stoles logo The Institute for Welcoming Resources - Shower of Stoles Project
A witness to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of faith.
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The Shower of Stoles Project with Martha JuilleratThe Shower of Stoles was first displayed in full at the 1996 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. These stoles quickly became a powerful symbol of the huge loss to the church of gifted leadership.

Since that time the Project has become broadly ecumenical, working within dozens of denominations and secular settings across the US and Canada. The Stoles in this collection represent people who have served churches in twenty-six denominations, in six countries and on three continents. We continue to receive new stoles every month.

The vast majority of the stoles have been sent in by gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people themselves. Some have been sent by family or friends to honor a gay loved one. About one third of all the stoles are donated anonymously; in fact over three-quarters of the stoles donated specifically by clergy and other full-time church professionals are done so anonymously.

In some cases, a church has sent a stole inscribed only with the church's name, or with the names of both gay and straight members, to honor those in that particular congregation who must remain anonymous. All of the stoles, named or anonymous, contain stories, prayers, or other messages.

With very few exceptions, the Project does not accept individual stoles from straight allies. Instead, straight allies are represented by "signature stoles," which are easily distinguished from the main body of the collection. Signature stoles are covered with the signatures of supportive members of congregations, regional governing bodies, or other organizations. The collection currently contains signature stoles with the signatures of over three thousand straight allies.

MISSION STATEMENT: To end religious discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.

CORE OBJECTIVES: The Shower of Stoles Project will use its collection of liturgical stoles and other sacred pieces from GLBT people and their supporters, each with its own individual story, to:

DENOMINATIONS REPRESENTED IN THE COLLECTION


Read an article from the St. Paul Pioneer Press about the Shower of Stoles Project


Now Available:

So Great a Cloud of Witnesses: 
The Story of the Shower of Stoles Project

The Shower of Stoles Project’s video is a moving portrayal of the stoles and their stories. Created to be used in adult and high school education programs, to foster group discussion, and with displays of the stoles, this 30-minute VHS video tells how the project began and how it impacts the people it has touched over the past seven years. Through interviews with Martha Juillerat, Tammy Lindahl and others, and with stunning footage of the stoles themselves, this video brings to life stories of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons of faith who have been barred from serving the church openly. Study guide and discussion questions included.

To order, send a check or money order for $23.00 ($20.00 suggested donation plus $3.00 postage & handling) to:

The Shower of Stoles Project
810 West 31st Street
Minneapolis, MN 55408

The Shower of Stoles Project Booklet
Full color, 14 pages, contains a brief history of the stoles, plus photos and stories of a number of the stoles.

To order, send a check or money order for $5.00 ($3.00 suggested donation plus $2.00 postage & handling) to:

The Shower of Stoles Project
810 West 31st Street
Minneapolis, MN 55408


The Shower of Stoles Project ] About the Project ] History ] Contact Us ] Arrange ] Donate a Stole ] Support the Project ] Worship Resource ] Press Info ] Schedule ] Display Info ] Video/Publications ]