Dear Gifted Friends,

Why the towel?

I am occasionally asked that question.  As many of you have noticed, when I am wearing an alb, I also wear a towel over the cincture (rope) at my waist.  The towel symbolizes a call to a Ministry of Word and Service.  When I was consecrated as a diaconal minister five years ago, I was given the gift of a towel in the same way that a pastor when ordained to a Ministry of Word and Sacrament is given the authority from the Church to wear a stole.  I wear a towel that reflects the season of the liturgical year just as a pastor usually wears a stole that has the color of the season.

All of us are called to serve God and one another.  (You already knew that, I’m sure!)  At Resurrection Lutheran Church, we now give an RLC towel to our new members, symbolizing for them the shared calling we have to serve at Resurrection Lutheran Church and beyond.

It’s an exciting and privileged task that we share here.  May we serve well and with grateful hearts.

Joy to you as you serve God and one another,

Sharey Biles, diaconal minister

Director of Lay Ministries

If you’d like to read about diaconal ministry, please see me or http://www.elca.org/diaconalministry/.