Installation Services

Last weekend my husband and I were invited to meet a friend for dinner following a pastoral installation service. I have to admit that I have never had a chance to attend many installation services, so it was nice to be asked to attend this service.

Installing a pastor in a new congregation is a special event, and many fellow pastors make a point of attending installation services to provide support, encourage, and pray for the newly called pastor. The service is rich and meaningful, with each pastor in attendance selecting and reading a scriptural text over the new pastor.

This installation service had 15 pastors in attendance to pray, encourage, and support the newly installed pastor. That is a lot of pastors gathered in one place!  And a lot of red pastoral stoles.

Capturing Moments

Whenever I visit a church, it has become a habit to have my camera in tow. One never knows what interesting things might be found, or what opportunities might present themselves for picture-taking.  And on this particular Sunday afternoon, I had a new camera lens that I was anxious to try out.  We walked into the church a few minutes before the beginning of the service when we were greeted by a member of the congregation, and I was asked to take pictures for them following the service. Of course, it is a delight and honor to be asked, and one always holds their breath and humbly says a little prayer, “Please, let the photos turn out decently well………..it looks like I might know what I’m doing with this big camera, but in reality, I don’t!” And so up to heaven goes the little heartfelt plea that my focus is good, the framing is decent, and the lighting cooperates so at least one photo turns out well.

Thankfully, in answer to prayer, the photos did turn out well enough! Now that I am back home and reviewing the photos, I can once again enjoy the wide variety of red stoles worn at the installation.

One of the easiest and best ways to see and enjoy the wide variety of stoles is the “pre-photo” photos. As all of the pastors gather before taking the more formal photos, these “pre-photo” shots allow one to see the garments being worn with the stoles. A few pastors were wearing a cassock/surplice with red stoles, but of course, albs were the most popular selection. Many of the albs had lace inserts at the lower hem and sleeve edges. Most albs were worn with a white cotton cincture, while one cincture was red. Some stoles hung free over the cincture, while other stoles were held in place with the cincture.

Red Pastoral Stoles

As for the red stoles, most did not have any tassels or fringe at the bottom.  The lower edge was a plain simple hem.  Many had symbols of doves and flames. Several of the stoles were shorter in length, as befits a pastoral stole. Pastoral stoles tend to be narrower at the neck and widen slightly at the lower edge. Can you spot the pastoral stoles in the above photo? Some of the stoles were very wide, and others were medium-width. Most of the stoles were made of plain solid colored fabric with embroidery. One was a metallic brocade with embroidered appliques. The embroidery can be at the ends of the stoles, on the chest, along the length of the stole, or at the chest and hem. The variety is limitless. And I am pleased to say, one stole in the mix was made by me.  It is always very humbling and an honor to see a pastor wearing something that was made by the work of my hands to the Glory of God.

Within the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, the red stole is used at Pentecost and on Reformation Sunday during the church year. It is also a tradition that red stoles are worn at the installation services of a pastor. So, if one is wondering if that red stole that has been around forever needs replacing, but is hesitant because it is used only two times per year, well here is a good reason to remember that it can be worn more than twice in a year!

Solo Dei Gloria

Be sure to visit our online store front Ecclesiastical Sewing where you may shop for Liturgical Fabrics, altar linen fabrics, church vestment-making patterns, liturgical machine embroidery designs,  church vestment trims and notions and so much more. You may also find us on  Ecclesiastical Sewing on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Sing up for our mailing list at the bottom of the page on our online store front and receive a free copy of our Small Linens Booklet as our way of saying thank you for following along.

Red Pentecost Stoles

Pastoral Stoles and Stole Patterns

Installation of a New Pastor

Ordination and Installation of Clergy

Ways to Honor Soon-to-be-Ordained Pastors and Priests

So What are Vimpae?