An old adage says: “what we wear reveals who we are”. When John and I lead worship, we choose to wear particular items of clothing that help to communicate who we are within the space of this congregation. Knowing that past ministers here have elected not to do so, I thought it might be prudent to explain a little what these items of clothing mean, at least to me.

For as long has religion has existed, religious leaders and teachers have worn distinctive dress. In Jesus’ day, the High Priest would have looked magnificent in his robes and headgear, which said something about his role in worship at the synagogue. As Christianity emerged, the new Church took over the terminology and some of the practices of Judaism. So, the word “priest” was used for those who held certain offices in the “ordained” ministry. Then, some of the forms of dress belonging to the temple priesthood came into Christian use.

In the early Church, the basic form of dress for everyone was a white tunic. Christians adopted a form of this white tunic, robe or alb, to clothe the newly-baptised as they emerged from the water, symbolising a fresh start and a new belonging. Clergy too wore this white tunic, but like the senators and leaders of the time, would wear a sash over it according to their particular ministry.

Over the years, clerical dress came in and out of vogue and approval. For some periods, the alb was discarded in favour of the black Geneva gown for educated preachers. For others, clergy were required to dress like their congregation. In the 1960’s, congregants ceased to wear their “Sunday best” to church, and in some cases, clergy followed suit. As the Uniting Church came into being, the Assembly suggested that each minister is free to choose whether or not to wear liturgical dress.

For me, the white alb holds the attraction of being simple, plain and ecumenical (which we particularly see at our Ecumenical Covenant services). There are no associations with the government, law courts, academia or civil distinctions. I see the alb as a blank canvas, so that my clothes need not be a distraction to the worship I lead and the message I proclaim. John will wear a long cross on top of his alb, as a symbol of the centrality of Christ.

On top of this blank canvas, I will wear a stole, in the appropriate colour for the season of the church’s year (red for Pentecost, white for Easter, etc.). The symbols I have chosen for my stoles are special to me, but are designed for your benefit. The hope is that you will see not only pretty designs, but a visual way to focus oneself in worship. For example, the butterflies on my white stole are symbols of new life found in the risen Lord Jesus. At my ordination service last year, my first stole was placed on me, as a symbol of the yoke of ordained ministry. So when I put it on before worship, it is like putting on my role and responsibilities, as a Minister of the Word among you.

Finally, at public occasions I will wear a clerical shirt (a shirt with a special white tab inserted into the collar). For me, this is purely so that the general public is aware that I am a clergyperson. This item is particularly useful to me as a female minister.