
The majority of the stoles were sent to the collection by GLBT persons to honor their church members. In some cases, stoles have been sent with only the church’s name to protect those in their midst who must remain unnamed. One third of the stoles have been received anonymously. The stoles in the collection represent people who have served churches in thirty-one denominations, in six countries, and on three continents. Many of the stoles are beautifully handmade examples of museum quality textile art.
While the entire Shower of Stoles collection totals well over 1,000 stoles, Brea Congregational United Church of Christ was honored to have 125 of the liturgical stoles on loan to share with the community. We invite you to look at our photo gallery as the BCUCC displays these beautiful pieces.
Shower of Stoles is not aligned with or supported by any denomination; it is entirely dependent on donations from individuals and congregations to do this work. For more information about the Institute for Welcoming Resources, and the Shower of Stoles Project, please visit their web site at www.welcomingresources.org.