She Needs Stole Help

Honeybees,

Mary Ann wants more help on red stoles. She writes,

Could you help me more with stoles? My lascivious desire to buy South American folklorico stoles at Third World craft sales at seminary turned out to be The Thrifty Pastor’s Choice, but I’m still low a red stole.

MaryAnn, my dove, we don’t do liturgical seasons so much in the Unitarian Universalist tradition but I do own a gorgeous red stole with embroidered peace doves all over it. I can’t recall where I got it, but it’s either Latin American or Eastern European. Maybe it was a gift? Anyhoo,
since my church interior is a kind of Federal mauve shade and I preach in front of a mauve-pink brocade curtain, I can’t really wear this stole as much as I’d like. It just plain clashes, in color and even a bit in style. My church is a beautiful, classic New England meetinghouse. Overtly ethnic stoles just don’t seem authentic in that setting, and if they’re being worn by me, they’re definitely not authentic. I have never preached in a foreign land or done ministry in a multi-cultural setting. For those reasons, I tend not to wear the Guatemalan stole I purchased this past January. I’m glad I bought it when I was there — just to support the local economy if nothing else, but I have to say that it looks more appropriate gracing my office than gracing me.

We do have a partner church in Transylvania with which we have a long and intimate relationship and I would be happy to wear one of the customary red and white stoles from that region. But African stoles, Latin American stoles, etc… I don’t think they’re appropriate for white pastors who don’t do mission and ministry with those communities to wear just for diversity’s sake. It’s a very personal decision and one with which many of my colleagues are likely to disagree.

I dream of being completely bi-lingual in English and Spanish and doing a ministry in a multi-cultural urban setting. Until then, I’ll be very judicious in my donning of vestments that communicate an intimacy with cultures I have very little acquaintance with (and admiration from afar, sending money, preaching about on occasion and/or reading about doesn’t count).

Sorry to be of so little help to you, MaryAnn! My stoles have almost all come to me as gifts, or as purchases at our General Assembly.

30 Replies to “She Needs Stole Help”

  1. Just noting: I serve in the Southwest in areas with many Spanish-speakers. I only wish more had an interest, currently, in visiting or participating in our church. I speak Spanish.

  2. OH, NOW. When I see a very white pastor who serves in a very white context wearing Guatemalan stoles I don’t think that. I just wonder where they got it and why they’re wearing it. If I think critically about it, it’s more like “why do you need to wear a Guatemalan stole to show that you’re down with the people of the 2/3 world?” than anything about being imperialistic or jerky. I just think that white people have to work harder than reading up on liberationist theology to earn the right to wear vestments that represent other cultures. It can feel to me like spiritual tourism if it’s being done “just because I love the look.” Like, do we have actual relationships with people from the 2/3 world? If so, then I hope American pastors of any race or ethnicity will wear them in solidarity, and as a way to introduce stories and songs from their experiences.

  3. I wear t hem, but I feel funny about it. However, since they were gifts from a sister congregation, I’d feel worse about NOT wearing them ever.

  4. Vestments, in my non-vestment wearing view, represent more than a choice of what color to wear at what time of the year. Sensitivity to what and whom you represent should be the guiding force. You don’t clash with the drapes or with the persons to whom you are ministering, yes?

    Thank you, PeaceBang for bringing up a favorite topic.

  5. My dad does medical mission work in south america and brought them to me, and I used to celebrate the Eucharist very badly in Spanish, for like a year, several years ago–does that make it OK?

    I never thought of it as an appropriation issue. I just think my Guatemalan stoles are cool.

    Stoles are easy to make, though, and there’s a pattern commercially available or you can copy a stole that fits.

  6. Actually, I’m curious why you’re assuming MaryAnn is white. I see no mention of that in her question or in her responses.

  7. I have several Guatamalan stoles, and several stoles I’ve made from fabric purchased in various ethnic areas. I wear them because they are beautiful. These are not ritual items which should not be mis-used by persons outside of the culture, they were made be be worn by pastors in other nations. In my more modern sanctuary backed by a mural of symbols of the world’s faiths done in a folk art syle, they even look good.

  8. Judit Gellerd, now ordained and for many years the voice for Transylvanian Unitarianism in the U.S., gave me a stole of course linen or hemp and red embroidery. I love it, but only wear it when presiding in the sacraments. Not quite appropriate for Easter or festal occasions, but serves all-purpose the rest of the year.

    I’ll have a photo on my blog — see link — soon.

    I meant to write this earlier, but when PeaceBang (Victoria) wrote about her grandparents, I had to speak up. Hubby and I saw a film about “Slovak peasant life” — beautiful and somewhat Romantic ethnographic study called Zem slieva (The Earth is Singing/The Singing Earth). I wondered aloud if this was the life her family once had and left. One of the women in the film made very similar embroidered work. Full circle. (There are some film stills on this page.

    Might I recommend a fine Palestinian-embroidered stole for the clergymember needing a red stole? The Palestinian Christian crofters have a long tradition of sending their works out globally, and I think the handiwork is a bit more refined

  9. If we buy them from a fair trade supplier and it thus helps the indigenous workers to have a fair wage, can that be enough justification to wear one of these beautiful Latin American stoles for the glory of God?
    Peacebang, do you have similar reservations about wearing the beautiful grass-bead bracelets from Africa you’ve posted about on this site? Should those be avoided by folks who don’t yet have a significant connection with their region of origin?

  10. WAIT!!!! I CAN HELP HERE!!!!

    I found the most beautiful stoles I’ve ever seen at http://www.inspirita.com!

    I particularly love the Advent one (WHY have I never seen an image of a pregnant Mary in church?!). I don’t know if there is a red one, but I’m certain she could make one.

  11. Going back to the original question about a red stole…

    Obviously there are many places to purchase a stole, some more budget-friendly than others. However, a stole can also be made. I don’t have those skills, but many including my mother do. In my tradition, the red stole is presented/worn at ordination and is often a gift from the ordination sponsor.

  12. @Kate: Where do you see me assuming that Mary Ann is white? Read carefully: nothing but “I” statements in there.
    @Laura: Please feel free to think for yourself. PB only has as much authority as you choose to grant her.
    @

  13. I wear stoles from Guatemala, which were gifts of the congregation, and I love them.

    But I collect African masks, Pakistani furniture, Mexican wood carvings, Persian rugs, and paintings from Southern Visionary folk artists. I freely wander from my heritage to satiate my aesthetic sensibilities. Shoot, most good art is found outside of my culture.

    I’m at an urban church, which used to be mostly white, but it becoming more diverse every Sunday. Thank God!

  14. Tribal, what’s particularly interesting to me about your comment is the question of including visual statements in or on our ministerial person that aren’t so much about the congregation we ARE but the congregation we wish to be (i.e., more diverse). Which is to say, I wonder if anyone (white or not) has ever wandered into your urban church and thought, “I dig that the pastor’s wearing a Guatemalan stole. I like what that says.” It’s also lovely that your congregation gave these to you as a gift.

    I too have a home full of Latin American and Asian art. Obviously the distinction in my comments is between the public pastoral image (is it genuinely multi-cultural or just “wannabe?”) and one’s private aesthetic.

  15. Yes! You’re right. There is a distinction.

    I’m sure I’m teetering off the “wannabe” edge. Like that Month of Sundays article that was making the rounds. (Did you read that one? Particularly #27, where the writer wonders about cultural appropriation.)

    It’s an important question…but I still think it works in our context.

    Thanks for the post.

  16. PB:

    What I was responding to was this statement of yours:

    “But African stoles, Latin American stoles, etc… I don’t think they’re appropriate for white pastors who don’t do mission and ministry with those communities to wear just for diversity’s sake.”

    Which seems to assume that the questioner is white. Otherwise, I’m not sure what the overall relevance of a complaint about white pastors wearing ethnic stoles has to do with a question that includes a tangential comment about ethnic stoles.

  17. If it’s not too late to add a note, I couldn’t open Inspirita’s website (sorry, Mrs. M!) to see the beautiful stoles. My personal favorites (I have two) are by Doe Martin — see http://www.blessmystole.com/seasonal_stoles.html for her gorgeous, shimmering strips of color.

    I always wear my red Doe Martin stole to ordinations, since red is the appropriate liturgical color (in Protestant tradition) for that holy occasion. I think of it as sartorial penance for my wearing white after Labor Day.

  18. @Kate: If I don’t have an answer to someone’s inquiry, I will often use their question as an opportunity to jump into various thoughts on the subject… or to veer off onto something else as the Spirit moves me.
    To make a point about blog etiquette, one doesn’t use the comments as an opportunity to cast aspersions at the hostess or to, as we put it in the old neighborhood, come itching for a fight. I write what I think is interesting and helpful. I have no idea what color, gender, sect or nationality any of my commenters is unless they tell me. Was there something substantive in your comment that I missed? Something about stoles, I mean?
    I don’t have any experience with the kind of stole Mary Ann asked about, which I made perfectly clear in the first sentence or so. But rather than leave it at that, notice that I forged ahead trying to find some content worthy of a column. Isn’t that COMMENDABLE? Because hundreds of people actually check this blog every day expecting me to have something to say, and “Gee MaryAnn, sorry I can’t help you” isn’t very interesting.

    If you’ll allow me a teeny rant (and it’s not just you, Kate, who motivates me to write this): In addition to blogging, I answer dozens of personal e-mails per month as PeaceBang. I try to write interesting and entertaining posts on a very regular basis. I have no training in this subject and no authority whatsoever, yet every other day someone invariably asks, “Is it okay if I do this?” and then gets all wiggy if I actually answer that question. Some Reverend folks do have some authority issues, or maybe it’s low self-esteem! This bothers me. It bothers me because I should think that pastors have enough sense of personal security to take my advice or leave it, and to understand the spirit in which this blog is written. Should you wear something or not? Honey, do what I do! Ask your magic mirror! Seriously, though… PeaceBang is here with a big mouth and a major opinion to HELP you. To SUGGEST. To NOODGE. If you want to wear Crocs or muu-muus, you know I disagree. You don’t have to be a rebel about it because you know what? PeaceBang ain’t your mother. At the end of the day I don’t care what anyone is wearing. I care about the fact that this country is in the crapper and that people I love are suffering. The things I care most about never, ever make it onto the pages of this blog because this blog is like the beauty parlor… it’s a refuge from the serious issues that threaten to overwhelm all pastors.

    As PeaceBang I am the hostess of a really fun on-line party to which anyone is freely invited. It would be really nice if readers who don’t have anything positive to contribute would at least give me some cred for devotedly doing my best to help, inspire, support and entertain hundreds of ministers.

    Thank you and good night.

  19. I wear a few Latin American stoles because they ARE a part of my heritage. (Note though, I’m picky about which ones I’ll wear. They really have to be NICE!)My grandparents were missionaries, and this has had a huge impact on who I am as a person, a beleiver, and a pastor.

    But, I am as blonde, and non-Latin-American looking as they come. This is a good reminder to me that looks can be deceiving.

    But, it’s also a remidner to me that they are a part of all of our heritage as a community of faith. I take it very seriously that the church is a global family and that God’s intention is to celebrate the diversity of humanity and to unite us all. If someone in Ghana composes a beautiful hymn, it’s perfectly OK for my white-anglo-suburban congregation to use it. If someone in Indonesia writes a meaningful litany, it’s good for us to use it to worship. And, if someone in Guatemala weaves a beautiful stole, it’s also something we may use to enhance our worship.

  20. Dear all- in the same way that we, as congregations, sing music/hymns from the larger, universal Church, and (soemtimes) use prayers from other traditions/nations/churches, might we also use stoles/vestments/art as a reminder that we are part of a larger Church, and that we sometimes need to be reminded that it is not just about us, and we do not have a particular hold on God or right worship? Perhaps part of our function as leaders is to help our congregations see that- sometimes embodied on our body leading worship….Nancy

  21. One of the things that most frustrates me as a Unitarian Universalist is its insularity & lack of ecumenical spirit. I mean, we dig having other UUs around the world but we have no sense of ourselves as part of the global Church. So thanks for reminding me of that, ladies. I had the image of a UU minister in my mind when I originally mused on the topic.

  22. I am very sorry if you construed my questions as spoiling for a fight. I was simply curious as to the motivation, which seemed somewhat tangential to the actual question.

    However, since curiosity has been misread as poor etiquette, I shall refrain from commenting any longer. Forgive me for attempting to start what was obviously an unwanted conversation.

  23. I have and wear stoles from Guatemala — most of which I bought directly from the women who wove them and all of which I bought from Central Americans who could use my money. I do speak Spanish, worked in Central America for my church, etc. but it is my impression that these stoles were mainly woven for export and to help the economic well being of the women who weave them. So in the poll I would like to vote “I bought the stole directly from its maker and tried to pay her a generous and needed wage.” One of my Latin stoles was specifically woven for gringas — the colors are a series of contrasting blues and some black — the weaver told me she thought it might be more appealing to our Northern color palet and I have to say I do like it especially. Quite a few of the women seemed to be weaving for an American market, but this weaver was particularly tuned in to us. A lot of the folk art items from around the world are made for folks in the US and it helps the makers if we buy them — as long as the artists get the money rather than a lot of middle men. I love folk art of all kinds and try to buy it in a way that will give maximum benefit to the makers. They need the money and it keeps the crafts and arts alive if they can make a living from it. It is sad that so much is dying out or being produced in cheap, mass-market ways. So I would encourage other gringas and gringos to buy and wear the stoles if you like them — just be sure you buy them directly from the makers.

  24. Dear K Rohde, First of all, thank you for saying “gringo/gringa!” I wanted to so badly but figured I’d get jumped all over by the Peace & Love Thought Police.
    I bought my Guatemalan stole from the maker while I was there, and while I still feel too touristy to wear it with integrity very often, I’ll reconsider.
    I once saw a UU minister who I know has never stepped foot in a Spanish-speaking country wearing a Guatemalan stole over a suit to preach an entirely atheistic sermon to a vehemently non-theistic congregation. I think that’s my model for the original discomfort around this issue. Theological, cultural, ethnic… lots of levels.

  25. What a fascinating discussion. Perhaps I’ll make myself a mojito and join in. I do dream of partying with PeaceBang, who my friends assure me is simply wonderful IRL.

    On MaryAnn’s original query about a red stole, I like the idea of making a stole, or having a friend who is handy with a sewing machine do it for a small fee. I think you can get patterns for stoles on-line if you do a search. I would love to peruse the fabric stores for good stole fabric…maybe I should warm up the sewing machine and start myself a little cottage industry.

    On the subject of cultural sharing and misappropriation, one of the first questions I would ask myself is, “What does this mean to the person who made it?” And then I would ask, “In that person’s culture, is it appropriate for me to wear it?” And then, “What would my wearing this imply about my relationship with the artist and her/his culture?”

    A lot of folks here have commented that there are certainly many many ways to answer these questions when it comes to stoles made by Guatemalan artists for North American pastors. I own one myself (it was given to me by the multiracial, multicultural congregation I did part of my internship in), but I haven’t decided when/where/if I would wear it (once I’m ordained I get to make the hard decisions…Nov 4!). Somehow, I feel differently about the stole made by Transylvanian Unitarians for UU ministers to wear. Maybe I just need to get over myself.

    Let me give another example, however, which might be more clear-cut. I was given a beautiful ministerial robe with kente cloth trim by a retiring minister friend. As a white person, I felt uncomfortable wearing that robe because of the cultural meaning of kente cloth. So, I gave the robe to a friend of African descent, who absolutely loves it. A win-win situation.

    -Michael

  26. PB,
    I have a gorgeous blue-toned stole I purchased in Honduras when I was there on mission work. I don’t wear it much, for some of the reasons you state, and also because blue isn’t one of our liturigcal colors. However, there have been a few times I’ve worn it just to remember the good work we did and because I think it’s lovely.
    However, as for needing a stole, I recommend the site pasted below for the most amazingly gorgeous stoles I have ever seen. I have the set of the four liturgical colors and always get people coming up for a closer look.
    http://www.janlaurie.com/index.html

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *