WHEN: May 1, 2011
WHERE: Harrisonburg Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
What is it ?
The “Shower of Stoles” is a remarkable collection of over 1,000 clergy stoles. A stole is the long band of cloth that many clergy wear around their necks in worship. The Shower of Stoles began in the mid 90’s as a way for clergy and their supporters to speak of the pain and suffering they endured while remaining closeted as GLBT persons OR after they finally came out and were asked to leave or literally thrown out of their churches/denominations. Some of the clergy were also suffering AIDS and have died since they donated their stoles to this traveling exhibit.
We will NOT be having all 1,000 stoles ! We will have 30 which will be on display during worship and following during the potluck until around 1:30 p.m. The public has been invited to come to see this display from noon to 1:30 as well.
Every stole tells a story. On the reverse of each stole is a card telling about the person/s who donated the stole and a little of their journey. It is a moving and powerful display.
This showing at HUU is sponsored by our Board and by the Welcoming Congregation Task Force of HUU. HUU is in the process of being certified as a “Welcoming Congregation” through the UUA. Harrisonburg UU has welcomed GLBT persons from the beginning. Certification is a way of joining with hundreds of other UU congregations in a unified witness to our welcome to GLBT persons and to ALL PERSONS. We are nearing the end of the certification process and thank all at HUU for their ongoing support !