Made in Gillingham ...

Made by ladies belonging to the Mothers' Union at St. Mary's, 6 stoles were blessed on Sunday 25^th May prior to being given for use by the Anglican Church in the Sudan.Stoles are scarf-like items worn by clergy for over 1500 years and symbolizing the bonds and fetters with which Jesus was bound on his way to the cross.

... to give to the Bishops from the Sudan

Those made in Gillingham are part of 40 being made throughout the Diocese and to be handed over to the Sundanese Bishops coming to England for the Lambeth Conference in July 2008 - the Bishops will be beginning their trip to England by spending a few days in the diocese. Salisbury Diocese is linked with the Church in the Sudan and like all Churches in the Diocese we join in praying for the Church their and in other ways.

in Sudanese style

The Sudanese enjoy bright colours and at their request the stoles sparkle with sequins and beads. Like most stoles, they all have a cross - a reminder of Christ's suffering, but their beauty and sparkle makes them also a reminder of the joy of the Resurrection.

Click on any picture to see a larger version