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Home > About Us > Collaborating Institutions > SCS > Luce Seminars > 2002The Stole, an Ecclesiastical Vestment
Jeanne Logan
The stole is a traditional symbol of the ordained. It is used by clergy of many denominations, and could be adapted by even the most contemporary worship leader. The following illustrations are details of my recently created stoles.
In these pieces, I integrate my love of sensuous fabrics and abstracted organic patterns with my belief that embellishment for its own sake is not necessary for worship. I sought to create a body of work with power, layers of meaning, an underlying integrity, and outward diversity. I hope they will be perceived beyond their use of materials and will stretch expectations.
Baptism
Water is used to baptize and symbolizes the washing away of sins.
When we are baptizing a baby, water is often perceived as gentle. But when we contemplate the possible sins of an adult, the water's washing would be turbulent and full of awesome power.
The lining is white in remembrance of the white robes worn by the newly baptized in the ancient church.
Manipulated and dyed silk. The stole becomes lighter towards the bottom.
Ordinary Time
Green is the traditional color used during Ordinary Time.
This stole has many shades of greens, blues and teals. Long, narrow wrinkles, and wavy quilted lines create a feeling of movement. The soft shiny surface of the silk reflects light.
This is a hand dyed, manipulated and quilted
Good Friday
There are many different traditions for Good Friday. Some denominations see this as a time to strip the church of all decorations. Some congregations wrap everything with purple. In the 13th through 15th centuries, many churches used the color red, or oxblood, for Good Friday. Today, if vestments are worn, they are most often purple or black.
This loosely woven and stitched piece depicts the tearing of the temple curtain at Christ's death. The colors come from Exodus 26. Purple, blue, scarlet and natural colored linen were commanded for the temple curtain.
Dyed threads, yarns, fabrics and ribbons.
Advent
Contemporary churches most often use violet or blue during Advent. The word Advent means coming.
A variety of lines give this stole a great sense of movement. The quilting was done with pink thread in recognition of Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday in Advent. This Sunday is often celebrated by lighting a rose or pink candle.
This stole is China silk that has been dyed with some light areas of pink, treated with photo chemicals. exposed to the sun, and then quilted with pink thread.
This stole is part of the advent furnishings commissioned for Holy Trinity Church, Inwood in New York City.
All Saints, November 1st
White is the traditional color for All Saints.
There is no clear wall between earthly saints and the "cloud of witnesses" that surround us. The names are earthly symbols for the communion of all saints. The fragile threads "join and knit together" the community, and the sheer fabrics symbolize the indistinct border between the heavenly and earthly.
Layers of silks, various fibers and written names woven and sewn together.
Bibliography and Resources
Books
Broughton, Kate. Textile Dyeing: The Step-by-Step Guide and Showcase.
Gloucester, Massachusetts, Rockport Publ. 1995.
Eusden, John Dykstra and John H. Westerhoff III. Sensing Beauty:
Aesthetics, the Human Spirit, and the Church. Cleveland, United Church Press. 1998
Sayers, Dorothy L. The Mind of the Maker. London, Methuen & Co. Ltd. 1941.
Tillich, Paul. On Art and Architecture. New York, Crossroad. 1987.
Walton, Janet R. Art & Worship: A Vital Connection. Wilmington, Michael Glazier, Inc. 1988.
Wolff, Colette. The Art of Manipulating Fabric. Iola, WI, Krause Publ. 1996.
Journals
Fiberarts www.fiberartsmagazine.com/
Surface Design www.surfacedesign.org/
Fiber Supplies
Blueprint - Printables http://blueprintables.com/
Dharma Trading Company http://www.dharmatrading.com/
Thai Silks http://www.thaisilks.com/