Voices of Those Silenced

Fifty liturgical stoles from a collection of “The Shower of Stoles Project” will be on display at Lynnewood United Methodist Church (LUMC) in Pleasanton. The exhibit is open for viewing on Saturday, April 11th, from 10 am to 4 pm, and on Sunday, April 12th, from 11:30 am until 1 pm, in the church sanctuary located at 4444 Black Avenue, Pleasanton, CA 94566. The display is sponsored by LUMC’s Wider Welcome Committee.

These beautiful stoles and their accompanying written stories represent the lives and testimonies of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) religious leaders from many different faiths who have served God while having to remain silent about their sexual orientation and gender identity. Their silence helped them avoid the rejection of their congregations and rejection or dismissal by their church leaders. The entire collection consists of over 1000 liturgical stoles from over thirty denominations from six countries on three continents and tours constantly across the country at various welcoming churches, universities and seminaries. All are invited to come and experience these incredible stoles and touching life stories. LUMC will ask for a small donation of $1.00 per person to help defray exhibit costs and maintain the stole collection.

More information about “The Shower of Stoles Project” (SOSP) can be found at the SOSP link on the Institute of Welcoming Resources website at www.welcomingresources.org.  For more information about this event, the Wider Welcome Committee, and LUMC, please visit our website at www.lynnewood.org. Or call the church at 925-846-2684.