Lester

Lester

Charter member, for 34 years organist, for 25 years an elder, and for a time treasurer of his church in Kansas City, Missouri.  Though he lived with a partner for 37 years, he has been warmly accepted by his rather conservative congregation.

This is one of twelve stoles donated by Merrill Proudfoot to honor friends and colleagues.  Lester was a friend of mine as well.  Part of an older generation (he was in his 70's when I first met him), he was an example of so many whom the church has treated with a double standard.  It was quite obvious that his partner was more than just a "roommate" for 37 years.  However, as long as Lester was willing not to talk openly about their relationship, the church was more than willing to take full advantage of his many musical and administrative gifts -- even to ordain him as an elder -- while at the same time voting to maintain the ban on LGBT ordination in presbytery.

Martha Juillerat
Founder, Shower of Stoles Project
2006