Comments on: If Harry Potter Was a Pastor, What Would He Wear? Reflections on Clergy Robes

By: Loving Lelli Kellys

Loving Lelli Kellys — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 20:42:50 +0000

There are lots of super children’s shoes around at the moment, designers seem to recently found a creative spurt. I am especially liking Italian Lelli Kellys.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:15:26 +0000

What an interesting discussion! …and the Harry Potter analogies/references are just plain fun. For those looking for stoles that are a little different than the norm in seminary bookstores you might be interested in what we offer at CarrotTopStudio.com. We see the stole as being a visual connection using color and symbols to those that you minister to. Peace!

By: Doug Drown

Doug Drown — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:17:54 +0000

I have two Geneva gowns, one black with black panels, which I wear most Sundays, and the other gray with red panels, which I wear for Holy Communion and Baptism. I wear a collar and, on special occasions such as ordinations, I also don preaching bands.

I won’t wear a stole. To begin with, there is, historically speaking, a sacerdotal connotation to the stole that I personally think is out of keeping with Reformed theology and liturgical tradition. (I know there are those who disagree, and I accept that.) My other objection is that what was originally intended to be a relatively simple vestment signifying the yoke of Christ has become something that can be seen in literally every color of the rainbow, and often replete with butterflies, flowers, children’s faces, and all manner of other “art.” The point of all this is . . . ? Call me a curmudgeon, but there’s something to be said for simplicity.

By: David Moon-Wainwright

David Moon-Wainwright — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:02:45 +0000

I had a friend who, wearing an academic robe, scared a child who thought the minister was really Darth Vader. Only wears albs now.
I wear albs for 9 months, stole over hawaiian shirts and Birks in summer. Interesting thoughts.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 01:07:27 +0000

My new favorite blog — Bad Vestments

http://badvestments.blogspot.com/2009/08/rainbow-warrior.html

Always good for a laugh and some theological reflection on why and how we robe up.

By: Katherine M.

Katherine M. — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 04:27:16 +0000

At Sewanee, they have an “Order of the Gownsmen,” an honor society which recognizes academic achievement with academic robes for its members. Many of the robes are passed from friend to friend or parent to child, and the initials of the various wearers are embroidered on the back. The students really do wear the robes to class too… And since we’re talking of Harry Potter, he and his friends wear academic robes to class too! Neither Hogwarts’ nor Sewanee’s robes are as fancy as the academic regalia of our CTS profs, or what I imagine the profs at St. Olaf had, but the tradition is obviously still alive in some places!

By: adamjcopeland

adamjcopeland — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:03:51 +0000

Keith Jones posted an awesome link on facebook to a good write-up of such issues:
http://www.yourwebpress.com/sites/firstpresbyterian/view/143

Thanks Keith!

By: adamjcopeland

adamjcopeland — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:03:06 +0000

I hear you, Andrew, but I think this could get awfully confusing. It also would draw the attention of the congregation, again, to what the pastor is wearing. I’d prefer that to be more of a given, or something that doesn’t get in the way at least.

By: Ed Hilton

Ed Hilton — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:05:32 +0000

I serve a hyphenated church, Truckee Lutheran-Presbyterian Church (PCUSA/ELCA) and have an Alb, and 2 Geneva Gowns (both on ebay for under 50 bucks and 20 bucks in alterations), one black and one white. I wear the Alb mostly, it is traditionally more ecumenical in nature and fits with our congregation (also cooler in summer, I wear shorts and flip flops underneath). At times I have worn the Geneva gowns, mostly for all presby worship or the white one for a presby wedding where they request it.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:34:31 +0000

Can what you wear to lead worship be determined on what the worship service for the day is? If the message/theme/sermon is intended to be intimate, if you’re going for a “priesthood of all believers” emphasis or something, or if the message is to be easily grasped or have practical implications, is there a certain mode of dress that is better than another? If you’re illustrating a major doctrine of the church, taking on a more prophet role in critiquing our nation or our culture, or if you’re challenging the congregation to move in a new way, is there another mode a dress more appropriate?

Are there times when, as preachers and pastors, we need to convey more of the “office” and other times when we need to appear more like a brother or sister in the faith? Or can we constantly do both simultaneously? How does our dress affect that?

Thanks for you continually stimulating thoughts Adam!