During Pentecost we recall the familiar story of The Holy Spirit descending upon the disciples as fire. We know that this represents the presence of the Holy Spirit with the disciples on the day of Pentecost and to us all, every day.

We accept this theory so readily that we seldom remember that the idea of God dwelling with us is one of the most radical claims of the New Testament. We just know God is with us. 

We must remember to live with God's presence; to trust it, to respect it, to be patient with it, to seek it, to find it, to give it freedom to work, and to love it. We are not called to be disciples of God to remember a day of Pentecost many years ago. We are called to be living, breathing disciples; leaping into, falling into, walking with, embracing the flame of the Spirit. God is there with us, in the jumping and the falling.*

This design for Pentecost illustrates the emotion of the above idea of falling with God's presence and grace, The Holy Spirit, into God's waiting arms. The dove descends and falls.

The cross at the bottom is a stylized form of the Y cross or fork cross. It symbolized the expectant soul, gazing aloft with outstretched arms. We embrace God, and allow God to embrace us. Further, the Y cross is a symbol of the Trinity with three parts, all equal and one. Trinity Sunday is part of the season of Pentecost.

*Inspired by "Things Seen and Unseen" by Nora Gallagher.

All stoles are made with 100% natural fibres: cottons, silks, linens, etc. If you have any questions about material quality, do not hesitate to contact us. Stoles are lined with cotton so they don't slip around.

Karen Brodie Designs has been making made to order stoles for over 30 years. Not all of our handmade clergy stoles are currently in stock but we will still be happy to make them for you. Made to order requests will take several weeks while we create the product for your order. Please proceed with regular checkout. If at any point you have questions or comments, or would prefer to order offline, please do not hesitate to email or call.

Each of these stoles is offered in 48", 54", and 58" from base of back neck. Custom sizing is available upon request. Please contact us to place your custom size order. We charge an additional $80 to make your custom stole length.

Please view our sizing chart here.

Of the stole "Empty Cross, Full of Life":

“This is the third stole I have purchased from Karen, and it is a wonderful addition to my collection. One of my favorite features of all of her designs are the ways that she mixes fabric textures together so that they flow together down the stole and from one side to the next. I am looking forward to wearing this one throughout Easter each year.”

 Rev. Rebecca Kirkpatrick, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania