Beryl Dean Hokel
Photos
Stole Text
BERYL DEAN HOKEL
Minister
This is a stole given to me by the church I had previously served as a lay person, for my ordination as an Elder in the United Methodist Church. I powerfully and effectively served the United Methodist Church for twenty-six years. Eighteen of those years I understood myself to be a gay man. Fifteen of those years I hid my spouse. On September 15, 2002, I was installed as a United Church of Christ minister. It is with great joy that I serve a denomination that accepts me for who I am.
Contribution Story
Beryl Dean Hokel, like so many others, has taken a wealth of talent and a lifetime of experience away from a denomination that was more concerned with his sexual orientation than his gifts for ministry, and found a welcome embrace elsewhere. Once again, it is the United Methodist Church's loss and the United Church of Christ's gain.
Martha Juillerat
Founder, Shower of Stoles Project
2006
Archival Record
Stole Number: 912
Honoree(s): Beryl Dean Hokel
Donor(s): Beryl Dean Hokel
Geography: Schaumburg, Illinois (USA)
Faith Tradition: United Methodist Church
Donation Date: 2002