Family of God Lutheran Church     ELCA

Greetings to everyone at Family of God -

We’ve had a lot of services lately, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to explain a few traditions related to worship. You might have found yourself wondering about them (or maybe not)! Either way, once you read this, you’ll know.

You’ve surely noticed that Pr. Paul and I wear certain garments during worship. Worship clothing varies by denomination and culture, so ours are typical for traditional American Lutherans. Here’s a breakdown of what you might see at our church:

1: The clergy collar—this is one of the newest items ministers wear. It “only” dates back to the 19th century. Pastors and priests at this time began wearing their shirts in the color black with the collar folded a certain way, more or less as an uniform. Collars today come in different colors, which may or may not have meaning. Bishops sometimes wear purple as a sign of their authority, along with a pectoral cross (big cross necklace which rests on the chest). The collar is the only clothing item I’ll describe which can be worn daily outside of worship. The white rectangular part at the throat of a clergy shirt is a Roman collar (also called a tab), which is worn both by Catholic priests and ministers of other denominations. Sometimes you’ll also see a collar in a full white loop, buttoned at the back of the neck. This is called an Anglican collar. The cassock, which we rarely wear at Family of God, is a longer version of the black clergy collar which goes down to the ankles.

2: The alb—this is the long white gown. Alb comes from the Latin word meaning “white.” It got its start as ordinary clothing worn by Romans in the early days of the church. While fashion for lay people has changed with time, this piece has remained the same for ministers. It’s typically brought in at the middle with a belt called a “cincture.” That name comes from the Latin word for “waist.” The cincture is usually rope which resembles monks’ clothing.

3: The stole—this is the colored scarf-like piece that changes colors with the “liturgical” (worship) season or holy day. This word “stole” has nothing to do with stealing! It is connected to a Latin word which simply means “garment.” It was formally adopted by the church around the eighth century. Several theories exist regarding its origins but it’s most likely that it began as a cloth worn by Roman officials. The stole can signify the fetters of Christ during the Holy Week narrative or the yoke that Christ instructs his followers to carry. Pastors wear theirs across the back of the neck and draped in front. Deacons wear theirs as a sash that crosses the chest.

4: The chasuble—this is the final, most outer layer of clothing that we wear in worship. It looks like a poncho. Like other clergy-wear, this also began as an ordinary item of clothing worn by both Greeks and Romans called the “casula,” or “little house.” Over the centuries, it has changed shape to aid in comfort, convenience, and durability. Ours are simple: oval shaped, longer in the back, and coordinate with the colors of the worship season. They’re specifically worn by the person presiding at communion. We’ve been bringing them back in our worship services because not only are they lovely and should be used, but also because they’re warm and cozy in winter!

I hope this demystifies some elements of worship. Anytime we make our traditions more accessible, I think it’s a good thing. If you ever wonder about anything around church, all you have to do is ask! Blessings to you and your loved ones.



Pastor Erin Koster