Ordination Stole

This is the finished stole with the embroidered cross on the collar.

I have recently completed this overlay Ordination Stole for a friend of mine, Hilary, who was ordained in June 2002 at Guildford Cathedral.

This is an exciting project and an ecclesiastical first for me! Hilary requested that I incorporate certain elements in the design which would symbolise the Word and the Sacrament.

The stole is made of cream silk and has shaped ends which create a small design challenge because of the restricted space. The stole is made in two sections with a join at the back of the neck, where a small cross is traditionally placed. The designs have been stitched using various goldwork techniques, couching in particular.

The Word This design is on the left hand side of the stole and has an open Bible and flames representing the Holy Spirit, overlaid on the Cross. We could have incorporated water or wind which are also symbolic but from a design point of view these were less easy to balance.
The Sacrament The Sacrament is symbolised by the bread and the wine, which are shown here by the Chalice, or Communion cup, and the ears of wheat overlaid on the Cross.