The Parents’ Reconciling Network has been distributing stoles of rainbow-colored material backed with white terrycloth. The rainbow colors symbolize the desire
for full inclusion of GLBT people in the life of the church. The terrycloth represents the servant role to which Jesus has called all of us.

TEN FASHION STATEMENTS
Made by Wearing a PRN Rainbow Stole

1. You can use it to keep your neck warm on cool days.
2. You can use it to be cool on warm days.
3. It’s sure to contain your school colors in there somewhere.
4. One distinguished cleric has been seen wearing it as an ascot.
5. It comes in handy in case of a spontaneous baptism or foot washing.
6. The rainbow stoles is de rigueur at Smithfield Church, Meet Here, and other Common Witness gathering places; but wearing a rainbow stole makes it difficult to go incognito to certain caucus gatherings.
7. We think the rainbow stole would look great with the bishops’ purple clerical shirts.
8. Given the many colors, it is appropriate to all liturgical seasons.
9. When moving around the General Conference, it helps to recognize a kindred spirit.
10. The MOST IMPORTANT fashion statement you can make while wearing a rainbow stole is: “Do you like these rainbow stoles? Here, take mine. I’ll get another one.”
    
    Aren’t you glad you wear a rainbow stole? Don’t you wish everybody did?
     

The attached was the core of a sermon presented at East Liberty Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh last Sunday. I asked the visiting pastor, Rev. Dr. Janet Edwards (6th great granddaughter of Jonathan Edwards, by the way) if I might copy it. She said, yes, it's not copyrighted, so go ahead. But please don't change the wording, she said. So here are the ten affirmations. I'm going to post them at church, but perhaps we would want to hand out sheets at the Let Us Eat Cake event? At the bottom of the list I tried to give due credit to Dr. Edwards and her group that came up with the affirmations.

TEN AFFIRMATIONS
For Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered (GLBT) Spirituality

1. We celebrate the unity we create in the midst of our diversity.
2. We affirm the inherent beauty, worth and dignity of every GLBT and straight person.
3. There are many paths to the sacred. The spiritual paths of GLBT persons are among them.
4. The choice is not whether to be GLBT or straight, but whether or not to live an authentic life.
5. Coming out is a courageous and spiritual act.
6. Sexual expression is one of the many sacred ways that GLBT and straight adults can express the depth of love in their relationships.
7. We support each person’s journey of integrating spirituality and sexuality which leads to wholeness.
8. Marriage is a sacred union for people who are committed to each other without regard to gender. Love makes a family.
9. Spiritual leaders must take responsibility to lead, protect and affirm GLBT people: children, adults and their families.
10. No one is free when others are oppressed.

Prepared by the Religion and Spirituality Working Group of Voices for a New Tomorrow. Presented by the Rev. Dr. Janet M. Edwards, member of the Pittsburgh Presbytery Taskforce on Ministry to Sexual Minorities at Sunday worship, May 2, 2004, East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Ave., Pittsburgh PA.