A New Stage for an Old Stole: Witnessing Renewed Purpose
Welcome to a heartfelt guest post by a seasoned pastor, Simeon Harrar who recently witnessed his cherished clergy stole take on a new role in the hands of an eager student. As mentors, we often wonder about the reach and impact of our teachings. This unique story unveils the transformative journey of a simple stole from a symbol of ministry to an inspiring prop in a high school play. Discover how an unexpected twist in its use brought a fresh perspective on vocational calling and the timeless message of service and love.
Simeon shares —
The pious-looking mother abbess walked on stage and was handed a cloth object to wear. As she placed it over her neck I realized what it was. It was my stole! The stole that was handmade by a dear family friend and gifted to me for my ordination nearly a decade ago. The mother abbess was wearing my stole as a prop, a very pretty prop with its ornate stitching. I’d completely forgotten I’d offered it to Ali to be used in the musical.
As I looked at my student dressed as the mother abbess and wearing my stole, I was now the one beaming from ear to ear. The sight of the unexpected stole hit me in a profound way. It’s funny how something old in a new context can do that. The stole is for me a symbol of my ministry as a pastor. It is a symbol of my calling to share the love of Christ in word and deed each and every day. It is a calling that is supposed to be shared. If I’m doing my work well, then I’m equipping others and training them to go out and speak the truth in love as well. It is a ministry of multiplication. The stole was always meant to be shared. The stole that was gifted to me is in a mystical way meant to be gifted to others who would then pass it on.
So often in my ministry, the stole has been reserved for Sunday services and funerals and other sacred events and moments. The stole almost feels like something that signifies we have stepped out of the realm of the ordinary. It is worn by the spiritual leader standing on high spouting fancy theological words. The stole often carries with it the sort of solemnity that the Mother Abbess was attempting to exude as she walked onto the stage with her face drawn and her steps measured. But I don’t think that’s what the stole is about at all.
I don’t think the stole should divide us into those holy enough to wear them and those who are just sitting in the auditorium or sanctuary seats. The invitation of Jesus is into the ordinary, into the beauty waiting to be found all around us and into wonder and imagination and connection. The sacred calling of Jesus looks like high schoolers high-fiving a tiny 8-year-old girl so she feels seen and valued. The love of Jesus can be heard in words of affirmation that flowed so freely amongst the students calling out the best in one another.
As I sat there watching, I realized that what was unfolding before me was a beautiful worship service. Not because any of the people up on stage had theology degrees, and not because one of them was wearing a fancy stole but because they were striving to love God and love each other as they worked together for a common goal to bless others. Now to me, that sounds a whole lot like church!
In that sacred moment God reminded me of my own calling, and may you be reminded of yours as well. If you don’t own a stole, it’s okay. Remember, the stole is just a prop. The real thing is our sacred calling to love God and love others. May we embrace our calling with all the zest and zeal of a cast of high school thespians. Amen.
Aside from his insightful reflections on ministry and symbolism, our guest writer is also an accomplished author of young adult novels that explore themes of faith, courage, and self-discovery. His latest work, The Dreamer, is the retelling of the Joseph story as a young adult fiction novel set in a post-apocalyptic world. It's an inspiring read for both young adults and the young at heart, perfect for those seeking stories that resonate with depth and purpose.
It is wonderful to be able to call Simeon Harrar a friend. He is an ordained Presbyterian pastor, published author and international speaker. He is a global citizen having grown up all around the world and now lives and works in Nairobi, Kenya. He has done a variety of different ministry roles including youth ministry, working as a transitional pastor, assisting with new church development and now working as a school chaplain. Simeon is passionate about creating dynamic faith communities where people are equipped to know God, love people and serve the world. Simeon brings strengths of communication, organization, community-building, cross-cultural competency and an entrepreneurial spirit to his work and ministry.
