Nice Scarf!

It started with trying to find a way for people to honour the struggle towards women’s ordination while attending the male-only ordination service, in a way that would not detract from the celebration of the day. Tiny ribbons – purple and green – pinned discretely to clothing. They were enough to enrage some of the opposition.

 For Synod we needed something bolder, something that would have a visual impact, and help us remember that none of us were alone.  Could we find something that would also help those who were not sure know that we were not a small group holding a strange theological position, but a group of normal Lutherans who were actually in the majority in that place.  So we ordered scarves in a range of styles in a variety of shades of green or purple – enough for half of those attending Synod. We had no idea how we would distribute them, as we couldn’t set up a stall or make an announcement.  We started with our own congregation, but couldn’t even be at church on the one Sunday between Easter and the Convention, and were delighted when unexpected people took on the task. The right people spread the word, and by lunchtime on the first day of Synod they were obvious everywhere within the auditorium.

People sought us out to select their own, and buy one for their pastor or friend. Scarf-wearing strangers smiled at each other. Comments were made: “Nice scarf!”

When I stood up to speak, feeling sick with anxiety, fearing we were going through a charade but needing to take the opportunity to speak out regardless, I looked over the crowd and the green and purple kept my heart strong.

Over those painful days of needing to maintain an attitude of forbearance the visible sign of support kept me going. Who knew that a scarf could create a community?


View 2013 LCA Synod photos here