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Presbyterians have, for a good many years, been studying the issue of full inclusiveness for people regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation as an issue of justice and as part of our denomination’s emphasis on constant renewal. Because October 31 was Reformation Sunday—a time when we pause to consider the many ways, places, and times that the church has been renewed and reformed by men and women urging the church to be more faithful to God—our worship service focused on justice that day.

We were honored to be a part of this vital effort by displaying 100 stoles and stories of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) individuals who have been excluded from full expression and service of faith because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The Shower of Stoles Project is a collection of over 1,000 liturgical stoles from GLBT people of faith from 24 denominations across North America, including United Methodist, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, United Church of Christ, Southern Baptist, Community of Christ (Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), Pentecostal, and Presbyterian.

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The display has become a prominent part of the broader welcoming church movement, providing education, advocacy, and public witness programs on behalf of GLBT people of faith everywhere. Each stole is accompanied by a written story of a GLBT person who has been barred from serving the church openly. The Shower of Stoles Project began in the Presbyterian church in 1995, and Presbyterians continue to represent the largest number of stoles in the collection. Each year the stoles are displayed more than 100 times, in dozens of churches, colleges, seminaries, and judicatories nationwide.

In addition to the display of stoles, the worship service included:

• Worship through music by the New Century Singers: The New Century Singers is an ensemble of members and friends of the gay and lesbian community of Long Island and a member of GALA Choruses, Inc., the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses. The group has performed at our church many times and is an uplifting addition to the worship celebration.

• Sermon: The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert’s sermon explored issues relating to the Shower of Stoles Project and included the story* of a gay man in God's church—Wally G. of Texas, brother of and technical adviser to Kathy O-K.

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After worship, we sponsored a lunchtime presentation and discussion of the 30-minute videotape So Great a Cloud of Witnesses. This compelling film contains interviews with GLBT people of faith who have been barred from serving the church openly and contains powerful footage of the stoles. It tells how the project began and how it has affected the lives of people who have seen it in the past 7 years. Our pastor led a discussion afterward.

All the photos and video clips you see here were provided by church member Laura P. Thanks, Laura!
 

Artistic Director Elaine Kirkland leads the New Century Singers.

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Stoles in our sanctuary tell the stories of Christians whose churches reject them because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Worshipping and learning about God's inclusive love

The New Century Singers sing "Break 'Em on Down" as the children symbolically break down the walls of prejudice during the children's sermon.

The stoles of God's servants in the light

Elder and Kathy O-K tells the story of her brother, Wally G., a gay man who serves God despite discrimination. (Click here to read Wally's story.*)

Wally, technical advisor and brother to your

The New Century Singers bring a joyful service to a soaring close.

The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert gives a stirring benediction, surrounded by talented musicians.

The souls of God's servants are present
in our Fellowship Hall.

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*To view and print Wally's story, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you don't have it, click the button below to download a free copy of the program.

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Play a video clip^† of the acolytes lighting the chancel candles at the start of worship.

Play a video clip^† of the New Century Singers performing the introit at the start of worship.

Play a video clip^† of the Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert explaining why ministers wear stoles.

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^†If you have a slower modem or have a dial-up connection rather than DSL or cable, please be patient when waiting for video clips to download. To view the clips, you'll need either Windows Media Player or QuickTime. If you don't have either, click one of the buttons below to download and install a free copy of one of the programs.

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