In a span of two days it was wonderful to be able to witness Carrot Top Studio commissioned stoles being presented to clergy. Extra special was the fact that I personally know one of the recipients! Here are the stories behind the stoles —

It was a special joy to worship with and experience the Ordination of a friend. I was honored to create the white stole that was gifted by the congregation. It had symbols of Baptism and Confirmation on it as this pastor had grown up in our faith community. How cool is that?

This Ordination stole (below) was inspired by Psalm 119. The red is for the work of the Holy Spirit and the golds represent the multitude of guidance God gives us to help us follow the right path. Gold is the liturgical color of joy, light, glory and celebration. On the inside of the stole are bits of fabric from his childhood as a reminder of his family’s nurturing and also from his Baptismal outfit to recall the sacrament in which his parents and the church made a covenant to raise him in faith.